The Best Restaurants in London — 15 Reservations Every Interior Enthusiast Should Make This Year

As an Italian expat living in London, getting to take my pick from the ever-expanding range of eateries that grace the British capital is one of the prospects that keeps me afloat when homesickness kicks in. What I personally find fascinating about the best restaurants in London is the way that, however established or emerging, these gastronomic hubs manage combine a flair for cooking with evocative storytelling into an experience that lasts.

Over the last few months of surveying the Big Smoke's intercontinental food scene on behalf of the Livingetc team, I have begun to spot a few recurring patterns, particularly when it comes to defining what makes trendy London restaurants so widely — and instantly — resonant with in-the-know local crowds. With no inch of the capital city's 1,572 square kilometers surface left untouched by its gourmet spirit, and an eternally growing number of outdoor markets, bars with bites, and exclusive fine dining locations contributing to its zeitgeist, competition is fierce. That means that seasonal ingredients and inventive plate presentations are no longer enough for foodie hotspots to make the cut: instead, it is a balanced, imaginative combination of innovative cuisine, a powerful narrative, and memorable restaurant design that allows them to win.

Similarly to our freshly updated selection of the best London hotels, the entries shortlisted in our latest edit of the best restaurants in London have successfully nailed the intersection of all of the above. Curated by Livingetc's editors, this eclectic roundup of must-know addresses is for those who are as hungry for beautifully crafted interiors as they are for the freshest delicacies, and for creatively assembled desserts. Rather than merely bringing you a series of trendy London restaurants, we have tried, tested, and reviewed multiple eateries until we found the places where every food-knowledgable design addict will want to eat in the capital this year. A celebration of taste, whether in or outside of the kitchen, these are the best London restaurants right now.

Belvedere

Holland Park, Abbotsbury Rd, London W8 6LU

Nestled in London's affluent Kensington borough, Belvedere is one of those restaurants you'll hardly forget after visiting. What was once the 17th-century stables and coach house for the leafy Holland Park — in which heart it rises today — and later became a summer ballroom is now home to one of the most refined and inventive Italian restaurants I have got to try in the city. Re-launched in 2022 by co-founders George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev, its monumental Tuscan interiors retain the rich heritage of the building without feeling outdated or overly literal. Conceived by local creative architectural studio Archer Humphryes, the restaurant's spaces ooze with grandeur, seamlessly blending the classicism of the building's arches and stained glass windows with modern rustic decor. Wood, rattan, red brick, and wrought iron details provide a suggestive frame within which to savor Sardinian Chef Lello Favuzzi's zingy pairings of flavors.

Immersed in the stuck-in-time beauty of the surrounding gardens, Belvedere takes indoor-outdoor living into the culinary world, graced by plenty of natural light and thriving plants throughout. Come on a sunny day to make the most of its fairytale terrace while exploring Favuzzi's seasonal gastronomic gems. Summer highlights included a starter of succulent Mazara red prawns, burrata, and peas, a truffle-scented beef tartare, and the restaurant's trademark — ravioli. "With lush palm and fig trees, soaring ceilings and stunning arched windows, Belvedere has a seductive atmosphere, and food to match," Livingetc's Global Brand Director Sarah Spiteri says. "This is chic Italian at its best and there is something for everyone on the menu. The cocktails are strong!"

Dalla

120-122 Morning Ln, London E9 6LH

Dining at Dalla feels like traveling back in time to an Italy I personally never had the chance to know and yet is profoundly rooted in my imagination. The brainchild of Setting Up Shop protagonist Gennaro Leone, the founder of Hackney vintage furniture showroom Spazio Leone, and his brother Gianmarco, the chef at its helm, this intimate restaurant breaks with the industrial feel of East London's Morning Lane to transport guests to a world of its own. Think about it as one of those yellowed family pictures that have been sitting in a battered cardboard box for far too long not to show the signs of time, only this time you somehow manage to step inside of it and experience it first-hand rather than merely looking at it. Once there, a quick glance around will be enough to absorb all the meticulously crafted details that make Dalla a one-of-a-kind wonder, from the carved-from-wood house phone positioned right in front of its open kitchen, which chef Gianmarco doesn't hesitate to pick up himself even on a busy night, to the beautifully framed prints hung across the space and the numerous, bespoke metal sculptures, artworks, and quirky collectibles that punctuate its ceiling shelf.

