Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Restaurant list

London Chefs' Guide to Restaurants

A photo of Red logo
by OpenTable
Updated November 09, 2023
London has some of the best restaurants around, thanks to the world-class chefs running the kitchens and creating culinary masterpieces across the capital. But where do the city’s best chefs dine when they're not the ones cooking up a storm? In an exclusive Chef’s Guide video series, OpenTable speaks to 6 top London chefs on their local restaurant recommendations across London. Who made the list? Scroll down to find out!
Pataka
4.4 (108)
£26 to £40
Contemporary Indian
Soho
Selected by Lawrence Gomez. In Hindi, Pataka means firework, and you can expect an explosion of flavours in this contemporary Indian restaurant with dishes like slow-roasted butter chicken and naans from the naan bar.
Top review
TaraH
Dined on Feb 9, 2023
The best Indian food I have had in a long time. So inventive and tasty
Selected by Lawrence Gomez. In Hindi, Pataka means firework, and you can expect an explosion of flavours in this contemporary Indian restaurant with dishes like slow-roasted butter chicken and naans from the naan bar.
Top review
TaraH
Dined on Feb 9, 2023
The best Indian food I have had in a long time. So inventive and tasty
Green Bar at Hotel Cafe Royal
4.6 (112)
£26 to £40
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Piccadilly
Selected by Lawrence Gomez. Inspired by the Café Royal Cocktail Book compiled in 1937, Green Bar is a bustling cocktail bar serving botanicals and tonics along with classic cocktails, such as margaritas.
Top review
JimYVIP
Dined on Feb 14, 2023
Love this place. Wonderful atmosphere. Quiet with some ambient music
Selected by Lawrence Gomez. Inspired by the Café Royal Cocktail Book compiled in 1937, Green Bar is a bustling cocktail bar serving botanicals and tonics along with classic cocktails, such as margaritas.
Top review
JimYVIP
Dined on Feb 14, 2023
Love this place. Wonderful atmosphere. Quiet with some ambient music
Meraki Restaurant
4.5 (181)
£41 and over
Greek
Fitzrovia
Selected by Monica Galetti. Inspired by the Aegean islands, Meraki serves Greek dishes, including hot meze. The word 'Meraki' translates to fulfilling a vision with unwavering devotion and zeal.
Top review
KunitaVIP
Dined on Jan 7, 2025
Great location, service and food.
Selected by Monica Galetti. Inspired by the Aegean islands, Meraki serves Greek dishes, including hot meze. The word 'Meraki' translates to fulfilling a vision with unwavering devotion and zeal.
Top review
KunitaVIP
Dined on Jan 7, 2025
Great location, service and food.
SOLA SOHO
4.6 (534)
£41 and over
Californian
Soho
Selected by Alexis Gauthier. Take a trip to California without leaving Soho and book a table at SOLA, where Soho meets Los Angeles and offers a high-end tasting menu with cheesesteak and Kindai bluefin, Japan’s rarest tuna.
Top review
JimVIP
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Staff were absolutely amazing. Thank you for accommodating our menu changes at the last minute
Selected by Alexis Gauthier. Take a trip to California without leaving Soho and book a table at SOLA, where Soho meets Los Angeles and offers a high-end tasting menu with cheesesteak and Kindai bluefin, Japan’s rarest tuna.
Top review
JimVIP
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Staff were absolutely amazing. Thank you for accommodating our menu changes at the last minute
Yauatcha Soho
4.5 (6800)
£26 to £40
Chinese
Soho
Selected by Alexis Gauthier. Yauatcha Soho sets the tone with its modern interpretation of old Chinese teahouses. Stop by for all-day dim-sum and a wide variety of vegan dishes.
Top review
Amita
Dined on May 18, 2025
Amazing evening with fantastic food, lovely friendly staff, great ambience. We had a fantastic evening
Selected by Alexis Gauthier. Yauatcha Soho sets the tone with its modern interpretation of old Chinese teahouses. Stop by for all-day dim-sum and a wide variety of vegan dishes.
Top review
Amita
Dined on May 18, 2025
Amazing evening with fantastic food, lovely friendly staff, great ambience. We had a fantastic evening
Café Murano - St James
4.3 (1700)
£26 to £40
Italian
St. James's

Selected by Sally Abé. If you're after handmade pasta, Cafe Murano is the place. Expect excellent cooking with a regional focus and modern takes on timeless Italian dishes.

