Where Chefs Eat in London

by Phaidon

Updated November 09, 2023

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

The Jugged Hare

4.3

4.3 (1439)

£26 to £40

British

Barbican

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Alexander Seadon

Dined on Nov 16, 2024

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

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Experience

Pre-theatre menu

The Drapers Arms

4.7

4.7 (1602)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Angel

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Mia

Dined 2 days ago

A delightful time, as always, at the Drapers Arms. This pub is an oasis for those seeking amazing food, thoughtful hospitality and a warm atmosphere to catch up with friends and family!

Benares

4.5

4.5 (6107)

£41 and over

Indian

Mayfair

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Sumant

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

The food was outstanding. The Samudri thali, my personal favorite, was a highlight, while the Peshawari kulcha was absolutely delicious and the Murg Makhni was quite good. However, the service could use some improvement and fine-tuning.

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4.7

4.7 (2089)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Soho

About the restaurant

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

Top review

OzlemVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Lovely atmosphere, attentive but not overbearing service

Cecconi's

4.6

4.6 (2991)

£26 to £40

Italian

Mayfair

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Tomasz

Dined 4 days ago

Good service, exvellent food and wonderful ambience

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4.8

4.8 (1964)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Sara

Dined 3 days ago

Great food, great service, good ambience. Not cheap but good value for quality of cooking

FKABAM

4.6

4.6 (67)

£41 and over

Fusion / Eclectic

Highbury/Islington

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Steve

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

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

som saa

4.6

4.6 (416)

£26 to £40

Thai

Shoreditch

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Emily

Dined on Oct 15, 2024

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

Goodman Mayfair

4.6

4.6 (2253)

£41 and over

Steak

Oxford Circus

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Sue

Dined on Sep 3, 2024

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

ROKA - Aldwych

4.4

4.4 (440)

£41 and over

Japanese

Aldwych

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Oade

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Ambience definitely makes a lovely location for a date night. Awesome and friendly staff

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Experience

Brunch with free-flowing wine

Experience

Lunch Set Menu

Experience

Dinner Set Menu & Sparkling Wine

Franks Canteen

4.9

4.9 (309)

£26 to £40

European

Highbury

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Lisa

Dined 2 days ago

My favourite, the daal was on the menu so I had to go. It was delicious and comforting as always and especially on a cold winter’s day.

Park Chinois

4.5

4.5 (756)

£41 and over

Chinese

Mayfair

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Mohammed

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

Best birthday celebration I had in my life! Great show and vibes.

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Experience

Lunch Menu

Experience

Cocktails & Dim Sum in Salon de Chine

Blacklock Soho

4.7

4.7 (5941)

£25 and under

Steak

Soho

About the restaurant

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

Top review

MarkandSteph

Dined today

Great atmosphere, wonderful food and friendly service. Will definitely be back.

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4.5

4.5 (3948)

£26 to £40

European

St. James's

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Yun-Tung

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Had a afternoon tea set and a cream tea set in here. Good service, you can refill your tea, sandwich and scones for free. The scone is very good with the spreads. They will also refill the cream and jam if you order a refill of scone. A bit pricey but comparing to the other afternoon tea venue is relatively reasonable.

The Duke of Sussex

4.5

4.5 (724)

£25 and under

Spanish

Chiswick

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Andrew

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

I’ve literally come home and had to pump my fist given they now finally have a 6/10 burger on the menu. It’s like Jesus has come.

Primeur

4.6

4.6 (1127)

£26 to £40

Farm-to-table

Stoke Newington

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Charlie

Dined 2 days ago

Never fails to satisfy! Personal highlights were the pumpkin, the cured bream and the monkfish 👌

Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (2731)

£41 and over

Seafood

Mayfair

About the restaurant

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

Top review

JaswinderVIP

Dined on Dec 19, 2024

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

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Experience

Best of Bentley's 3 Course Set Menu

Moro

4.6

4.6 (3458)

£41 and over

Mediterranean

Angel

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Mark

Dined 1 day ago

Good as always. Excellent food, perhaps too large portions. Ambience fine and prompt service without feeling we were being rushed.