While it is hard to pin Dalla down to a specific decade, its buttery interiors evoke the essentially beautiful atmosphere of 1950s Italian eateries, with the many chrome details scattered across them — from the slender, minimalist flower vases to the sleek serveware — and the mirrored walls of the bar casting reflections all around. Created in collaboration with Sicilian Art Director and designer Oscar Piccolo, this restaurant is where Italy's passion for genuine food, artisanry, and community get to thrive. Come in on any day for your chance to see the team roll out their homemade pasta right before you (their stuffed pasta dishes are a must), and to see evergreen Italian staples — from the creamy vitello tonnato and cotoletta di maiale alla Bolognese to melt-in-your-mouth Neapolitan seafood dishes and indulgent tiramisù — imaginatively revived. Come in on a Sunday to get a taste of what il pranzo della domenica ("Sunday lunch") stands for, and again and again to gather what Dalla is all about; serving the finest nostrano food within an environment that can inspire, uplift, and unite.

Kinkally

43 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RS

Charlotte Street isn't exactly new to trendy London restaurants, but while an inattentive eye might easily miss the entrance of the Georgian-inspired Kinkally, caught in the grip of the Fitzrovia madness, having eaten there once was enough to make its minimalist façade one to remember. Designed by DA BUREAU, the restaurant's interiors draw from the rawness of the Caucasus Mountains to absorb diners in a play of contrasting surfaces ranging from light woods to matte metals and cement. With sculptural tree branches used as decor and a sunshine-inspired wall covering that mimics the natural evolution of daylight, Kinkally's choices are as bold and unexpected from a design perspective as is the menu of chef David Chelidze.

Taking its name from the khinkali, the warm, spiced meat and fragrant broth-filled dumplings native to Georgia, the eatery takes this traditional dish to the next level through globe-trotting ingredient combinations, from the soulfully refreshing langoustines, wasabi, and matsoni one to the earthy Rabbit, foie gras mousse, apple, and fennel chutney. Surprisingly though, it was the smaller plates on offer, which were as moreish and layered in flavors as stunningly presented, to get most of my attention, which, paired with Kinkally's experimental selection of wines, already make for a chic night. Also home to one of the best bars in London, the cheeky, drenched-in-red-light subterranean Bar Kinky (captured above), this eatery comes with an atmospheric, sensual finish.

FONDA

12 Heddon St, London W1B 4BZ

If the fact that Mexican food is one of my favorite kinds of cuisine wasn't enough to convince me to give Soho's FONDA a try, its 'Casonas' ("Mexican farmhouses")-inspired interiors, filled with all sorts of whimsical artworks and courtesy of studio A-nrd, easily did the trick. Strategically located in an enclosed, piazza-style street right in the beating heart of London, this vibrant, buzzy eatery finds its roots in the traditional Mexican food that serves as the protagonist of "fondas"; family-owned, relaxed restaurants you typically find on the side of a road. While the playful, terracotta-tinted decor of the space is far more high-end and researched than that of these typical culinary hotspots, the dishes hit just the same — and so do FONDA's tantalizing drinks (I tried the Champagne Paloma, with espadín mezcal, champagne, white wine, grapefruit, and carbonation, and its sweet-and-sour taste worked wonders when paired with Chef Patron Santiago Lastra's mouthwatering bites). The ceviche has the sweetness of the best of desserts, and the freshness of the wildest pescado. the Tetela taco, filled with creamy new potato and chorizo, would be my snack of choice if only I could. The charred monkfish in the Adobado main course must be among the smokiest, most delicious ones I have ever tried, while the lobster of the Gringa special will change your mind on what seafood is meant to be (and how it's meant to be eaten).

