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The best Indian restaurants in London to book right now

By David Paw

London is spoiled with options for great Indian food. Read on for our edit of the best.

Proper respect for London's Indian restaurants has been a long time coming — it wasn't until this year that the first Indian restaurant in the city bagged two Michelin stars. But you don't need to go full £££ to get a perfectly spiced dal or aromatic biriyani. There are incredible options for Indian food up and down the price spectrum here – from a Hounslow local famous for its Maharashtrian sandwiches to a Marylebone institution that launched one of the city's biggest restaurant groups.

Named after the Mumbai district of the same name, Pali Hill serves a forward-thinking roster of sharing plates that really are extraordinary, covering everything from tandoori monkfish to lamb biryani. The menu highlight has to be the Mangalore buns with Scottish crab sukkah. Steaming hot, hollow buns that are made slightly sweet by banana arrive ready to be filled with a rich, savoury crab meat, spiced with ginger and fennel seeds. The end result is quite unlike anything we’ve ever tasted. It encapsulates the restaurant's playful and bold spirit perfectly.

79-81 Mortimer St, W1W 7SJ. pahlihillbandrabhai.com

Hyderabadi Spice

There’s many, many biryanis to be found in London, but this unassuming South Indian family-style restaurant in East Ham serves one of the best. Each biryani is made to order and arrives dum-style with a pastry lid. The dish releases sweet, fragrant steam when the pastry is removed at the table to reveal perfectly cooked rice, run through with the chef’s own ground masala blend and topped with crisp, caramelised onions. The lamb biryani is a standout, with meat falling off the bone, and the chicken biryani for two is an occasion in itself. It’s wildly popular and rammed come evening – book ahead – but it’s worth the wait for those signature dishes.

309 High St N, E12 6SL. hyderabadispice.com

Trishna is said to be ground zero for the nouveau Indian boom that has since spread far and wide across the capital. The restaurant's upscale Indian concept was so successful so quickly, it spurred the owners to open sister restaurants Gymkhana, Hoppers and Brigadiers in its wake. They have been resounding successes, all. The original maintains its Michelin star for good reason, and remains resoundingly popular with London’s food-literate both for its constants and its innovations. What Trishna has long done so well is a Western take on the cuisine of the South Indian coastal regions. Go for the “Taste Of Trishna” menu in its five-course format, and you’ll be served a distilled version of its ethos.

15-17 Blandford St, Marylebone, W1U 3DG. trishnalondon.com

The Tamil Prince

The brainchild of former Roti King colleagues Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson, The Tamil Prince breathes new life into an old Islington neighbourhood pub. The South Indian-leaning menu comprises a tight list of small and large plates with plenty of heat. Make sure to get a curry and don’t miss out on the impressive channa bhatura, a puffed-up fried bread that’s begging to be dipped into raita. The okra fries and grilled tiger prawns likewise never disappoint.

115 Hemingford Road, N1 1BZ. thetamilprince.com

Although it’s since expanded to Soho and White City, Brixton is Kricket’s true home, having started there in a shipping container back in 2015. The small plate restaurant is modest in size but bursting with flavour – and, if you go with a big enough group, you could order everything on the menu, as a way of crafting your own tasting menu. As intended, Kricket sits between curry houses and fine dining, with chef Will Bowlby’s menu blending what he learned about regional Indian cuisine while travelling the country, with seasonal British produce. The result is delicious, beautifully presented, and expensive-feeling food, but at a reasonable price.

41-43 Atlantic Road, SW9 8JL. kricket.co.uk

As it's one of London’s most hyped restaurants, you’ll likely be met with open mouths if you say you haven’t been to Dishoom. But, if you’re making you're way through the queues for the hype, then stay for the spicy, flavourful comfort food. Billed as a Bombay-style cafe, the menu’s highlights include the Chicken Berry Britanniabiryani, spicy lamb chops, and – of course – the house black daal. If you’re going for breakfast, make sure to get bacon naan roll. There’s a stellar cocktail menu to wash it all down too – and no judgement if you do so after breakfast.

Various throughout London. Dishoom.com

The atmosphere in Tayyabs is electric, partly fuelled by the fact that it’s BYOB, but also because of the food and its incredible value for money. Sure, if you’re looking for quiet romance, this might not be the place, but for those in want of food that will make you loudly exclaim how good it is (hence the chatter that permeates the restaurant), then Tayyabs is for you. The dry meat is the particular standout here – go for the spicy lamb chops and the succulent chicken tikka.

83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU. tayyabs.co.uk

Shree Krishna Vada Pav

Head to deepest west London to try one of the world’s great sandwiches, aptly put together by this legendary Maharashtrian snack bar in Hounslow. Its namesake dish is reason enough to visit – a “patty” of deep-fried mashed potato ensconced in a soft white bun and slicked with vibrant chilli, garlic and tamarind chutneys, which you’ll decide to reorder the moment you bite into it. The other snacks on the menu are equally strong and offer a glimpse into Mumbai and Gujarati fast food culture in a way rarely seen in central London restaurants, like comforting poha (flaked rice quickly tossed with soft potatoes), sabudana khichdi (tapioca pearls) and an entire section of Desi-Chinese dishes.

121 High St, Hounslow TW3 1QL.

Gunpowder’s founders have been toying with what London wants from a new-age Indian for years: since they first opened the eponymous restaurant in Spitalfields, they made moves into Nepalese food at Madame D’s and an upstairs-downstairs situation at Gul and Sepoy. Both variants have closed and the OG has expanded south of the river: small-plates Indian food is a form widely played with, but rarely bettered than Gunpowder. The aloo chaat and the venison doughnut are their statement small plates for a reason. It’s also hard not to sing the praises of the succulent soft-shell crab or the ingenious whole-roasted broccoli, charred and spicy in all the right ways.

4 Duchess Walk, London SE1. 020 3598 7946. gunpowderrestaurants.com

Ananthapuram

This Keralan restaurant in East Ham is the kind of place that Topjaw fanboys dream of stumbling upon: unfiltered flavours, a constellation of regional dishes, and a roll-your-sleeves-up vibe that encourages excitable group dinners. The chicken fry is mandatory for first-timers seeking heat, texture and spice, but seafood dishes are the speciality here. The whole fish wrapped in banana leaf makes for a fitting centrepiece; stir-fried squid and anchovy are equally excellent. Mop up any gravy with plentiful paratha or appam, and do it all over again.

241A High St N, E12 6SJ. ananthapurams.com

Tandoor Chop House

Chic hospitality brand Ennismore (The Hoxton, Gleneagles) expanded into Indian restaurants with Covent Garden's Tandoor Chop House - part cool British grill, part traditional Indian café. English ingredients meet Indian cooking across the menu (we love the masala boti-rubbed ribeye), and there's a very decent beer list that spans lagers, pale ales and premium cider.

8 Adelaide Street, WC2. tandoorchophouse.com

By Daphne Bugler

By Simon de Burton

By Jessie Atkinson

By Heidi Quill

By Mike Christensen

By Sam Parker

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The best Indian restaurants in London

From local curry houses to fancy Mayfair restaurants, London’s Indian and South Asian food scene offers endless variety

Laura Gallant for Time Out

Looking for a great Indian dining option in London? Well you aren't just in luck, you're actually spoiled for choice. London has heaps of fantastic local curry houses  as well as a host of high-end fine dining restaurants. Discover a fabulous mix of great neighbourhood spots (with many centred around Drummond Street, Brick Lane, Whitechapel and Southall) and Michelin star-scoring  Mayfair purveyors of South Asian cuisine with our definitive list, where you'll find  the full range of regional styles and specialities – from Bombay biryanis to Punjabi grills and Keralan curry. Get ready for a full symphony of fantastic flavours .

RECOMMENDED: The 50  best restaurants in London .

Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

The top London Indian restaurants

1.  rasa.

• Stoke Newington
• price 1 of 4

The bright pink walls of Rasa in Stoke Newington are almost as bold as the flavours in their south Indian dishes. Opened in the mid-1990s, the vegetarian Keralan joint still serves solid basics – masala dosa and chewy coiled paratha are always wholesome and moreish. Delve into dishes like moru kachiathu, a turmeric-infused, sweet-sour runny yoghurt dish made with mango and green banana for authentic Keralan flavour. Bagar baingan from Hyderabad, is a creamy, ultra-savoury delight; made of aubergines and ground cashew nuts, and pairs perfectly with puffed poories. Better still, everything on the menu is priced at less than a tenner, with many dishes around the £5 mark.

2.  Babur

This popular Indian restaurant has been thrilling locals with its creative cooking since 1985. Named ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurant’ at the 2023 Asian Curry Awards for good reason, this Forest Hill favourite offers clove-smoked lamb chops, griddled scallops and crab bonda to start and the likes of garam masala duck and punjabi stone bass fish with a chana masala yoghurt kadhi for mains. Everything comes with a wine pairing too, making the whole process of picking what to sip that much easier. 

3.  Tayyabs

• Whitechapel

People were queuing outside this huge East End curry house long before it became the big thing in London, and Tayyabs remains as frantically busy as ever – don’t come here expecting a relaxed, chilled-out time. Instead, revel in the bold bargain-priced dishes served up by this Punjabi stalwart. Definitely try the fiery grilled lamb chops, still one of London’s very best dishes. The rest of the menu is all about rich dhal, slow-cooked curries and good versions of north Indian staples. And the corkage-free BYO policy doesn’t hurt either.

4.  Bibi

Step inside this opulent restaurant for chef-patron Chet Sharma's fine dining takes on the dishes he grew up with:  Lahori chicken served with a cashew-and-yoghurt-whey sauce is a particular speciality. There's also a selection of chai and a cocktail menu that's packed with creative brews including  the Rose Spritz with gin and gujarat rose kombucha. 

5.  Needoo Grill

Opened in 2009 by a former Tayyabs manager, the curries are just as good here. Think succulent karahi dishes and specials that include nihari (lamb on the bone) and a very passable biryani. Service is swift and friendly, and it’s hard to argue with the appeal of BYO and curries of such a high standard.

6.  Gunpowder

• Spitalfields
• price 2 of 4

This tiny family-run restaurant headed by Nirmal Save, once a chef at Mayfair’s Tamarind , goes deep on strong flavours and a menu of delightful dishes from across India. The chargrilled tandoori chicken and Kashmiri lamb chops are excellent, and veggie options, including a sweet sigree-grilled mustard broccoli, are star turns. There’s an offshoot by Tower Bridge and in Soho, too.

7.  Diwana Bhel Poori House

Diwana has been a Drummond Street fixture since 1971, drawing families from across the capital with its upbeat atmosphere and menu of south Indian vegetarian street food. The wooden panelling, pine tables and dog-eared menus more reminiscent of a mountain-top canteen than a busy spot by Euston station only further emphasises the quality of the cooking. Bhel poori is the big draw, small plates of savoury snacks (including puffed pooris, samosas, dhals and chutneys), suitable as starters or, ordered in large enough quantities, a meal in themselves. Those seeking more substantial feeding can opt for a crispy filled dosa or a vegetarian thali mixing rice with a variety of vegetable curries; there’s also a hearty lunch buffet on weekends.

8.  Dosa n Chutny

Rarely have we seen such a perfect dosa: crisp on the outside, moist and rice-fragrant on the inside, a perfect oval bent over in the shape of a curling leaf. The accompanying sambar (spicy lentil dip) is rich and sweet, in the Chennai style, and the coconut chutney's fresh. A gem of a South Indian and Sri Lankan café.

9.  Lahore Kebab House

Okay, so strictly speaking this is a Pakistani restaurant, but if you’re looking for curry, you’ve come to the right place. In fact, even though it might not look like much, Lahore Kebab House is a place of pilgrimage for curry lovers. Queues snake out of the door at weekends, with diners travelling from far and wide to sample Punjabi-style tandoori grilled meat and generous portions of ghee-laden curry. Bargain prices, attentive service and a BYO policy just add to the draw. The house specials are worth ordering, especially the nihari and dry lamb curry.

10.  Tandoor Chop House

• Covent Garden

Trust us: you ain’t never been to a chophouse like this. The meats here are spice-laden and tandoor-smoked, and all the better for it, while the industrial-style decor is very Bombay via Dishoom . Almost every dish will make you swoon, from the kebab rolls, nimbu masala fries, chicken chops and brilliant naan to the exotically garnished kulfi served as a refreshing finale.

11.  Dishoom

Ok, ok – it's a chain, but Dishoom has fast become a London landmark. A swish brasserie in the style of the old post-colonial Irani cafés of Bombay, the main attraction is the menu, with biryanis , bhel (crunchy puffed rice with tangy tamarind chutney) and pau bhaji (toasted white-bread rolls with a spicy vegetable stew as a filling). The black dhal and bacon naan are practically household names, causing queues for a table. This Covent Garden branch began the Dishoom story, but the other branches – Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Kensington,  Carnaby Street, Battersea... – also get a holi high five from us.

12.  Gymkhana

• price 4 of 4

Since opening in 2013 Gymkhana has been charming London restaurant-goers with higher-than-high-quality Indian cuisine.  The kid goat keema, served with salli (enlightened shoestring fries), diced onion and miniature buns, remains one of London’s great dishes, while lamb chops served with a walnut chutney are some of the most succulent in the city. The basement area (built after a massive fire back in 2019) is a triumph of refurbishment. Plush, red and banquete-ish; like if Angus Steakhouse won the National Lottery.

13.  Apollo Banana Leaf

Apollo Banana Leaf is an authentic rendering of South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, and great value, with cracking lunchtime deals. Spices are at authentic Jaffna (north Sri Lankan) levels: a single chilli icon on the menu is to be taken seriously; more than two is for the brave. Try the rich, warmly spiced crab masala, served with claws and all.

14.  Jamavar

Jamavar’s vibe suggests a smart members club, but don’t let the high ceilings, brass fixtures and swathes of dark wood panelling put you off. Instead, focus on the food – a succession of luscious, delicately spiced small plates bursting with purity and depth of flavour. Expect exquisite little dishes along the lines of lobster idli sambhar or kid goat kebabs with bone-marrow sauce, luxed-up tandoori, biryani and curries, plus some sublime desserts. Yes, Jamavar is seriously pricy, but it’s also well worth the outlay.

15.  Cinnamon Kitchen

• Liverpool Street

It seems fitting that this smart-casual City sibling of The Cinnamon Club should occupy what was an old spice warehouse belonging to the East India Company. These days it’s a suited-and-booted favourite, complete with stylish industrial-chic interiors and a covered courtyard for year-round socialising. Most of the dishes emerging from the open kitchen are clever but not contrived – think muzzeh street-food snacks, tandooris, regional biryanis and curries, plus a clutch of vegan options. There’s an offshoot in near Battersea Power Station, too.

16.  Bombay Bustle

It’s love at first whiff once you step inside this casual offshoot of the swish  Jamavar . There’s plenty of bustle and noisy chatter, while the smoky aromas speak of killer Indian cooking. Headlining fixtures from the menu include the dense lamb keema served with buttered pao buns, the Goan-style stone bass tikka, the moist, chunky lamb biryani, and – of course – the rich, mellow dhal. Bombay Bustle is also darned affordable by Mayfair standards – and it’s great fun.

17.  Amaya

Specialising in stylish pan-Indian tapas, the Michelin-starred Amaya is favoured by a clientele of well-heeled professionals blessed with good taste (and deep pockets). Ask for a table by the open kitchen for a view of chefs working the clay tandoor, charcoal grill and griddle. Amaya’s own-made paneer is outstanding and beef even makes a surprise appearance in a splendid sirloin boti.

18.  Brilliant

• East African

The glitzy interior doesn’t hint at Brilliant’s longevity, but this Southall landmark has been trading since 1975. The Anand family hails from Kenya and the menu reflects their lineage, with starters of tandoori tilapia fish and chilli mogo (cassava root chips). But the restaurant’s reputation hinges on its exemplary renditions of straightforward Punjabi cooking, especially its big bowls of authentically spiced curry and humongous naan. Fish pakora followed by methi chicken is a sublime choice.

19.  Kricket

A cool modern Indian known for a sublime sharing menu, and its signature Keralan fried chicken. The rest of the menu is a movable feast – anything from masala duck hearts to day-boat squid with coconut. Find other branches in Brixton and White City. Check out their hidden basement cocktail bar, Soma , if you want to a make a proper night of it. 

20.  Brigadiers

• price 3 of 4

A barbecue restaurant inspired by Indian army mess bars, service is super-slick but friendly and the menu has plenty of standouts – from chatpata poori, chaat and paos to meaty grills, kebabs and chops. Brigadiers also doubles as a boozy sports bar with TV screens showing live events.

