After many years working with Gordon Ramsay, Matt Abé finally put his name above the door with this restaurant inside the space which was once Le Gavroche. The menu showcases Abé’s own style of cooking, blending classical dishes like celeriac royale with well-judged modernity. Throughout, his command of flavour – particularly in sauces – is exceptional, exemplified by a perfectly cooked scallop with a rich, buttery sauce and an array of citrus, all working together in total harmony.

With its thick cream carpets, neo-classical mouldings and velvet upholstery, there’s a plush feel to this elegant restaurant. Clare Smyth's signature purity and precision are on display across a menu of reinvented traditional British and French dishes. ‘Fish and chips’ is in fact Dover sole filled with lobster mousse, while the sherry trifle is a sweet, simple hit of nostalgia. As a side, choose from a wide selection of classic potato recipes, be it boulangère, dauphinoise or hasselback.

Situated in the corner of the COMO Metropolitan hotel, this wine bar and restaurant from the Trivet team is filled with chatter and the buzz of the open kitchen. It’s difficult to pigeonhole the fun and eclectic cuisine, ranging from snacks like hot tongue bun to classics like pâté en croûte and several dishes cooked over fire. Above all, it's cooking devoid of fuss and packed with flavour. The impressive global wine selection is bolstered by interactive and knowledgeable service.

After running his own restaurant Cornerstone in Hackney, Chef Tom Brown returned in 2025 to the genteel surroundings of The Capital Hotel, the place where his reputation was first established. The dining room is intimate, immaculate and perfect for that discreet lunch or celebratory dinner. As is the case with all Brown's endeavours, the focus is largely on seafood and the visually thrilling dishes make great use of superb prime ingredients, such as turbot with a beautiful array of courgettes.

Bringing a little part of Devon into St James’s, this first London venture from renowned chef Michael Caines is a discreet, intimate sort of place inside a hotel so tucked away it gives you the feeling of being ‘in the know’. Choose between ‘The Stafford Classics’ – such as beef Wellington carved tableside – and Caines signatures featuring Devon produce. There’s a wine list to match too, with plenty of big-name producers and top-drawer vintages in the 400-year-old cellars.

Chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho brings all her experience to bear at this joyous Spanish restaurant in Shoreditch. If you’re a couple, then sit at the comfortable counter to take in the skills and the choreography of the large kitchen brigade. However many dishes you order to share – from succulent suckling pig crisp gambas cristal – you’re bound to end up ordering even more when you see them go past. An all-Spanish wine list and the delightful, enthusiastic service team add to the experience.

There’s opulence to spare at this lavishly furnished, no-expense-spared restaurant from the team behind Gymkhana. Soft lighting, wood panelling and colourful décor all add to the atmosphere, which takes its cues from the ‘party mansions’ of the former undivided Punjab. Northern India and Pakistan inspire the menu, which provides a showcase for the chefs’ first-rate produce, abundant technical skill and beautifully balanced spicing. The downstairs Ambassy bar is open late and hosts guest DJs.

When your restaurant is on the 60th floor, it makes complete sense that the 12-seater counter faces the window and the stunning view over the city, rather than the chefs in their open kitchen. Gordon Ramsay’s exclusive sky dining restaurant offers a surprise tasting menu, built around ingredients from the top drawer. Highlight dishes could include 14-day aged duck with celeriac and Alsace bacon. Everyone is served together so be punctual – and allow a little extra time for security checks.

This wonderful neighbourhood pub is the kind of place you visit once, then immediately start planning your return. Bright, warm and welcoming, the interior is smart yet still feels like a pub, something which is echoed in the food. The menu is packed with accessible, pared-back cooking you could happily eat every day. High-quality ingredients shine in generous dishes with a complete lack of pretension or over-adornment – like lamb loin with romero peppers and a pastilla of slow-cooked shoulder.