These are the winners of the FACT Dining Awards London 2026.
London remains one of the world’s most exciting places to eat, with a dining scene that refuses to be defined by a single cuisine, neighbourhood or style. The FACT Dining Awards London 2026 celebrate that diversity, recognising restaurants that deliver memorable food, confident hospitality and a genuine sense of identity. Spanning neighbourhood bakeries, old-school institutions, rooftop destinations and ambitious tasting menus, the awards are split between BEST, decided by the FACT editorial team, and FAVOURITE, voted for by our readers. These are the restaurants that came out on top.
Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners.
Restaurant of the Year 2026:
Ikoyi
Few London restaurants have developed such a singular culinary language as Ikoyi. Founded by Iré Hassan-Odukale and chef Jeremy Chan, the restaurant has moved far beyond the West African label attached to its earliest days, building an identity based on global spices, British micro-seasonality and relentless attention to ingredients. Vegetables are selected for flavour rather than uniformity, fish is sourced from sustainable day boats, and native beef is aged to develop depth before Chan applies smoke, fermentation and complex seasoning. The tasting menu changes continuously, making the experience difficult to reduce to a handful of permanent signatures. That is precisely the point. Ikoyi is driven by progression rather than repetition, delivering cooking that feels unmistakably its own. For 2026, it is the FACT Dining Awards London Restaurant of the Year.
Where: Ikoyi, 180 Strand, Temple, London, WC2R 1EA
Contact: https://ikoyilondon.com
Newcomer
Best: Trèsind
After building its reputation in Dubai and Mumbai, Trèsind arrived in Mayfair in 2026 with an ambitious interpretation of modern Indian dining. Culinary direction comes from acclaimed chef Himanshu Saini alongside chef Amit Bagyal, with the London restaurant presenting Indian flavours through a progressive multi-course format. The tasting menu moves between familiar references and intricate technique, while lunch offers a more concise introduction. Current dishes include Arugula Pani Puri with preserved pear, Missi Roti with green chilli butter, Bengali Kosha Mangsho and Alleppey Fish Curry. Traditional Butter Chicken is treated with suitable respect rather than discarded in pursuit of novelty, while desserts such as Daulat Ki Chaat demonstrate the kitchen’s more contemporary instincts. Trèsind arrives with pedigree, but London gives the brand a distinct new chapter.
Where: Trèsind, 13-14 Hanover Street, Mayfair, London. W1S 1YH
Contact: https://tresind.co.uk
Favourite: Impala
Chef Meedu Saad spent six years leading the kitchen at the FACT award-winning KILN before opening Impala on Dean Street in 2026. His solo debut broadens the geographical lens, drawing heavily on Egyptian and North African memories while incorporating techniques collected throughout his career. A custom charcoal grill and wood-fired oven anchor the kitchen, with carefully sourced British meat, fish and vegetables meeting harissa, black lime and smoke. The Dry-Aged Duck stuffed with black limes and Aswan chillies, then roasted over embers and glazed with molasses, is already the restaurant’s defining dish. Grilled sheftalia and seasonal seafood further demonstrate Saad’s ability to make the restaurant feel personal rather than bound to one culinary tradition.
Where: Impala, 13-14 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D 3RS
Contact: https://impalasoho.com
Chef’s Table
Best: Humble Chicken
Humble Chicken has undergone a remarkable evolution under chef Angelo Sato, transforming from a casual yakitori counter into a 13-seat fine-dining restaurant. The current experience centres on a 16-course omakase that combines Sato’s Japanese heritage with European technique, all prepared in full view of diners. Miso-cured Foie Gras has become one of the most popular courses, while Chawanmushi can bring together black cod, bone marrow, cabbage and a red miso chicken dashi. Humble Pigeon provides another signature, and snacks move between seafood and playful references to familiar comfort food. With the chef and his team working directly across the counter, there is nowhere for the cooking to hide, making every movement part of the evening.
Where: Humble Chicken, 54 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4SJ
Contact: https://humblechickenuk.com
Favourite: Muse by Tom Aikens
Set inside a converted Belgravia mews house, Muse is chef Tom Aikens’ deeply personal return to experience-led fine dining. The intimate restaurant seats just 23 guests, with menus drawing on memories from Aikens’ childhood, travels and lengthy culinary career. A ten-course tasting menu forms the principal experience, while shorter formats provide another route into the cooking. Individual dishes evolve with the seasons, but the storytelling framework remains central, linking ingredients and techniques to specific moments in the chef’s life. Aikens brings considerable pedigree, having become the youngest British chef to earn two MICHELIN stars at the age of 26. The close quarters give Muse the feel of dining inside a chef’s private creative space rather than a conventional restaurant.
Where: Muse by Tom Aikens, 38 Groom Place, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BA
Contact: https://musebytomaikens.co.uk
British
Best: Ikoyi
Ikoyi resists easy categorisation, but its current incarnation is firmly grounded in British produce. Chef Jeremy Chan builds each menu around micro-seasonal vegetables, sustainably caught fish and aged native beef, then transforms those ingredients through one of the restaurant’s defining features: an extensive library of global spices. The result is food that feels uniquely connected to Britain without conforming to conventional ideas of British cuisine. The tasting menu changes constantly according to producers and fishermen, meaning individual dishes may disappear almost as quickly as they arrive. Dishes include Turbot with egusi miso, Smoked Jollof Rice, while the Instagrammable Plantain with Smoked Lelp and Blackberry is easily one of London’s most recognisable plates. Warning: there is a long reservation list, but you can thank us later.
