Where Chefs Eat in London

by Phaidon

Updated 09 November 2023

You’re in luck. The world’s best chefs are sharing their favorite places to dine out in London. We’ve partnered with Phaidon’s Where Chefs Eat, the best-selling restaurant guidebook with over 7,000 recommendations across the globe, to create a list of restaurants in London where chefs love to eat. Grab your copy of this must-have guide, and get 30% off, just for being an OpenTable diner.

The Jugged Hare

4.3

4.3 (1441)

£26 to £40

British

Barbican

About the restaurant

"A great English pub using terrific seasonal produce." – Michael Reid

Top review

Alexander Seadon

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

It's game season! Food was excellent and a great environment in which to enjoy some very special dishes. Service was generally good.

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Experience

Pre-theatre menu

The Drapers Arms

4.7

4.7 (1594)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Angel

About the restaurant

"Always seasonal, their Sunday roasts are banging, and the landlord Nick is a great host." – Hus Vedat

Top review

Timna

Dined 6 days ago

Wonderful food and service. It was a beautiful dining room.

Benares

4.5

4.5 (6101)

£41 and over

Indian

Mayfair

About the restaurant

"An explosion of flavors, textures, and colors at this smart Mayfair restaurant." – Martin Morales

Top review

OferZ

Dined on 12 Dec 2024

Super friendly team from start to finish. Food was exceptional - Star dish was Chicken Dumplings. Thank you and Well done!

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4.7

4.7 (2077)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Soho

About the restaurant

"Andrew Edmunds is a Soho institution that's been around since the 1980s. It's a small, rambling little townhouse with a hand written menu, serving excellent classics that aren't over-priced." – Bruno Loubet

Top review

Kelly

Dined 2 days ago

This was my first visit to Andrew Edmund’s and I am wondering why!!! I loved it… Food was amazing Staff and service were great and very friendly - very helpful with some of the ingredients on the menu Excellent value for money There is literally nothing I would of changed This will definitely not be my only visit..

Cecconi's

4.6

4.6 (2970)

£26 to £40

Italian

Mayfair

About the restaurant

"Cecconi's is a modern-day classic Italian restaurant. They serve fantastic handmade pasta, seafood and dishes from Italy using very fine ingredients." – Shaun Rankin

Top review

Elaine

Dined 2 days ago

It’s a fantastic place if you like busy! It’s amazingly popular and rightly so….food and service are first class. I prefer to go at lunchtime…be prepared for a big spend!

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4.8

4.8 (1963)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

"Clipstone is a new restaurant that manages to be a charming neighborhood restaurant in the center of town. The quality of cooking is outstanding and I love that much of the menu is very vegetable focused." – Bruno Loubet

Top review

Jim

Dined 2 days ago

Just discovered this little gem in Marylebone. A small venue serving great food and an excellent wine list at reasonable ( for London) prices. I had their pork chop - served already sliced and smothered in an eclectic vegetable medley with a sumptuous sauce. Wife had the Pollock that had a seasoning I would love to learn how to replicate plus another great vegetable medley. Wait staff extremely attentive. Overall a great experience and a very welcome addition to our London restaurant preferences!

FKABAM

4.6

4.6 (67)

£41 and over

Fusion / Eclectic

Highbury/Islington

About the restaurant

"Fun, irreverent, surprising, affordable and always delicious. Black Axe is the nuts." – Andy Oliver

Top review

Steve

Dined 2 days ago

I absolutely love this place and my first experience of the Brunch today certainly didn't disappoint. If you're looking for intimate and serene fine dining then this is not the place for you but if you want great tasting food, innovative food in a rocking environment with great staff then get here as soon as you can. My wife always says she feels like she is on holiday when we eat here, it's the kind of buzzing place that you get on holiday that you really enjoy the whole experience and that is what FKABAM encompasses. The staff are amazing, always friendly and with a smile on their faces The food is taste sensation after taste sensation; the Vietnamese scrambled eggs for brunch today were asian inspired scrambled eggs with a flatbread replacing the toast and just wow. Sure there will be things you may not like as much, today I discovered I wasn't such a fan of Szechuan pepper but isn't that part of your food education and the experience though I did discover beetroot and eel after a shot of vodka and shot of beetroot juice is great. Yes, we are probably at the more senior end of the age range; most there today could be our kids or maybe even grand kids but that's what makes it a nice vibe; it's just fun. This place just makes me smile every time we go; my wife has to drag me to other places to try when we are in London otherwise I'd be here every time. And as I am sure others would say, it can be loud, never been to a restaurant before that played Highway to Hell, but for me FKABAM is more Highway to Nirvana. Thanks to the team there, you make my day every time I come.

