The TOP 10 Restaurants in London

What is it? The Dover is a restaurant at 33 Dover St, located a short ten-minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts and Green Park. It holds the cocktail list of the year award from the 2024 National Restaurant Awards and serves a blend of contemporary, modern, and classic cuisines.

Why we love it? The Dover balances the intensity of its award-winning cocktail program with a sophisticated, fine-dining environment. It offers a rare, polished alternative to the high-street bustle of nearby Bond Street, justifying its position as an expensive but refined destination for those seeking a quiet, romantic space.

Good to Know: The Dover maintains a smart and elegant dress code, so save the sneakers for your walk back toward the Bond Street shops.

What is it? Sexy Fish sits in Berkeley Square House on Berkeley Square. It functions as a fine dining destination focused on Japanese cuisine, sushi, and seafood.

Why we love it: This is a high-cost environment where the sushi and seafood are served with a sense of theatre that matches the scale of the room. It separates itself from other Berkeley Square spots by leaning heavily into a luxury aesthetic that feels curated for the sheer volume of its 5,087 guest reviews.

Good to know: Because the house dress code is strictly smart and elegant, leave the casual wear at your hotel before heading to your table for a Japanese-inspired seafood dinner.

What is it? Doppo sits at 33 Dean Street, a six-minute walk from the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus. It serves contemporary Italian cuisine and holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award.

Why we love it: While many restaurants in this part of Soho lean on high-turnover crowds, Doppo prioritizes a curated cellar, as evidenced by its win for best value wine list at The World’s Best Wine List Awards. The dining room balances fine dining expectations with a price point that remains accessible, keeping the 4.91 guest rating consistently high among diners.

Good to Know: The terrace at Doppo offers an open-air setting for those looking to maintain the smart and elegant dress code while dining in the heart of London.

What is it? Dorian sits at 105–107 Talbot Road, a ten-minute walk from the Portobello Road Market. This contemporary restaurant holds a Michelin star and ranks no. 26 on the list of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants.

Why we love it: It earns its place as the no. 20 restaurant in the UK National Restaurant Awards by pairing a high-end, creative menu with a room that feels intentionally intimate. While many Notting Hill establishments chase volume, Dorian prioritizes a fine dining standard that justifies its expensive price tier.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s modern, creative approach to contemporary cuisine means the menu shifts frequently, so prioritize a table on the terrace if the weather permits for a view of the street.

What is it? Wagtail Rooftop sits at 68 King William St, a short walk from St. Paul’s Cathedral and less than ten minutes by foot from the Tower of London. This venue combines a restaurant and bar with a terrace overlooking the city, maintaining a rating of 4.80 across over 1,300 guest reviews.

Why we love it: It manages the high-priced nature of its district without feeling like a tourist trap, thanks to a focused approach to modern international grills. While many nearby venues rely on proximity to Tower Bridge to draw a crowd, this terrace offers a controlled, elevated vantage point that feels intentional rather than accidental.

Good to Know: Wagtail Rooftop enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so trade the sneakers for something sharper to match the terrace crowd.

What is it? Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay is a Michelin-starred Japanese and Asian fusion restaurant located at 10 Grosvenor Sq in London. It sits a six-minute walk from Bond Street and is within ten minutes of both The Wallace Collection and Selfridges.

Why we love it: This is a high-end choice that balances its luxury setting with technical rigor, evidenced by its 2024 recognition as a regional winner in The World’s Best Wine List Awards for its curated selection of under 200 bottles. While many restaurants in the area lean into standard fine dining, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay separates itself through its specific focus on Japanese and Asian fusion, catering to an audience that prioritizes wine pedigree alongside a sophisticated meal.

Good to Know: Diners adhering to the smart and elegant dress code should prioritize sharp tailoring, as the room matches the precision of the Japanese-influenced menu.

What is it? Hakkasan sits at 17 Bruton St, a ten-minute walk from the Burlington Arcade. This fine dining restaurant holds a Michelin star and specializes in modern Asian and Chinese cuisine.

Why we love it: Hakkasan commands its price point by pairing the technical rigor of a Michelin-starred kitchen with a high-energy atmosphere that many competitors in this tier lack. While most of the city’s luxury establishments lean into stiff formality, the restaurant maintains a sharp, club-like pace that feels consistent across its near-4,000 reviews.

Good to Know: The Hakkasan dress code requires a smart and elegant look, so skip the trainers to match the standard set by the nearby Royal Academy of Arts crowd.

What is it? Bardo St James is a fine dining restaurant located at 4 Suffolk Pl. It sits a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus and is within easy reach of Trafalgar Square and St. James’s Park.

Why we love it: It manages to secure a 4.79 rating from over 500 reviews by balancing a contemporary approach to Italian cuisine with a formal, luxury-focused setting. The space prioritizes a romantic atmosphere that feels distinct from the surrounding thoroughfares of central London.

Good to Know: The menu at Bardo St James leans into high-end Italian and fusion flavors, so reserve a table on the terrace if you prefer to dine with an outdoor aesthetic while maintaining the restaurant's required smart and elegant dress code.

What is it? Gymkhana is a restaurant on Albemarle St, positioned a short walk from both the Ritz London and Bond Street. It holds two Michelin stars and ranks in the top 100 of the National Restaurant Awards.

Why we love it: This venue distinguishes itself through a rigorous approach to classic, fusion, and Indian fine dining. The restaurant maintains a high level of consistency, reflected in a 4.71 rating from over 2,800 guests, making it a reliable destination for high-end dining in the area.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Gymkhana requires a refined approach to your wardrobe that matches the intensity of their luxury Indian menu.

What is it? Chiltern Firehouse is a fine dining restaurant at 1 Chiltern St. It sits a ten-minute walk from the Wallace Collection and Bond Street, and is about a twelve-minute walk from Selfridges.

Why we love it: This venue distinguishes itself by bridging South American, seafood, and contemporary cuisines within a space that leans heavily on luxury. With a guest rating of 4.63 from over 2,400 reviews, it maintains a reputation that justifies its high price tier for those seeking a formal, upscale environment.

Good to Know: The dress code at Chiltern Firehouse is smart and elegant, so reserve the terrace for a view that suits the formal tailoring required to dine here.