Where: Ikoyi, 180 Strand, Temple, London, WC2R 1EA
Contact: https://ikoyilondon.com
Favourite: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High
Sixty floors above the City, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High turns dinner into one of London’s most elevated chef’s table experiences. The intimate 12-seat restaurant at 22 Bishopsgate is led by chef James Goodyear and earned its first Michelin star in 2026. Diners are served a surprise Carte Blanche tasting menu, built around seasonality, luxury produce and modern technique. Recent highlights have included 14-day-aged duck with celeriac and Alsace bacon, alongside lobster with pumpkin and pine. Floor-to-ceiling views stretch across the capital, while the open kitchen keeps the culinary action close. With Gordon Ramsay’s name and a skyline setting high above London, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High is designed for destination dining.
Where: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High, 22 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ
Contact: www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com
Japanese
Best: MATER1A
A tiny dining room in Westbourne Grove provides the stage for MATER1A, chef Victor Garvey’s intimate Japanese-influenced tasting experience. With only a small number of seats, the restaurant is built around close interaction between kitchen and diner, allowing each course to receive complete attention. The menu changes with premium seasonal produce, moving between raw seafood, precise nigiri-style preparations and more elaborate cooked dishes. Recent menus have included Japanese melon, crab and delicate seafood courses, while Sakura miso and Japanese techniques appear throughout the progression. Garvey combines his European fine-dining background with Japanese ideas rather than attempting strict traditionalism. The result is a highly personal restaurant where luxury ingredients, detailed presentation and an intimate chef-led format define the experience.
Where: MATER1A, 115A Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London, W2 4UP
Contact: www.mater1a.uk
Favourite: Zuma
Zuma helped introduce London to contemporary izakaya dining when it opened in Knightsbridge, and the restaurant remains remarkably relevant more than two decades later. The menu is structured for sharing across three kitchens, moving between sushi and sashimi, dishes from the main kitchen and meats or seafood cooked over the robata grill. Miso-marinated Black Cod wrapped in hoba leaf remains an essential order, while Yellowtail Sashimi with green chilli relish delivers freshness and heat. Rock Shrimp Tempura is another long-standing favourite, and larger plates include lobster with shiso butter and cedar-roasted baby chicken. Zuma’s buzzy dining room and bar remain central to the formula, making it as much a social destination as a Japanese restaurant.
Where: Zuma, 5 Raphael Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1DL
Contact: www.zumarestaurant.com
Italian
Best: Manteca
Manteca takes the principles of nose-to-tail cooking and applies them to the pleasures of an Italian trattoria. Chef Chris Leach’s Shoreditch restaurant makes pasta by hand, cures its own meats and uses whole animals with impressive efficiency. The Brown Crab Cacio e Pepe has become a near-permanent fixture, coating pasta in a sauce that combines the salinity of crab with Pecorino and black pepper. House-made salumi should feature at the start of any meal, while changing pastas and wood-fired meat dishes reward repeat visits. Fermentation and preservation are integral to the kitchen, but Manteca never feels like a restaurant asking diners to admire its technique. The focus is simply on rich, comforting food that makes clever use of excellent ingredients.
Where: Manteca, 49-51 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3PT
Contact: www.mantecarestaurant.co.uk
Favourite: CARBONE
Few Italian-American restaurants arrive with as much baggage or buzz as CARBONE. The New York institution brought its red-sauce glamour to Grosvenor Square in 2025, carrying with it the dishes that made chef Mario Carbone’s original restaurant famous. Caesar alla ZZ is prepared with suitable ceremony, while the Spicy Rigatoni Vodka remains the plate almost every table wants to order. Veal Parmesan delivers old-school excess in all the right ways, and Octopus Pizzaiolo provides another signature from the American outposts. The room embraces nostalgia rather than understatement, with tuxedoed service and generous portions reinforcing the sense of occasion. CARBONE is deliberately theatrical, but beneath the spectacle sits a menu of Italian-American comfort food executed with confidence. Don’t miss the Spicy Rigatoni.
Where: CARBONE, 30 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 2LG
Contact: https://carbonelondon.com
Indian
Best: Gymkhana
If you want to give someone FOMO, then say these three words: “I’m visiting Gymkhana.” In 2013, the restaurant opened in Mayfair. In 2023, it opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and went on to win a FACT Dining Award and in 2026 it opened in Dubai and Las Vegas. Inspired by the private clubs of colonial-era India, Gymkhana combines dark timber, intimate booths and serious North Indian cooking in the heart of Mayfair. The Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops are among London’s greatest restaurant dishes, arriving deeply charred and powerfully spiced. The dishes are return-worthy wonders: Kid Goat Methi Keema provides another signature, rich with fenugreek and best scooped up with bread. Elsewhere, Goan Prawn Curry, Chicken Butter Masala and Wild Muntjac Biryani demonstrate the range of the kitchen. The menu is unapologetically luxurious, but the spices remain bold rather than restrained for the setting.
Where: Gymkhana, 42 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4JH
Contact: www.fineindianrestaurants.com
Favourite: Pahli Hill
Pahli Hill takes its name from the Mumbai neighbourhood and channels the diversity of Indian home cooking into a relaxed Fitzrovia restaurant. The menu moves freely across the country, pairing familiar comfort dishes with less obvious regional references. Kandhari Lamb Chops make a strong case for the grill, while Butter Chicken and Paneer Makhani lean towards rich North Indian flavours. Mangalorean Fish Curry and Kerala Prawn Curry bring coconut and coastal spice into the mix, while Cornish Lamb Biryani provides a substantial centrepiece. Crisp, flaky flatbreads are ideal for mopping up sauces, and the Rabdi Tres Leches gives dessert a cross-cultural flourish. Start your evening at Pahli Hill, and finish it downstairs at its basement bar, Bandra Bhai.