Ceramics, fun upholstery, and warm woods detail the space in its entirety, along with the amber-glazed seeded glass that adds texture to its walls. The palette is colorful enough to catch your attention even from the outside, but muted like the natural pigments and elements it draws from, adding a crafty touch to the expansive dining room. Opposite a dramatic, back-lit bespoke cocktail bar is an animated 8-seat booth draped in apricot weave over which Mexican artist Fernando Laposse's amusing Of Bugs and Buds sculpture floats undisturbed. The chichatting of guests blends with rhytmic latino music as plates are brought to the tables promptly, arranged in appetizing compositions and ready to be topped with equally addictive salsas. The huge size of the main dining room makes it ideal for dinner parties and sharing, while downstairs, a more cocooning, coral-hued space, finished with its very own, glossy cocktail bar, makes for romantic and special occasions.

abc kitchens at The Emory

Old Barrack Yard, London SW1X 7NP

There is something absolutely captivating about this newly opened eatery, offering breathtaking views of both Knightsbridge and Hyde Park. Situated on the ground floor of 5-star hotel The Emory, abc kitchens is three restaurants in one: helmed by prolific Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, it brings its acclaimed New York trilogy — abc kitchen, abcV, and abc cocina — under the same roof in a multisensory experience. Mirroring the freshness and organic nature of the menu, the restaurant's interiors, designed by Rémi Tessier, amplify the elevated earthiness of its vision through warm wood tones, sleek copper accents, and a totemic Rosso Orobico marble block. Contrasting the neutral, retro-inspired palette of abc kitchens is a floral series of artworks by British artist Damien Hirst, The Secret Gardens Paintings. These vibrant still life canvases infuse the mid-century modern furniture-filled dining room with a romantic feel.

"abc kitchens at The Emory uses color, texture, and form masterfully to create a space that's at once grand, warm, and enveloping," says Livingetc's Content Director Lucy Searle. "Leather, velvet, and boucle upholstery combines with furniture in both light and dark wood in a subtly layered environment that feels informal yet smart." She mentions the speakeasy-style glamorously atmospheric bar at the end of the room among the highlights of the location, along with with Jean-Georges Vongerichten's menu which, "varied and wonderful, also boasts plenty of simply stunning vegetarian options".

Plates London

320 Old St, London EC1V 9DR

If there's a place that can convert you to veganism, trust me, it's Plates London. And no, I am not just giving in to the allure of the restaurant's recently earned Michelin Star which, by the way, makes it the first plant-based eatery to win the prestigious accolade in the UK. I am only reporting on the unexpectedly familiar, heartwarming atmosphere I was met with during my recent visit to the Old Street hotspot — a first, positive impression that, I later found out, stems from the deeply personal story at the heart of Plates London as a whole. Set up by siblings Kirk and Keeley Haworth as a nomadic culinary platform in 2018, Plates London is chef Kirk's attempt at persevering in his gastronomic experimentation following his diagnosis of Lyme Disease. After being forced to readapt to a vegan diet because of the condition, the burgeoning talent turned to his passion for hyper-local, natural ingredients and commitment to sustainable food practices to prove how much can be achieved without relying on any dairy and meat products.

Driven by a desire to feel good, and feel good together, Plates London is the place where you will learn to enjoy seemingly 'ordinary' flavors (think mushrooms, rhubarb, beetroot, and puffed rice) like you've never done before, and to taste them to the full for the first time. Carefully assembled into striking presentations, and placed on organically shaped, beautiful ceramic serveware, these dishes want us to reconnect with our roots — whether that means learning how to appreciate nature's fruits in an unexpectedly indulgent way or taking the time to be close to our loved ones over an eight-course meal and multiple glasses of wine. The same is true of the tactile surfaces that distinguish its wood and upholstery interiors. Crafted by Design & That as a celebration of the "human touch", their bespoke sculptures, vessels, and lighting set the mood for the night, igniting the space with the character and warmth already crucial to Plates London's offering.

Lita Marylebone

7-9 Paddington St, London W1U 5QH

If, after reading about Lita Marylebone's newly achieved Michelin Star, you have been wondering whether or not this up-and-coming, spirited bistro is, in fact, one of the best restaurants in London, well ... it might be time for you to stop wondering and start believing. Inspired by the simplicity of ingredients of family-style Spanish cooking, as hinted at by the Mediterranean eatery's name (short for "Abuelita", or "grandmother"), budding restaurateur Daniel Koukarskikh, Irish Head Chef Luke Ahearne, and local studio B3 Designers have crafted a bistro of dreams in their atmospheric Marylebone location.