21.  Dhaba@49

Bringing north India’s roadside café culture to a crossroads in Maida Vale, Dhaba@49 offers everything you want from a local restaurant: friendly service, keen prices and bang-on deliciousness. The interior might remind you of Dishoom, but sweet little touches like velvet blue seats and a disco playlist keep it feeling unpretentious. Dhaba@49 prides itself on its chaat – the crispy/tangy/spicy snacks typically served in dhabas (roadside restaurants) – so that’s probably a good place to start. Its curries, rice and breads are also pretty flawless.

22.  Tamarind

One of the first Indian restaurants in the world to win a Michelin star, t his gilded subterranean space feels lighter, brighter and buzzier than ever, with two open kitchens and a lounge space upstairs. It delivers stunning regional curries, tandoori, salads and indulgently creamy desserts. Tip: the room works best in winter or after dark (it’s not a great place for a sunshine-y lunch).

23.  Hoppers

Okay, so this restaurant is Sri Lankan, not Indian. But serious spice fans would be remiss not to pay a visit to one of Hoppers' London branches – also find them in King's Cross and Marylebone – for delicious takes on street food.  These bowl-shaped savoury crepes are served in slick, stylish setting, and offer a compelling mix of sweet and sour flavours.

24.  Pahli Hill

Avinash Shashidhara’s Fitzrovia restaurant offers comforting, richly spiced small plates that are designed to be shared. Step downstairs afterwards for cocktails in its basement bar Bandra Bhai, which is decked out with fringed lampshades, kitschy art, and even features a stuffed peacock. 

25.  Trishna

They now have a string of hits to their name ( Hoppers , Brigadiers etc), but this is where it all began for the all-conquering Sethi siblings. The setting is a smart and quietly conservative Marylebone dining room, while the kitchen thrills punters with its Michelin-starred interpretations of regional Indian cuisine – especially seafood from the southern provinces (look for fixtures such as tandoori mustard prawns, hariyali bream or Dorset brown crab with coconut oil and curry leaves). 

26.  Veeraswamy

• Regent Street

With its sepia-tinted photos of the Raj and plush carpets, this tucked-away eatery has a definite retro vibe (it opened way back in 1926, and is the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK). In a cosy setting, it serves up outstanding, classic Indian dishes: the only drawback is the high price tag.

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The most outstanding Indian restaurants in London

Contrary to ill-informed misconceptions about Indian food, the country’s cuisine is by no means a monolith – encompassing richly varied styles of cooking as diverse as the many regions within the sprawling republic. From coastal areas renowned for their stunning seafood dishes, to locales that specialise in vibrant vegetarian fare, there’s a host of culinary delights to discover. For a transportive taste of the country a little closer to home, read on for Tatler ’s round up of the finest Indian restaurants in London.

79-81 Mortimer St, Fitzrovia, W1W 7SJ

Despite having only opened in 2020 (in the midst of a pandemic, no less), this buzzy Fitzrovia spot has already become a firm favourite among London food aficionados. It’s the brainchild of genius Head Chef Avi Shashidhara, a River Cafe alumnus. And while his regional Indian cuisine is a world away from Italian cooking, the principles of exacting high standards, elegant presentation and faultless flavour combinations have clearly carried through from his many years in one of the restaurant industry’s top kitchens. Inspired by a communal neighbourhood in Bombay, the menu is based around stunning sharing plates, offering a stylish, modern take on regional Indian home cooking, along with an impressive cocktail selection. Start with a spread of small plates, like the crisp Pondicherry fried squid and zucchini flowers with a lip-tingling dipping sauce; or the vibrant pea and spinach hara kebab, which makes eating your greens a heavenly experience. Move on to the tandoor and grill dishes and big plates, such as the show-stopping tandoori monkfish, served with a zesty mango pickle marinade and spring peas; and the canteen thali, an abundant vegetarian spread featuring coconut broad beans, Gujrati kadhi (chickpea flour fritters in a tangy yoghurt sauce), and vivid-green saag paneer. Pudding is not to be missed: the beguiling mango cheesecake tastes as beautiful as it looks, while the sumptuously dark chocolate and coconut cake makes for a decadent end to a truly memorable meal.

Dishoom Kensington

4 Derry Street, W8 5SE

By Eilidh Hargreaves

By Charlotte Edwardes

By Harriet Kean

With a string of locations across the capital (and now in Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester, too) these atmospheric all-day eateries evoke the buzzing Irani cafés of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. A table at one of Dishoom its always a hot ticket, but never more so than on Thursday and Friday nights on Derry Street, when the house band, the Marine Liners, perform swing and jazz – a nod to the glamorous clubs that captivated Bombay in the ’40s. Settle into an among the art deco-inspired interiors, with intimate leather booths and chandeliers casting a rosy glow, for a meal as enlivening as the soundtrack. Start with wickedly crisp okra fries and perfectly-spiced samosas, before a sizzling platter from grill (the gloriously burnished masala prawns are a sure-fire hit). The mattar paneer and chicken ruby are always popular, but it’s the house black dal that commads cult-like adoration: cooked over 24 hours, its flavour is intense yet subtle, somehow comforting and nostalgia-inducing even if you’re trying it for the very first time. Add on a briyani or two (the jackfruit version with fragrant saffron rice is a compelling vegan centrepiece) along with naan and roomali roti, a delicately flaky griddled flatbread. Come pudding time, the refreshing kulfi or beguiling gulab jamun (sticky-sweet dumplings in syrup) are a fitting finale. But the ultimate closing act has to be the Dishoom chocolate pudding: deep, dark and lusciously molten, served with Kashmiri chilli ice cream. Take heed of the menu, which warns that ‘you will not want to share.’

Bombay Brasserie

Courtfield Road, SW7

If it weren’t for the word ‘Bombay’ in its name, there would be little to suggest that this light and airy dining room, with its soaring ceilings and glistening chandeliers, is an Indian restaurant – until the tantalising smells of tandoori drives you inside. Known as London’s grand dame of the Indian fine dining scene, the place where Sir Sean Connery used to come in for a chicken masala and Tom Cruise still gets takeaways, Bombay Brassiere may be over 40 years old but she shows no sign of decline. The fiery jumbo tandoori prawns, marinated in yoghurt and chef Sriram Aylur’s own ground spices, are the stars of the show, alongside the rich chicken tikka makhani featuring tender thigh meat cooked in a deliciously creamy, butter gravy. Another big-hitter is the Kovalam fish curry, a fragrant dish packed with chunks of halibut simmered in coconut, chili, and raw mango sauce, best served with fluffy rice and a side of the Bombay potatoes, all slathered in smoky spices and garlic. You’ll get good old-fashioned service and generous servings – so, whatever you do, choose wisely. Do slip in to the elegant Bombay Bar next door, where mango bellinis and spiced Manhattans will keep you in terribly good spirits.

8 Mount St, Mayfair, London W1K 3NF

After successfully launching multiple restaurants in his native India, Dinesh Nair brought his signature take on North Indian cuisine to the UK in 2016, with Jamavar London earning its first Michelin star one year later. Located a stone’s throw from Berkeley Square in Mayfair, its interiors are glamorously decadent, with warm wooden details and yellow gold accents. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about their food, and our advice would definitely be to let them guide your choices. Start with some of the sharing plates – inspired by the street food markets of the region. There were sweet peppers stuffed with a creamy but spicy mix of paneer and purple potato, as well as a deliciously rich kid goat shami doused in a hearty bone marrow sauce, with warm naan bread to help mop it all up. Next up try the chicken tikka charcoal-grilled in the tandoor, with accompanying sweet basil and yogurt, as well as the Old Delhi butter chicken curry, which is devilishly good. End on the Mango Rasmalai, a type of deconstructed Indian cheesecake, with basil seeds and rhubarb, a delicious coup de grace.

Tamarind Mayfair

20 Queen Street, Mayfair W1J

There are no signs of second album syndrome at Tamarind Mayfair, which reopened to much fanfare after a long-awaited re-build. The first Indian restaurant in London to receive a Michelin star, this second iteration sees an incredible new menu from chefs Karunesh Khanna and Manav Tuli, with standout dishes including the pistachio-crusted grilled lamb chops (served pink with a perfect crunch), Old Delhi butter chicken (succulent and creamy, with just the right level of spice) and grilled rabbit kebab (stuffed with sundried tomatoes for a unique flavour). Everything is designed to share, with six to eight plates for two people being the optimum number, while an excellent wine list and cocktail menu will cater to everyone’s choice of poison. Décor is modern and stylish, with a pale pink banquette and copper finishes, and the open kitchen set up provides fascinating entertainment (watching the naan being kneaded before disappearing into the depths of the tandoori oven is nothing short of mesmeric).

10 Lincoln St, Chelsea, SW3

The first solo project for Michelin starred Rohit Ghai and Abhishake Sangwan (of Gymkhana and Jamavar fame), the pair were influenced by the luxury properties they worked in during their early days in the Indian countryside, evident even down to the smart khaki tailoring worn by the wonderful waiters. Start with broccoli khasta, a tandoori filo parcel, served with sharp pickled cauliflower. The paneer makkai is sublime, the sweetcorn topping and crunchy popcorn garnish the perfect pairing for the soft, salty dish. The black cumin lamb chops are tender, perfectly- cooked and flavoured in a tandoor oven, the pea sprout side salad reminiscent of the chat served in cones of newspaper on Indian Railway journeys. The truffle mushroom khichadi – a rice and lentil Kedgeree – is rich, saucy and great for sharing, while the Kutir kali dal has an almost chocolatey depth, perfect for mopping up with warm naan bread. For a mild, seafood feast don’t miss the pan-seared seabass served in a creamy coconut sauce with mussels.

Bombay Bustle

29 Maddox Street, Mayfair, W1S

Art deco, railway-inspired interiors and a knowledgeable, softly-spoken sommelier are major draws at this Mayfair stalwart, not to mention the show-stopping menu. To start, try Mumbai’s beloved street food, the trio of duck dosa. The Rarah Keema Pao, a rich, perfectly spiced minced lamb dish served with little slider buns, is top notch. Try the paneer butter masala with appam, a light, fluffy, crepe-like pancake, or if meat is a must, the chicken tikka makhani is a spicier alternative. The tandoori chicken served with spicy yogurt is cooked to perfection, tender and beguilingly juicy. The sorbets make for a vibrant finish: thre trio of orange and basil, strawberry and black pepper, and mango and lime are like bright, flavoursome scoops of smoothie.

15-17 Blandford Street, W1

Owned and run by the talented Sethi family, diminutive and occasionally cramped Trishna is nonetheless a big hitter – in fact, it set the standard for the current generation of London's niche Indian restaurants. It takes as its paradigm its famous namesake restaurant in Bombay, and the emphasis is on squeaky-fresh fish and shellfish, seared or chargrilled on the tawa griddle. Wines are particularly noteworthy – sommelier Sunaina Sethi was a runner-up for Tatler ’s best wine list award while at Gymkhana in 2014.

Chutney Mary

73 St James's Street, SW1

At Chutney Mary, the tantalising smells of duck jardaloo and Goan chicken curry must be driving the guardsmen at St James’s Palace, a stone’s throw away, totally crazy. No doubt drawn by its very glamorous bar, David Cameron and Mila Kunis were early guests for goat biryani – one of CM’s signature dishes – and a clutch of high-ranking Indian diplomats have already made it their home base.

Chor Bizarre

16 Albemarle Street, W1

A sibling of the Thieves Market restaurant in New Delhi’s famous Broadway Hotel, this London outpost is more of a take on it than a carbon copy. But like its older sibling, Chor Bizarre is a standard-bearer for Kashmiri and northern Indian cooking. It’s also adorably idiosyncratic, with its eclectic collectibles and charming cast of characters. You’ll get good old-fashioned service and generous servings – lamb meatballs in rich tomato curry and a salad called lachha payaaz, with onion and green chillies, are two not to miss. 

By Andrew Bullock

By Wesley Kerr OBE

By Julia Llewellyn Smith

By Katy Balls

30 Popular Indian Restaurants In London, Ranked

Due to a considerable population of exceptionally talented South Asian-origin chefs, the United Kingdom is one of the primary hotspots for exceptional Indian food outside the subcontinent. In particular, London boasts countless explorative concepts worth visiting.

If you prefer a casual hidden gem, the city has you covered. If you require luxury, drama, and exclusivity — there's an Indian restaurant in London for that, too. From creamy, fragrant, and buttery north Indian curries to the umami-flavored delicacies of the northeast, coconut-cooked seafood of the south, or fiery street food of the west, the vast culinary landscape of the capital encapsulates everything. Succulent grilled meats to fresh, vibrant vegetables elevated in ways you never knew was possible — London has it all.

The dishes on offer at the below restaurants are a far cry from overpoweringly honey-sweet takeaways or cloying local curry houses. Both critics and the general public alike consistently vote for these establishments as the best of the best, and we can confirm there's a reason why. Ambiance, affordability, presentation, reputation — and, of course, flavor — all play a role in our judgment of an exceptional dining experience. In the article below, we've delved into all these points (and more) by endeavoring to rank the eateries. The only question you'll leave with is: "Where should we eat first?"

30. Hoppers

Hoppers is the brainchild of Karan Gokani and Karam Sethi, the latter of whom is the founder of the JKS Restaurant Group, also connected to prestigious names such as Trishna and Brigadiers. It stands to reason then that this Sri Lankan/South Indian cuisine-focused spot is top-quality. You'll find staples such as egg hoppers (perfect for scooping sauces), dosa plates with sambol and coconut chutney, street-food style kothu, and fiery kari (curry).

Expect queues, and head to the original Soho branch for the best experience. Although the food here is delicious, customer service can be hit or miss.

29. Tandoor Chop House

Notable for its unique take on Indian food — Tandoor Chop House is best described as a cross between a tandoori restaurant and a British chop house — you'll find a selection of small plates, tandoor-roasted meats, and tempting side dishes. The specialty which separates this restaurant from others of its ilk is its jaw-dropping Sunday "Mighty Thali," available from 12-4 p.m. Featuring starters, tandoors, bread, dips, and desserts, its undoubtedly the best way to explore the menus delicacies. One downside: If you're a fan of saucy Indian food and traditional curries, head elsewhere.

Behind the vivid-pink facade of Rasa in North-East London lies a small, unassuming restaurant with twee decor and a friendly ambiance. The menu is authentically Keralan and completely vegetarian, with copious vegan options. The dosa is everything you'd expect; crispy, with delicately spiced soft potato stuffing — while crunchy, sweet banana chips are a must-try starter. You'll find flavorful rice dishes, fried snacks, and heartily-spiced vegetables aplenty, so the best way to sample a wide variety is through a very reasonably-priced authentic feast served on a banana leaf. It's worth reporting that some reviews mention slow service.

27. Bombay Bustle

Although the food has plenty to say for itself, Bombay Bustle is perhaps best known for its stylish interior. This is the place to get those Instagram shots. The main dining room is decked out like a train carriage, while the basement harks back to the art deco architecture of old Mumbai. The food, although nothing revolutionary, shines when it focuses on the treats from its namesake, Mumbai; seek out either crispy dosas or succulent keema with fluffy pav for starters, perfectly-spiced Kolhapuri prawns, and for dessert, a creamy jalebi cheesecake with saffron "caviar."

26. Kanishka by Atul Kochhar

Launched by the famed Atul Kochhar in 2019 and situated in the heart of Mayfair, Kanishka is one of London's most upscale destinations. The menu offers a selection of dishes that are equally as inspired by modern British dining as they are the oft-neglected culinary treasures of North Eastern India; standouts are fusion chicken tikka pie, steamed beetroot momos, and the creamy signature black dal served alongside both tasting menus.

Although the vision is exceptional, according to some reviews, the execution is hit-and-miss. Be prepared to spend upwards of £60 for a Michelin-listed experience.

25. The Cinnamon Club

Here at The Cinnamon Club, the name suggests exclusivity and coziness — an evocation echoed in its location, the elegant yet homely Old Westminster Library. You'll soon realize this dining experience is unlike anything you've done before. On the downside, the plates are far less intricately spiced than one may expect, and the presentation is underwhelming compared to other similarly priced eateries.

Nonetheless, The Cinnamon Club has a strong fanbase, particularly those who enjoy subtle Indian flavors combined with European touches. Lamb mille-feuille is a leading example of where this works as intended, as is the kedgeree with smoked haddock.

24. Darjeeling Express

In 2012, the name Asma Khan was unheard of in the culinary scene. After a series of private supper clubs run in her home, she attracted influential customers, and it wouldn't be long before the restaurateur opened her first restaurant, Darjeeling Express. The food here honors her childhood in Bengal, including a mouth-watering slow-cooked goat curry and prawns swimming in a coconut-rich spicy sauce.