Tandoor Chop House at Covent Garden

4.6

4.6 (2435)

£25 and under

Indian

Covent Garden

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Rupert

Dined 2 days ago

Love this restaurant. The food is excellent, the staff are great Go there and enjoy it

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4.5

4.5 (558)

£26 to £40

French

Islington

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Tamara

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Very nice restaurant Nice ambience Delicious food Good service

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Apéro Hour Experience

Ivy Market Grill

4.2

4.2 (18671)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Covent Garden

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Kesha

Dined 2 days ago

As I was going to theatre in the evening I booked a lunch took set menu - quite good value £20.00 Pretty busy

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4.6

4.6 (4471)

£26 to £40

British

Oxford Circus

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Natalie

Dined on Dec 24, 2024

I have many dietary restrictions. The waiters were so kind and the staff was very accommodating ! The food came out delicious and the overall scenery of the place is amazing !! Highly recommend!!

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Popular dish

Chateaubriand

Popular dish

Berner's Tavern Mac and Cheese (vg)

Experience

Three-course Early Berners

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

4.7

4.7 (999)

£41 and over

French

Mayfair

About the restaurant

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

Top review

FionaVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

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

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Experience

Valentine's Day Dinner

Jikoni

4.6

4.6 (577)

£41 and over

Asian

Marylebone

About the restaurant

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

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

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

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

4.7

4.7 (1954)

£25 and under

Unspecified

Chelsea

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Georgina

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

We had the Menu Prestige and it was absolutely delicious.

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Experience

Inspiration Table Experience

Restaurant Story London

4.8

4.8 (1081)

£41 and over

British

London Bridge

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Robert

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

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

The Ninth

4.7

4.7 (479)

£41 and over

Mediterranean

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

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

Top review

KevinVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Perfect. Set price lunch. Best meal we’ve had in London.

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Experience

Chef's Choice Menu Six Courses

Ristorante Frescobaldi London

4.6

4.6 (626)

£41 and over

Italian

Mayfair

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Suzanne

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Well, it’s almost Christmas so I don’t know how it will look the rest of the year but right now the ambiance is perfect, the decor is stunning, and the service was impeccable.

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Experience

2 Courses Lunch Menu

Experience

3 Courses Dinner Menu inc. a glass of prosecco

Fischers

4.6

4.6 (703)

£26 to £40

Austrian

Marylebone

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Shaun Hill from The Walnut Tree

Top review

FergusVIP

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

A wonderful restaurant,great food,ambiance & service. We shared a twice baked soufflé as a starter which was perfect followed by two perfect Wienerschnitzel,and then shared a very good apple strudel. The ambiance was very good as was the service and the bill very reasonable. Well done,firing on all cylinders. We will be back!

The Winter Garden

4.7

4.7 (1770)

£41 and over

Modern European

Marylebone

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Lori Granito from Magnolia

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Enjoyed, food was great beautiful decor. Staff gave my son a cake for his birthday.

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Experience

Three -course seasonal dinner menu

Experience

Three -course seasonal lunch menu

The Morgan Arms

4.2

4.2 (694)

£25 and under

British

Mile End

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Ben Tish from Restaurant Norma

Top review

Emrah

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Cosy, tasty, lovely ambience and friendly kind service

OPSO

4.8

4.8 (1523)

£41 and over

Greek

Marylebone

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Michael Reid from Restaurant M

Top review

Layan

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Staff food and service was amazing. One of the best restaurants to have breakfast in London

ROKA - Canary Wharf

4.5

4.5 (642)

£41 and over

Japanese

Canary Wharf

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Mark Sargeant from Rocksalt

Top review

Funmi

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Great ambience, friendly customer service and delicious food. We were there for lunch and shared a combination of the Classic & Premium menus. What's not to love.

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4.4

4.4 (2421)

£41 and over

Peruvian

Soho

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Angie

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

We loved the food. Service was excellent. Definitely worth returning to.

ROKA - Charlotte Street

4.5

4.5 (263)

£41 and over

Japanese

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Amrita

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Not so good for value . Cod was amazing but at least 1 side dish should have been included in the Prenium menu and desserts we had to pay although half price .

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Experience

Lunch, Pre & Post Theatre Menu

Experience

3 Course Set Menu + Complimentary Cocktail

Experience

Brunch with free-flowing wine