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Restaurant list

The Top Bars for Foodies in London

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by The OpenTable Team
Updated 09 November 2023
Whether you're looking for casual, post-work drinks with friends or a rooftop dinner and cocktails, London is a city that won’t disappoint. From Southbank bars to Mayfair pubs, all the way to the rooftop bars in Shoreditch on the fringes of the East End, there are hundreds of eating and drinking establishments to suit every taste. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemaker List. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Whether you’re an alcohol aficionado or just like a glass of wine with dinner, we've tracked down the greatest pubs, trendy hotspots, and everything in between. Impress your friends and family and score a spot; we wish we could join you.
som saa
4.7 (414)
£26 to £40
Thai
Shoreditch
The chefs at Som Saa serve up classic Thai food with a modern twist in an artfully remodeled building that was once a fabric warehouse. You can dine at a table or booth, or enjoy a range of snacks and drinks at one of the most refined cocktail bars London has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a quality green curry or something rather more exotic (shan-style custard with candied lotus seeds, anyone?), Som Saa has you covered.
Top review
Emily
Dined on 15 Oct 2024
Warm welcome, 4 of us for lunch. There was a la carte and a set menu to choose from, but the set menu is only provided for the whole table. Luckily, the dishes on the set menu today were cashew nuts with chilli and lime leaves, a beautiful, crunchy salad, duck curry, excellent mixed vegetables in garlic and oyster sauce, plus sticky and jasmine rice. We paid a supplement for a whole sea bass, fried. Dessert was also included.
The chefs at Som Saa serve up classic Thai food with a modern twist in an artfully remodeled building that was once a fabric warehouse. You can dine at a table or booth, or enjoy a range of snacks and drinks at one of the most refined cocktail bars London has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a quality green curry or something rather more exotic (shan-style custard with candied lotus seeds, anyone?), Som Saa has you covered.
Top review
Emily
Dined on 15 Oct 2024
Warm welcome, 4 of us for lunch. There was a la carte and a set menu to choose from, but the set menu is only provided for the whole table. Luckily, the dishes on the set menu today were cashew nuts with chilli and lime leaves, a beautiful, crunchy salad, duck curry, excellent mixed vegetables in garlic and oyster sauce, plus sticky and jasmine rice. We paid a supplement for a whole sea bass, fried. Dessert was also included.
Hakkasan Mayfair
4.6 (7868)
£41 and over
Chinese
Mayfair
Hakkasan opened this second restaurant in London in 2010, and it soon garnered a Michelin star of its own. The huge new venue recreates the traditional decor of the original, but it incorporates a large, lively bar area. If you’ve visited one Hakkasan and loved it, make sure to stop by here too, since the menu features a number of dishes unique to Mayfair, not least of which is the stunning sliced blue abalone.
Top review
Count AlexeiVIP
Dined 3 days ago
The place doesn’t have the same wonderful vibe or the original. Service was excellent. But way way overpriced
Hakkasan opened this second restaurant in London in 2010, and it soon garnered a Michelin star of its own. The huge new venue recreates the traditional decor of the original, but it incorporates a large, lively bar area. If you’ve visited one Hakkasan and loved it, make sure to stop by here too, since the menu features a number of dishes unique to Mayfair, not least of which is the stunning sliced blue abalone.
Top review
Count AlexeiVIP
Dined 3 days ago
The place doesn’t have the same wonderful vibe or the original. Service was excellent. But way way overpriced
COYA Mayfair
4.5 (1759)
£41 and over
Peruvian
Mayfair
For modern Peruvian cuisine there are few places better than COYA, where expert chefs fuse the flavors of lime, coconut and smoke with cooking techniques from Japan and Spain. The result is a vibrant range of dishes as colorful as the restaurant itself. The bar is equally well-equipped, featuring an entire library of unique, authentic piscos.
Top review
WilsonWayVIP
Dined on 6 Mar 2025
This environment was just right! From the live Dj, to the excellent food, succulent, dessert, and beautiful calamari. Yes, the calamari! A must do while in London !
For modern Peruvian cuisine there are few places better than COYA, where expert chefs fuse the flavors of lime, coconut and smoke with cooking techniques from Japan and Spain. The result is a vibrant range of dishes as colorful as the restaurant itself. The bar is equally well-equipped, featuring an entire library of unique, authentic piscos.
