London will always be my favorite city. I lived there for five years, and still return often — it’s the place that feels most like home to me. Over that time, I’ve built up a list of restaurants and bars that I come back to again and again.
This isn’t a roundup of every new opening or hard-to-get reservation. It’s a curated list of the best London restaurants and bars by neighborhood — a mix of timeless classics, stylish favorites, and a few insider gems. Some are elegant, some are relaxed, but all of them feel like the kind of places where you’ll want to linger a little longer.
My London Restaurant and Bar Guide
Notting Hill
Gold – Trendy dinner spot with wood-fired dishes and a lively, stylish crowd.
Casa Cruz – Jewel-toned, intimate, and glamorous — perfect for a dressy dinner.
Dorian – Modern grill with a neighborhood feel, buzzy but elevated.
Ottolenghi (Notting Hill) – Famous for colorful dishes and pastries, ideal for lunch.
Marylebone
Chiltern Firehouse – Iconic hot spot with old-school glamour; great for brunch or dinner.
Brasserie of Light – All-day dining with a whimsical Damien Hirst Pegasus sculpture.
Granger & Co. – Relaxed but polished breakfast and lunch favorite.
LPM (La Petite Maison) – Mediterranean flavors with a stylish crowd (technically Mayfair, but often grouped here).
Mayfair / Central
The Wolseley – Classic institution; the breakfast spot that never goes out of style.
Mister Nice – Parisian chic meets Mayfair polish.
Estiatorio Milos – Elegant Greek seafood with dramatic displays of the catch.
Park Chinois – Opulent supper-club energy with dim sum and live music.
The Maine Mayfair – Bustling townhouse restaurant with a grand brasserie feel.
Isabel – Glamorous, moody interiors with a fashionable crowd.
Berner’s Tavern – Soaring ceilings and gallery walls inside the London Edition hotel.
Robuchon (L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon) – French fine dining with signature tasting menus.
The 22 – Elegant members-club vibe, but the restaurant is open to all.
Gaia – Luxe Mediterranean dining with serious style.
Soho
Bob Bob Ricard – Famous for its “Press for Champagne” button and decadent booths.
Ottolenghi NOPI – Middle Eastern flavors in a bright, modern space.
The Nomad Hotel (Dining Room) – Chic central dining room with a strong cocktail game.
Kensington / Chelsea
CLAP London – Modern Japanese with Knightsbridge buzz.
Sumosan Twiga – Italian and Japanese fusion in a glossy, late-night setting.
Dinings SW3 – Contemporary Japanese hidden in Chelsea.
Barts – A speakeasy with a playful, hidden-door vibe in Chelsea.
St. James’s / Green Park
Dukes Bar – Martini legend; the ritual is half the charm.
Chutney Mary – Fine Indian dining, refined and elegant.
45 Jermyn St. – Fortnum & Mason’s modern British brasserie, perfect for people-watching.
Richmond (Worth the Trip)
Petersham Nurseries – Dreamy greenhouse dining surrounded by flowers.
A Few Little Extras…
- Neil’s Yard Dairy (Borough Market) – Not necessarily a restaurant but a great place to pick up traditional British cheeses to take on a picnic
- The Ethorpe (outside London, Gerrard’s Cross) – Spend the day in the burbs at this classic coaching inn with Tudor beams and village charm
I’ll keep this list updated as I discover more, because London always gives me new favorites. If you try any of them, I’d love to hear what you think.
Visited several of these with you especially Gold and Chiltern Firehouse and loved them!! ❤️