Asma's dishes are principally homely and may lack the finesse of other restaurants; yet, her team of all-female, all-South-Asian chefs serve food just like you'd find in an Indian household, and that's a high compliment.

23. The Regency Club

Ask any discerning South-Asian diner their top picks for a flavor-packed dinner, and you'll likely hear about The Regency Club. It's a well-kept secret, perhaps in part due to its past: Opened in 1991, in those days, it was a members-only institution before gradually evolving into a fully-fledged restaurant with over 70 dishes to choose from.

The menu might be too big — there's not enough direction. However, the hidden gem predominantly concentrates on the Kenyan influences of many Indian immigrants, serving quintessential dishes such as garlic and chili-spiced mogo and crispy bhajia fresh from the fryer.

22. Shree Krishna Vada Pav

Sometimes, simplicity is all you need. That's the case with Shree Krishna Vada Pav (SKVP), an iconic joint with locations across the Greater London area: Hounslow, Harrow, Slough, Ilford, Reading, Uxbridge, and Wembley. The cooking here showcases uncomplicated, no-frills classics. Imagine vada pav (dubbed the Indian "burger"), fiery sprouted lentil misal, steaming hot mixed vegetable pakora, warming matar paneer , or samosa dowsed in tangy chutneys, yogurt, and rich chickpea curry. Sounds delicious, right?

When you're in the mood for authentic Indian street-food style bites on a budget, head to SKVP. It won't win accolades, but it has secured public approval.

21. Ritu London

Owner and founder of Ritu, Anubhav Srivastava, has insight that few possess. Although he was born in London, the budding restauranteur moved to Chennai, established two acclaimed eateries, then took his newfound knowledge to form Ritu London.

The menu harks to the restaurant's moniker — meaning seasons in Hindi — with highlights such as a blue cheese and cream tandoor cooked broccoli, monkfish cooked with mango, and dangerously fiery ghost pepper prawns. In addition to the standard à la carte, there's a compact vegan menu, vegetarian and omnivore tasting menus, highly regarded cocktails, and a vast alcohol selection.

An old fire station may be the last place you'd expect to find a sophisticated restaurant, but it makes for an impressive backdrop to Yaatra. Opened in 2022, it's a relatively new endeavor, but with Amit Bagyal (of Benares and Kanishka fame) at the wheel, the restaurant has already garnered a distinguished reputation.

Food — across the set menus, à la carte, and tasting — is unlike mundane British Indian fare. Instead, you'll find Himalayan momos, herby poached chicken with creamy upma and robust Konkani sauce, and kulcha spread with truffled ghee. The presentation is upmarket, but portions are unduly small.

Perhaps the most unconventional of the restaurants listed, Jikoni brands itself as a "no borders kitchen," taking inspiration from the owner's homeland, Kenya; her ancestry, India; her childhood home, London; and the diverse flavors of the Middle East. This results in a surprisingly comprehensive yet eclectic menu featuring vibrant beetroot handvo with whipped feta, messy avocado chaat, and saffron sheermal served with Cornish lamb spiced with ras el hanout. Although inventive, the cookery here is above all homely with inventive flair, which was enough to earn Jikoni a listing on the Michelin guide.

18. Chook Chook

There's one unmissable dish when visiting Chook Chook, an Indian railway-inspired restaurant in the heart of Putney, South London: rustic and hearty railway chicken with your choice of bread (we recommend charred tandoori roti, buttery layered lachha paratha, or the classic garlic naan). For starters, there's a selection of famous Indian street foods, including pav bhaji — piquant mashed vegetable curry with fluffy, buttery bread rolls.

Reviewers suggest that ordering food online is hit or miss. Instead, make a reservation and head to the restaraunt; the ambiance here is refined, moody, and romantic.

Another recent addition to the affluent area of Mayfair, BiBi is a striking addition to the dining scene. The decor and plating scream refinement; warm wooden ceilings are inviting, while modern art gracing the paisley-decorated walls echo the contemporary cooking style. Despite only being in operation for a few years, BiBi has already acquired a listing in the Michelin Guide.

An ever-evolving menu features Indian dishes infused with foraged English herbs and vegetables, with dinner service exclusively offering set menus. On the other hand, lunch is more flexible, with à la carte and affordable fixed menus.

16. Copper Chimney

The original Copper Chimney has a lengthy history, first opening in Mumbai (then Bombay) in the early 1970s. Since then, the brand has launched over 22 sites across metropolitan cities in India, as well as across the Middle East and Asia. However, the establishment in Westfield, London, is the only one in the U.K.

Perhaps because Copper Chimney started in India, the food here is exceptionally authentic, including delightfully crispy okra fries and traditional soft gulab jamun soaked in sweet floral syrup. The only thing holding the eatery back is the disappointing service on busy evenings.

15. Brigadiers

Nestled amongst towering office buildings and marble edifices you'll find Brigadiers, otherwise known as one of the trendiest Indian destinations in the city. Across the restaurant's multiple rooms, you can play pool, watch live sports, or sip on alcoholic beverages while tucking into a tray of poppadoms. However hip the art deco interiors and sports bar vibe is, don't let it distract you from the main attraction: the food. Military mess canteens are the inspiration, with multiple Indian BBQ techniques on show — tandoor, smokers, grills, and rotisseries. It's earned a listing on the Michelin Guide, but could do with more vegan options.

14. Tamarind

Sometimes a menu is so tempting that you want to try every dish. If dining on a collection of small plates sounds like heaven, then head to Tamarind, a light and airy restaurant with a minimal approach to food, beautifully presented. In contrast to the breezy main dining room is the basement, where you can sit and watch the chefs work their magic in an open kitchen.

Tamarind was the first Indian restaurant in London to win a Michelin star — It has since been retracted, although they're still listed. This may suggest a decline in cookery, but it's still a cut above the rest.

13. The Tamil Prince

There's always something promising about restaurants founded by chefs who previously worked on acclaimed projects. In this case, The Tamil Prince is the brainchild of ex-Roti King executive chef Prince Durairaj (Yes, the restaurant is his namesake), and just like its predecessor, has quickly accumulated fans.

The menu is concise, over half vegetarian, and highly focused on Tamil traditional plates, such as succulent chicken lollipops and pulled beef topped fluffy uttapam. The fare may lack the finesse of fine dining — it is housed in a pub, after all —but makes up for it in flavor.

12. Dishoom

Dishoom sits comfortably between casual, affordable dining and the more exclusive experience at higher-priced restaurants. It may not have the official accolades that others on this list boast, but it has won over public opinion; expect to see all six locations across London packed to the brim round-the-clock, every day.

With each location decked out in a distinctively Art Deco fashion, the food is a unique amalgamation of classic Maharashtrian delicacies — imagine vada pav or bhel — and Irani café classics such as bun maska, chili cheese toast with fried eggs, or the rose-scented gulkand mess for dessert.

Just a short walk from cultural icons like the Cadogan Hall and Saatchi Gallery, is Kahani, a Michelin listed and two AA Rosette tour de force. Meaning "story" in Hindi, Kahani hopes to revolutionize Indian cuisine with a light touch. Expect the unexpected — like lamb seekh kebabs with fruity ginger and black olive crumb or mushroom and cassava "cake" atop intricately seasoned chutneys. There's a menu for every occasion and dietary preference, but ultimately, although the restaurant has many high points, the ambiance is slightly lacking, and the cooking can be inconsistent.

10. Kricket

Humble beginnings and a gradual rise to fame and acclaim define the story of Kricket. Now with three locations across London — Soho, White City, and Brixton — it's hard to imagine the contemporary spot was founded in 2015, operating out of a small shipping container. Now, its Soho site is the hippest place to be. As the evening progresses, it gets almost heinously noisy.

Get seated on the communal-style tables and watch chefs prepare small sharing plates of delectable treats made with the best British ingredients. Highlights include salty samphire pakoras and crunchy Keralan fried chicken with curry leaf mayonnaise.

9. Fatt Pundit

At first glance, the plates at Fatt Pundit may not seem like typical Indian food. This is Indo-Chinese cuisine, which arose in Kolkata after the Hakka people migrated from China into India. It's the holy grail for anyone who loves both Chinese and Indian flavors.

Fatt Pundit may not have awards, but the cooking here is so infallible it deserves a place amongst the stars. There are the crowd-favorite szechuan noodles and burnt ginger fried rice, but we highly recommend tender vegetable-stuffed momos, sticky-spicy glazed manchurian chicken, and umami-rich chili paneer nestled in lettuce cups.

8. Pahli Hill

From the uncapitalized name to the royal blue walls and mismatched cushions, Pahli Hill is a casual eatery hiding exceptional food. Boasting a Michelin Bib Gourmand to its name, the restaurant separates its name into "small plates," "tandoor and grill," and "big plates," along with a scrumptious selection of sides. Unlike other high-brow establishments, sharing is encouraged to emulate the experience of the Mumbai community (The restaurant moniker originated from Mumbai locales). Cocktails from the moody downstairs bar, "Bhandra Bhai," are well worth trying, although some may appreciate a guide wine pairing, which is lacking.

7. Gymkhana

Stepping into Gymkhana feels like traveling back in time to colonial India. The ground floor has pale green walls, lush jade green booths, and large antique-style palm-printed fabrics. Downstairs, you're met with warm jeweled red and gentle pink, lush timber details, and hunting trophies from the Maharaja of Jodhpur decorating the walls.

But let's talk about the food. With a Michelin star to its name since 2014, you'd expect exceptional bites. Luckily, the North Indian-focused fare is up to the mark; the pastry-encrusted celebratory lamb biryani is a must, as is the tangy, crispy, and delightfully complex aloo chaat.

6. Chutney Mary

Instead of focusing on one facet of Indian cuisine, Chutney Mary has hired chefs from all corners of India to bring the authentic tastes of India's diversity to the forefront. Illustrating this approach is a tasting platter of curries featuring favorites from each region, available for dinner service. If you're seeking a wow factor, the regal and opulent decor is just the beginning, while patrons rave about the celebratory lamb biryani and venison samosas. Lighter plates include lime butter-brushed, spice-sprinkled corn ribs and clove-smoked kebabs, all of which have earned the eatery three AA Rosettes and a Michelin guide listing.

Everyone knows Grandmother's cooking is best. At Jamavar, the grandmother in question is Leela Nair, wife of legendary businessman C. P. Krishnan Nair, founder of the Leela Group. He didn't simply preserve her name; Leela's recipes were passed down through the ages, resulting in a prestigious Michelin star for the London outpost. The best way to experience Jamavar is doubtlessly by sampling its six-course tasting menu. Gems included are sauteed drumstick leaves in spiced lentils, served with beetroot yogurt and crispy saffron-infused tuiles — among others. Attention to customer requests may be slightly inadequate, but this withstanding, expect a sensational meal.

4. Veeraswamy

The U.K. has had a love affair with Indian cuisine for decades — after all, the origins of chicken tikka masala lie in the country, where, if you can believe it, it's the national dish. Indian takeaways and restaurants are now a dime a dozen, but only one has the honor of being the oldest in the U.K.: Veeraswamy. Opened in 1926 by distant Indian royalty, it first served Anglo-Indian cuisine before switching to authentic fare in the modern age. After new management, Veeraswamy acquired a Michelin star in 2016. At times the service can border on bureaucratic, and be aware of a dress code and no young child policy.

Benares, named after India's holy city on the banks of the river Ganges, has been top of the restaurant hierarchy for quite some time. After gaining a Michelin star in 2021 in addition to two AA Rosettes, the cooking has only progressed further; portions may be small, but rich on the palate and beautifully presented. Reviewers laud a starter consisting of Scottish scallops baked on the shell with coconut curry and flaky parathas, while the wine list is extensive, and the sommelier is knowledgeable. However, despite the impressive gastronomy, it has to be said that the ambiance isn't as elegant as other contenders.

Trishna has held a Michelin star for an impressive 11 years (and counting), but it's less fussy than its counterparts. The dining room is minimalistic, mirror-bedecked, and airy — even including outdoor seating. Inspired by the spectacular coastal produce of India, it's evident that Trishna takes its food very seriously; the presentation is good, not outstanding, but the flavor exceeds that of almost any other. The chefs shine when cooking seafood-based dishes, such as Dorset crab with coconut oil, garlic, penetrating pepper, and aromatic curry leaves, which is the standout, as is prawns with tangy green mango.

Moodily lit and atmospheric, Amaya delivers food with theatre. Each plate is painstakingly constructed, often sitting on banana leaves or topped with micro herbs and edible flowers. It's a level of attention not commonly seen in Indian cuisine — nothing at the Michelin-starred Amaya is ordinary. Opposed to ordering plates by course, your table is encouraged to enjoy an array of bite-sized dishes, eating as they arrive. Across the 45-dish menu, there's a heavy focus on richly-marinated grills rather than typical rice dishes or curries; this is purposeful, to encourage you to broaden your palette. And boy, does it pay off.

The best restaurants in London

By Sarah James

Some of the best restaurants in London can be found outside of central London and in its thriving neighbourhoods – but if you're looking for delicious eateries for dinner, it can be hard to know where to begin. Below, discover the definitive list of the best restaurants in London: our editors' personal London restaurant recommendations that we keep going back to (in no particular order).

Some are relatively recent openings – hot-ticket, queue-worthy spots that instantly made waves, and earned a place on this list just months after firing up their hobs. Others are classics for a reason, and a couple of these London restaurants even made the 2022 iteration of The World's 50 Best Restaurants (read our reviews of winners Ikoyi and The Clove Club below). Whichever you pick, all of them are pioneers when it comes to what it means to eat well in London – from bombastic Indian flavours to kitchens pushing the boundaries of sustainability, and from blowout tasting menus to cheap eats you'll want to keep to yourself. All have been reviewed by our team to make this list of London's best restaurants. For even more, check out our favourite restaurants with gardens , pub beer gardens and London rooftop bars .

If you’re looking for the city’s latest foodie offerings, check out our definitive guide to the new restaurants in London , a list we update weekly.

How we choose the best restaurants in London

Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has eaten at that restaurant. When choosing restaurants, our editors consider both high end and affordable eateries that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for stand-out dishes, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.

The 59 best restaurants in London

1. The Clove Club, Shoreditch

Scotsman Isaac McHale opened this big-ticket restaurant in Shoreditch Town Hall back in 2013. Since then, it’s made regular appearances on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list (ranking at number 35 in the most recent awards in 2022). Cult snacks, brilliant cocktails, their own bread and charcuterie, and generous yet refined plates of lobster or trout make this a sensational destination with bags of charm. This ambitious 95-seater restaurant and bar is beloved of the cool crowd and the critics for good reason – and it’s not overhyped one bit. Tabitha Joyce

Price range: ££££

Address: The Clove Club, Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London EC2

2. Chishuru, Brixton

Adejoké ‘Joké’ Bakare’s sell-out supper club was one of many (such as Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and Lola Oduba-Vine’s Club Naija) that nudged West African cooking into London’s lexicon of late. Joké’s Nigerian heritage is at the forefront of her home-style cooking, and it’s hugely exciting – if not long overdue – to see a business run by a Black woman flourishing in Brixton’s competitive restaurant scene. The menu changes frequently (snacks every week, larger plates depending on what ingredients look good) with a rotation of fiery, no-frills dishes such as bavette steak rubbed with yaji dressing (served with the requisite quarter-tomato as is custom, Rafal explains), and ekuru with pumpkin-seed pestou and Scotch bonnet sauce. There’s no elegant way to eat the grilled prawn ‘soup’ (a peppery seafood broth) or the latke-inspired cassava fritters, but that’s what the stack of napkins is for. The Dubonnet Negroni comes with a succinct history lesson, and is a touch more syrupy than its aperitif original, but it was the Naturally Fresh that we’d ask for again, even if it comes off the menu. Anna Prendergast

Price range: ££

Address: Chishuru, Unit 9 Market Row, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LB

Note: Chisuru is moving to a new central London location in 2023 and is temporarily closed.

