Established in 1926 by the Michelin tire company, the Michelin Star award started as a basic rating system and restaurant guide for travellers. In its initial stages, the award consisted of just one star which indicated a ‘very good restaurant’ but expanded within the decade to become the renowned 3-star system used today. Each star carries no small amount of prestige, with one star signifying a ‘high-quality’ restaurant, two indicating ‘exceptional cooking worth a detour’ and three stars reflecting an establishment with ‘exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.’ For restaurant owners and skilled chefs alike, the Michelin Star is the very peak of culinary success as it stands for excellence, creativity and unique recognition amongst the restaurants in the global dining world.
As a global culinary hub, it is no surprise that London is home to a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants. There is an impressive array of food options across the 60 Michelin-starred establishments in the city, a unique blend of traditional cuisine and international flavour is on offer, leaving visitors undoubtedly spoilt for choice. From Gordon Ramsay to Hélène Darroze, the London fine dining scene has and continues to be elevated by renowned chefs hailing from all over the world who infuse the restaurants of London with their boundless creativity and undeniable quality.
Given the wide variety of Michelin-starred restaurants in London, there is bound to be something that caters to even the most distinguished palate. This guide will highlight five of the best establishments to choose from for your next fine dining experience in London.
Petrus, Knightsbridge
This fine dining restaurant is one of acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay’s Michelin-starred London establishments. Petrus is known for its elegance and its high-quality service as well as its modern European inspired cuisine. It is a circular restaurant centred around a beautiful glass-cased wine cellar which creates an intimate ambiance, making it the perfect date night venue. There are several menus including a separate lunch selection and two inventive tasting menus filled with British-inspired dishes. The Prestige menu is a favourite as it offers wine pairings alongside a delicious seven-course meal. Some highlights include a fresh tomato consommé followed by a rich tomato and basil tart topped with creamy burrata. The Herdwick lamb served with an earthy pea garnish is another favourite, especially when it is immediately followed by the sweet raspberry sorbet or an indulgent chocolate and hazelnut plaisir sucre. There is even the option to go all out for a special occasion and book the chef’s table downstairs which can accommodate up to 8 guests.
Evelyn’s Table, Soho
With a tasteful and intimate interior below the Blue Posts pub in the centre of London, Evelyn’s Table is a humble-looking establishment from the outside, in direct contrast to the bright colours in the surrounding Chinatown. The restaurant has a friendly, cheerful feel that is only compounded by head chef James Goodyear who often goes out of his way to personally welcome guests and invite them to choose their drinks. The resident sommeliers are approachable and intelligent, giving invaluable insight into drink pairings and styles. The artistic presentation of the dishes almost overshadows the taste, from the Ike Jime trout served with woodsy smoked pine and turnips to the Iberico pork and accompanying colourful winter vegetables and elegant pumpkin seed miso. Head chef Goodyear has a reputation for keeping guests on the edge of their seats with surprising, delicious off-menu additions like a nuanced malt sourdough and unique beet trifle. The team at Evelyn’s Table are a well-oiled machine making an evening in this establishment seamless and enjoyable.
Ikoyi, The Strand
Ikoyi’s debut location at St James’s Market managed to build a fairly solid reputation and after opening another much larger restaurant in Temple, that reputation has only grown. The restaurant uses an earthy copper and pale-yellow colour scheme embellished with eye-catching elements such as steel mesh ceilings and recessed lights. It all culminates in a refreshingly modern atmosphere that is also reflected in Ikoyi’s menus. The dishes on offer change with seasonality to reflect the availability of local produce so as to serve them only when they are in their ripest form. The experience and technique of chef Jeremy Chan is woven beautifully into the menu offerings, like the popular plantain garnished with roasted peanut and infused with an African-inspired efo seasoning combination. Due to staggering demand, reservations open two months in advance so booking a table at this coveted spot is essential.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
Located at The Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, this three Michelin-starred restaurant is headed by renowned chef Hélène Darroze. The wood-panelled dining suite is indicative of formality but the service team are bright and friendly as they take you on a flavour journey along the path of Hélène’s travels. Some of the ingredients used in the popular dishes are from all over the world. The French chicken is reminiscent of her hometown Les Landes and the succulent Scottish salmon dish is no doubt inspired by her time on the Isle of Mull. With delicious dessert offerings and an array of wines aged by Hélène’s own brother, this restaurant at The Connaught provides an excellent quality dining experience sprinkled with an all-important personal touch.
Kol, Marylebone
Santiago Lastra’s Marylebone investment was one of the most anticipated openings of 2020. Lastra, who is hailed as treading a never-seen-before culinary path, aims to introduce London to real Mexican cooking with a beautiful fusion of Mexican techniques and British ingredients. His latest project is a terracotta-toned trip to Mexico, loaded with a variety of different textures, tastes and heat through Lastra’s expert use of chilli peppers. A warming seaweed and chilli broth is served first and is joined by a pistachio dip and homemade corn chips. Next is a Latin American cured fish dish known as ceviche that is made with kohlrabi, also known as the German turnip, and spiced with a peanut-inspired chilli sauce. With a holistically ecological and ethical wine list full of European favourites and a cultured list of mezcal and agave spirits, it is unsurprising that Kol managed to win its first Michelin star in 2022.
The iconic Michelin star award is one of the highest honours for a restaurant, and London is in the top ten world cities when it comes to establishments boasting this honour. There is no shortage of world-class dining experiences to choose from, regardless of what cuisine you are craving. Nestled in the streets of England’s capital there will be the perfect Michelin-starred restaurant for you.