som saa

4.6

4.6 (417)

£26 to £40

Thai

Shoreditch

About the restaurant

"Fun, sexy food, cool and stylish with a completely relaxed atmosphere, taking Thai flavours to the max." – Martin Morales

Top review

Emily

Dined on 15 Oct 2024

Warm welcome, 4 of us for lunch. There was a la carte and a set menu to choose from, but the set menu is only provided for the whole table. Luckily, the dishes on the set menu today were cashew nuts with chilli and lime leaves, a beautiful, crunchy salad, duck curry, excellent mixed vegetables in garlic and oyster sauce, plus sticky and jasmine rice. We paid a supplement for a whole sea bass, fried. Dessert was also included.

Goodman Mayfair

4.6

4.6 (2259)

£41 and over

Steak

Oxford Circus

About the restaurant

"Goodman is right around the corner from us and the team there offer exceptional service. Pair that with a great burger or steak and a glass of red and you can see that it's perfect for a quick bite and a drink at the end of a long day." – Cary Docherty

Top review

Sue

Dined on 3 Sept 2024

Great steaks! Food was lovely, as expected. Service friendly and efficient

ROKA - Aldwych

4.4

4.4 (439)

£41 and over

Japanese

Aldwych

About the restaurant

"Great food, great service, great vibe. Every time." – Miles Kirby

Top review

Lorraine

Dined 5 days ago

Thank you!! - I booked for friends, who had never visited before - We had an unforgettable dining experience with wonderful suport with menu choices. We started with beautifully presented Sushi and Sashimai followed by a wonderful selection from the Robata. Overall: A truly warm and inviting experience, delivered by an attentive and knowlegeable team-Highlighy recommended!!

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Experience

Brunch with free-flowing wine

Experience

Lunch Set Menu

Experience

Dinner Set Menu & Sparkling Wine

Franks Canteen

4.9

4.9 (308)

£26 to £40

European

Highbury

About the restaurant

"Great small place with a menu that is constantly changing. They have classics as well as experiments with different cuisines." – Tam Storrar

Top review

juliette

Dined 4 days ago

We had the set lunch + glass of wine. Everything was excellent.

Park Chinois

4.5

4.5 (757)

£41 and over

Chinese

Mayfair

About the restaurant

"High end Chinese restaurant with elegant interiors. Its menu is derived from authentic Chinese with superior quality ingredients. I love the individuality of all the dishes on the menu." – Rohit Ghai

Top review

frankVIP

Dined on 9 Dec 2024

Pricey but very good food and service:) ambiance is amazing.

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Experience

Cocktails & Dim Sum in Salon de Chine

Blacklock Soho

4.7

4.7 (5915)

£25 and under

Steak

Soho

About the restaurant

"I go there whenever I crave chops. I always crave chops. Go there, eat chops!" – Tomer Amedi

Top review

John

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous food. If you like chops and steaks, this is a great restaurant. The meat is top quality and superbly seasoned. Really great vibe in the restaurant and the service was top notch - friendly, helpful and fast. Great part of town too, so you really feel like you're getting a proper London experience. Loved it and can thoroughly recommend it.

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4.6

4.6 (3944)

£26 to £40

European

St. James's

About the restaurant

"It has an amazing buzz that sets the pace for a day in the center of town – and delivers exactly what it sets out to do – a great breakfast, suitable for all tastes and budgets." – Philip Howard

Top review

Susan

Dined 5 days ago

A wonderful place to celebrate anything! A delightful evening meeting up with a cousin who lives in America and had never been to the Wolsley.