3. Silo, Hackney Wick

When chef Douglas McMaster opened Silo in Brighton in 2014, most people’s response to ‘zero waste’ would have been ‘zero what?!’ McMaster was well and truly ahead of the green curve with his innovative approach to cooking based on the simple but quite out-there idea of not having a bin. One glance at the concise menu projected onto the back wall (they don’t print the food menus as they change so often) and diners will spot McMaster’s unusual ingredient pairings. The menu romps on, a succession of flavours that jar, but work, until the puddings, which are just as creative and wild: a sunshine-rich pumpkin ice cream, tart sea buckthorn snow and silky crème fraîche. Get the daily tasting menu to try as many dishes as possible: every single one – all of it – is bold, daring and delicious. This is progressive food in both approach and taste, and it will leave you awestruck. Yes, it’s good for the planet – but it’s also just damn good. Sonya Barber

Price range: £££

Address : Silo, The White Building, Unit 7 Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, London E9 5EN

4. Rochelle Canteen, Shoreditch

One-time school bike shed has been around for a while. Owners Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson have run this spot since 2004, and been business partners for more than 25 years. At Rochelle Canteen, they serve a daily changing menu – perhaps grilled onglet with cavolo nero or smoked with fish. It’s unfussy and honest cooking, served in a setting that feels more country house than East End. The wine list is a delight – order by the glass as you graze your way through the menu of sure-fire hits, whatever the season, and leave feeling smug that you even found this unassuming spot at all. Katharine Sohn

Address: Rochelle Canteen, 16 Playground Gardens, Shoreditch, London E2 7FA

5. Chet's, Shepherd's Bush

The Hoxton's newest lovechild – a shiny, just-opened hotel in Shepherd's Bush of all places – got quite the coup when Kris Yenbamroong signed on to oversee the property's restaurant. Yenbamroong, of course, is the man behind LA's NIGHT + MARKET, a James Beard-nominated spot where Thai and American flavours jut up against one another. For his first British outpost, Chet's, Yenbamroong leans into the Thai-Americana formula that's served him well so far in Hollywood, Venice Beach and Vegas. Metal table booths are decked out with mirrors and pretty curtains for privacy, while tables in the centre of the dining room get the perk of nosing into the open kitchen. Plates are expectedly fiery, but there are plenty of surprises in store. The wedge salad is doused in garlicky nam jim, and beef tartare is smacked with Asian flavours such as creamy spicy fish sauce, shallots and lemongrass. Green curries and katsu-style noodles sit on the menu alongside burgers (with plenty of chillies, of course) and loaded fries. There's a decent wine list that will please all tastes (and budgets) and a short but considered range of cocktails that embrace Thai flavours as much as the food; we liked the Lychee Martini made with Grey Goose, Rinquinquin, manzanilla sherry, lychee, Chet’s Super Sour and wakamomo. Best of all, the prices match the achingly relaxed vibe of the place – no single dish is more than £20 and glasses of wine start from £5, which feels almost unbelievably reasonable in 2023 London. Just remember to order plenty of water for the table to tamper those punchy spices. Sarah James

Address: Chet's, 65 Shepherd's Bush Green, London W12 8QE

6. Jikoni, Marylebone

Sunshiny chef Ravinder Bhogal cut her teeth at Michelin-starred Trishna before opening up her own place – a ‘no borders’ kitchen that draws on Indian, African and European cooking to curate its menu. ‘We call ourselves a no borders kitchen because we feel that food is such a powerful language – a language that everyone understands,’ Bhogal told us. Interiors play with pastels and pops of candy colour pattern, order the Prawn toast Scotch egg with banana ketchup and pickled cucumbers, the cheery fish pie with golden saffron, the hand-dived scallops with congee – really, it’s all good. The short cocktail list leans into eastern spices, or, if you’re not drinking, order one of the cleverly curated selection of teas. This is a beautiful place to eat serving food that will make you smile. Sarah James

Address: Jikoni, 19-21 Blandford Street, London W1U 3DH

7. Bibi, Mayfair

Behind an unassuming red-brick Georgian front, inside, the wood-panelled ceilings, chequerboard flooring, and a smooth, dark wooden countertop set BiBi apart from the traditional, slightly tedious Mayfair stalwarts. Melding the neighbourhood’s extravagant propensity with a dash of heady Indian design laced with charming family influences, BiBi’s nails the brief: a restaurant that slots naturally into its surroundings, yet abounds with personality and a contemporary feel. Chet Sharma’s career has taken him through some of Europe’s biggest restaurants – from Lancashire’s Moor Hall and Cumbria‘s L’Enclume to Mugaritz in Spain’s Basque Country – but at BiBi, his training and experience converge with passion and family influence. Order the cheese papads for a light, crunchy take on prawn crackers, and the oyster pachadi to start. The khatti meethi cod was also perfectly flakey with a tamarind sweet-and-sour style sauce, and the goat chapli kebab is another exciting dish to add to your list. Merging high-end food, glamorous interiors and a hard-to-impress postcode, with authentic familial influences and traditional Indian cuisine, BiBi was well worth the wait. Olivia Morelli

Address : BiBi, 42 N Audley Street, London W1K 6ZP

8. Lyle’s, Shoreditch

Chef James Lowe has a CV that includes shifts at Noma in Copenhagen and London's seminal St John Bread and Wine. For this solo venture it's instantly clear that he's pulled inspiration from his previous stints. It occupies what was once a Lipton tea factory, opposite the Shoreditch BoxPark – the space is very white, and light, thanks to original warehouse windows. Lowe dishes up four cleverly matched courses every evening with a couple of treats thrown in. The menu varies but could include perfect asparagus, grilled and sprinkled with walnuts and Spenwood cheese; fresh sashimi from seafood caught that day, or game from Yorkshire. Start with a delicate pink Eric Pfifferling from the Rhône and move on to the dry white Folle Blanche from the Loire which goes particularly well with fish. A tasting-menu in a prime Shoreditch spot that's actually worth the hype. Tabitha Joyce

Address : Lyle's, Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ

9. Paradise, Soho

‘They didn’t hold back on chilli and acidity!’ says first-time restaurateur Dom Fernando of his childhood trips to visit family in Sri Lanka. His grandmother’s recipes are inspiration for the menu headed up by Charith Priyadarshana, who moved here from Colombo 10 years ago. Everything at Paradise packs a complex flavour profile, and most dishes have some sort of a kick – it’s nice to feel as if you’re getting the real deal. Fried aubergine comes with jaggery moju, a traditional Sri Lankan pickle, and slow-roasted pork cheek with tamarind and Sri Lankan stout. The Laverstoke Park buffalo ice cream tops most of London’s gelaterias’, crowned with a butterscotch and cashew brittle; and the chilli chocolate tart is more like a sophisticated Terry’s chocolate orange. And the wine list spotlights growers who focus on low-intervention winemaking. What’s not to like? Tabitha Joyce

Address : Paradise, 61 Rupert Street, Soho, London W1D 7PW

10. Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden

Petersham Nurseries Café is not really a café, but one of London’s most beloved restaurants. This, their second opening under the same name is filled with wrought-iron tables and chairs (both inside and out), huge vintage chandeliers, Murano glassware and simple posies of freshly cut flowers. Start with technicolour heritage radishes dipped in spicy crab, or buffalo mozzarella with shelled broad beans, mint and chilli. Next up: perfect green pasta parcels of ricotta and nettle and marjoram – all in a sauce so deliciously creamy you could eat it by the spoonful; or saffron gnocci with Cornish mussels and a sprinkle of spring flowers. Head to the bar next door, La Goccia, for its Garden gin and tonic, zingy with fresh pea flavour and a basil tonic. Many have heard about Petersham Nurseries’ phenomenal food, but much fewer have made the trip – this Covent Garden location is set to change that. If you can get a table outside in the summer, go. Tabitha Joyce

Address: Petersham Nurseries, Floral Court, London, WC2E 9FB

11. Akoko, Fitzrovia

London is riding a slowly breaking wave of West African flavours right now. And all the while bubbling away in the background was Akoko. Its latest executive chef, Ayo Adeyemi, is only adding to that buzz. Their elevated yet rooted spin is immediately apparent when walking into the Berners Street space, where walls are covered in earthy terracotta clay, glassware on the wooden tables is a fine as a leaf and work by Niyi Olagunju, a Nigerian artist who creates pieces using the pods of ekpiri seeds, is a textural pop of black and gold. The five-course menu, developed over many months (Akoko is the Yoruba word for ‘time’), is a reimagining of the traditional dishes found in Nigeria , Senegal and Ghana in particular. The jollof rice has blue lobster tail and carrot terrine and the miyantaushe includes butternut squash, mackerel and honey. This is a spot that's deservedly at the vanguard of bringing a whole new experience of West African food to London. Gráinne McBride

Adress: Akoko, 21 Berners Street, London W1T 3LP

12. Hide, Mayfair

Londoners were eager to hear what Ollie Dabbous’ next move would be when his booked-solid restaurant Dabbous closed in 2017 with the promise of better things. Better things arrived in 2018 in the form of HIDE – a three-storey, industrial-chic behemoth. On street level is GROUND, where the team serves British-sourced dishes, and an in-house bakery that supplies the goods for breakfast (it's one of the best brunches in London ). Downstairs, in BELOW, is a dark cocktail bar and hidden wine cellar. But if you’re a true Dabbous fan and can handle a nine-course tasting menu, then head up the sweeping staircase to ABOVE. The steamed ikejime turbot is cooked to glistening perfection, served in a sauce made from bones; tail-to-gill cooking at its best. Other highlights include the roasted king crab with camomile honey, slow-roasted goose with birch sap and barbecued Herdwick lamb. As HIDE shouts about having the largest wine list in London, you can expect to be well looked after by one of its 15 sommeliers. This is cooking that focusses on big-hitting flavours – whether you’re after an easy supper or something smarter. Sarah James

Address: Hide, 85 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7NB

13. Bao, Soho

It’s been years since London’s favourite Taiwanese bun house launched in Soho , and queues still snake outside the tiny space on Lexington Street. After that smash-hit opening, BAO outposts followed in Borough , Fitzrovia and King’s Cross . The fluffy buns are a crowd favourite for a reason. First-timers should order the classic, with juicy pork and peanuts packed inside a fluffy pocket, or the indulgent fried chicken. If you have room for pudding, the fried Horlicks ice-cream bun is another go-to; the fried bun tastes a little like brioche while the ice cream is made from the creamy malted drink. A classic Negroni is made with sake, while an Old Fashioned makes use of Japanese favourite milk tea. This diminutive Soho spot is still our favourite in the Bao family – and well worth the queue. Sophie Knight

Address: Bao, 53 Lexington Street, Carnaby, London W1F 9AS

14. Maru, Mayfair

You could walk past Maru several times and not realise it’s there, set as it is behind low-key frontage on the little Dickensian passageway in Shepherd Market that leads to Ye Grapes pub. The space has been reborn as Taiji’s personal project, an omakase joint serving up to 10 guests – omakase being a surprise meal in which the chef chooses each piece for you. Sitting at the counter, the world outside, while sushi-grade tuna is sliced a few inches away, feels like just the kind of experience we want right now. We think each and every of the 20 courses should be a surprise – just go along, take an open mind (there’s nothing particularly challenging though) and an empty stomach. There are three drinks pairings to choose from, each gracefully poured and explained by the sommelier. Close-up magic of the foodie kind – if there’s a four-letter word for fall-off-your-seat-brilliant Japanese flavours, Maru is it. Rick Jordan

Address: Maru, 18 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7QH

15. The Barbary, Covent Garden

The owners of The Barbary (two former nightclub owners and two Israeli chefs) have created something rare – a set of London restaurants (The Palomar, The Barbary, The Barbary Next door) where a table is as coveted now as it was on opening night. While you wait for a seat at this Covent Garden outpost, order some flaky pastry cigars stuffed with fish and a round of pita pouches of lamb as comforting as mittens in winter. It's difficult to separate stand-out dishes but the charred octopus tentacle is a contenders. A talking point round the bar, the pistachio-filled 'hashcake' comes with the satisfyingly smoky aftertaste of a joint. East London Liquor Company gin and tonics are served with a slice of grapefruit and the Zweigelt goes with pretty much everything on the menu. This is still one of our favourite spots in London. Hazel Lubbock

Address: The Barbary, 16 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, London WC2

16. Evelyn's Table, Soho

You may walk by the blue exterior of The Blue Posts, set alongside Middle Eastern hit The Palomar and smart Taiwanese Xu’s Teahouse. But inside this wood-panelled space lie three storeys worth stopping for. Start with a drink at The Blue Posts pub before heading down a pine-green staircase to Evelyn’s Table. Helmed by Luke Selby, formerly head chef at Hide , and his two younger brothers, Nat and Theo (also ex-Hide), the 10-seater restaurant combines British produce with Japanese techniques and classic French methods. Here, diners sit at the marble-topped chef’s table to be presented with five courses that might include freshly caught Cornish mackerel, cured and served in a bowl with sweet sake or crunchy shiso tempura in the shape of tacos that cradle wild mussels. Dishes can be paired with an exemplary wine list for an extra $80 per person. The drinks are as innovative as the food, and there’s also an intriguing selection of beer, cocktails and sake. This close-knit team works flawlessly together, with tangible passion and a real family atmosphere, to ensure an evening of delightful food and drink. Olivia Morelli

Address: Evelyn's Table, The Blue Posts, Cellar, 28 Rupert St, London W1D 6DJ

17. 1251, Islington

James Cochran’s name is a well known one, after being on the London restaurant scene for a few years (plus a high-profile stint on the BBC’s Great British Menu ) – and this spot proves why. On boujie Upper Street, 1251 has a cosy, warmly-lit window scene to attract discerning Londoners. One long room is stacked on top of another, with closely packed tables that a scruffily dressed waiter nips nimbly between. 1251 is firmly in the camp of sharing plates, and sends dishes out when they’re ready. Don’t expect a robust main course that’ll leave you needing to loosen your jeans: these are elegant dishes that feature dehydrated seaweed and foams and jus. Go in with an open mind if that’s not usually your thing: the Orkney scallops, served with creamed pumpkin, are plump and tender, while the lamb, served delicately pink with artichoke and olive, has a mix of flavours you’d never put together on your own – but will want to when you leave. This is a refined restaurant that serves up brilliantly cooked food without being stuffy. The soundtrack is cool, the staff are laid-back, and on our visit, Cochran himself was swaying to Nineties hip hop while chatting to his maître d' near the bar. Sarah James

Address : 1251, 107 Upper Street, London N1 1QN

18. Sessions Arts Club, Farringdon

A $19 million renovation of the Old Sessions House – a discreet, gorgeous 18th-century Grade II listed landmark – is partly to thank for Clerkenwell ’s recently elevated foodie reputation. We ascended four floors to what used to be a vast judges' dining room, where a mezzanine of leather banquettes and a Gabriele Beveridge sculpture suspended mid-air bears witness to the buzz below. Polpetto alumni Florence Knight is running the kitchen – and the dishes are masterful. Chef Knight has always preferred to work with just a few ingredients. A simple platter of coppa di parma with pickled fennel got a disproportionate amount of airtime at our table, and the meat-eater in our group declared the purple sprouting broccoli with a creamy cannellini dip his favourite. It might be the sort of place where you’re earnestly recommended an expensive bottle, but sommelier Sophie Liverman will be just as excited to serve you an affordable bottle of biodynamic Verdicchio. In a courthouse that once had a reputation for issuing harsh sentences, the verdict for this place is unanimously positive. Anna Prendergast

Address: Sessions Arts Club, ​​Old Sessions House, 24 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA

19. Roti King, Euston

The original Roti King is in a basement joint in Euston, a part of town most of us try to avoid at supper time unless we’re forced into catching a post-work train. But most Londoners in the know will make an exception for the buttery roti this spot is famous for – perfect for scooping up mouthfuls of curry (lamb, fish, chicken) or daal. The dining room is nothing fancy, but the omnipresent queue outside says it all – this is some of the most delicious, authentic Malaysian food in the city. Order a traditional lemon iced tea, and a roti with mutton khari, and you’ll only be set back just over a tenner. Brilliant value, and utterly deserving of a spot on our edit. Sarah James

Price range: £

Address: Roti King, 40 Doric Way, London NW1 1LH

20. Cornerstone, Hackney Wick

Tom Brown learnt his trade in the stable of Nathan Outlaw, whose eponymous London and Cornish restaurants both hold Michelin stars. A few years ago Brown has opened a place of his own – just two minutes from Hackney Wick, the space is light and bright, with a handful of terracotta-potted succulents and pendant lights above the open kitchen. Somewhat more surprising though, that kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant, so there’s not a bad seat in the house. Start with a Cornerstone G&T, made with own-brand gin that’s been distilled with cloudy apple juice from Polgoon Orchard in Cornwall rather than water and served with apple, samphire and a herbal tonic. As for food, you can’t avoid the fishiness – but then again, that’s what you’re here for. Crispy hake kiev comes with mussel butter and parsely emulsion, crab thermidor piled onto a warm (and well-buttered) crumpet. Tabitha Joyce

Address: Cornerstone, 3 Prince Edward Road, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LX