Where: Pahli Hill, 79-81 Mortimer Street, Fitrzovia, London, W1W 7SJ
Contact: https://pahlihillbandrabhai.com
French
Best: Pavyllon London
Yannick Alléno brings his modern approach to French cuisine to Pavyllon London at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. The famous chef’s restaurant avoids the formality often associated with haute cuisine, with counter seating around the open kitchen placing diners close to the action. The menu is technically accomplished but playful, moving through dishes such as an Orkney Scallop Tartlet with smoked brown butter, Comté Soufflé and soft egg paired with bluefin tuna tartare. More elaborate plates can bring together wagyu, langoustine, sweetbreads or seasonal mushrooms. British ingredients sit comfortably alongside French technique, while Alléno’s celebrated work with sauces provides an underlying thread. It is fine dining with enough flexibility to suit both a tasting experience and a shorter meal.
Where: Pavyllon London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, London, W1J 7DR
Contact: www.pavyllonlondon.com
Favourite: La Petite Maison
Consistency. That’s the word that customers and critics use about La Petite Maison. The chefs create the same quality around the world, whether you’re in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Mykonos or Riyadh – we know, as we have eaten at them. La Petite Maison London transports the flavours of the French Riviera to a quiet Mayfair mews behind Claridge’s. Tomatoes and lemons sit on the table from the moment guests arrive, setting the tone for food built around Mediterranean produce, citrus, herbs and olive oil. Make like FACT Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, and order the Warm Prawns with Olive Oil and Lemon Juice or the Burrata with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil, which celebrates simplicity. Larger plates include the Marinated Baby Chicken, Salt-Baked Sea Bass and Lamb Cutlets with olives, aubergine caviar and pine nuts. And, no trip is complete without drinking the signature cocktail, Tomatini.
Where: La Petite Maison, 53-54 Brook’s Mews, Mayfair, London, W1K 4EG
Contact: https://lpmrestaurants.com
Chinese
Best: A.Wong
Chef Andrew Wong approaches Chinese cuisine with the curiosity of both a cook and a cultural historian. His Pimlico restaurant explores recipes, techniques and traditions from across China, moving far beyond the regional boundaries that often define Chinese dining in Britain. The menu might begin with Sweet and Sour Rib before progressing to Soy Chicken served with ginger oil and Oscietra caviar, or a dish inspired by Chengdu street tofu. The Crispy Aromatic Peking Duck references the evolution of Chinese food in London, while crab, wagyu and seasonal seafood appear in more elaborate compositions. Wong’s cooking can be cerebral, but flavour remains the point. Every dish connects history, migration and technique in a way few restaurants attempt.
Where: A.Wong, 70 Wilton Road, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1DE
Contact: www.awong.co.uk
Favourite: Hakkasan Mayfair
Hakkasan helped redefine high-end Chinese dining in London, and its Mayfair restaurant remains a seductive combination of dim lighting, intricate interiors and Cantonese cooking. Dim sum provides a natural starting point, but the menu’s signatures are the dishes that have travelled with the brand around the world from Dubai to Shanghai. Whole Peking Duck with caviar brings theatre to the table, while Grilled Chilean Seabass in Honey has become a long-standing favourite. Crispy Duck Salad delivers sweetness, acidity and texture, and Black Truffle Prawn Toast gives a luxurious twist to a familiar classic. The restaurant comes alive after dark, when cocktails and music add further energy. More than a decade after opening, Hakkasan Mayfair continues to make dinner feel like an occasion.
Where: Hakkasan Mayfair, 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 6QB
Contact: https://hakkasangroup.com
Greek
Best: GAIA
GAIA made headlines for its price tags, but it remains a firm favourite with FACT’s Editor-in-Chief, who has dined at its venues around the world. GAIA brings the sun-soaked flavours of the Greek Mediterranean from Dubai to Mayfair under the culinary direction of chefs Izu Ani and Orestis Kotefas. The restaurant encourages sharing, beginning with dips such as taramosalata, tirokafteri and smoked aubergine before moving into seafood, pasta and charcoal-grilled meats. Salmon Carpaccio has become a signature, while the Greek Salad relies on ripe mountain tomatoes and barrel-aged feta. Lobster Pasta provides a celebratory centrepiece, and lamb cutlets from the grill showcase the kitchen’s simpler side. Fresh fish displayed on ice reinforces the Mediterranean market feel.
Where: GAIA, 50 Dover Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4NY
Contact: https://gaia-restaurants.com
Favourite: Pyro
Fire is both the name and driving force behind Pyro. Chef Yiannis Mexis draws on his Greek upbringing and time spent cooking around Athens and Mykonos, filtering those memories through a large open grill in Borough. Spanakopita is playfully reworked into a pastel de nata-style tart, while coal-seared prawns and whole charred aubergine demonstrate the kitchen’s command of smoke. Barbecued octopus arrives with rose, wheat and pistachio pilaf, while larger plates might include suckling pig cooked over myrtle or 50-day-aged beef prepared antikristo-style. The result is Greek food that feels rooted in tradition without being bound by it, supported by an energetic dining room where flames remain visible throughout the meal.