The Duke of Sussex

4.5

4.5 (723)

£25 and under

Spanish

Chiswick

About the restaurant

"It's a beautiful building with a dining room and a bar with huge windows that face Acton Green. It also has a large garden, which in the summer you'll have to come in early to secure a table. Staff are super friendly. They mostly do Spanish food but also a mean Sunday roast." – Sami Tamimi

Top review

Gillie

Dined 1 day ago

Always lovely to have a. Sunday toast here. - delicious! Range of gins is good as well -

Primeur

4.6

4.6 (1124)

£26 to £40

Farm-to-table

Stoke Newington

About the restaurant

"It's a former garage which the team have converted into a friendly, neighborhood restaurant with a great interior. They have a daily changing menu with a strong French influence and a great selection of wines." – Jon Rotheram

Top review

Emma

Dined 2 days ago

Cosy dining experience perfect for winter. Very beautiful interior, amazing wait staff who were knowledgeable, friendly but not intrusive. The food is really excellent.

Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (2736)

£41 and over

Seafood

Mayfair

About the restaurant

"It's hard to pass this restaurant and not pop in for a cheeky oyster or two! Steeped in history and with a great ambience, especially when eating at the bar." – Jocky Petrie

Top review

JaswinderVIP

Dined 4 days ago

I’ve been to Bentleys several times in the last year. It’s very good well presented food. I like the menu - particularly the range of starters. The seafood is as good as it should be. Service is very good, attentive but not intrusive. I like the traditional ambience. I’ve only ever eaten upstairs but the bar area has banquette seating and you can sit outside too.

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Experience

Best of Bentley's 3 Course Set Menu

Moro

4.7

4.7 (3447)

£41 and over

Mediterranean

Angel

About the restaurant

"Moro is a timeless institution that is as relevant still today as it was when it first opened twenty years ago. It serves exceptional Spanish and North African-influenced food in a beautiful room that generates such a convivial atmosphere, one where you can feel both relaxed and indulged at the same time. It is, for me, the perfect restaurant." – Joshua Katz

Top review

RhiannonVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Second visit within one month and did not disappoint Excellent selection of dishes, all flavoursome and well presented We ate late (10.15 table booking) and staff very patient and accommodating - did not feel pressured to leave.

Tandoor Chop House at Covent Garden

4.6

4.6 (2424)

£25 and under

Indian

Covent Garden

About the restaurant

"Premium cuts of meat, spiced and grilled over a charcoal tandoor." – Sameer Taneja

Top review

Tim

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

We had a fantastic meal to celebrate my wifes Birthday. Lamb Chops outstanding. Definitely go back again.

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4.5

4.5 (559)

£26 to £40

French

Islington

About the restaurant

"The atmosphere and food is fantastic." – Francesco Mazzei

Top review

Tamara

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

Very nice restaurant Nice ambience Delicious food Good service

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Apéro Hour Experience

Ivy Market Grill

4.2

4.2 (18650)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Covent Garden

About the restaurant

"The people running The Ivy Market Grill are very talented and very smart. They are rolling them out everywhere. Well done!" – Cary Docherty

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Great atmosphere, good food and service. Not cheap but very enjoyable lunch in a top location.

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4.6

4.6 (4465)

£26 to £40

British

Oxford Circus

About the restaurant

"The room is stunning and the food is great. It always feels like an occasion to go." – Tom Sellers

Top review

EileenVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Phenom! Loved it. Best steak tartare I’ve ever had.

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Popular dish

Chateaubriand

Popular dish

Berners Tavern Mac and Cheese (vg)

Experience

Three-course Early Berners

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

4.7

4.7 (999)

£41 and over

French

Mayfair

About the restaurant

"The stunning dining room, the service, and Monsieur Ducasse's cuisine is mind blowing." – Francesco Mazzei

Top review

FionaVIP

Dined on 6 Dec 2024

The food was divine, the service exceptional. The environment quite dull and maybe that is by design so diners focus on the food and the experience but a little more decor would have been pleasing to the eye.

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Experience

Experience our newly crafted 5-course menu

Jikoni

4.6

4.6 (577)

£41 and over

Asian

Marylebone

About the restaurant

"This is exactly the sort of food I want: food that both comforts and surprises at once. I love the atmosphere of the restaurant too: so much colour and comfort." – Yotam Ottolenghi

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 4 Oct 2024

Both the food and service were a joy … simple, clean flavours which combine beautifully and lovely, unobtrusive service. Great value for the quality of the experience. Would definitely recommend and would dine again. Thank you!