21. Peckham Cellars, Peckham

Name a better foodie spot in London than Peckham , and I’ll show you to its many unique eateries. But this might be our favourite – footsteps from Queen’s Road Peckham station , the wine bar , shop and restaurant has been open since 2020 and won a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the 2021 awards. The menu comes from head chef Pablo Urain Alfonso and is a regularly changing delight of seasonal small plates. Great ingredients sing – the winter tomatoes in olive oil and salt and burrata served with pickled pear and walnut were highlights when we visited, and the ice cream sando deserves an honourable mention. When it comes to drinks, the clue is in the name; wine is seriously good here. More than 150 bottles are available, and Ben McVeigh, former head sommelier at 28-50 Fetter Lane, knows everything about the stock. This is a local hangout that’s the perfect place to spend a Friday winding down. Abigail Malbon

Address : Peckham Cellars, 125 Queen's Road, London SE15 2ND

22. Casa Fofó, Dalston

This is a small but smart spot on an unassuming residential street a short stroll from colourful Ridley Road Market. There’s an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work, and different members of the team take turns to bring dishes to the table, allowing you to meet them all. The interiors are dominated by clean white walls, but exposed-brick features and wooden tables add warmth. There’s one option if you want a full meal – the six-course set tasting menu. It changes regularly to suit what’s in season but is grounded in modern, inventive cooking. There are precisely 10 options on the wine list, each one carefully selected, all natural and low intervention. It’s worth taking the team’s suggestions by the glass to match the food. The spot achieved one Michelin-star a couple of years ago, and has continued to go from strength to strength – worth travelling to if you don’t live nearby and visiting repeatedly if you do. Oliva Holborrow

Address: Casa Fofó, 158 Sandringham Road, London E8 2HS

23. Native at Browns, Mayfair

Foraging can be an over-hyped word. For Imogen Davis and Ivan Tisdall-Downes, however, it forms part of an inventive approach to cooking that’s based on zero waste . Their story has taken them from Covent Garden to Borough Market, then to an outpost on Osea Island in Essex . Now the pair have opened a restaurant in the unlikely surroundings of the Browns fashion store in a Mayfair townhouse. What is now on the menu as the Native Fish Fillet (they called it Filet-O-Fish but McDonald’s had a word) is a plump brioche holding breadcrumbed cod cheeks, draped with ‘cheese’ – actually brown-crab rarebit – on a splodge of seaweed tartar. If they served just this, I’d be happy. Native’s classic Marrowmel makes a reappearance – white chocolate and bone-marrow caramel to scrape with your spoon and wonder how something so meaty can be quite so puddingy. The drinks list showcases beers from Earth Ale – a North London microbrewery that incorporates foraged dandelion root and hogweed – and uses a wonky-fruit apple brandy from Essex. This is rooted food with a real sense of adventure despite the genteel surroundings. Rick Jordan

Address : Native at Browns, 39 Brook Street, London W1K 4JE

24. Hoppers, Soho

Despite this Sri Lankan specialist having been around since 2015, walking into a branch of Hoppers still feels a little like you’re discovering a buzzy new hotspot. Perhaps it’s because there are still relatively few Sri Lankan restaurants in London, unless you’re prepared to journey quite a way out – which is fairly mysterious considering how delicious the food can be. The namesake hoppers (thin, crispy, bowl-shaped pancakes made with rice flour) are the must-order – topped with an egg, perhaps, or chilli cheese, although the creamy dhal was a delight, as was the fiery sambar. A couple of tasting menus (vegetarian and decidedly meaty) are a brilliant option for first-time visitors, and reasonably priced. Wash everything down with one of the team’s collaboration beers with Camden Town Brewery – a citrusy, fresh lager that’ll transport you straight to Sri Lanka’s tropical shores. Rick Jordan

Address: Hoppers, 49 Frith Street, London W1D 4SG

25. Fallow St James, Mayfair

The ceiling drips in dried kelp. A central open kitchen fizzes with activity where tattooed arms slam trays into ovens one second then daintily arrange the garnish on juicy oysters. Jack Croft and Will Murray met while they were cooking at Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, but it didn’t take long for them to peel off so they could riff in their nose-to-tail way. James Robson completes the triumvirate behind the sustainability-celebrating restaurant. Interiors are a winner at repurposing existing fixtures to throw out a fresh look, but I’m too excited to not go straight into urging you to try the headline main course: cod’s head, with sriracha butter. Book one of the seven seats at the chef’s counter – relax and ease yourself into the sommelier’s every ebullient recommendation. The folks of Fallow are in cahoots with Renegade Urban Winery in Bethnal Green. When it comes to robust flavours with best-quality ingredients, Fallow is no slouch. Juliet Kinsman

Address : Fallow, 2 St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4RP

26. Kudu, Peckham

The couple behind one of Peckham ’s most talked-about restaurant come from a solid pedigree. South African chef Patrick Williams has made his way to this particular South London neighbourhood via The Manor in Clapham and Paradise Garage in Bethnal Green; his partner, Amy Corbin, is the daughter of Chris Corbin (half of restaurant dynasty Corbin & King, who are responsible for some of London’s best restaurants ). The space has a grand, old-fashioned charm alongside contemporary touches of pale-pink concrete. You can judge most restaurants straight off on their bread and butter. And in this department, Kudu comes up trumps. A cumin-brioche, based on South African mosbolletjies, is served in a cast-iron pot; it’s light and fluffy and should be dunked straight into the skillet of lardon-laced molten-butter. More South African flavours follow in the mussel potjie, a creamy fish velouté dotted with home-rolled nettle gnocchi; and delicate deep-fried artichokes , served with a miso mayonnaise. This is surely London’s best South African restaurant? Tabitha Joyce

Address: Kudu, 119 Queens Road, London SE15 2EZ

27. Jolene, Stoke Newington

First came Primeur, which set up shop in a former motor garage in Canonbury . Then came Westerns Laundry, in an obscure corner of Highbury, which did the same thing, albeit in a former launderette and with more fish. Co-founders Jeremie Comotto-Lingenheim and chef David Gingell then opened an all-day bakery-restaurant on Newington Green. Despite the name there’s no rhinestone here but bare walls etched with tiny bits of graffiti, more pencil-case than Banksy. The idea behind the bakery was to encourage the use of chemical-free grains – working with an ethically minded farmer in France – which are milled daily to make a beautifully rounded harvest line-up of raisin bread, sausage rolls, financiers and cinnamon buns. Two highlights: the gnudi with pumpkin and sage – gnocchi-like balls so good they’ll have you talking about them in your sleep; and the lamb shoulder with tomatoes and olives, wallowingly rich with perfectly crunchy-soft roast potatoes for dipping. A place that takes its food seriously but has fun with it – and with its twinkly candle lights at night this is a lovely place to graze on autumnal flavours. Rick Jordan

Address: Jolene, 21 Newington Green, London N16 9PU

28. Imad's Syrian Kitchen, Soho

Syrian restaurateur Imad Alarnab fled his homeland in 2015 following the bombing of his three restaurants. Making his way through Europe, Imad shared his skills, cooking for other refugees and after finding refuge in the UK, it wasn’t long before he held his first supper club. It was an instant hit, and so spawned various pop-up kitchens across London. Now, at this first permanent Syrian Kitchen – which was helped to open with crowdsourced funding – Alarnab has taken over Asma Khan ’s spot at the top of Kingly Court. Order the falafel, obviously. The unique loops make for a great crispy surface-area-to-volume ratio. One standout is the halloumi noodles – cheese strings if you will – served on a rocket and watermelon salad. If you order one meat dish, make it the fattet macdous – a pile-up of minced lamb and aubergines on crispy flatbread triangles. You might go to support Alarnab, but you’ll keep going back for the (very reasonably priced) sensational small plates. Tabitha Joyce

Address: Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, London W1B 5PW

29. Chuku's, Tottenham

Nigerians in London have enjoyed their country’s varied cooking for decades, staying faithful to its roots and generally steering clear of the global fusion game. However, Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederick have changed that by opening the world’s first Nigerian tapas joint. The sibling duo made a name for themselves with a popular pop-up, stirring up tastes of Lagos at venues across London. Then in February 2020, following a crowdfunding campaign, they opened Chuku’s, a Tottenham restaurant serving Nigerian dishes with a contemporary twist. Chuku’s repackages traditional Nigerian fare as vegetarian friendly – quite a conceptual coup considering how meat-obsessed Nigeria can be (waiters in the motherland have pressed me many a time for my ‘protein’ option). One meatless option is the pounded yam balls in egusi (ground melon seed) and spinach soup, presented in a playful tricolour of green, red and yellow. My favourite was the sinasir and miyan taushe – rice pancakes for dunking in a pumpkin and peanut sauce. But incorrigible carnivores can take comfort in the chicken wings coated in caramel infused with kuli kuli (spicy peanut) – a nod to dishes from northern Nigeria. Africa meets Europe in a delicious and innovative new take on Nigerian cuisine. Noo Saro-Wiwa

Address: Chuku's, 274 High Road, London N15 4AJ

30. Brawn, Columbia Road

London does neighbourhood restaurants really well. East London does neighbourhood restaurants exceptionally well. And this Columbia Road spot – on the far end of the flower market – is still one of our favourites. It opened in 2010 as a wine bar, before adding a kitchen a few years later. It’s got a heavy focus on natural wines and seasonal small plates – so far, so Hackney. But the quality here is so good the team has received a nod from the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand. Starters of crumbly rabbit and pistachio terrine or grilled mackerel with blood orange give way to steaming plates of pappardelle with duck ragu or braised ox cheek. This is hearty, feel good cooking that you actually want to eat, in one of East London’s most charming settings. Sarah James

Price range : £££

Address: Brawn, 49 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG 

31. Manteca, Shoreditch

When fresh-pasta spot 10 Heddon Street closed after spending a few months at the top of everyone’s social-media feeds in summer 2019, the central London restaurant scene felt the loss. The collaboration between Smokestak’s David Carter and Chris Leach, previously of Kitty Fisher’s and Petersham Nurseries, quickly made most of the city’s best-restaurants lists. A follow-up opened near Oxford Circus a little while later, and in 2021 they opened in a permanent home in Shoreditch. The team here aims to offer nose-to-tail cooking. The main event is the pasta: order as many dishes as you think you can finish between your party. Silky pappardelle is served with rich ox-cheek ragu while tonnarelli is tossed in simple cacio e pepe sauce, elevated with the addition of brown crab. Embrace the Italian way of life and go for a full-on aperitivo – most cocktails are made with amaro, an Italian bitter. The pop-up is back for good, and every hungry soul in London is better off for it. Read our full review of Manteca. Sarah James

Address: Manteca, 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7JY

32. Carlotta, Marylebone

Behind bright-red exteriors and giant gold lettering of the latest Big Mamma opening (Gloria, Circolo Popolare, Jacuzzi ), enter Carlotta to delve back into 20th-century Italy. Inspired by New York drinking dens, Italian family-run restaurants and Milanese casinos, the entire space is a personal homage to Italian culture in America – think gilded bars, marble countertops, velvet curtains and red leather banquettes. Furnishings and decorations were pulled together from Italian marketplaces and second-hand stores across Europe, from ancient stone busts to Sicilian crockery and mismatched diner-style chairs. Downstairs, the vibe takes a more sultry turn, with a moody suede lounge, open kitchen and low lighting. Try the fettuccine alfredo, served tableside with shavings of truffle, or opt for the whole de-shelled lobster, drizzled with a beurre blanc sauce and topped with 20g of black Venetian caviar. This is our favourite Big Mamma restaurant of the bunch – read our full review of this new Italian restaurant that could be the most fun opening of 2023 . Olivia Morelli

Address : Carlotta, 77-78 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5JX

33. The Waterhouse Project, Bethnal Green 

What started out as a supper club in chef Gabriel Waterhouse's one-bedroom flat six years ago is now a permanent restaurant. Waterhouse honed his skills at Michelin-star Galvin La Chapelle, but at his own self-funded place he offers a fine-dining-meets-dinner-party experience. So dishes are plated up at a giant kitchen island, and coffee is poured from shared cafetieres. Unlike at other similar set-ups such as Mãos in Shoreditch, there are also individual tables so you can be as sociable, or not, as you like. The nine-course set menu changes every month so that every ingredient is at its seasonal best. On our visit we tried bright-green parcels of squid ink and mackerel and crab croquettes with garlic aioli... Each plate was licked so clean that it was a challenge to finish the miso chocolate cookie. The all-in price includes six glasses of wine plus an aperitif on arrival – in keeping with the ethos, the bottles are from small, low-intervention producers (a Cabernet Franc from Beatrice et Pascal Lambert in the Loire was the standout). All in, this is a very unassuming yet brilliantly executed dining experience.  Grainne McBride

Address: The Waterhouse Project, 1 Corbridge Crescent, East London, E2 9DT

34. Trullo, Islington

It’s hard to get a table at Islington’s favourite neighbourhood restaurant . The set-up is based on a simple Italian trattoria, with net curtains that track halfway up the window, black-painted wooden chairs and white-paper tablecloths that crinkle (and quickly get doused in drips of the best olive oil). On the menu there might creamy ‘nduja on toast, burrata served with peach and basil or breakfast radishes with aioli. Everything is fresh and seasonal, and completely delicious. Go big on the pasta, which is all made in house: thick noodles of pici oozing with cacio e pepe and skinny tagliarini with crab, courgette and a chilli kick. And while there are main courses from the grill, like the whole Brixham mackerel with Castelluccio lentils and salsa rossa, it’s the beef-shin ragu with pappardelle that keeps the locals coming back, and back again. Tabitha Joyce

Price range: ££–£££

Address: Trullo, 300-302 St Paul's Rd, Highbury East, London N1 2LH

35. Kitty Fisher's, Mayfair

When Kitty Fisher’s opened in 2014, originally with Tomos Parry in the kitchen (he has since launched the fantastic Brat in Shoreditch), it was a sure-fire hit, and one of the hardest tables in the city to book. So we snuck back in to see how they were getting on with chef Karl Goward. The restaurant’s namesake is an 18th-century courtesan known for her self-indulgence, once rumoured to have eaten a 1,000-guinea banknote on a slice of bread and butter. But the extravagance at Kitty Fisher’s isn’t immediate – enter the cosy, dim-lit space on a damp corner of the Mayfair market behind Green Park to find cute wooden tables with simple wildflowers in jars and a couple of bar stalls in the window. The real extravagance arrives (by the bucketload) on the plate. Thankfully, starters and mains aren’t made to share – order grilled lamb rump with garlic toast or comforting minced beef and onion pie. Let’s be honest, you’ll probably want to pilfer from your companion’s plate, too. Tabitha Joyce

Address : Kitty Fisher’s, 10 Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London W1J 7QF

36. Brat, Shoreditch

Walking up the stairs, past rows of wine bottles, to be greeted by the soft, camp-fire wumpf of wood smoke, bright chatter across long tables… you’d be forgiven for wondering why you’d never stumbled across this place before. Tomos Parry is famously the chef behind Kitty Fisher’s, the celebrity hangout in Mayfair. While Fisher’s can seem too much like a private member’s club at times, the wood-panelled Brat is more open, with all the atmosphere of an upstairs Spanish asador at 11pm. Brat is named not after tantrums but after an old English name for turbot, which here can feed three and is incredible – it ain’t no oil painting but is golden and tender and worth jettisoning the fork for your fingers. Noble Rot’s Dan Keeling gave a helping hand with the wine list here, with a changing monthly focus on small producers. As you’d expect, there are crisp, sappy Vinho Verdes and Albarinos, but also much to be loved from elsewhere in Europe . Rick Jordan

Price range : ££££

Address: Brat, 4 Redchurch St, London E1 6JL

37. KOL, Marylebone

This place was a long time coming. We first heard rumours that Santiago Lastra, the dashing chef who was handpicked by René Redzepi to lead the sell-out Noma pop-up in Tulum, was coming to London in 2018. Since then Lastra spent time foraging for the best ingredients, from the woodlands of Kent to the Scottish coastline. His moody, terracotta-toned bistro has finally launched in 2020. Things are split into a couple of tasting menus, but it doesn’t feel stiff and lots of the courses are designed to be pieced together at the table. Tender langoustine is paired with an intriguing smoked chilli and sea buckthorn which guests pile into corn tacos themselves, and seared lamb is chopped and served with a subtle guajillo mayonnaise. Mains are made for sharing – short rib with a quince mole and roasted carrots or bone-marrow-roasted octopus with a seaweed salsa macha . The house wine has been created specifically for KOL by Slovakian winemakers Slobodné Vinárstvo. Lastra’s dedication to the best of British ingredients makes for an inspiring tour of Mexico . Tabitha Joyce

Address : KOL, 9 Seymour Street, Marylebone, London W1H

38. Smoking Goat, Shoreditch

Ben Chapman's Thai-spiced hotspots are some of London’s best-loved – bringing authentic flavours from northern Thailand to well-sourced ingredients in Soho (at Kiln) and Shoreditch (where Smoking Goat sits right on the high street). Chapman isn't afraid of spice. A delicious duck laab has a searing heat that might make your cheeks sweat (a side order of the rich, lardo-fried rice helps cool things a little). The mains are pretty super-sized. An enormous goat shoulder spiced with massaman paste could easily keep a table of four busy, as would the plate of drunken noodles with charred beef brisket. The moral of the story is to go with a big group so you can try the lot. And order lots of water. The nice thing about Smoking Goat is you can just stop by for a drink. Plus, if you're waiting for a table, there are dedicated counters to perch at and peruse the menu. A fun, tasty and nicely priced Shoreditch joint. Order a couple of the large sharing plates, and settle in. Tabitha Joyce

Address: Smoking Goat, 64 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ

39. Sabor, Mayfair

There's a whole lotta love on the restaurant scene for Nieves Barragán, the tousle-haired chef from Bilbao who made Soho's Barrafina such a sensation. A few years ago, she opened her own restaurant in little Heddon Street. Sabor takes its DNA straight from the home country, adding Andalucian tiles to original wooden flooring: on the ground-floor level is the open kitchen, long restaurant counter and standalone bar, with a sweeping, iron-railed staircase leading to the asador upstairs, which has long communal tables and Hades-like grill. Nieves has gathered recipes from all around Spain , Castile to Galicia, and downstairs plates include popcorn-like baby squid and prawns with fried quail egg, rabbit dumplings and a just-set tortilla of Jerusalem artichoke. Upstairs in the asador is Nieves' pride-and-joy grill and larger plates for expansive evenings or Sunday lunch. José Pizarro reckons you can now eat better Spanish food in London than in Spain – and here's a place that really proves he's right. Rick Jordan

Address: Sabor, 35 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BR

40. Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden

Cinnamon Bazaar – the little sister of Cinnamon Club, Vivek Singh’s stylish restaurant that championed Indian fine dining – ignores the straitlaced, gentlemen's club ambience of Singh’s first venture for something altogether more eclectic. The menu saunters through South Asia following ancient trade routes that stretch from the Middle East and Afghanistan down to India's central heartland. Start with the Kolkata crab bonda, cloud-light croquettes stuffed with flaky crabmeat and beetroot, before crossing the subcontinent for Iranian chicken haleem on masala sourdough toast.The fragrant shrimp fried rice is garnished with bok choy and the tender vindaloo of ox cheek recalls the days of the Raj with its decadently rich, meaty flavour. Radhika Seth

Address: Cinnamon Bazaar, 28 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2

41. Som Saa, Spitalfields

Som Saa started life as a pop-up in the arches of a coffee shop in Hackney - although you'd never guess this wasn't an import from the streets of Bangkok. Now Som Saa has a permanent place in an old fabric warehouse near Petticoat Lane Market; it's still pretty industrial inside, with whitewashed brick walls, bare bulbs and steel girders. Thai food is about balance - spicy, sweet, sour and salty. Soups are protein-rich and simple, and salads punchy with dried shrimp. The jungle curry with fish and baby aubergines is knock-out in every sense. They've worked hard on the wine list, too, finding bottles which pair with the food almost as well as the 'live' unpasteurised, unfiltered Camden Tank Beer, stored in the restaurant's rafters. Hazel Lubbock

Address: Som Saa, 43 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London E1

42. Sachi, Belgravia

On the lower-ground floor of Pantechnicon, a Nordic-meets-Japanese emporium housed in a 200-year-old former warehouse, is a brilliant foodie venture. At Pantechnicon, the aim is to explore the two cultures and bring them into one space with a Nordic restaurant and rooftop bar , Café Kitsuné coffee shop , a bottle shop and a Japanese restaurant downstairs. The spotlight shines bright on textures and flavours from Hokkaido, Osaka and Fukuoka, with some dishes featuring a touch of Nordic influence. The first round begins with sushi – razor-thin sea-bream sashimi, juicy scallop nigiri and fatty tuna maki. Chefs Golding and Hudson have purposefully avoided putting salmon on the menu, to push people to order fish they might not have tried before. We suggest ordering the crispy fried monkfish that comes with a lickable creamy yuzu sauce. Start with cocktail at the eight-seat sushi bar while watching the chefs show off their master fish-carving skills. Sachi is also creating a vibey late-night scene, there’s a hidden den inspired by Tokyo ’s secret speakeasies. With London’s sushi scene only just reaching its peak, this is one of the best in the city. Katharine Sohn

Address: Sachi at Pantechnicon, 19 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8LB

43. Levan, Peckham

The vibe at Levan is impeccable. The vintage stereo pumps funky music (but not too loudly), a Keith Haring stamp is visible, and deep blue walls create an elevated yet casual atmosphere. And now, with its fifth anniversary in sight, the Peckham stronghold welcomes a new head chef, Philip Limpl and the revitalisation of a much-beloved chef’s menu. No surprises here, but the chef’s menu did not disappoint. Philip injected new life into the Levan dishes with flavours from his Austrian heritage and experience of Japanese cuisine during his time at Kona in Copenhagen. Plates of seasonal dishes were shortly upon us, each as delicious as the next. I’m a sucker for asparagus season, and Levan’s were perfectly cooked. The cuttlefish risotto is rich in flavour, and the chicken is beautifully tender with hints of tarragon. Of course, we couldn’t help but order the comté fries and sea bass crudo to accompany the curated dishes. And finally, we indulged in a custard tart topped with strawberries and a lovely coconut ice cream to balance the sweetness – the perfect finish to a delicious meal. There’s no doubt that Levan remains a neighbourhood gem nestled in the heart of Peckham, and with Philip at the helm, I imagine the next five years will be even more exciting than the last. Amber Port

Address: Levan, 12-16 Blenheim Grove, London SE15 4QL

44. Bibendum, South Kensington

Chef Claude Bosi came to London from his home town of Lyon via Ludlow in Shropshire. Claude Bosi at Bibendum which occupies the landmark Michelin tyre headquarters, and has been awarded two stars to boot. The menu is unashamedly French in spirit. An olive pissaladière amuse-bouche pops in the mouth, salty green. Foie gras is handed round in mini waffle cones, sweetened with mango sauce, crisps of chicken skin disappear fast. Want to go really French? Order the tripe and cuttlefish gratin, made to Claude's mum's recipe. This is a starry restaurant from a French top chef. Rick Jordan

Address: Bibendum, Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, South Kensington, London SW3 6RD

45. Leroy, Shoreditch

Leroy is a word play on Ellory, its previous incarnation in London Fields’ Netil House. Ellory was set up by Jack Lewens and Ed Thaw, two sommeliers with River Café, Spring and Sagar + Wilde on their CVs, along with chef Matthew Young, and quickly won a Michelin star for its deft, European-style dishes. In 2018, they opened on a Shoreditch backstreet, a scrawl of red neon on the brickwork outside; bistro chairs, framed line drawing and marble counter inside. It’s modelled on a Parisian cave à manger, the sort of place to head to after work for a glass of something interesting with a plate of something else. As Leroy is run by two sommeliers you can expect the unexpected from the 80 or so bins – many of which are low-intervention or natural – but they wear their knowledge lightly. As you’re in the East End, order a bowl of whelks and garlic mayonnaise, along with whipped cod’s roe and crisps and a quail skewer or two. This will inevitably lead you to the main menu, but that’s another story. Rick Jordan

Address: Leroy, 18 Phipp Street, London EC2A 4NU

46. Westerns Laundry, Highbury

This is an unreconstructed spot in Highbury, and the area's most famous address is a little place called the Emirates Stadium; but North London flavour-snufflers and fellow chefs have long been getting excited about Westerns Laundry, the second fixture for the team behind Primeur. The restaurant is a gallery-like space in a Fifties industrial block, opened up with steel-framed windows, cobbles and Jeremie-crafted benches outside; the long and vociferous communal tables inside illuminated by Dan Flavin-style neon dashes. Unlike Primeur, the inspiration at Westerns Laundry are the day boats that heave to around the Cornish coast, with occasional forays to Catalunya and Asia for spicing. The chalkboard has a dynamic roll call of biodynamic wines by the glass, from pockets of Italy, France, Austria and Greece, ripe with Carignan, Zweigelt and Cinsault grapes – but nothing too weird. A convivial neighbourhood restaurant that opened up a neglected part of London. Rick Jordan

Address: Westerns Laundry, 34 Drayton Park, Highbury, London N5 1PB

47. P. Franco, Clapton

The team behind P. Franco have a history of opening brilliant places to eat in unassuming places. This is the original – a wine bar in a one-time Chinese takeaway in Clapton that was so successful it spawned sister restaurants in Broadway Market (Bright) and outlet-central Morning Lane in Hackney (Peg). At the beginning of the week, swing by for a glass of something clever and bar snacks. Guest chefs have included Two Lights alum Chase Lovecky and Smoking Goat’s Ben Chapman, so the level of cooking here is worth seeking out whoever happens to be at the helm. Go for the wine, stay for the food. Sarah James

Address: P Franco, 107 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0NP

48. F.K.A.B.A.M, Highbury Corner

Loud music. Loud decor. Loud food. This tiny restaurant on Highbury Corner has a big personality. After closing for an extended period over the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, what was once Black Axe Mangal opened as F.K.A.B.A.M (Formerly Known as Black Axe Mangal) in autumn 2021. Despite the name change, Lee Tiernan is still at the helm, overseeing a menu that changes weekly based on what’s good. That might be flame-grilled lamb, crispy rabbit, squid ink flatbreads or melty short ribs cooked over the fire, all served in a sharing style. A vegetarian or vegan menu is available for plant-based diners, but you’re really here for the smokey chunks of meat – and that’s okay. Sarah James

Address: F.K.A.B.A.M, 156 Canonbury Road, London N1 2UP

49. Padella

Padella and fresh pasta are practically synonymous in the capital these days. But it wasn’t always this way. When the team behind Trullo opened this no-reservations restaurant in foodie’s paradise Borough Market, it quickly started attracting queues. Don't let that put you off: tables turn fast and there's space to sit downstairs. Is there anything more comforting than pasta and cheese? Everyone goes crazy for the pici cacio e pepe: wiggly worms of pure joy swimming in a pool of molten cheese. It's the ultimate comfort food. There are two tarts for dessert (almond-and-rhubarb or chocolate) – order both. Hazel Lubbock

Address: Padella, 6 Southwark Street, Southwark, London SE1

50. Koyn, Mayfair

Housed in the former US embassy in Grosvenor Square , KOYN brings a fresh twist to traditional Japanese cuisine with a duality concept inspired by Mount Fuji. The menu, curated and led by ex- Nobu chef Rhys Cattermoul, is compact – think nigiris, sushi rolls, robata specials. With one request – miso black cod – we left it to the team to surprise us with the rest. The dry-aged sea bass and sweet shrimp with oscietra caviar in yuzu dashi soy that make for a delicate starter. This is best accompanied with the chūtoro (semi-fatty tuna) dressed in sudachi soy, kizami wasabi and tangy yuzu pearls. The robata standouts are the ume glazed charred scallops, roasted cabbage with koji dressing and unsurprisingly, the miso black cod is enough reason to want to return. Zahra Surya Darma

Address: Koyn, 38 Grosvenor St, London W1K 4QA

51. Apricity, Mayfair

The rustic looks here are courtesy of a low-carbon refit that’s resulted in pinkish patina'd plaster and upcycled masonry, with tumbling greenery and potted plants. Chairs are fashioned from decommissioned Coke bottles and the most pleasing aesthetic reminder that you’re somewhere fully eco is the beautiful uniforms by Gung Ho (stylish prints are textiles conjured from reincarnated PET bottles). New Zealand-born Chantelle won us over as chef-proprietor of Tredwells in Covent Garden, and got acclaim as a Green Michelin Star winner. The menu spotlights small-scale producers – charred umami miso cabbage, carnivore-pleasing mushrooms. Wine pairings are low-intervention, and articulated wonderfully by the knowledgeable team. The prices may not seem as low-key as the look of the restaurant, but this is an establishment where absolutely everyone in the supply chain has been paid properly – and nothing tastes better than that. Juliet Kinsman

Price : £££

Address: Apricity, 68 Duke Street, Mayfair W1K 6JU

52. Mount St. Restaurant, Mayfair

This big-ticket project comes courtesy of Manuela and Iwan Wirth (founders of Artfarm, also behind beloved  Scotland hotel   The Fife Arms ), under the direction of Parisian design and architecture studio Laplace. Mount St. Restaurant is a love letter to contemporary art – the entrance could double as an art gallery, adorned with works by big names – think Freud’s  A Plate of Prawns  (1958) and Andy Warhol's  Lobster  (1982). Even the floor is a work of art; a mesmerising mosaic by American artist Rashid Johnson, titled  Broken Floor . There’s so much to look at within the lowlit space you could easily sit and just take it all in. But while you’re here, you may as well eat too. Food is traditional British with a cheeky side. The lobster pie comes with a googly-eyed crustacean peering out, the caviar is cheekily served with sour cream and onion Pringles, while the mid-18th century mock-turtle soup has been modernised in the form of a croquette. History lovers will relish in the Highland venison, cooked to perfection, but the Dover sole is the real star of the show. Order it with a side of triple-cooked chips for the poshest fish and chips in town. Lauren Burvill

Address: Mount St. Restaurant, Second Floor 41-43 Mount Street, London W1K 2RX England

53. Tatale, Southwark

It seems the African food gods answered many prayers when Akwasi Brenya-Mensa announced the opening of his restaurant, Tatale. His popular supper club once teased eaters with intermittent pop-ups serving futuristic twists on Pan-African dishes, but now the upgrade to bona fide eatery means fans can enjoy regular encores.  Tatale (meaning ‘plantain pancake’ in Ghana) has taken up residence on the ground floor of London’s Africa Centre, a 1960s cultural space in the newly developed Union Yard Arches in Southwark. The wooden tables, recycled cork stools and contemporary African wall art may channel the unbuttoned vibes of a traditional Ghanaian chophouse, but the three-course menu is all about heritage flavours drawn from around the continent and the diaspora.

To start, we had omo tuo, a parcel of compacted white rice sprinkled with nutty, black sesame seeds and resting on a pool of mellow nkatenkwan peanut sauce (imagine red Thai peanut curry without the lemongrass). Following it was a spicy ‘red red black eyed bean’ and tomato stew, dolloped with avocado purée to douse the mild fire, and garnished with pickled red onions, their crunchiness contrasting beautifully with cushiony beans and boiled plantain. The intensity of flavour had us greedily mopping up the remnant stew with the plantain. But the standout dish – recommended to us by fellow diner Andrea Oliver – was the chichinga chicken and yellow rice. Accompanied by palm wine pickles, red stew, kewpie mayo and black shito (a Ghanaian hot-chilli condiment), the tender legs were cooked to perfection, their skins stroked with spices that seeped deep into the flesh and even deeper into the memory. With Brenya-Mensa single-handedly manning the kitchen, he’ll have his work cut out feeding all those repeat customers. I encourage you to add to his workload. Noo Saro-Wiwa

Address: Tatale, The Africa Centre, 66 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0BL

54. Lisboeta, Fitzrovia

Portugual's favourite chef Nuno Mendes has cooked everywhere from kitchens in the USA to must-book restaurants in East London, bagging two Michelin stars on his journey. Lisboeta is a return to his roots. Mendes is returning to the recipes of his native Portugal in the informal dining room upstairs and ground floor kitchen and counter bar. Here, you can watch him back in the kitchen after four years. Snacks, small plates and sharing pots include turnip tops, wild garlic and cauliflower in various incarnations, as well as plenty of seafood. Let sommelier Iava Markaityte guide you through some of Portugal’s lesser known vintages. If you fancy something stronger, try a Lisboa Negroni or Madeira old-fashioned. This new opening is a rip-roaring success and a whole lotta fun. Rick Jordan Price range: £££ Address : Lisboeta, 30 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NG

55. CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, St Paul’s

Anyone well-versed in the food world knows Le Cordon Bleu is the place to learn to cook. So when you bring together 125 years of experience to an all-in-one concept fitted with a café, restaurant and training outpost, expect nothing short of spectacular. Enter CORD. Begin with handpicked Dorset crab, zesty cucumber and radish served with a delicate brown crab dressing – a fabulous palate cleanser to accompany rich and silky duck foie gras and dried fruit chutney. Follow up with cooked on the bone brill and baby potatoes, aubergine purée, and finished with big umami flavours. But it’s the wild rocket risotto paired with baby artichokes, mushroom pickles and hazelnut pralines that has us wanting to come back. Vegan panna cotta with candied ginger, rhubarb with roses and topped with a healthy scoop of sorbet is worth the food coma. What really impresses is the technique and attention to detail that is true to Le Cordon Bleu's history. Zahra Surya Darma

Address: CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, 85 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AE

56. HUMO, Mayfair

Amid the throng of new restaurants around London , all touting exciting concepts and innovative angles, few can successfully cut through the noise.  Mayfair ’s latest arrival, however, has done so triumphantly. Everything is cooked over a wood fire the kitchen runs without gas or electricity. The menu is split into four sections, each relating to food cooked differently: ignite, smoke, flame and embers. The wine list also offers a refreshing take, listing bottles by geographical location rather than country – sections include island, coastal and high altitude. There’s a reason this restaurant went viral on social media when it launched in March 2023. Olivia Morelli

Address: HUMO, 12 St George Street, London W1S 2FB

57. Akub, Notting Hill

Franco-Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan's new restaurant – behind the sage-green facade of a Notting Hill townhouse – is a collaboration with his friend Rasha Khouri. On the menu you might find seafood; maftool and freekeh; dried yoghurt, zaatar bread and fermented chilli. Palestinian ingredients are spotlighted in the cocktail menu: apricot, date molasses, arak. The team do brunch too, cooking plates of labneh with boiled eggs and cauliflower fritters with sumac onions, served with fresh mint tea or Arabic coffee. This is one of the most interesting tables to book in Notting Hill right now. Lydia Bell

Address: Akub, 27 Uxbridge Street, London W8 7TQ

A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

Best Indian Restaurants in London by Andy Hayler

By Andy Hayler

Finding the best Indian restaurants in London is no easy task. The cuisine has a long history in London, starting with The Hindoostane Coffee House back in 1810. The longest running one is Veeraswamy , which opened in 1926.

