The 15 Best Luxury Restaurants in London
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It’s fair to say that London is a city where you’ll never go hungry. England’s capital features 69 restaurants boasting at least one Michelin star, and its innovative culinary scene is now viewed as one of the world’s most exciting.
From traditional classics to new-wave cuisine cooked by some of the world’s top chefs, it’s most definitely a foodie’s paradise. We’ve been exploring the city’s best eateries to provide you with a definitive list of the best out there.
So, join as we review the best luxury restaurants in London and tempt your tastebuds in the process!
Short on Time? Our Top Three Luxury Restaurants in London
Sketch | Best Luxury Restaurant for Business Meals
Restaurant Gordon Ramsey | Best Luxury Restaurant for Special Occasions
Ikoyi | Best Luxury Restaurant for Couples
The Full List
1. Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library)
Good for: Invention, business, modern French
Price range: ££££
Location: 9 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2XG, United Kingdom
Style: Modern French
Michelin Stars: ***
AA: 5 rosette
Summary:
Sketch is more than just a meal – it’s an experience. This Grade II listed, 18th century venue in Mayfair is an artistic masterpiece; one in which you’re treated to a visual experience at every turn. That artistic flair continues with the plates presented at your table, with classic French dishes given a modern twist and, of course, executed majestically.
It opened in 2003 and its Head Chef Pierre Gagnaire has continued to push the limits of what French cuisine can achieve. It secured its third Michelin Star in 2019 and was listed among the top 20 restaurants in the world by Restaurant Magazine.
2. Restaurant Gordon Ramsey
Good for: Fine-dining, classic French, couples
Price range: ££££
Location: 68-69 Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HP, United Kingdom
Style: French
Michelin Stars: ***
AA: 4 rosette
Summary:
Gordon Ramsay’s name speaks for itself, and as one of the world’s most famous TV chef personalities, his fierce reputation means that standards have remained extremely high at his flagship restaurant.
Thanks to the stewardship of Head Chef and co-owner Matt Abé, you can find some of the best classic French cuisine in the country, delivered exquisitely and with excellent service. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best fine dining restaurants in London.
3. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Good for: Fine-dining
Price range: ££££
Location: Carlos Place, London, W1K 2AL, United Kingdom
Style: Modern European
Michelin Stars: ***
AA: 5 rosette
The Connaught Hotel is an iconic setting, and one that’s certainly no stranger to excellent cuisine. In recent years, though, it’s been given a modern twist and elevated to even greater heights. The attention to detail in the restaurant’s design and décor provides a warmth that makes you want to stay longer and longer.
Meanwhile, that same attention to detail is played out on the plate by Hélène Darroze and her team, with excellent British produce given a continental European twist. What you’re getting here is indulgent perfection and one of the best exclusive restaurants in London.
4. Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Good for: Fine-dining, contemporary French, couples
Price range: ££££
Location: Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA, United Kingdom
Style: Contemporary French
Michelin Stars: ***
AA: 4 rosette
Summary:
This iconic London restaurant, in one of the city’s most famous hotels, has held 3 Michelin stars for 12 years. Alain Ducasse holds 17 Michelin stars around the world and it’s at The Dorchester where his vision is perhaps best showcased.
Here, some of Britain and France’s best produce is combined to offer food with a light touch, but that also provides punchy flavour profiles. Innovation is key here and the constantly-evolving menu means you can go back time and time again, experiencing a few taste sensation on each and every visit.
This establishment has stood the test of time (no mean feat in the highly-competitive world of fine-dining) and continues to rank amongst the best high-end restaurants in London, today.
5. CORE by Clare Smyth
Good for: Best of British, relaxed atmosphere
Price range: ££££
Location: 92 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2PN, United Kingdom
Style: Modern British
Michelin Stars: ***
AA: 5 rosette
Summary:
At CORE, in Notting Hill, you’ll find modern British cuisine at its very best. With various menu options, you can sample familiar combinations delivered in an innovative way or go for a more experimental menu which reinvents British food, taking you on an extraordinary culinary journey.