With dazzling interiors informed by traditional Spanish farmhouses and herringbone terracotta flooring obtained from reclaimed tiles sourced directly from multiple of them, Lita will make the balmy country feel closer than ever, whether in its characteristic, timeless decor or soulful food and drinks. Art plasters its sprawling dining room from start to finish, a dynamic kitchen island lets the cooking spectacle unfold before diners' eyes, while the low-rise, pink marble bar means you can, yes, finally eat at the counter without renouncing on comfort. The vibe is sophisticated yet cozy, the fish-based offerings simply sublime (I kicked it off with a dish of finely sliced Orkney scallops topped with lemon, followed by the Sicilian red prawn carpaccio, the smoky Bluefin tuna, dressed in juicy red peppers, zingy olive oil, and carpers, buttery langoustines, and a meaty, creamy monkfish) and if you are into desserts ... wait to see what's coming.

Sessions Arts Club

4th Floor, Farringdon, 24 Clerkenwell Grn, London EC1R 0NA

There are restaurants whose look alone is enough to tell a story, and Sessions Arts Club is certainly one of them. Housed within a 18th-century courthouse in Clerkenwell, this unusual food destination is one of London's most coveted: its soaring ceilings, striking chandeliers, and pastel-shaded decaying walls, Sessions Arts Club is somewhat of a rendezvous point for the members of the British capital's creative circles. The restaurant's one-of-a-kind, transitional style atmosphere is the fruit of a collaboration between founder Jonny Gent and multiple architectural and design firms, including Russell Potter, Sätila Studios' Ted and Oliver Grebelius, and SODA Studio. With surfaces resembling those of ancient Pompeian villas, dining here feels just as opulent, while also granting you the chance to catch live performances and art exhibitions all in one booking.

"At Sessions Arts Club, beauty aesthetic and culinary beauty converge," says Livingetc's Design Editor Aditi Sharma Maheshwari. "As a design enthusiast, I can't think of a better place to dine, in all of London." With a short, crisp, and well-curated menu encompassing the best of European delights, you can rest reassured your taste buds will rejoice. "I loved the hake, artichoke, and San Marzano, and the sea bream, nectarine, and fennel dishes the most," Aditi adds, both of which felt very fresh and well-balanced. The same is true of their robust wine selection, which spans regions across Europe, including a spotlight on wines from the Jura region.

zēphyr

100 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QD

There is something absolutely contagious about the interiors of this hip Notting Hill restaurant. Named after the Greek God of the West Wind, "a soft, gentle breeze", zēphyr breathes the pulse of Grecian culture and its tantalizing local flavors into West London's most famous neighborhood. Powered by narrative-led hospitality firm Pachamama Group, this eatery is the ideal hotspot to know for trendy friends gatherings and cozy dates alike. Standing out against the gentle palette of its rooms, bold lighting and wall art accents deliver balanced maximalism, embracing diners in a cocoon-like space constellated by whimsical sculptures and collectibles, mid-century modern furniture, and unexpected splashes of color.

Perfectly in sync with the vintage food extravaganza currently taking over Gen-Z's dining culture, zēphyr's online presence is just as aesthetically curated as its physical location: chargrilled meats, masterfully filleted fish, and choreographically presented seafood abound in its menu, as does the dose of design inspiration that comes courtesy of this gastronomic venue. "zēphyr strikes the ideal balance between casual and formal dining, offering a welcoming yet stylish interior with clean lines, bursts of color, and a warm, inviting atmosphere," says Livingetc's former Social Media Editor Bea Havers. "The mismatched retro crockery adds charm, while the fresh Greek fusion dishes bring back nostalgic memories for me. My must-eat picks are the truffle potato terrine, spicy feta, and saragli, though the real star has to be the tzatziki — hands down the best in London!"

Mount St. Restaurant

First Floor, 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX

Forget overly serious, formal eateries — at Mount St. Restaurant, it is all about playfulism. Rising on the first floor of the color-drenched landmark The Audley in the heart of Mayfair, this quirky food hotspot should be in every art and design lover's book. The brainchild of award-winning Parisian architectural firm Studio Laplace's Christophe Comoy and Luis Laplace, Mount St. Restaurant is a fantastical union of craftsmanship, culture, and hospitality, and it only takes a quick glance around to understand why. The mismatched frames of its art-filled walls reinterpret the eccentricity of old-style Paris bistros through a contemporary lens, while the masterpiece of artisanry that is American artist Rashid Johnson's palladiano mosaic Broken Floor evokes the exclusive entryway of Italy's 1970s palatial buildings. Its oddly shaped, candy red chairs and cherry leather seaters look straight out of a cartoon, adding to the venue's allure. Led by Executive Chef Jamie Shears, the kitchen transforms traditional London staples — think succulent Bacon chop, bubble & squeak, and fried duck egg or soul-nourishing Kedgeree — into an exploration of taste, texture, and shape, approaching cuisine as yet another art form. Comprising a dining room and four thematic areas imbued with the same uplifting aesthetic and available for private hire, Mount St. Restaurant conceals a surprise at every corner: head to the Games Room on the fourth floor to uncover an expansive hand-painted ceiling intervention by Anj Smith, or choose between the equally suggestive atmospheres of the Venetian-inspired Italian Room, the geometric Swiss Room, and the tartan-upholstered Scottish Room.

"On the second story of the building, the eatery gives you an elevated view of Mayfair's beautiful architecture through its oriel windows, but even the prettiest cityscape still plays second fiddle to what's happening inside," Livingetc's Hugh Metcalf tells me. "The spectacular mosaic floor is an unescapable detail that draws your eye across the dining room, punctuated, cleverly, with bold, red chairs that give this historic style a sudden turn into something that feels far more contemporary. After breakfast (a classical, unpretentiously presented affair, including an omelette my worldly breakfast guest said was the best he'd ever eaten), I took a stroll around the bar to take in the impressive art collection — it truly is a dining and gallery experience all in one."

HIDE

85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB

Let me put it straight: I have never seen a restaurant quite like HIDE before, and while its uniquely stylish interiors are definitely a plus, food is even better. Located steps away from Green Park in Mayfair, this Michelin starred, minimalist interior design three-story eatery turns seasonal British produce into sculpturally presented dishes which exalt nature's primal flavors, shades, and textures. With subtle Asian influences manifesting in its essential palette and wood tones, HIDE came into shape thanks to the joint creative expertise of Lusted Green, who oversaw the project's interior geometry and detailing; These White Walls, who charged the space with the warmth of the domestic; Atmos Studio, who envisioned its StairStalk winding staircase; and Rose Murray, the designer that translates the outdoors of the location into its wilderness-inspired culinary ecosystem.

"HIDE is a truly spectacular place," Livingetc's Renovation Editor Faiza Saqib tells me. "The first thing I noticed when entering was the magnificent interiors and the breathtaking, spiraling timber staircase by Atmos Studio." While the laminated oak creation was a masterpiece in itself, she explains that it didn't stop there, but that the food was exquisite. "After ordering the vegetarian set menu, my partner and I were surprised by the vast flavors that danced onto our tongues, and the flawless service that hurried to our table after each plate was wiped clean. It's an experience I'll forever have etched into my mind and one that I would highly recommend."

Kioku by Endo at The OWO

The OWO, 2 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD

One of the things I love most about trying food from all over the world is that, when the restaurant manages to recreate the culinary heritage and ambiance of a given country, it can feel even better than traveling there — and it is certainly much cheaper. Take for example Japanese Michelin-starred Chef, Culinary Director, and sushi master Endo Kazutoshi's recently opened Kioku by Endo, which is located on the rooftop of Whitehall's sumptuous 5-star The OWO. Conceived by London-based studio Pirajean Lees, its superbly furnished interiors are a manifestation of Kazutoshi's personal and gastronomic journey which merge the West with the East. Drawing from Japan and Spain, where the chef spent part of his professional life, the restaurant has storytelling at its heart: layering a warm tonal across natural oak, cork, leather, and linen, the team has crafted a powerful dining experience which celebrates the vibrancy of both cultural traditions.