Where: Pyro, 53b Southwark Street, Southwark, London, SE1 1RU
Contact: https://pyrorestaurant.co.uk
European
Best: Legado
Chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho has spent years championing Spanish cooking in London, and Legado gives her the space to explore the country’s regions in greater depth. The Shoreditch restaurant moves beyond familiar tapas, taking inspiration from mainland Spain and its islands through seafood, rice dishes, cured meats and the grill. Cantabrian anchovy with smoked cheese and brioche provides a salty, rich opening, while Arroz de Cangrejo puts crab at the centre of one of the menu’s most compelling dishes. Suckling pig, squid cooked in its ink and seasonal vegetable plates reinforce the kitchen’s regional approach. Legado feels expansive without losing the warmth associated with Barragán Mohacho’s cooking, turning Spanish culinary heritage into something vibrant and contemporary.
Where: Legado, Montacute Yards, Shoreditch, London, E1 6HU
Contact: www.legadorestaurants.com
Favourite: Barrafina Soho
Few London restaurants capture the energy of a Spanish tapas bar quite like Barrafina on Dean Street. The walk-in-only Soho restaurant places diners along a marble counter overlooking the open kitchen, where Executive Chef Antonio Gonzalez Milla’s team works with seasonal produce and a constantly changing specials board. The tortilla is an essential order, served golden outside and wonderfully soft within, while crab croquetas, chipirones and pimientos de Padrón keep the table busy. Fresh seafood is another strength, with carabineros, razor clams and whole fish regularly appearing among the daily specials. Add an excellent Spanish wine and sherry selection, and Barrafina delivers tapas with theatre, spontaneity and an irresistible sense of occasion.
Where: Barrafina Soho, 26-27 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D 3LL
Contact: www.barrafina.com
Middle Eastern & North African
Best: Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
Chef Imad Alarnab’s journey from Damascus to London gives his restaurant a story worth telling, but the food is strong enough to stand entirely on its own. Located in Kingly Court, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen centres on generous plates designed for sharing. Hummus and Muhammara provide a familiar opening, while Zahraa Harra transforms cauliflower with spice and texture. Shish Tawook offers charcoal-grilled comfort, but the Kabsah Ghanam is the dish for a larger table, pairing slow-roasted lamb shoulder with spiced rice and nuts. Syrian ice cream, pistachio baklava and kunafa provide suitably sweet endings. Hospitality is integral to the experience, giving the restaurant the warmth of a family table despite its busy central London location.
Where: Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, Soho, London, W1B 5PW
Contact: www.imadssyriankitchen.co.uk
Favourite: Berenjak
Berenjak takes inspiration from the hole-in-the-wall kabab houses of Tehran and the family meals of chef Kian Samyani’s childhood. Its compact Soho dining room revolves around the tanoor and mangal grill, filling the space with the aroma of charcoal and freshly baked bread. Taftoon should arrive early, ready to scoop through Kashk-e Bademjoon, where coal-cooked aubergine meets whey, walnuts, mint and onion. From the grill, Jujeh chicken and lamb kababs carry plenty of smoke, while larger dishes and Persian stews give the menu added depth. Herbs, yoghurt, pickles and rice provide contrast throughout. It is convivial, confident Iranian cooking that prioritises flavour and generosity over ceremony.
Where: Berenjak, 27 Romilly Street, Soho, London, W1D 5AL
Contact: https://berenjak.com
Caribbean
Best: 2210 by NattyCanCook
Chef Nathaniel Mortley, better known as NattyCanCook, brings his Guyanese and Bajan heritage to 2210 in Herne Hill. His first permanent restaurant channels Caribbean comfort food through a contemporary London lens, with a menu packed with dishes that reward sharing. Saltfish Beignets and Chicken Curry Nuggets provide lively opening bites before the Traditional Oxtail arrives rich and slow-cooked. Lobster Rasta Pasta brings indulgence, while jerk chicken, pimento duck and Wiri Wiri-spiced lamb demonstrate the breadth of the kitchen’s influences. Mortley’s cooking is generous and deeply personal, but the restaurant avoids becoming overly reverential about tradition. Instead, 2210 shows how Caribbean flavours can move comfortably between nostalgia, creativity and restaurant dining without losing their soul.
Where: 2210 by NattyCanCook, 75 Norwood Road, Herne Hill, London, SE24 9AA
Contact: www.2210bynattycancook.com
Favourite: Fish, Wings & Tings
Brixton Village provides a fitting home for Fish, Wings & Tings, where island flavours, music and colour combine in one of the area’s most enduring Caribbean restaurants. The menu is divided into small tings and big tings, and features street food favourites such as Cod Fish Fritters with ginger and lime aioli, followed by Reggae Wings served with pineapple and mango chutney. Jerk Chicken brings smoke and spice, while Curry Mutton and Stew Oxtail lean into slow-cooked comfort. Seafood is equally important, with Coconut Curry Prawns and Creole Fish Stew among the options. The food is vibrant without unnecessary complication, and the informal setting encourages tables to order generously. It’s a favourite among locals and celebrities – including Will Smith.
