London is the city where I live, fell in love and feel most attached. This is the most difficult post to put together since there is so much to write about. Now it is time to introduce you the best of dining experiences in London! I will try to update the list every year and reveal the star of the year: the star of 2023 is Dorian - you will find the details below.
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SEA FOOD: Scott's: Best sea food in the city with fancy atmosphere - no sneakers please - reservation needed - expensive (Mayfair) Scott's has a new location at Richmond. It has a terrace; on a sunny spring/summer day it is the place to be (Richmond) Saltie Girl: The American dream is in London; vibrant atmosphere and good food (Mayfair) The Sea, The Sea: Unique and progressive sea food dishes. They have a seafood bar and terrace in Chelsea and a Chef's Table in Hackney (Chelsea & Hackney) Wright Brothers: Known with its yummy oysters - walk in bar any time of the day (Borough Market)
Chicama: Sea food restaurant inspired by the Peruvian cuisine - cozy and relax atmosphere (King's Road)
Milos: They know how to grill big fish - weekday lunch menu is a great bargain (Mayfair)
Olivomare: Sardinian seafood and shellfish in a modern all-white setting - reservation needed (Belgrave)
MEAT: 34: Known with its delicious steaks with the fancy atmosphere - no sneakers please - live jazz music - reservation needed (Mayfair) Cut at 45 Park Lane: Wolfgang Puck serving aged beef in a fancy atmosphere - reservation needed (Park Lane)
Goodman Restaurants: Heaven for aged beef - reservation needed (several locations)
Hawksmoor: Known as the best steak restaurant in the UK - reservation needed - Spitalfields recommended location (several locations)
CHINESE & CANTONESE: Hakkasan: Like a good old friend which serves always good food with vibrant atmosphere - reservation needed; ask for the upper floor seating where a DJ is playing good music - try my personal fav: pomelo&duck salad and the best desert on earth "hazelnut bomb" (Mayfair & Hanway Place)
Yautcha: Lively dim sum place - Hakkasan's sibling restaurant - reservation needed - before a Soho night out it might be a good choice (Soho)
Good Earth: Ideal for a relaxed dinner with good food and relaxed atmosphere - easy to find availability (Chelsea)
Mr Chow: The best Chinese food with fancy atmosphere - reservation needed (Knightsbridge) Din Tai Fung: Artistry and craftmanship; absolute best dumplings in London. Several locations including Selfridges (Covent Garden - Tottenham Court Road) Imperial Treasure: Award-winning fine dining Chinese restaurant (St James's) Min Jiang: If you are after the best duck; this should be your bet (Kensington) Royal China: Very casual atmosphere and genuine Chinese cuisine (Baker Street)
Ken Lo's Memories of China: Ideal for a family dinner with good food and relaxed atmosphere - easy to find availability (Victoria) JAPANESE: Zuma: Always crowded, always positive vibes - good choice for a Friday night out kick - reservation needed (Knightsbridge) Nobu: We have been to the new venue at Portman Square recently and we loved it. Food does not need any praises anyway. Huge and airy space; it is nice to have a drink before or after dinner downstairs at the bar (Marble Arch) Sushi Tetsu: Good luck finding a seat at this tiny sushi bar, but the best sushi experience in London. Follow them on Twitter for last minute cancellation for landing a seat. (Clerkenwell)
Kiku: Ideal for a family dinner with good food and relaxed atmosphere - easy to find availability (great lunch set menu as well) (Mayfair)
Oka: Relaxed atmosphere - easy to find availability (several locations)
Roka: Robatayaki cuisine - reservation needed (several locations)
Umu: Fancy atmosphere; reservation needed - expensive Kaiseki menu (Mayfair) Maru: The most popular high end Omakase experience by ex Nobu and UMU chef (Mayfair) Araki: Mitsuhiro Araki who has 3 Michelin stars for his restaurant in Tokyo seeks a new chapter and comes to London to open Araki where yo will find the opportunity to experience Edomae Sushi. Probably the most expensive in London (Mayfair) Kikuchi: Omakase experience in a casual atmosphere (Covent Garden)
ITALIAN: River Cafe: This is a London classic - the food is yummy and summer time is the best as it offers outdoor seating facing Thames River - reservation needed (Thames Wharf) Wild Tavern: Italian inspired neighbourhood restaurant; I find this place very cozy and ideal for family and friend gatherings any time of the day (Chelsea) Belvedere in Holland Park: A taste of Southern Italy located in a historic building in the heart of Holland Park. I love this place every season. For winter time upstairs with the fireplace is very cozy; for warmer days I would either ask for the terrace or to sit close to the glass doors downstairs.
