Restaurant

1. St. JOHN Smithfield

Modern British, nose-to-tail$$$Smithfield

Fergus Henderson's influential Smithfield restaurant, founded in 1994 and known for nose-to-tail British cooking from a daily changing menu.

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Restaurant

2. Dishoom Covent Garden

Bombay café$$Covent Garden

The original Dishoom, a Bombay-style café in Covent Garden serving breakfast, small plates, grills and curries from morning until late.

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Restaurant

3. Rules

Traditional British, game$$$Covent Garden

Founded by Thomas Rule in 1798, this Covent Garden institution serves traditional British dishes and is especially known for its game.

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Restaurant

4. The Ledbury

Modern fine dining$$$$Notting Hill

Brett Graham's Notting Hill restaurant, holding three Michelin stars in the 2026 guide for refined, produce-led modern cooking.

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Restaurant

5. Gymkhana

Indian$$$$Mayfair

A Mayfair Indian restaurant inspired by colonial-era gymkhana clubs, holding two Michelin stars in the 2026 guide.

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Restaurant

6. The Wolseley

All-day European café-restaurant$$$Mayfair

A grand all-day café-restaurant on Piccadilly, housed in a 1920s former car showroom and serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

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Restaurant

7. Barrafina Dean Street

Spanish tapas counter$$$Soho

A Soho counter-dining tapas bar serving Spanish small plates, run on a walk-in-only basis with a heated terrace and standing bar.

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Restaurant

8. Kiln

Thai grill$$Soho

A small Soho Thai restaurant cooking over charcoal and in clay pots, with counter seating and dishes built on seasonal British produce.

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Restaurant

9. The Quality Chop House

Modern British$$$Farringdon

A Farringdon dining room established in 1869, now serving contemporary British cooking that reflects its history as a working men's chop house.

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Restaurant

10. Padella Borough Market

Fresh pasta$Southwark

A busy pasta bar on the edge of Borough Market serving short menus of fresh, hand-rolled pasta at accessible prices, with no reservations.

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Restaurant

11. Poppies Spitalfields

Fish and chips$Spitalfields

An East End fish and chip restaurant off Brick Lane, part of a small London group whose story dates back to 1952.

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Restaurant

12. M. Manze Tower Bridge Road

Pie and mash$Bermondsey

A family-run pie and mash shop in Bermondsey, trading under the Manze name since 1902 and serving pies, mash, liquor and eels.

View details — M. Manze Tower Bridge Road