Claire Smyth plied her trade under the stewardship of Gordon Ramsay, before flying the nest to become one of the country’s very best female chefs. The restaurant is down-to-earth, with no dress code and eclectic music played as you dine – it’s a homely setting which delivers some of the best fine-dining in London.
6. Pollen Street Social
Good for: Delicate plates, artistic innovation, Asian influences
Price range: ££££
Location: 8-10 Pollen Street, London, W1S 1NQ, United Kingdom
Style: Modern
Michelin Stars: *
AA: 5 rosette
Summary:
At Pollen Street Social, in Mayfair, you’ll discover artistically-presented plates brimming with flavour. Despite being one of the top posh places to eat in London, it retains a humble, down-to-earth feel. Here, you’ll experience familiar flavour combinations presented with a modern twist, as well as more experimental dishes with an Asian influence.
You’ll certainly be kept on your culinary toes by the owner Jason Atherton and his Head Chef Dale Bainbridge. When you visit this restaurant and taste their food, you’ll quickly realise how they managed to achieve Michelin Star status after only 6 months of opening.
7. Marcus
Good for: British, elegance, couples
Price range: ££££
Location: Wilton Place, London, SW1X 7RL, United Kingdom
Style: Modern British
Michelin Stars: *
AA: 5 rosette
Summary:
This is Marcus Wareing’s showcase restaurant, in the exclusive Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge. As one of Britain’s top chefs, he’s become a recognisable face on UK television in recent years as a main judge on the popular BBC programme Masterchef. The restaurant’s wooden features and comfy leather armchairs provide a regal elegance to the setting.
Meanwhile, the food showcases the best of British produce, some of which is reared and produced on Wareing’s own Kent-based farm. You can expect refined dishes here that prioritise bold, impactful flavours – particularly in the sauces. The sophisticated setting and beautiful dishes served up unquestionably makes this one of the best exclusive restaurants in London.
8. Claude Bosi at Bibendum
Good for: Classic French, architecture, artistry
Price range: ££££
Location: Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6RD, United Kingdom
Style: French
Michelin Stars: **
AA: 5 rosette
Summary:
Bibendum offers French food at its beautifully-balanced best, providing enormously bold flavours and exquisite produce, all delivered in an architectural gem of a building in Chelsea. Bibendum is on the first floor of a beautiful art deco property, with original features throughout and even stained-glass windows.
It’s a top posh London restaurant which priotises on using classical techniques to absolute perfection. Fantastic seasonal produce is delivered with stunning simplicity and with an excellent eye-to-detail.
9. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Good for: Theatre, innovation, British food
Price range: ££££
Location: 66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom
Style: Traditional British
Michelin Stars: **
AA: 4 rosette
Summary:
Heston Blumenthal is known as a magician in the kitchen, pushing the limits of what can be achieved with simple produce. His new-age techniques have garnered him much television fame and his showcase restaurant is packed full of his trademark surprises.
All the dishes served have been inspired by the past – with recipes dating back to the 14th century – but given a 21st century twist. It brings a level of excitement and mystery which you won’t find in many other UK kitchens. The food is fun and his dishes often feature an interactive element of some sort, making this one of the most unique luxury dining experiences in London.
10. Ikoyi
Good for: New-wave techniques, spice, invention
Price range: ££££
Location: 1 St. James’s Market, London, SW1Y 4AH, United Kingdom
Style: Creative British & West African
Michelin Stars: **
AA: 3 rosette
Summary:
If you want true food innovation, then look no further than Ikoyi. Here, chef and founder Jeremey Chan utilises wonderful British produce, then elevates those ingredients further by using a wonderful array of West African spices.
His small plates provide bold flavours whilst also getting the most out of the produce he uses. Ikoyi is situated south of Piccadilly and, if you like your food with a kick, then this is the place for you. It’s one of the more inventive posh places to eat in London and certainly like no other restaurant in the capital.