Top review
Anthony
Dined on Mar 2, 2025
Amazing Sunday roast and lovely staff, look forward to returning!

Selected by Sally Abé. If you're after handmade pasta, Cafe Murano is the place. Expect excellent cooking with a regional focus and modern takes on timeless Italian dishes.

Top review
Anthony
Dined on Mar 2, 2025
Amazing Sunday roast and lovely staff, look forward to returning!
Cinnamon Bazaar - Covent Garden
4.5 (3632)
£25 and under
Contemporary Indian
Covent Garden
Selected by Adam Handling. Full of colour and vibrancy, Cinnamon Bazaar offers a happy and uplifting vibe and features dishes inspired by Indian heritage mixed with urban London.
Top review
Natalie
Dined 3 days ago
Lovely pre theatre menu with good vegetarian options. Staff were really helpful and friendly dealing with our slightly disorganised and large group. Great food and cocktails.
Selected by Adam Handling. Full of colour and vibrancy, Cinnamon Bazaar offers a happy and uplifting vibe and features dishes inspired by Indian heritage mixed with urban London.
Top review
Natalie
Dined 3 days ago
Lovely pre theatre menu with good vegetarian options. Staff were really helpful and friendly dealing with our slightly disorganised and large group. Great food and cocktails.
Margot Restaurant - Covent Garden
4.6 (2805)
£26 to £40
Italian
Covent Garden
Selected by Adam Handling. Margot celebrates the glamour and charm of Italian design, offering elegant Italian dishes and 300-plus wines to sample.
Top review
Ginny
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Took my friend for a birthday treat . Great food and service. Nice touch at the end for her birthday!
Selected by Adam Handling. Margot celebrates the glamour and charm of Italian design, offering elegant Italian dishes and 300-plus wines to sample.
Top review
Ginny
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Took my friend for a birthday treat . Great food and service. Nice touch at the end for her birthday!
Chourangi
4.6 (699)
£26 to £40
Indian
Marylebone
Selected by Sameer Taneja. Taste flavours of India at Chourangi, which is just a stone's throw away from Marble Arch. The menu features contemporary takes on dishes eaten in Calcutta, with options including laal murgi kebab and bhapa hilsa, Calcutta's queen of fish.
Top review
Matthew
Dined on May 26, 2025
Lovely family meal after visiting Coco Museum just around the corner. Loved the variety of the food ... good to have a different menu to many Indian restaurants.
Selected by Sameer Taneja. Taste flavours of India at Chourangi, which is just a stone's throw away from Marble Arch. The menu features contemporary takes on dishes eaten in Calcutta, with options including laal murgi kebab and bhapa hilsa, Calcutta's queen of fish.
Top review
Matthew
Dined on May 26, 2025
Lovely family meal after visiting Coco Museum just around the corner. Loved the variety of the food ... good to have a different menu to many Indian restaurants.
123V
£25 and under
Vegan
Oxford Circus
Selected by Sameer Taneja. 123V is a 100% plant-based restaurant from chef Alexis Gauthier where you grab a vegan burger or order sushi and salads. Find it at Fenwick of Bond St.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Absolutely fantastic! Food is great and service outstanding. Thanks
Selected by Sameer Taneja. 123V is a 100% plant-based restaurant from chef Alexis Gauthier where you grab a vegan burger or order sushi and salads. Find it at Fenwick of Bond St.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Absolutely fantastic! Food is great and service outstanding. Thanks

More lists for you

Explore other cities and regions
A photo of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
A photo of Washington, D.C. Area
Washington, D.C. Area
A photo of Detroit / Eastern Michigan
Detroit / Eastern Michigan
A photo of El Paso
El Paso
A photo of Scranton / Poconos
Scranton / Poconos
A photo of Atlanta
Atlanta
A photo of Indiana
Indiana
A photo of Los Angeles
Los Angeles
A photo of Mississippi
Mississippi
A photo of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
A photo of Baton Rouge / Lafayette
Baton Rouge / Lafayette
A photo of Denver / Colorado
Denver / Colorado
Other ways to experience the world through dining
Must Try Korean Dishes The GreatsExplore Asian-Owned and -Operated RestaurantsExplore Award-Winning Restaurants on OpenTable The Best Bars on OpenTableTKTKThe Best Restaurants for Breakfast on OpenTableThe Best Brunch RestaurantsThe Best Burgersbest cafe in town
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo