Andrew Wong draws inspiration from across all Chinese provinces for his ‘Collections of China’ menu, a unique culinary voyage offering his own interpretations of regional dishes, which demonstrate extraordinary sophistication, creativity and depth of flavour. Start with a drink downstairs in the Forbidden City, or come at lunch for outstanding dim sum – they even have a dim sum tasting menu. Clued-up service adds to the overall experience and dishes are explained with obvious pride.

In a discreet, intimate environment inside the grand Hotel Café Royal, the eponymous chef has the perfect canvas in which to showcase his impressive and accomplished cuisine. Dilling's dishes are exquisite in appearance and, like a seasoned orchestra, everything on the plate adds its own note of flavour to produce something harmonious and exhilarating. Whether Kaluga caviar, Scottish lobster or Peruvian chocolate, the kitchen knows how to bring the best out of its exquisite ingredients.

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.

The Peninsula’s rooftop restaurant is a celebration of the world of speed; it’s named after the famous Surrey racetrack and a scale model of Concorde hangs from its ceiling. When it comes to the kitchen brigade, it’s clear there’s a high level of skill on board, as the team is run by the experienced Claude Bosi. Expect finely detailed, exquisite cooking that showcases the best British ingredients, like Lake District lamb and Cornish squid, in delicate yet rewarding dishes.

In contrast to the grandeur of its location inside the Town Hall Hotel, there's a modern, understatedly stylish look to Da Terra. You start with drinks and snacks in the elegant lounge, soundtracked by the comforting rhythms of bossa nova, before heading to the dining room. Chef Rafael Cagali draws on his Brazilian and Italian heritage in skilfully crafted, highly original dishes bursting with colour. His signature reinvented version of the Brazilian moqueca fish stew is bound to be a highlight.

The menu may take inspiration from England's oldest recipe books, but there is still something decidedly 'Heston' about the creative dishes at this restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel. The signature illusory 'Meat Fruit' epitomises the eponymous chef's playful influence, while providing a reminder that superb flavours underpin his dishes – in this case it's a smooth, utterly delicious chicken liver parfait, regardless of its fun, fruity form.

The clubs of colonial India are the inspiration for this impeccably run restaurant. It's spread across two levels: the ground floor booths are perfect for lunch, while the vivid red basement has a more intimate feel. The extensive menus are predominantly Northern Indian in style, featuring superbly executed, traditionally based dishes. Balance, sophistication and depth are all present in the cooking, with options like tandoori masala lamb chops and kid goat methi keema standing out.

Newly awarded Two Stars for 2025. While Chef-Owner Angelo Sato's Japanese heritage provides the basis for this modern, upbeat izakaya, his creative streak ensures the theatrical tasting menu takes on a style all its own. Clever flavour and temperature combinations feature throughout, as do the kitchen's immense precision and technical skill. The shokupan bread serving is a real event, packed with originality and showcasing a range of delicious accompaniments.

Top restaurants never stop developing – and that’s certainly the case with Ikoyi. Founder and chef Jeremy Chan’s surprise tasting menu uses high-quality organic produce from the British Isles, married with global spices, to create dishes that are as unique and creative as they are bold and beautiful. Dishes like aged turbot with egusi miso or suya with creamed peas are bound to enthral, while the theatrically presented smoked jollof rice will always be one of the highlights.

There are a lot of courses on James Knappett's creative surprise menu, but you'll be glad of it once you've tried such superb cooking. You start in the lounge with drinks and canapés that set the tone, before being guided to your seat at the beautiful kitchen counter – where you can watch the chefs finish dishes close-up. Outstanding British produce is at the heart, with the seafood often proving a highlight, whether it's soft and smoky eel or fresh squid enhanced by a creamy lobster sauce.

Story is a restaurant that continues to evolve rather than merely reinvent itself and its latest chapter saw the addition of a second storey which hosts a handsome private dining room. In the bright, open main restaurant, Tom Sellers’ talented kitchen team serve a surprise set menu, where luxurious ingredients – from langoustines to turbot – make up dishes that are as succulent as they are visually arresting; you can also expect updated versions of his signature constructions.

The name of Jason Atherton’s flagship operation is short for ‘Refinement of Work’ – and indeed there is a great deal of refinement in every inch of this mightily impressive restaurant. The premises, on the iconic Savile Row, have been fitted out with no-expense-spared luxury, while the service is charming and attentive. Chef Spencer Metzger takes outstanding British produce and adds depth of flavour with unerring skill. The wine list, as you may expect, is an oenophile's delight.

Go for the house martini as you enjoy an array of snacks like crispy buttermilk chicken and crab dumpling that precede the start of The Clove Club's tasting menu. The roll-call of prime British ingredients could include Orkney scallops, Wiltshire trout and Herdwick lamb – all starring in seasonal dishes where their natural flavours are allowed to shine through. The historic surroundings of Shoreditch Town Hall provide the perfect backdrop, with the open-plan kitchen adding a little more theatre.

Newly awarded Two Stars for 2025. ​With its stunning Louis XVI decoration, this is a dining room that will take your breath away, and there’s a flamboyancy in the delivery of the dishes that lives up to the surroundings. Equally impressive is the cooking itself, displaying balance, refinement and depth of flavour at every turn. You need only glance at the menu featuring dishes like langoustine 'à la nage' to see that classical French techniques and luxury ingredients both play a crucial role.

There’s a refreshing lack of formality at Trivet, both in the look of the room and in the style of the service. The chefs in the open kitchen craft suitably fuss-free yet inventive dishes, where the combinations are balanced and flavours assured. Try dishes like the imaginatively titled ‘Turkish breakfast’ dessert and you’ll see a kitchen full of imagination and ability. Wine plays an integral role, with personable service and a thoughtfully curated list championing lesser-known regions.