Where: Fish, Wings & Tings, Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton Village, London, SW9 8PR
Contact: https://fishwingsandtings.co.uk
Pan-American
Best: KOL
Chef Santiago Lastra has built KOL around a deceptively simple proposition: Mexican soul expressed through British ingredients. The approach means traditional flavours are recreated through local produce rather than imported substitutes, resulting in one of London’s most individual tasting menus. The Langoustine Taco with smoked chilli and sea buckthorn has become the restaurant’s defining dish, capturing both the precision and ingenuity of Lastra’s cooking. Recent menus have also featured Short Rib Quesadilla, Mushroom Pozole and Duck Mole. Downstairs, the Mezcaleria extends the experience through an extensive collection of agave spirits. KOL never feels like a straightforward exercise in fusion. Instead, it studies the structure and memory of Mexican food, then rebuilds it using the British landscape.
Where: KOL, Seymour Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 7BA
Contact: https://kolrestaurant.com
Favourite: Tigermilk
Latin American flavours arrive in a colourful, convivial format at Tigermilk, which has London restaurants around Tottenham Court Road and Spitalfields. Its menu takes inspiration from markets, parrillas and coastal cevicherías, moving freely between Mexico and South America. Coco Loco is billed as a house signature, pairing pollock with coconut leche de tigre, mango and pomegranate. Tacos de Cochinita Pibil bring slow-cooked pork, salsa verde and pickled onion, while Carne Asada is grilled and served with chimichurri. Groups should look towards the eight-hour Lamb al Brasero or slow-cooked Barbacoa for sharing. Cocktails follow the same geographic journey, including Pisco’N Roses, Margarita Azteca and mezcal-based serves.
Where: Tigermilk, 127 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EW
Contact: https://tigermilkrestaurants.com
Pan-African
Best: Kudu
South African influences meet European technique at Kudu, the restaurant created by chef Patrick Williams and Amy Corbin. Now in Marylebone, the concept remains rooted in open-fire cooking and the braai traditions that have shaped Williams’ culinary identity. Kudu Bread has become a signature in its own right, arriving warm with richly flavoured butter, while dishes such as pork chop with monkey gland sauce display the kitchen’s ability to balance smoke, sweetness and acidity. Beef-fat potatoes make a compelling side, while vegetables and seafood receive the same attention as meat. Kudu’s strength lies in resisting obvious stereotypes, using South African ingredients and memories as a starting point for a restaurant that feels distinctive within London’s increasingly diverse African dining scene.
Where: Kudu, 7 Moxon Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 4EP
Contact: https://kuducollective.com
Favourite: Akoko
Akoko offers an ambitious exploration of West African food from its Fitzrovia dining room. The restaurant draws inspiration from culinary traditions across Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and neighbouring countries, presenting them through a tasting-menu format. Jollof rice provides a familiar reference point, while dishes informed by Ghanaian abunuabunu, Senegalese yassa and Nigerian ayamase demonstrate the breadth of the region. Spices, fermentation, smoke and slow cooking are used with precision, while premium produce gives each course a clear sense of occasion. Seats at the kitchen counter offer an especially close view of the process.
Where: Akoko, 21 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 3LP
Contact: https://akoko.co.uk
Thai
Best: Singburi
Cult Thai restaurant Singburi entered a new era when it relocated from Leytonstone to Shoreditch, placing chef Sirichai Kularbwong’s cooking at the centre of a larger, open-kitchen restaurant beneath the railway arches. The menu changes frequently, but fiery regional flavours remain the attraction. Grilled wild ginger chicken thigh is an excellent introduction, while dill pork sausage, smoked pork belly nam dtok and tiger prawn and cucumber curry showcase the kitchen’s range. Pad phet arrives loaded with chilli and aromatic herbs, and even stir-fried cabbage carries plenty of smoky wok character. Counter seating provides the best view of the flames, making Singburi one of London’s most exciting modern Thai restaurants.
Where: Singburi, Montacute Yards, Shoreditch, London, E1 6HU
Contact: https://singburi.london
Favourite: Speedboat Bar
Bangkok’s Chinatown inspires Speedboat Bar, chef Luke Farrell’s riotous Soho restaurant. Neon, Thai pop, a pool table and late-night opening hours set the mood, but the food carries more weight than the party atmosphere might suggest. Chicken Skins with Zaep Seasoning make an addictive snack before Minced Beef with Holy Basil turns up the heat. The signature Tom Yam Mama Noodles load squid, pork and prawns into a spicy broth, while Braised Duck with Egg Noodles and the Seafood Sizzler with green peppercorn and makrut lime are built for bigger appetites. Farrell grows specialist Thai herbs, chillies and produce in Dorset, helping give the food a specificity rarely found in themed restaurants.
Where: Speedboat Bar, 30 Rupert Street, Chinatown, London, W1D 6DL
Contact: https://speedboatbar.co.uk
Vietnamese
Best: Cây Tre
Pho is the heart of Cây Tre, where the broth is simmered with marrow bones, cinnamon and star anise for 24 hours before being paired with rice noodles and a choice of beef, chicken or prawns. That dedication to one of Vietnam’s defining dishes sets the tone for a menu rooted in comfort and familiar flavours. Summer rolls, curries, salads and noodle dishes broaden the selection, while herbs, chilli and citrus keep the cooking bright. Cây Tre has long been part of London’s Vietnamese dining landscape, offering an accessible introduction for newcomers while retaining enough depth to satisfy regulars. The result is a dependable destination where a steaming bowl of pho remains the order to return to again and again.