No-one can be sure exactly how many Indian restaurants London has, but Tripadvisor currently lists 1,271, so it is not surprising that there are some gems amongst such a broad selection.

Asian communities in London thrive in areas like Wembley, Southall, Whitechapel and Tooting, with around half a million people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh living in the capital.

There are currently half a dozen Indian restaurants in London with Michelin stars. These are mostly located in the centre and are smartly decorated, such as  Benares and Gymkhana in Mayfair. Both serve mostly north Indian dishes with some luxurious or exotic touches. For example, at Gymkhana you can try quail seekh kebab or kid goat methi keema.

Veeraswamy off Piccadilly serves mostly traditional dishes like Kashmiri rogan josh and paneer tikka. Amaya is in wealthy Belgravia, also serving more traditional dishes like raan, a slow-cooked lamb dish with spices, as well as making good biryani.

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Trishna in Marylebone specialises in seafood, so you see dishes like salmon tikka and soft shell crab with chilli. Quilon is unique amongst the starred places as it serves the coastal cuisine of south-west India. Here you will find lobster broth with coconut, and fish curry with chilli and mango. There are other excellent restaurants in the centre, from the sophisticated Jamavar in Mayfair to the great value Indian snacks at the casual Diwana Bhel Poori Cafe  in Euston.

However the soul of Indian cooking in the capital is not to be found in the Mayfair environs but in the Indian communities of London. In Wembley you can eat excellent vegetarian Gujarati fare at Sakonis , or in nearly Queensbury you can dine at The Regency Club , whose Indian food has some Kenyan influences, such as its cassava with onions and black pepper.

In Tooting, Radha Krishna Bhavan serves great value south Indian snacks like utthapam, a sort of Indian take on pizza. In east London there is a perpetual queue for the lamb chops at Tayaabs , or the grilled dishes at Lahore Kebab House . A personal favorite is The Brilliant in Southall, which has been serving Punjabi food for 45 years and makes terrific methi chicken.

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At the pinnacle in my opinion is Indian Accent , which opened in Mayfair in December 2017. It is the sister its namesake in Delhi, widely regarded as the best restaurant in India and the only such restaurant to feature in the influential Top 50 global restaurant list. Its modern take on Indian food, with unusual and thrilling dishes, is redefining what Indian cuisine means.

The sheer variety of Indian cuisine in London is unmatched anywhere except in India itself. If visiting the city then I would encourage you to venture out beyond the comfort zone of central London and try some of the excellent food in the Asian communities in the suburbs.

Pictures: Top – Seafood Pepper Fry at Gymkhana | Middle – Kerala at Veeraswamy | Bottom – Mehrotra at Indian Accent

Read: Elite Traveler’s Top 100 Restaurants in the World Right Now

Andy hayler, latest in luxury, the explorer.

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14 hottest new restaurants in London

By CNT Editors

With one eye on the latest openings in London, Condé Nast Traveller editors pick their best new restaurants across the city—game-changers that are set to give tough competition to the classics.

TATALE, SOUTHWARK

It seems the African food gods answered many prayers when Akwasi Brenya-Mensa announced the opening of his restaurant, Tatale (or “plantain pancake” in Ghana). Tatale has taken up residence on the ground floor of London’s Africa Centre. The wooden tables, recycled cork stools and contemporary African wall art may channel the unbuttoned vibes of a traditional Ghanaian chophouse, but the three-course menu is all about heritage flavours drawn from around the continent and the diaspora. To start, we had omo tuo, a parcel of compacted white rice, sprinkled with nutty, black sesame seeds, that rests on a pool of mellow nkatenkwan peanut sauce. Following it was a spicy “red red”, a black-eyed bean and tomato stew dolloped with avocado purée to douse the mild fire, and garnished with pickled red onions, their crunchiness contrasting beautifully with cushiony beans and boiled plantain. But the standout dish was the chichinga chicken and yellow rice. Accompanied by palm wine pickles, red stew, kewpie mayo, and black shito (a Ghanaian hot-chilli condiment), the tender legs were cooked to perfection, their skins stroked with spices that seeped deep into the flesh and even deeper into the memory. NOO SARO-WIWA Website

THE AUDLEY PUBLIC HOUSE

On the corner of Mayfair’s Mount Street, 200-year-old boozer The Audley is the latest example of what potential can be uncovered by a lick of paint, a menu overhaul, and some of the world’s most sought-after artwork from gallery Hauser & Wirth. The dark wood interiors, solid mahogany bar, brown leather booths, and traditional patterned carpet nod to the building’s history, plus restored features are dotted throughout the room— from the 19th-century carving knife used when the pub first opened framed on the wall and the original fireplace to the ceiling clock, which took a team of six French polishers eight weeks to bring back to life. The food across the whole building is overseen by British chef Jamie Shears, who has worked with Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton. At the ground-floor pub, classic English pub grub is the main event. Check the chalkboard for the day’s offerings, which range from Scotch eggs with perfectly oozy centres and crispy crusts to gooey rarebit toast and roast beef sandwiches with pots of gravy to dip. For drinks, what you see is what you get. Order classics from the bottles on display, or ask for one of the four hand-pulled ales built into the thick wooden bar. OLIVIA MORELLI Website

This little gem of a restaurant is tucked into the heart of Notting Hill and exudes the personality of its head chef, Thomas Straker. There was a welcoming familiarity upon walking in and we were immediately overcome with the feeling that we were dining at a friend’s place, but of course, with much better food. Every ingredient has a story at Straker’s, honouring the team’s love of seasonality and sustainability. The courses and cocktails are a journey that provides a peek into Tom’s Herefordshire roots and passion for the flavours of Italy and the Mediterranean, which are woven seamlessly throughout. We enjoyed light springy flatbreads paired with burnt chilli mussel butter; crisp pumpkin fritti dripping with maple syrup; zesty taglioni paired with black trumpet mushrooms, and tender skate wing topped with chewy brown shrimp and tangy capers. We finished the meal off with fresh doughnuts dusted with cinnamon sugar and balanced with crème fraiche and savoury fig and thyme jam. Needless to say, we left this meal with both our hearts and tummies full. AMBER PORT Website

By Condé Nast Traveller

By Jayesh Paranjape

By Jahnavi Bhatt

By Arundhati Ail

Within seconds of sinking into our beaten up chairs at Cavita, the waitress asked, “How do you feel about Margaritas?”. Within seconds of us affirming that we felt good about the concept—despite it being 5.14pm on a Wednesday—she delivered the house serve, made with fresh spiced watermelon. Terracotta tiles, crumbling exposed brick, a big open kitchen, and an earthy bar are covered with plants. A tinkling Spanish soundtrack completes the transportive Mexico City atmosphere. Then the waitress came back, asking eagerly, “Can I recommend some things?” Plates of fatty tuna tostadas and gooey quesabirria arrive from the kitchen in quick succession. Mains are family style: wood-grilled chicken with lurid green mole, whole flaky sea bream cooked in banana leaves, chargrilled octopus, served with soft tortillas for building your own tacos. The standout pudding— chocolate sponge topped with cream vanilla caramel—should not be swerved. SARAH JAMES Website

The rustic looks here are courtesy of a low-carbon refit that has resulted in pinkish patinated plaster and upcycled masonry, with tumbling greenery. Chairs are fashioned from decommissioned Coke bottles and the most pleasing aesthetic reminder that you’re somewhere fully eco is the beautiful uniforms by Gung Ho. New Zealand-born chef Chantelle Nicholson has got acclaim as a Green Michelin Star winner and her menu here spotlights small-scale producers— charred umami miso cabbage, carnivore pleasing mushrooms. Wine pairings are low intervention, and articulated wonderfully by the team. The prices may not seem as lowkey as the look of the restaurant, but this is an establishment where absolutely everyone in the supply chain has been paid properly— and nothing tastes better than that. JULIET KINSMAN Website

Portugal’s favourite chef Nuno Mendes has cooked everywhere—from kitchens in the USA to must-book restaurants in East London—bagging two Michelin stars on his journey. Lisboeta is a return to his roots, with recipes of his native Portugal in the informal dining room upstairs and ground floor kitchen, and counter bar. Snacks, small plates, and sharing pots include turnip tops, wild garlic, and cauliflower in various incarnations, as well as plenty of seafood and pork—whipped lard, dinky pork pies, and crumbly blood sausage. Let sommelier Iava Markaityte guide you through some of Portugal’s lesser-known vintages. If you fancy something stronger, try a Lisboa Negroni or Madeira Old Fashioned. This new opening is a rip-roaring success and a whole lotta fun. RICK JORDAN Website

Amid the new restaurants around London, all touting exciting concepts and innovative angles, few can successfully cut through the noise. HUMO, in Mayfair, has done so triumphantly. The kitchen runs without gas or electricity—chefs cook on a four-metrelong wooden grill stretching across the middle of the restaurant. The menu is split into four sections relating to food cooked differently: ignite, smoke, flame, and embers. My favourite aspect of the menu was the personal touches inspired by restaurant team members. The yellowtail dish, for example, features seven-day aged tuna, served with a zingy soy and citrus sauce and Castillo coffee from chef Miller Prada’s family farm in Columbia. The wine list has bottles by geographical location—island, coastal, high altitude—rather than country. There’s a reason HUMO went viral on TikTok: the attention to detail on delicately balanced dishes with free-hand style flame cooking methods create a unique experience. SARAH JAMES Website

Helmed by superchef Jeremy Chan and entrepreneur Iré Hassan-Odukale, Ikoyi opened in 2017 on St. James’s street. The name Ikoyi leans towards Nigerian culture, but the restaurant’s concept transcends boundaries. Their new home, at 180 The Strand, is a firm testament to Ikoyi’s growth. While its décor builds on the earthy copper, yellow, and pink hues from its previous venue, its larger spot glows through dramatic curved walls and steel-mesh ceilings. With two Michelin stars and making it onto the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list last year, no one can truly predict the creative bounds of Chan and his team. Ikoyi’s blind-tasting menu is full of ingredients that pair well together while being artistically presented from the open kitchen: think an inventive interpretation of the West African classic jollof rice, revealed in a light smoky haze with chunks of grilled lobster and lobster custard. The delightful reiterations of the plantain course over the years remain a fan favourite, currently garnished with roasted peanut and served with a spiced efo emulsion. Sommelier Lorenzo Lentini creatively selects wines from an expanded list of various producers around the world. A short menu of cocktails is available with choices like the slightly sweet palm punch made with rum, palm wine, baobab, and spices. A fragrant non-alcoholic tea pairing is also there for the taking and can be paired with five or eight courses. VIVIENNE DOVI Website

The latest addition to Big Mamma’s London outposts, Jacuzzi, inside a once dilapidated bank on High Street Kensington, is a world directly out The White Lotus. Set across three stories, each floor is different. The first feels like an old-fashioned dining hall, with soaring stucco ceilings, low-lit chandeliers, and a giant lemon tree centrepiece. Up a grand staircase lies the mezzanine level which will transport you straight to an Italian courtyard. A retractable roof lets sunlight in and tables sit in balcony-style alcoves, full of greenery. The final floor is more of a boudoir, with white-and-green latticed walls, tasselled pink table lamps, and another tree centrepiece. The food remains loyal to the Big Mamma standards—big plates of Italian classics—but more high-end. Try the culatello, a thinly sliced cured meat, draped over gnocco fritto or Maldon rock oysters drizzled with balsamic vinegar and drops of chilli oil. For pudding, order the giant chocolate mousse made with half a kilo of Valrhona chocolate! Jacuzzi’s wine and cocktail lists are as flamboyant as the interiors. OLIVIA MORELLI Website

Franco-Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan has done more than anyone to raise the status of Palestine’s gastronomic identity. He created Fawda Restaurant & Café in Bethlehem’s Old City. Now, behind the sage-green facade of a Notting Hill townhouse, he has unveiled Akub. Named after a flowering Palestinian thistle, it is a four-level earthy space in a quiet symphony of natural greens, lemony yellows, and poured creams. Walls are touched with significant objets: hopeful olive branches; a series of keys that allude to the Palestinian right of return. The menu celebrates aspects of his terroir—the seafood-heavy accents of the coasts and Gaza; the maftool and freekeh of the traditional, olive-grove-filled centre; and the dried yoghurts, and salting and drying traditions of the desert nomads. Our feast is prefaced by zaatar bread, coriander- and sumac-lashed focaccia, and dips. A Jordanian Saint George Petite Syrah accompanies us through plates of Nabulsi cheese, and Sheikh El Mahshi baby aubergines with pickled herbs and walnuts. Then they bring us the best pudding I’ve had in years: baba, a brioche soaked in cardamom and fenugreek syrup drenched in pistachioey cream. Kattan says the cuisine is inherited, “passed down in the transmission of the hand movement my grandmother made as she cooked”. LYDIA BELL Website

Cycene is James and Christie Brown’s newest Blue Mountain School venture. The restaurant is the cherry on top of an already culturally invigorating space, spanning two floors of a thoughtfully restored townhouse. As you enter, drinks and the first course are taken on the ground floor before being taken upstairs to the kitchen and main dining room. Head-chef Theo Clench seamlessly takes you through 10 courses. The menu successfully extracts the optimum flavour from the simplest of ingredients. Oysters are slow-cooked for an hour and seared with hot charcoal; meaty, hand-dived Isle of Skye scallops paired with sea truffle and schrenkii, and perfectly cooked turbot accompanied with bouncy Japanese milk bread to soak up the sauce. The main event is the succulent duck that is sourced and prepared with the utmost passion and consideration. We chose the half wine, half alcohol-free pairings which adds a complexity to each dish without tipping over into needlessly boozy territory. It’s a thoughtful touch that sums up what Cycene is doing—creating an experience that puts food centre stage. AMBER PORT Website

BACCHANALIA

Before you even enter Bacchanalia, you can visualise its spectacular interiors. Rumoured to have cost upwards of $31 million, they are the work of Martin Brudnizki. The statues gazing over you as you take your seat? Damien Hirst, of course. Many themed aspects work well, like the gargantuan interpretation of Romans during their decadence, complete with selfie-snapping mock-ancient citizens. Chef Athinagoras Kostakos has devised a menu celebrating the best of Greek and Italian cuisine. Cheese croquettes filled with taleggio, provolone, and cheddar are paired with indulgent truffle mayonnaise. A must-order among the starters is the flawlessly seasoned keftedes—meatballs on a smoked yoghurt base. We opted for the bucatini bolognese. As authentic as the bolognese ragù was, the pasta’s density meant it sat heavily on the stomach. We topped crusted baby potatoes with sea bream and washed it down with a Sicilian white. For pudding, order the soft-serve greek yoghurt ice cream or the signature tiramisu—the perfect finish, albeit lacking a boozier hit. CONNOR STURGE Website

When Socca opened on Mayfair’s Audley Street, it had big shoes to fill as successor to the venerated Richoux cafe, which had occupied No. 41 for a century before closing in 2021. But if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’s French Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi and culinary entrepreneur Samyukta Nair, who have teamed up to bring a new Riviera-style bistro. Socca conjures Côte d’Azur vibes, with blue banquettes, honey-coloured wooden floors, and shellshaped lampshades. Bosi’s menu riffs on French Mediterranean comfort food, his starters including raw tuna slices with shallots and tangy sauce balanced by the black pepper rim. Stealing the show was the lobster mains with orecchiette drenched in a creamy bisque, followed closely by the grilled prawns stroked with citrus butter. Socca has strong land legs, too, in its marinated lamb chops. The excellent desserts were reassuringly heavy on the classics, like warm chocolate coulant and tarte au pomme with vanilla ice cream. Those who prefer their sugar in liquid form will knock back exquisite La Colombe d’Or cocktails—just remember you’re in Mayfair when the bill arrives. NOO SARO-WIWA Website

MOUNT ST. RESTAURANT

In September 2022, Mayfair welcomed The Audley. A couple of weeks later, the 200-year-old building revealed the four upper floors, one of them home to Mount St. Restaurant. The ambitious project comes courtesy of Manuela and Iwan Wirth, and the direction of Paris-based architecture studio Laplace. It’s clearly a love letter to contemporary art—the staircase entrance could double as an art gallery. There’s art all around—from the salt and pepper cruets to the floor, a mesmerising mosaic by American artist Rashid Johnson. But while you’re there, you may as well tuck in. The fare here is traditional British with a nudge and a wink. The lobster pie comes with a crustacean peering out, the caviar is cheekily served with sour cream and onion Pringles, while the mid-18th-century mock-turtle soup has been modernised as a croquette. King Henry VII-types will relish in the Highland venison, cooked to perfection, but the Dover sole is the real star of the show. Order it with a side of triple-cooked chips for the poshest fish and chips in town. LAUREN BURVILL Website

London Spice Trails: Explore London's Top Indian Restaurants

• UK Tourist Visa for Indians
• Jun 24, 2024

It is surprising yet fulfilling to know that London encompasses the best Indian restaurants that you can ask for.

