Paris and New York may have something to say about it, but London is arguably the fine-dining capital of the world. However, there is fine dining, then there’s Fine Dining, the kind associated with High Society. This is the very best food cooked by the very best chefs in the very best restaurants that London has to offer.
The names of some restaurants in London have become synonymous with culinary excellence – they’re household names, and not just in houses big enough to have their own postcode. These names are instantly associated with High Society Fine Dining. There’s an inherent exclusivity meaning the restaurant’s customers belong to an elite club – not just anyone can book a table there.
London’s rich vein of influences and world-class chefs have taken the city into the gastronomic stratosphere. When it comes to describing the restaurants that belong in this bracket, ‘Fancy’ doesn’t cut it; appropriately, ‘crème de la crème’ is a lot nearer the mark. In a landscape of culinary diversity, they are renowned by name and reputation usually with awards to back up the years of excellence, most notably the allowed Michelin stars that separate the very good from the very best. Here's a small taster to whet your appetite.
The Ledbury, Notting Hill
Starting at the very top, The Ledbury was awarded three Michelin stars earlier in 2024 becoming one of only six London restaurants to hold the most prestigious culinary award. Innovative cooking in a modern atmosphere under the command of chef, Brett Graham, The Ledbury has been the starting point for the successful careers of many chefs in the capital. Renowned for its ever-changing menu, the exquisite taste and composition of the dishes, along with superb service, make The Ledbury a notable choice for a memorable dining experience.
Claude Bosi at Bibendum, Chelsea
Stunning haute cuisine in a stunning setting, simple as. It’s no surprise the restaurant regularly features on lists of the city’s most attractive dining rooms, with stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings. Claude Bosi at Bibendum offers solid French cooking with a modern twist. The restaurant is known for its use of simple ingredients that carry a modern French sparkle, under the guidance of renowned chef Claude Bosi himself. Patrons can enjoy a variety of experiences, from lunch or dinner at the ground floor Oyster Bar to an opulent dining experience at the supremely elegant restaurant.
Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill
A ‘rustic-chic’ setting with a homely atmosphere, Core by Clare Smyth is a fine dining restaurant in Notting Hill, renowned for a menu that showcases the best of British produce in its dishes, such as a simple Charlotte potato topped with roe. The establishment is led by Chef Clare – once part of Gordon Ramsey’s multi-Michelin Star winning team. Customers come back to Core for its amazing hospitality, comfortable dining room, and the staff’s dedication to providing great service. A nice touch is that a group booking of 10 can sit together at the ‘Chef’s Table’ for unparalleled views of Smyth’s open kitchen.
The Ritz, Mayfair
Needing little introduction, The Ritz Restaurant is a Michelin-starred establishment known for its elegant classics and old-school French cooking. Definitely a trip back in time, it offers a stunning dining room and a menu that combines traditional cooking with beautiful modern touches. With live music performances and a focus on providing a memorable experience, the Ritz Restaurant is a perfect destination for those seeking a timeless dining experience. Synonymous with chic and elegance, table presentation and service reflect the sophisticated style that Hollywood fell in love with, back in the days of Fred Astaire.
Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsey, The Savoy, Westminster
There had to be at least one celebrity chef restaurant on this sample list and the stunning 1890 run by Gordon Ramsay’s team is deservedly the one. Michelin starred – of course – it blends French fine-dining with smooth service in a gilded dining room at the heart of the iconic Savoy Hotel. The ‘1890’ is a tribute to chef and restaurateur Georges Auguste Escoffier, who took the helm of the hotel’s kitchen that year. But nowadays, head chef James Sharp combines seasonal ingredients with classical techniques. The results are a gorgeous celebration of food with no compromise, as you’d expect from any establishment bearing Ramsey’s name.
Locanda Locatelli, Marylebone
Widely regarded as probably the very best Italian restaurant in London, and renowned for the creativity of its dishes and conviviality of its atmosphere, just two of the reasons why Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli’s restaurant has retained its Michelin star every year since it was first awarded in 2003. In fact, the restaurant’s ethos is based on “la convivialità”, meaning the place has a beautiful family-friendly vibe. It retained its pure Italian identity throughout its existence with a traditional yet delicious antipasti menu and a reputation for the best fresh pasta dishes in town, topped with exquisite seasonal sauces. Each dish is a masterclass in precision. And if pizza is on the menu, it’ll undoubtedly be the best pizza you’ve ever tasted.
These are just six of the London restaurants that could justifiably claim to be the very best that the city has to offer in fine dining. But the choice is much, much wider from West African excellence at Ikoyi, to Pacific West Coast cuisine at Sola Soho, and from Chinese creativity at Hakkasan to Indian innovation at Beneres, not to mention Hotel restaurants like Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester and Alex Dilling at the Café Royal. It’s clear that when it comes to serving the culinary needs of London’s High Society, surroundings, history and reputation are just as important as the exquisite food that’s served up. And obviously, the bigger the bill, the higher the standards demanded.