Where: Cây Tre, 301 Old Street, Hoxton, London, EC1V 9LA
Contact: www.caytrerestaurant.co.uk
Favourite: Sông Quê
Kingsland Road’s Vietnamese restaurant scene would be difficult to imagine without Sông Quê. The family-run restaurant has spent decades building its reputation around pho, with Mrs Pham personally overseeing recipes and the preparation of the broth. Beef is simmered for hours with a seven-spice blend before the broth is poured over rice noodles, meat, coriander and onion, accompanied by fresh basil, bean sprouts and chilli. That bowl remains the defining order, although the menu stretches far beyond noodle soup into the wider repertoire of Vietnamese cooking. The bright, informal dining room and reliably generous portions have helped turn Sông Quê into an East London institution, one that continues to attract queues long after countless newer restaurants have arrived around it.
Where: Sông Quê, 134 Kingsland Road, Hoxton, London E2 8DY
Contact: www.songque.co.uk
Sri Lankan
Best: Rambutan
At Borough Market, Rambutan brings the flavours of Sri Lanka to London through the perspective of chef and founder Cynthia Shanmugalingam. Her cooking draws heavily on family recipes and the food of Jaffna, with fire playing a central role in the open kitchen. Slow-braised Black Pork Curry has become one of the restaurant’s most recognisable dishes, while Jaffna-style Crab Curry delivers layers of spice and sweetness. Gundu dosas arrive small, round and perfect for dipping, while seasonal vegetables are transformed through coconut, chilli and smoke. Counter seats provide a close-up view of rotis hitting the plancha and pans moving over the flames. Rambutan feels personal rather than nostalgic, using Sri Lankan traditions as a living, evolving cuisine.
Where: Rambutan, 10 Stoney Street, Borough Market, London, SE1 9AD
Contact: https://rambutanlondon.com
Favourite: Hoppers
Named after Sri Lanka’s bowl-shaped rice and coconut pancakes, Hoppers helped introduce many London diners to the depth of Sri Lankan and South Indian cooking. The menu is designed for sharing, with hoppers and dosas acting as vehicles for richly spiced curries and sambols. Mutton Rolls remain an excellent starting point, followed by Hot Butter Squid or Bone Marrow Varuval with roti. Black Pork Kari delivers depth and heat, while Jaggery Lamb Kari balances savoury richness with sweetness. The lively dining rooms add to the appeal, creating a restaurant that suits quick lunches as readily as larger evening feasts. More than a decade after its arrival, Hoppers continues to make bold regional flavours accessible without diluting their character.
Where: Hoppers, 49 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4SG
Contact: www.hopperslondon.com
Steakhouse
Best: MR PORTER Restaurant, Bar & Lounge
Part steakhouse, part late-night lounge, MR PORTER approaches the genre with a distinctly modern rhythm. Located beneath London Hilton on Park Lane, the subterranean steakhouse centres its menu around premium beef while leaving room for seafood and lighter starters. Roast Beef Carpaccio is a strong opening order, while the grill brings bone-in ribeye, sirloin, tomahawk and Japanese A5 Wagyu. Grilled lobster provides an alternative for those moving away from meat, and several dishes are designed for the table rather than individual dining. As the evening progresses, the bar and music become increasingly prominent, giving MR PORTER a more energetic atmosphere than the classic wood-panelled steakhouse. It is dinner that can easily evolve into a late night.
Where: MR PORTER Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, 22 Park Lane, London, W1K 1BE
Contact: https://mrportersteakhouse.com
Favourite: Lutyens Grill
Hidden inside The Ned, Lutyens Grill takes its cues from the traditional gentlemen’s club and grand British grill room. The wood-panelled restaurant occupies the former bank manager’s office, creating an intimate contrast to the vast banking hall outside. Beef receives appropriately serious treatment, including 45-day-aged rare-breed prime rib that can be carved tableside from a trolley. Steak Tartare, oysters and lobster provide classic opening options before diners move onto steaks cooked over the grill. Tableside service adds theatre without overwhelming the food, while the restrained dining room makes the restaurant feel discreet despite its City location. For anyone seeking a traditional steakhouse experience rooted in excellent produce and old-school hospitality, Lutyens Grill delivers exactly that.
Where: Lutyens Grill, The Ned London, 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ
Contact: www.thened.com
Seafood
Best: Scott’s
Few restaurants are as closely associated with Mayfair as Scott’s. Its history stretches back to 1851, and seafood remains the foundation of an offering that combines British tradition with the theatre of old-school dining. Oysters are an obvious opening move, followed by potted shrimps, dressed crab or shellfish from the raw bar. Dover Sole Meunière remains one of the defining mains, allowing excellent produce and classic technique to do the work. The terrace is among Mount Street’s most desirable tables, while the dining room delivers a clubby sense of occasion without feeling stuck in the past. Scott’s longevity is part of its appeal, but the quality of its fish and shellfish is what keeps it relevant.
Where: Scott’s, 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2HE
Contact: https://scotts-mayfair.com
Favourite: Lilibet’s
Seafood receives a flamboyant makeover at Lilibet’s, which occupies 17 Bruton Street, the Mayfair building where Queen Elizabeth II was born. Created by restaurateur and chef Ross Shonhan, the restaurant pairs an ornate setting with a menu that travels well beyond familiar fish-house territory. Anchovy Éclairs make an arresting opening bite, while oysters can arrive dressed, fried or fire-roasted. Dover sole with Café de Paris butter and lobster-topped mashed potato has emerged as one of the standout larger plates. Lesser-used marine ingredients also receive attention, reinforcing an approach built around seasonality and provenance. The result is a seafood restaurant with a sense of fun, drawing as much from global flavours as traditional Mayfair grandeur.