Zianni's: Local family dinner restaurant - be aware of the claustrophobic atmosphere and unique staff - reservation needed (Chelsea) Papermoon: An authentic Italian taste newly opened in OWO Building - Raffles Hotel. I loved the chic interior design; perfect for any occassion (Westminster)
Brutto: A real Italian trattoria experience with Tuscan dishes (Farringdon) Daphnes: Especially during Festive season a place to be for it's decoration (Chelsea) C London (Cipriani): The legendary fancy Italian, global classic - reservation needed - expensive (Mayfair) Jacuzzi: Big Mama Group's newest addition to London food scene (Kensington)
Aglio e Olio: Local family restaurant (Fulham)
Olivocarne Restaurant: Modern and classic meat dishes as well as pasta and more - reservation needed (Belgrave)
PIZZA: Santa Maria Pizzeria: Perfect for a pizza party for big groups (Fulham) Zia Lucia: When we crave for pizza we generally end up at Zia Lucia; I reccommend getting the extra Burrata on top :) 6 locations (Hammersmith) Cinquecento Pizzeria 5 different locations and I love the King's Road setting (Chelsea)
SPANISH & PORTUGUESE TAPAS: Barrafina: My favourite Tapas in town- they don't take reservation so always long queue outside (Covent Garden and Soho - preferred location Covent Garden)
Brindisa: Home of authentic Spanish food - walk-in (Soho and Borough Market)
Palomar: A menu influenced by the rich cultures of Southern Spain, North Africa and the Levant - reservation needed for the dining room and for bar seating walk-in (Soho)
Cambio de Tercio: Serious Spanish food that competes with locals - reservation needed (Chelsea)
GREEK:
Zephry: Made with love by Pachamama Group; downstairs should not be missed for a drink (Notting Hill) Opso: Uber delicious Greek dishes with a cozy atmosphere (great brunch menu as well) - reservation needed (Marylebone)
Mazi: Tiny place serves delicious food - reservation needed (Notting Hill)
Food Filosophy: Heaven for a quick lunch (Belgrave)
FRENCH:
Bar des Pres: Famous French chef Cyril Lignac's hot spot. Opened just after Pandemic and since then our favourite place to take our friends who are visiting London. (Mayfair)
Colbert: High-end French cafe bistro with an eclectic decor (Sloane Square)
BRITISH: Petersham Nurseries: The magical set up in a glasshouse - my favourite place to take friends and family - after or before eating have a walk in beautiful Richmond Park - sister cafe and restaurant of Spring - reservation needed (Richmond)
Noble Rot: Clement Atlee, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair had something common; dining at Noble Rot. Best wine list. Several locations (Soho, Mayfair, Bloomsbury) NAC: I would only prefer for lunch; people are going crazy about the chocolate chip cookies (Mayfair) Sessions Arts Club: Something unusual with a high end-menu in a listed building (Clerkenwell) Elystan Street: Loved the interior and the food - reservation needed (Chelsea)
Chelsea Ivy Cafe: Modern British Brasserie and grill with a lovely atmosphere - reservation needed (King's Road)
Spring: Elegant and beautiful dining space with yummy food - one of my favourites in London - reservation needed (Somerset House) Maine Mayfair: A new England Extravagance (Mayfair)
BREAKFAST:
Hjem: I first discovered this place before pandemic; it was a tiny little Danish cafe in Kensington. During Pandemic it got so much attention and people started worshipping every day for a coffee and tea. They got so successful they opened a baby version in south Kensington in 2023. My favourite place to be for breakfast, coffee and tea. (Kensington) Granger&Co: Super popular for Sunday brunch - best paired with a movie at Electric Cinema (Westbourne Grove) Toast on Rack: They bake the best sourdough bread I had in my life! (Clapham Common)
