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Best Restaurants in London (2026)

London's restaurant scene ranges from historic institutions to some of the most celebrated kitchens in Europe, and you can eat well at almost any budget. For British food, Rules in Covent Garden has served game and pies since 1798, St. JOHN in Smithfield helped revive nose-to-tail cooking, and The Quality Chop House in Farringdon serves modern British dishes in a Victorian dining room. Traditional working-class classics survive too, from pie and mash at M. Manze in Bermondsey to fish and chips at Poppies off Brick Lane.

The city's global influences are just as important. Dishoom brings the Irani cafés of Bombay to Covent Garden, Gymkhana in Mayfair holds two Michelin stars for refined Indian cooking, Kiln in Soho grills northern Thai dishes over charcoal and Barrafina serves Spanish tapas at the counter. For a special occasion, The Ledbury in Notting Hill holds three Michelin stars, while The Wolseley on Piccadilly suits a grand breakfast or afternoon tea. Booking ahead is essential at fine dining restaurants, but several popular places, including Padella at Borough Market, Barrafina Dean Street and Kiln, work on a walk-in or virtual queue basis, so arriving early is the best strategy.

12 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 restaurants in London

  1. St. JOHN Smithfield Modern British, nose-to-tail, SmithfieldFergus Henderson's influential Smithfield restaurant, founded in 1994 and known for nose-to-tail British cooking from a daily changing menu.
  2. Dishoom Covent Garden Bombay café, Covent GardenThe original Dishoom, a Bombay-style café in Covent Garden serving breakfast, small plates, grills and curries from morning until late.
  3. Rules Traditional British, game, Covent GardenFounded by Thomas Rule in 1798, this Covent Garden institution serves traditional British dishes and is especially known for its game.

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.

View details — Rules

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.

View details — The Ledbury

Restaurant

5. Gymkhana

Indian$$$$Mayfair

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

View details — Gymkhana

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.

View details — The Wolseley

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.

View details — Kiln