Where: Lilibet’s, 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 6QB
Contact: www.lilibetsrestaurant.com
Fusion
Best: BELLY
French bistro technique and Filipino flavours meet at BELLY, Omar Shah’s intimate Kentish Town restaurant. The menu is concise but memorable, using fermentation, ageing and live-fire cooking to give familiar dishes a new identity. The signature Cod Pandesal places crisp tempura fish inside a soft Filipino roll with tartare sauce and roe, while Scallops Bicol Express combines shellfish with the coconut richness and chilli heat associated with the Filipino classic. Wagyu picanha is glazed with bistek-inspired flavours, and Seafood Caldereta layers shellfish with tomato, pepper and prawn-head emulsion. Even dessert keeps the conversation going, particularly the Frozen Custard Profiterole with salty fish sauce caramel. BELLY’s fusion feels natural because both sides of its culinary identity remain clearly visible.
Where: BELLY, 157 Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8PD
Contact: www.bellylondon.com
Favourite: Los Mochis
Los Mochis brings Mexico and Japan together with considerable energy, combining tacos, robata cooking and agave spirits with sushi, sashimi and Japanese whisky. The menu is designed to share, making it easy to move between both culinary traditions in a single sitting. Miso Black Cod becomes a taco with avocado, cabbage and jalapeño, while the Black Cod Volcano tops a California roll with the same richly marinated fish. Spicy Tuna combines yellowfin with gochujang aioli and jalapeño, and Truffle Guacamole on Crispy Rice remains one of the brand’s most recognisable bites. The entire food menu is gluten-, nut- and celery- free, an unusual distinction for a restaurant with such a broad offering.
Where: Los Mochis, 2-4 Farmer Street, Notting Hill, London, W8 7SN
Contact: www.losmochis.co.uk
Bar
Best: The Connaught Bar
The Connaught Bar has helped define modern luxury drinking in London without losing the intimacy of a great hotel bar. Under the direction of celebrated mixologist Agostino Perrone, the Mayfair institution has become synonymous with meticulous cocktails and deeply personal service. Its most famous ritual remains the Connaught Martini Trolley, wheeled tableside so guests can customise a Martini made with the bar’s own gin and aromatic bitters. The Negroni is another benchmark, while original creations evolve with the menu. David Collins Studio’s mirrored surfaces, textured walls and Cubist-inspired details give the room an unmistakable identity. Yet it is the precision behind the bar, rather than decoration alone, that keeps the Connaught among London’s essential drinking destinations.
Where: The Connaught Bar, The Connaught, 16 Carlos Place, London, W1K 2AL
Contact: www.maybourne.com
Favourite: Bar Termini
Small, focused and rooted in Italian drinking culture, Bar Termini proves that a great cocktail bar does not need an enormous menu. The Soho favourite centres its offering around coffee, aperitivo and a tightly edited collection of drinks. Four house Negronis – Classico, Superiore, Rosato and Robusto – provide a natural starting point, while the Marsala Martini blends gin, sweet Marsala, dry vermouth and almond bitters. The Spritz Termini and Death in Venice continue the Italian theme. Food is deliberately simple, with burrata, charcuterie, Italian cheeses and prosciutto providing suitable accompaniment. Its compact proportions encourage conversation between bartenders and guests, capturing the spirit of an Italian neighbourhood bar in the middle of Soho.
Where: Bar Termini, 7 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1D 5JE
Contact: https://bar-termini-soho.com
Outdoor Dining
Best: CÉ LA VI London
High above Paddington Square, CÉ LA VI London turns outdoor dining into a skyline experience. The restaurant occupies the upper floors of the building, with its terrace offering sweeping views across landmarks including Hyde Park, The Shard and the London Eye. The food takes a modern Asian approach, moving from yellowtail carpaccio and shrimp tempura to premium steaks and larger plates designed for sharing. Cocktails, DJs and sunset sessions give the terrace plenty of energy as daylight fades, while the altitude sets it apart from London’s more traditional pavement terraces. Whether visiting for a leisurely lunch, sunset drinks or a late evening, the city becomes part of the décor.
Where: CÉ LA VI London, 1 Paddington Square, Paddington, London, W2 1DL
Contact: https://ldn.celavi.com
Favourite: The MAINE Mayfair
Hidden behind the grand façades of Hanover Square, The MAINE Mayfair’s terrace feels surprisingly removed from the bustle of Bond Street. Greenery, soft furnishings and an all-season setup allow the outdoor space to remain useful beyond the brief British summer, while the menu draws inspiration from New England dining. Seafood naturally takes centre stage, with oysters, seafood towers, seabass ceviche and crispy fish tacos among the highlights. Meat eaters can turn to sticky short rib or larger cuts from the grill, while lobster provides a suitably celebratory centrepiece. The secluded setting gives the terrace the feel of a private garden party, making this Dubai export particularly appealing for long lunches that have a habit of stretching into dinner.
Where: The MAINE Mayfair, Medici Courtyard, Mayfair, London, W1S 1JY
Contact: https://themainemayfair.com
Afternoon Tea
Best: The Dorchester
Few London rituals feel as timeless as afternoon tea at The Dorchester. Served in The Promenade, beneath gilded details and floral displays, the experience retains the sense of ceremony that has made the Mayfair hotel an institution. The progression follows tradition, beginning with finely made finger sandwiches before moving into warm scones accompanied by clotted cream and preserves. Pastries and cakes provide the finale, supported by an extensive selection of teas and optional Champagne. What distinguishes The Dorchester is the precision with which those familiar components are handled, alongside service that reflects quintessential London hotel dining.