MIDDLE EASTERN: Honey&Co: Tiny little place & crazy good food - I would go for lunch - reservation needed (Fitzrovia) Tamini: Family run Lebanese bakery (Parsons Green)
PERUVIAN: Pachamama: Tapas style Peruvian - sister restaurant of Chicama (Marylebone)
INDIAN: Gymkhana: Michelin star Indian (Mayfair) Jamavar: Fine dining (Mayfair)
Dishoom: Modern Indian, but breakfast menu provided as well - reservation needed (Shoreditch & Covent Garden & King's Cross)
THAI: Churchill Arms: Best Thai food in town is in this beautiful pub - reservation needed (Notting Hill)
MEXICAN:
KOL: Michelin starred Mexican dining experience (Marylebone)
HOTEL RESTAURANTS: The Nomad Restaurant: Such a beautiful setting and good food (Covent Garden) At Sloane: The designer of famous Hotel Costes Paris created another sexy and elegant place in the heart of London (Sloane Square)
TEA TIME: Wolseley: A London classic for brunch or tea time - reservation needed (Green Park) Fortnum and Mason: Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth had visited several times to have her tea (Piccadily Circus)
Connaught Hotel Patisserie (Mayfair) or Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Knightsbridge) are offering the luxurious tea time setting.
GASTROPUB: The Abingdon: Our favourite pub for the last 10 years. We find foods gets even better every time we visit; a real neighbourhood place (Kensington). The Orange: I find this place very kids friendly maybe the wood pizza oven has the impact on this:) (Pimlico)
The Harwood Arms Proper dining experience and reservations needed (Fulham)
The Worlds End Market (Chelsea) The Devonshire (Regent Street)
Cat & Mutton: Pub w live DJ (Victoria Park)
Cross Keys Chelsea (Chelsea)
Duke of Clarence (Chelsea)
The Anglesea Arms More for drinks, see / be seen, good luck finding seat when the weather is nice (Chelsea)
BURGER: Bleecker Burger : Top burger in London (Spitalfields Market) Ferdi: Paris's happening place in London (Mayfair)
GRAB&GO:
Gails: Artisan bakery offering healthy salads as well (several locations)
Joe & The Juice: Born in Copenhagen and thank God they are in London as well - try my fav duo: Avocado toast and Go Away Doc juice :) (several locations)
Pret a Manger: Freshly prepared, good, natural food (several locations)
MISCELLANEOUS: Chiltern Fire House: Vibrant atmosphere and good food - hip place of 2015 - reservation needed (Marylebone)
Leila's Shop: You will eat what Leila cooked that day - organic and fresh - walk-in (Shoreditch)
Brinkley's: Summer night's favourite place for drinks and dinner - reservation needed (Fulham) Pantechnicon Roof Garden: We love this place on sunny day both in winter and summer; the light beautifully fills the space and boosts your mood (Belgravia) Dorian: If you have couple of foodie friends they should agree with me that Dorian is the star of 2023. People who dined at Dorian (lucky minority due to the very very difficult reservation process) says it was the best meal of recent years (Paddington)
The Twenty Two: I find Hotel Costes Paris vibes at 22; buzzing and full of good looking people (Mayfair) MEMBERS CLUB: Annabel's: Magical where it all began (Berkeley Square) Maison Estelle & Estelle Manor: (Mayfair - Oxfordshire)
Shoreditch House: For full house entertainment from dinner, drinks and music (Shoreditch)
5 Hertford Street: (Mayfair)
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