Pairing Japanese and Mediterranean contemporary design with modern glamour references, Kioku by Endo brims with a light I have rarely found in any other London restaurant, largely thanks to its all-embracing windows. What's perhaps even more surprising is the perfected fusion of Eastern and Western ingredients that defines this panoramic restaurant: from green bean pesto, shiitake, and potato foam pasta to scallops, grilled radicchio, smoked lemon ponzu, and myoga. Get here early or round off your meal with a stop at its sake bar, located on The OWO's ground floor and boasting just-as-inspiring interiors.

Crispin at Studio Voltaire

1a Nelsons Row, London SW4 7JR

Sometimes less is more, and the team behind Crispin at Studio Voltaire knows that well. Few things can beat the instantly iconic look of an industrial location reinvented through 1980s-inspired cool metallics, retro wooden furniture, silver cutlery, and elegant candles — nailing simplicity is a matter of character, and Crispin has proved to have got personality to spare. Part of Clapham's not-for-profit art organization Studio Voltaire, this chic eatery was envisioned by burgeoning designer Jermaine Gallacher; the same name behind the bold interiors of the Instagram-famous Bar Crispin and Bistro Freddie, located in Soho and Shoreditch, respectively.

Head Chef Michael Miles gathers the artistic savoir faire exuded by the restaurant's premises into a moreish, reinvigorating menu straddling the best of contemporary European and British cuisine, and a just-as-exciting wine selection. Developed with the freshest ingredients, Crispin's culinary offerings change regularly, catering for a different experience year-round.

Booking Office 1869

Euston Rd., London NW1 2AR

I was lucky enough to stumble upon the monumental beauty of Booking Office 1869 while researching my interview with architect and product designer Hugo Toro, who oversaw its interiors, and I have since been obsessed with it. Housed within the former ticket office of St. Pancras, one of the most elegant stations in the world, this restaurant-cum-bar immediately transports guests to a parallel dimension. Informed by the location's original function, which saw it act "as a passport between London and the rest of Europe", the Booking Office 1869's renovation amplifies the weight of its heritage through plush furniture, marble tabletops, suffused accent lighting, and a color scheme fit for the set of a film. Among the elegantly juxtaposed layers of reds, browns, and creams defining the space, touches of sea-green revive the ambiance across upholstery and tilework in a setting exuding understated luxury.

As for the menu, it is a punchy explosion of flavors. Co-authored by Executive Chef Julien Maisonneuve and Head Chef Jack Hazell, the culinary offerings of the restaurant couldn't but have a retro twist to them: from sweet-and-sour canapes, puy lentil caviar, and a raw fish bar to quintessentially British roasted meats and festive Eton mess, at Booking Office 1869 you're in for a journey of the senses.

Claridge's

Brook St, London W1K 4HR

Words can't really do justice to the triumph of lavishness that is Claridge's. A London institution, the fine dining restaurant rises within the ultimate luxury British hotel of the same name, steps away from the characteristic Grosvenor Square. Here, quintessentially English food receives the gourmet treatment across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making every meal the perfect occasion to measure yourself with the enticing flavor experimentation of Culinary Director Simon Attridge. Traditional whole-wheat crumpets are finished off with black truffle, impressive seafood trays are served to encourage a convivial experience, while mouthwatering steaks and fish compete for showstopper status. From the stained glass ceiling to the mosaic flooring, and everything in between — rose-hued chandeliers and sconces, plump leather banquettes, jewel table lamps, and Calacatta Viola marble and antique brass finishes — "Claridge's restaurant is the last word in glamour," Livingetc's Content Director Lucy Searle tells me.

Designed by Bryan O'Sullivan Studio, it pays homage to the hotel's Art Deco design heritage, and does so exceptionally. "The mini horseshoe bar is my favorite place to start (and end) an evening," says Lucy, "and while the contemporary British menu is faultless, it is the grandeur of the space as a whole that keeps me coming back."

Readers who have enjoyed our deep dive into the latest culinary sensations of the British capital will likely be craving more. But where to go once you have given all of the best, trendy London restaurants a go? As the good season is finally on its way, you will be pleased to hear we have branched out of our local territory to curate a series of individually planned itineraries that will take you to discover rising creative destinations away from frenetic crowds. Want to get out this weekend? See what the best day trips from London for art and design lovers have in store for you — and turn your excursion into a weekend getaway with our picks of design-worthy cultural institutions, restaurants, and accommodations to know in the UK.