On your trip to the UK, you need not worry about the taste of Indian food anymore.

You can discover some of the top Indian restaurants in London that offer your beloved dal makhani and butter chicken. 

From the popular Bombay biryanis to Punjabi grills, followed by South Indian curries, the fantastic flavors await you!

So, be ready to taste Indian food in London with these best Indian restaurants in London.

List of Indian Restaurants In London

Pali's name comes from one of Mumbai’s oldest neighborhoods.

This amazing restaurant in London is known for its finest Indian culinary flavors you can ever get.

If you wish to sit peacefully and taste some desi indian papadi chaat or have some lassi, then this is your to-go place.

Furthermore, the interior offers a stylish artwork design and comfortable cushions to lean upon! So, you do not need to wait for good Indian food in London anymore.

Visit this amazing restaurant and choose the dish of the day.

Location - 79-81 Mortimer St, London W1W 7SJ, United Kingdom

2. Trishna, Marylebone

Trishna, Marylebone is one of the best Indian restaurants you can find in London.

The restaurant features a blend of a wide variety of Indian flavors. It is located in the heart of Marylebone and is known for its food with great taste. 

The amazing part is that you can begin with any snack and favor the best taste here.

The food is immensely fresh and topped with spices, yogurt, tamarind sauce, mint, and pomegranate.

  Location - 15-17 Blandford St, London W1U 3DG, UK

3. Amaya's Door

Are you tired of searching for some good Punjabi food in London? Well, here is where the wait ends.

Amaya’s Door in London offers a Michelin-star dining experience from Camellia Panjabi with its calm atmosphere.

The dim lights, the stylish tables, and the aroma of grilling food would just make your night a happier one.

Top dishes that can be tried include rock oyster bhajitas and griddled king scallops. Furthermore, they pick the most fresh herbs and serve them with utmost love.

Location- Halkin Arcade, Belgravia, London SW1X 8JT

4. Gunpowder 

Gunpowder Restaurant in London is another top Indian restaurant you can stop at. The aesthetic layout of the place and the fresh food both make the ideal match!

A variety of small Indian plates.  Some of the top  dishes that you can order at Gunpowder restaurant include the famous  Kashmiri lamb chops.

Location- 20 Greek Street, London W1D 4DU

Kutir Restaurant is set across the Saatchi Gallery and renders the best tastes under the guidance of chef Rohit Ghai.

The place takes you back to the theme of hunting expeditions in the Indian countryside.

Be it the rich meat dishes or the blend of some spices with seafood, the tastes are remarkable.

Furthermore, the interiors of pistachio-green walls with mirrors and prints of elephants and tigers would be highly pleasing. The vibrant bird-print panels and flower-branch lights!

Location- 10 Lincoln Street, London SW3 2TS

6. Soho Wala

Are you yearning for some poppadoms with parmesan to appear on your table this evening? Well, of all the worries, let finishing these poppadoms quickly be the main one!

The culinary delights of Soha Wala offer an excellent and outstanding experience for all its customers.

The good, intimate setting, elegant atmosphere, and welcoming staff are just a few of the things that make this place a charming destination to go to! 

Location-  21 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7HL

7. Tamarind Kitchen

There’s something pleasing about the vibe of Tamarind Kitchen. No matter, the top grills of the restaurants are incomparable, but the interior is something you would love.

If you are aiming for a soothing and calm dining experience, then this place on the famous  Wardour Street is your go-to place.

Furthermore, you can taste some great meat and seafood here. When all options exhaust, the kebabs of Tmarind Kitchen come into play.

Location- 167-169 Wardour Street Soho, London W1F 8WR

Bibi is another famous Indian restaurant in London. The place offers a fine dining experience with food,  made from the freshest ingredients!

Apart from the top specialties of the main course, the chai and cocktail menu allows you to pick some highly appealing brews!

Be it Lahori taste or Gujarati taste, Bibi has it all and is a must-visit Indian restaurant in London.  

Explore the London Restaurants with Visa2Fly 

Are you ready to immerse in the best Indian flavors when in London? 

The above restaurants mark the ideal place to visit with your friends and family, and satisfy your Indian food temptations! 

However, before all this, it is necessary to timely apply for your United Kingdom visa.

With regard to the same, Visa2fly can simplify your travel to London with a seamless visa-obtaining experience.

For more information, contact us at 1800-547-5030 or visit our website.

Secure Your United Kingdom Visa in 4 Quick Steps

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Where the Chefs Eat: Anna Haugh's favourite restaurants in Dublin

By Cass Farrar

Anna Haugh has a wonderfully magnanimous personality: a perfect combination of quick-fire wit and elegant articulation. Whatever she is talking about, she is funny, warm and highly knowledgeable, making her presence on our televisions – be it live cooking on Saturday Kitchen or judging on Masterchef – an obvious one. But her heart is clearly in the kitchen. She owns Myrtle in London’s Chelsea district, a restaurant described as serving “modern European food with an Irish influence”, and her new book, Cooking with Anna , is about to be released. It is one of the very few books I could cook almost every single dish from – that I would want to cook almost every single dish from – and while Anna has cooked with some of the greatest chefs in the world, her thoughts when she wrote it were absolutely with the home cook in mind. “The backbone of every cookbook,” she tells me “is thinking about it from a home cook’s perspective. I think we always think pressure comes from outside – from other people – but it’s actually from within us and the biggest pressure I felt when I wrote this book was doing good by the person who’s going to buy it because, let’s face it, there are people out there who are saving up money for a book or have asked for it for a birthday or Christmas gift and it’s a big deal for them to get a copy of their own. They’re the people I was really thinking about when I wrote this.”

Cooking with Anna  is the type of book that you can pull off your shelf for a last-minute, midweek bit of inspiration, or dishes that will cater to friends at a dinner. “It’s not for a novice who can’t crack an egg” she tells me, laughingly, but “I want my book to work. I want it to be useful, so it was really important to me that, whatever I was doing, I passionately believed it.” Recipes inside include what she and her sister Catherine named ‘Christmas Day Soup.’

“When we were raised up,” Anna explains, “We did have super Christmases; we usually had shellfish or salmon as a starter, and we always had a minimum of three courses on Christmas Day. We don’t have fancy pants blood running through our veins, and we are from a very working-class area outside of Dublin , but Mum always made sure Christmas was nice. And Christmas day soup often featured.” Anna explains that this is a caramelised swede soup. “You blend it, and it’s delicious. These recipes were the reason I created my new book. I’ve taught curry to every single Irish woman I know, so one of my curry recipes has gone in there, too. A lot of them have made it for me, and it’s never the same, but it’s always good. The book is about real food that I genuinely cook a lot of, which I was raised with. I tried to strip things back and didn’t want it to be over-complicated for people.”

Anna’s approach to cooking isn’t militant, though she is highly professional in her own working life. “The cookbook is the guide, but it’s in the doing that you really learn, and I wanted to guide people in a positive, helpful, useful way. Good food is an approach. It’s an attitude. It’s not just about having the best of the best of everything.” Henry’s Goujons is another recipe that she used to regularly make for her stepson, Henry (who is now 19) and one she also makes for her own little two-year-old boy, Oisin. They are homemade and contain the secret ingredient that is Worcestershire sauce (not so secret now she has released the book with the recipe in it). It’s one she hopes one day to make for grandchildren, too. Cooking with Anna is a real insight into the food she makes at home and it’s approachable, feasible and bursts forth with utterly sumptuous recipes. And, with home in mind, she has opened up to us about Dublin, the city from whence she came, and one she regularly goes back to today.

“Dublin is like this bubbling, fun, wonderful cross between a busy city and a welcoming town,” Anna muses. “I only left because I was curious about food and wanted to extend my horizons, but I was very sad to leave. There is no place like Dublin. It’s a very Irish city with so much warmth.” The welcome she receives when she is back, she insists, extends to everyone.

“Even in very touristy areas of Dublin, you still find nice, local, normal people there, and when you go to the arse end of nowhere in Ireland, you could have a Polish person serving you out of a van, and they will welcome you like a native because that friendliness is just so contagious. And Dublin is not just about the food and a pint of Guinness. There’s lots to be done there. I grew up in a very working-class area, but I lived by the fields and rivers alongside good people trying to do the best with their lives, so I had a fantastic upbringing; we were allowed to run free like horses.”

By Sarah James

By Abigail Malbon

By Rachel Howard

By Rosalyn Wikeley

And, with that, Anna shares her favourite spots to dine in Dublin, places she always recommends to friends and regularly frequents herself when back home.

“Pichet is off Dame Street, one of the main streets in Dublin near Trinity College. Shane Gibson is the head chef. He’s an extraordinarily talented chef who really understands flavour and technique. That is a really important thing that needs to be protected in our industry because there are so many fads and new ingredients being introduced to chefs to mimic real skills, and, actually, that’s artificial. Pichet is incredible value, too. There’s a little bar, and I think you can stop in for cakes. Stephen's partner Natasha is an amazing pastry chef. It's also walking distance from Dublin Castle and Trinity College where the Book of Kells is.”

Who comes here?

“This is popular amongst locals and tourists alike because it’s got such a fantastic reputation and it’s in such a cool area.”

Best table in the restaurant

“The best table is just outside of the kitchen because then you can see all the action. For another person, that might be too busy, but I like the bustle by the pass. My sister, Catherine, is obsessed with tables in restaurants. I don’t sit down until Catherine has sat down. I’m more focused on the food. I’m all about the food and the wine, the chef-y element, but I need to think more about tables I think, now you’ve asked me this.”

Best time to go

“If you like a cocktail , head to the bar first before having dinner in the restaurant.”

Dish to order

“I delight in discovering new things, and there’s nothing I won’t try. I even had a blood clam in LA once, though it was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. At Pichet, I had the duck breast with lentils and smoked sausage cassoulet, celeriac and duck pudding. Cassoulet is one of my favourite French dishes that I feel really captures brasserie style cooking.”

The Library

“Kevin Burke is awesome and his use of marinades, I think, is some of the best I’ve ever tasted. I think you can always tell when a chef is cooking what they are really motivated by and a great marinade just makes the food taste so good. It’s something we seem to forget in the UK . The tiniest marinade can make the biggest difference to fish or meat. He is a wizard with the marinade. It’s beautiful food. It’s interesting. It’s creative.”

“I’ve been going [to The Library] for a long time, but I still mention it to people, and they thank me for sending them there. It’s a really fantastic restaurant and, although it is well known, it’s also not well-known if that makes sense. I feel like it is still being discovered.”

“At The Library, they have a private dining room downstairs, and we had a friend of mine who was getting married. Part of her wedding celebrations was a private dinner, so we ate in that private dining area. I thought it was really special for an intimate event, but upstairs, it’s a really tight, lovely little dining room. It’s got a very low ceiling. I’m a good guest, though. You could sit me on a bag of coal, and I’d be happy. They treated us like royalty. We had the most beautiful wines, and the food was just stellar. If you’re not in the private dining area, I’d probably go for a window seat, but there are some cosy seats under the bulkhead at the back.”

“The Library opens early for dinner, and it’s why I was able to get there for a delicious meal and wine and then get my little fella to bed on time. I’m not the best person to ask about timings and restaurants, but I do believe the food should be as good at lunch as it is at dinner.”

“The pork chop is what stood out for me. But Kevin does incredible turbot head, too. He does other fish heads, not just turbot, but it’s all about the marinades, and they cook it all over the grill; it’s brilliant.”

“Pickle is very close to the National Concert Hall. And there’s a garden very nearby called Iveagh Gardens, which is not as well-known as Stephen’s Green, but it’s really lovely, and there is an elephant buried there, apparently. This is delicious. It’s by the Bleeding Heart pub, an absolutely brilliant pub near Camden Street. They do small plates. I guess you’d call it Indian food with a European feeling but still very much Indian food. You don’t go here for your traditional Madras.”

“Everyone knows about Pickle. It’s a bit of an institution now.”

“I’m not organised enough to book tables, so I try and get there early because it’s very popular. If you sit at the back, you can literally eat beside the pass, and, as a chef, that’s usually what I’m drawn to, like a moth to the light. If my mother or my sister is with me, I’m by the window, but, left alone, I’m by the pass.”

“It’s lovely in the summer with the sun coming in through the windows.”

“They have lots of curries, of course, but they do these delicate, amazing chicken lollipops that are marinated, and which are delicious; and they do an amazing scallop dish with pomegranate.”

“The name of this restaurant makes me think of beer but it’s so brilliant and so delicious. Philip Yeung is the owner and the head chef, and he will take a key ingredient and do a few things on the plate, all done with loads of knowledge and care. It’s very seasonal. It’s incredible value for such a high standard of food, and the cooking is brilliant. Craft has won a tonne of awards.”

“Craft is in a neighbourhood called Harold’s Cross, which is a village just on the outskirts of south Dublin, but it pulls a lot of regulars in from all across the city.”

“I am always partial to a seat right by the pass.”

“They open quite early, which is great for me. I go there with my parents, and it’s near enough to where they live that we get the bus, which I love with my son in the pram. We have a little drink in the pub across the road and then we go across for dinner.”

“The food is wonderful. I had a delicious lamb rump with lamb croquettes on the side and then a classic lamb garnish. I remember having the most amazing roast potatoes and a coco bean roasted hake with roasted leeks. My dad‘s nickname is Hake because he loves it so much, and it’s what he had.”

Orwell Road

“This is a fantastic new restaurant. It’s small, but it’s wonderful, and the passionate floor staff match the passion of the chefs. Every bite you eat, you can imagine them in the kitchen having a discussion about the dish. It’s all just delicious, and it reminds me of when I first opened Myrtle; it had that same feeling of jumping in two feet first and really going for it. I totally express myself through my food and you can feel the same thing, that same passion, at Orwell Road.”

“This is definitely still locals only because it’s quite new.”

“The seats in the big windows are wonderful.”

“Whatever works best for you, but I tend to eat out based on opportunity because I’ve got a young son. Lunches are often great for me or early dinner.”

“The sides really stood out for me. I had an incredible carrot purée and I had this beautiful dressed carrot with black garlic purée and pickled onions on top. That was really good and, also, I had a wonderful, crispy fried oyster. We had only just walked in the door and I wanted everything.”

Cooking with Anna: Modern home cooking with Irish heart by Anna Haugh is out now (Bloomsbury, £26)