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

4.7

4.7 (1953)

£25 and under

Unspecified

Chelsea

About the restaurant

"This restaurant is still the place to go to celebrate a special occasion. Everything about it is top of the class in London. The precision in the cooking always impresses, as does the way the team in the front of house make it all look effortless." – Cary Docherty

Top review

Georgina

Dined 2 days ago

We had the Menu Prestige and it was absolutely delicious.

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Experience

Inspiration Table Experience

Experience

New Year's Eve

Restaurant Story London

4.8

4.8 (1081)

£41 and over

British

London Bridge

About the restaurant

"Top-quality food in a great restaurant by chef Tom Sellers. Expect some great surprises and all beautifully presented with real thought, care and attention to detail." – Tom Aikens

Top review

Robert

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent service all around; ambiance and location excellent; food was extraordinary ....clearly headed to achieve Three Stars Michelin.

The Ninth

4.7

4.7 (471)

£41 and over

Mediterranean

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

"Very high-quality food in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. Good choice of sharing plates." – Henrik Ritzen

Top review

Yuan

Dined 3 days ago

The food and drinks were very good! The restaurant was a bit too noisy.

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Experience

Chef's Choice Menu Six Courses

Ristorante Frescobaldi London

4.7

4.7 (623)

£41 and over

Italian

Mayfair

About the restaurant

"White truffle tagliolini, when in season, is not to be missed!" – Hus Vedat

Top review

Emre

Dined on 12 Nov 2024

amazing staff. top notch service. food and wine selection was outstanding

Fischers

4.6

4.6 (702)

£26 to £40

Austrian

Marylebone

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Shaun Hill from The Walnut Tree

Top review

Ian

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

Really lovely ambience and traditional Austrian-German feeling. Service was excellent, friendly efficient staff and excellent food.

The Winter Garden

4.7

4.7 (1767)

£41 and over

Modern European

Marylebone

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Lori Granito from Magnolia

Top review

Alison

Dined 4 days ago

Beautiful hotel and restaurant. The food was amazing, incredible flavours and beautifully presented. The service was attentive but not intrusive; thank you Mario. A wonderful first visit and we will definitely be returning.

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Experience

Three -course seasonal lunch menu

Experience

Three -course seasonal dinner menu

Experience

Festive seasonal lunch with glass of Champagne

The Morgan Arms

4.2

4.2 (689)

£25 and under

British

Mile End

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Ben Tish from Restaurant Norma

Top review

Debbie

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Lunch with 6 friends.. amazing toast dinner.. great service.. great atmosphere..

OPSO

4.8

4.8 (1522)

£41 and over

Greek

Marylebone

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Michael Reid from Restaurant M

Top review

tonyVIP

Dined on 5 Nov 2024

Great food and service definitely a place I’d recommend. A little on the pricey side but you can’t argue with the quality

ROKA - Canary Wharf

4.5

4.5 (641)

£41 and over

Japanese

Canary Wharf

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Mark Sargeant from Rocksalt

Top review

ben

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

Simply fantastic. Food was insane, our waiter went out of his way to help us. We can not wait to go again.

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Experience

Lunch Set Menu

Chotto Matte Soho

4.4

4.4 (2419)

£41 and over

Peruvian

Soho

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Jose Luis (Chele) Gonzalez from Gallery VASK

Top review

Hau Yin

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and great service. We came the week before Christmas, and a few items weren’t available like the karaage and the black cod miso. We had the cod replaced with salmon and the server was great at recommending menu items.

ROKA - Charlotte Street

4.4

4.4 (259)

£41 and over

Japanese

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

"Great food, great service, great vibe. Every time." – Miles Kirby

Top review

SininiVIP

Dined on 29 Nov 2024

Celebrating a friends birthday! Food was incredible & amazing value for early dining menu. It was fabulous and the staff went over and above to make her feel special ❤️

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Experience

Lunch, Pre & Post Theatre Menu

Experience

3 Course Set Menu + Complimentary Cocktail

Experience

Brunch with free-flowing wine