11. Barrafina
Good for: Fine-dining on a budget, couples, theatre
Price range: ££
Location: 26-27 Dean Street, London, W1D 3LL, United Kingdom
Style: Spanish
Michelin Stars: *
AA: 3 rosette
Summary:
There are few high-end restaurants in London which offer this level of quality for such an affordable price. This tiny, modern tapas restaurant, in Soho, delivers classic Spanish small plates with theatre. Guests sit around a bar, looking over an open kitchen, sitting shoulder to shoulder with other guests.
It creates a warmth and authenticity, transporting you to a small bar in Spanish city, but delivering fine-dining taste profiles. This beautiful dining experience won’t break the bank either, with dishes available from as little as £6.
12. Le Gavroche
Good for: French classics, fine-dining, culinary history
Price range: ££££
Location: 43 Upper Brook Street, London, W1K 7QR, United Kingdom
Style: French
Michelin Stars: **
AA: 3 rosette
Summary:
This is a truly historic fine-dining restaurant in London. Having been open since the 1960s, Le Gavroche is the home of the world-famous Roux family of chefs, and is now under the stewardship of Michel Roux Jnr. It’s a place which oozes elegance and delivers high-end French classics with a refined touch.
These are recipes and techniques which have stood the test of time, but which are now delivered with an elegant modern edge. Le Gavroche represents a bastion of legendary French cuisine here in the UK.
13. Brat
Good for: Friends, sharing, family, on a budget
Price range: ££
Location: 4 Redchurch Street, London, E1 6JL, United Kingdom
Style: Basque
Michelin Stars: *
AA: 0 rosettes
Summary:
This Basque-inspired restaurant is one of the best eateries in East London. At Brat, you’ll experience a cosy, pub-style environment with food cooked on a grill and fire in front of guests. This is excellent, simple food, cooked in a traditional Basque way.
A down-to-earth cooking experience, but one that’s done to an excellent standard, Brat offers a homely and cosy environment. This is the ideal spot to come for comfort food that’s made to be shared with friends and family. All in all, it’s an outstanding culinary project delivered by Head Chef Tomos Parry and his team.
14. La Dame de Pic London
Good for: Fine-dining, business
Price range: ££
Location: 10 Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4AJ, United Kingdom
Style: Modern French
Michelin Stars: **
AA: 3 rosettes
Summary:
La Dame de Pic London undoubtedly offers one of the best fine dining options, not only in the City of London, but in the entire capital. Anne Sophie Pic’s bright and airy restaurant in the city’s Four Seasons Hotel oozes elegance and the food certainly doesn’t disappoint, either.
French classics are given a modern spin and delivered with a delicate touch. Anne-Sophie Pic is the world’s most-decorated female Michelin-starred chef, and, at La Dame de Pic London, it’s easy to see why.
15. Amaya
Good for: Sharing, vegetarian Indian, spice
Price range: £££
Location: Halkin Arcade, 19 Motcomb Street, London, SW1X 8JT, United Kingdom
Style: Indian
Michelin Stars: *
AA: 3 rosettes
Summary:
Food is often best shared and that’s the Amaya motto. This is as good as Indian cuisine gets in the UK, and the Belgravia restaurant’s open kitchen creates both theatre and a lively atmosphere. The small plates entice you to try lots of options, all of which can be shared with friends and family.
As you’d expect from Indian cuisine, you can also get some excellent vegetarian dishes alongside the meat-based options. The restaurant opened in 2004 under the stewardship of Head Chef Luciano Di Clemente, and the restaurant has continued to excel ever since.
Final Thoughts
Well, we hope you’re sufficiently hungry after that, because we know we certainly are. London is a hotbed of exquisite food and there are few capital cities which offer such a diverse variety of top restaurants as does London.
From classic recipes created by famous TV chefs, to new-wave cuisine and techniques delivered by up-and-coming culinary stars, London has it all; British classics, as well as some of the best dishes from France, the rest of Europe and global cuisine, too. London ticks all of the boxes when it comes to food.
We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best luxury restaurants in London, but these eateries are in high in demand, so don’t wait around. Get booking and taste London’s luxury restaurants for yourself.