Where: The Promenade, The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, London, W1K 1Q
Contact: www.dorchestercollection.com
Favourite: The Langham
Palm Court lays claim to an important piece of culinary history, with The Langham tracing its afternoon tea tradition back to the hotel’s opening in 1865. Today, the ritual remains central to the property, combining classic sandwiches, freshly baked scones and intricate patisserie with teas selected to complement each course. Culinary direction from Michel Roux and the work of Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Gravett help give the experience its contemporary edge, while the room retains the grandeur associated with one of London’s great hotels. Seasonal pastries introduce colour and creativity without distracting from the fundamentals.
Where: Palm Court, The Langham, 1C Portland Place, London, W1B 1JA
Contact: www.langhamhotels.com
Breakfast
Best: HIDE
If you believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then book a table at HIDE. Overlooking Green Park, HIDE brings fine-dining attention to the first meal of the day. Chef Ollie Dabbous has long been associated with inventive modern cooking, yet breakfast here shows how rewarding restraint can be. The menu moves between familiar comforts and more indulgent plates, including a twist on the Full English, truffled scrambled eggs, avocado toast and house-made granola. Fresh breads and viennoiserie arrive from the bakery, while eggs can be partnered with premium ingredients for something more celebratory. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide views across Piccadilly, giving morning diners one of Mayfair’s most attractive outlooks.
Where: HIDE, 85 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 7NB
Contact: https://hide.co.uk
Favourite: Fallow
Fallow has made breakfast one of its strongest reasons to visit St James’s before lunchtime. The restaurant’s Croissant Royales have developed a following of their own, using flaky croissant dough as the foundation for unapologetically indulgent fillings. The Royale with Cheese brings together sausage patty, bacon, fried egg and walnut ketchup, while the Wagyu Reuben Royale layers maple-glazed brisket with sauerkraut. A Smoked Salmon Royale offers a lighter alternative with crème fraîche, hollandaise and egg, while the Crispy Aubergine version ensures vegetarians are not left behind. The result is breakfast food designed with the same low-waste creativity and big flavours that define Fallow’s wider menu, best enjoyed with coffee before the central London crowds arrive.
Where: Fallow, 52 Haymarket, Piccadilly, London, SW1Y 4RP
Contact: https://fallowrestaurant.com
Café
Best: tashas
Battersea Power Station provides the London home for tashas, a café concept that has developed a loyal following across South Africa and the Middle East. The bright dining room is built around the idea of an all-day neighbourhood café, although the food moves well beyond coffee and cake. Breakfast brings the Hummus Toastie with avocado, feta and poached egg, Croissant Waffles with berries and cheesecake frosting, and Sweetcorn Scramble enriched with Parmesan and Aleppo pepper butter. Later in the day, Cape Malay Prawn Curry, Cornflake Chicken Schnitzel and the Portuguese Steak show the menu’s global reach. Coffee, matcha and fresh juices round out a café that works equally well for breakfast, lunch or a lingering afternoon.
Where: tashas, Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms, London, SW11 8BH
Contact: www.tashascafe.com
Favourite: Saddle London
Knightsbridge may be better known for luxury shopping than independent coffee culture, but Saddle London offers a welcome change of pace on Montpelier Street. Coffee is taken seriously at this Dubai export, with beans sourced from Brazil through green coffee partner Mió before being roasted locally. The drinks menu stretches from classic espresso-based serves to more playful options such as Matcha Coco, Espresso Cloud and Matcha Cloud. Food follows a similarly contemporary café approach, with avocado and grilled halloumi toast among the daytime favourites, alongside pastries and lighter breakfast plates. The compact setting and easygoing atmosphere make Saddle an appealing pit stop between Knightsbridge’s boutiques and museums.
Where: Saddle London, 7 Montpelier Street, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1EX
Contact: @saddlelondon
Bakery
Best: TOAD Bakery
South London’s bakery boom has produced plenty of contenders, but TOAD has become a destination in its own right. Founded by Rebecca Spaven and Oliver Costello, the independent bakery began in Camberwell before adding a Deptford location in 2026. Its appeal lies in a constantly changing counter of long-fermented breads and imaginative pastries rather than a rigid roster of staples. The tiramisu croissant became an early calling card, while recent creations have included an Everything Bagel Croissant, Saffron and Vanilla Teacake, and tomato croissant crowned with Parmesan. Sweet and savoury ideas change with the seasons, ensuring there is usually something new to queue for. It is playful baking backed by serious technique.
Where: TOAD Bakery, 44 Peckham Road, Camberwell, London, SE5 8PX
Contact: www.toadbakery.com
Favourite: Arôme Bakery
French technique meets Asian flavours at Arôme Bakery, which has built a devoted following since arriving in London in 2020. Traditional viennoiserie provides the foundation, but the bakery’s personality emerges through ingredients and ideas drawn from across Asia. Its defining bake is the Honey Butter Toast, a thick slice of soft shokupan surrounded by a crisp, caramelised honey crust. Elsewhere, Croissant 1930 offers a lesson in simplicity, while the Miso Bacon Escargot pushes things in a savoury direction. Pistachio Escargots, almond croissants and the Gula Melaka Coconut Twist add further temptation. Everything is baked on site, making the aroma drifting through its London bakeries almost impossible to resist.
Where: Arôme Bakery, 9 Mercer Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9QJ
Contact: @aromebakerylondon