Top review
WilsonWayVIP
Dined on 6 Mar 2025
This environment was just right! From the live Dj, to the excellent food, succulent, dessert, and beautiful calamari. Yes, the calamari! A must do while in London !
Park Chinois
4.6 (759)
£41 and over
Chinese
Mayfair
Step back in time with an evening at Park Chinois—a restaurant that combines the Chinese fine dining with the glamour of Shanghai in the 1930s. Dim sum is particularly recommended—try a succulent Wagyu beef gyoza, or a blue swimmer crab and prawn wanton. The bar is fully-equipped with a range of spirits to make any cocktail you could name, and quite a few that you won’t find anywhere else—including an old fashioned infused with decadent black truffle.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 25 Feb 2025
I have allergies and they were able to accommodate. The food was lovely and fresh. I will be returning
Step back in time with an evening at Park Chinois—a restaurant that combines the Chinese fine dining with the glamour of Shanghai in the 1930s. Dim sum is particularly recommended—try a succulent Wagyu beef gyoza, or a blue swimmer crab and prawn wanton. The bar is fully-equipped with a range of spirits to make any cocktail you could name, and quite a few that you won’t find anywhere else—including an old fashioned infused with decadent black truffle.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 25 Feb 2025
I have allergies and they were able to accommodate. The food was lovely and fresh. I will be returning
Yauatcha Soho
4.5 (6833)
£26 to £40
Chinese
Soho
This all-day teahouse is well-known for its dim sum menu, which is available from its exclusive underground location in the heart of Soho. Yauatcha serves elegant food prepared with painstaking precision—delicate shui mai, flavorful dumplings, and pumpkin puffs suffused with juicy duck. You’ll find a long bar stocked with an extensive wine list, as well as exotic cocktails and a range of teas. Definitely one for grazers who want to accompany their drink with a snack or several!
Top review
SarahVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Delicious food and very well presented, the cocktails were great too!
This all-day teahouse is well-known for its dim sum menu, which is available from its exclusive underground location in the heart of Soho. Yauatcha serves elegant food prepared with painstaking precision—delicate shui mai, flavorful dumplings, and pumpkin puffs suffused with juicy duck. You’ll find a long bar stocked with an extensive wine list, as well as exotic cocktails and a range of teas. Definitely one for grazers who want to accompany their drink with a snack or several!
Top review
SarahVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Delicious food and very well presented, the cocktails were great too!
The Ivy Soho Brasserie
4.4 (11097)
£26 to £40
Contemporary British
Soho
This all-day eatery offers a respite from the frantic bustle of Broadwick Street. Step inside and you’ll discover a polished onyx bar and a classic-yet-comfortable dining room. As grand as it looks, however, the Ivy Soho Brasserie offers a thoroughly relaxed experience, whether you’re tucking into delicious contemporary British fare or sampling a rosebud-infused white Geisha cocktail or craft cider from the bar.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 5 days ago
Great location, staff very friendly and the food tasted really good.
This all-day eatery offers a respite from the frantic bustle of Broadwick Street. Step inside and you’ll discover a polished onyx bar and a classic-yet-comfortable dining room. As grand as it looks, however, the Ivy Soho Brasserie offers a thoroughly relaxed experience, whether you’re tucking into delicious contemporary British fare or sampling a rosebud-infused white Geisha cocktail or craft cider from the bar.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 5 days ago
Great location, staff very friendly and the food tasted really good.
Chotto Matte Soho
4.4 (2417)
£41 and over
Peruvian
Soho
What do you get if you combine the best of Peruvian and Japanese cooking? The answer is Nikkei cuisine, and Chotto Matte offers the best selection you’ll find in London, served within a strikingly decorated urban venue. Better yet, their ingredients are all local and organic. Try the sharing menu for a curated journey from delicate and refined items to hotter, spicier and fuller dishes, and then quench your thirst with something from their Tokyo to Lima cocktail selection.
Top review
Leah
Dined on 18 Jan 2025
Food and service were great as usual - always have a consistently good experience.
What do you get if you combine the best of Peruvian and Japanese cooking? The answer is Nikkei cuisine, and Chotto Matte offers the best selection you’ll find in London, served within a strikingly decorated urban venue. Better yet, their ingredients are all local and organic. Try the sharing menu for a curated journey from delicate and refined items to hotter, spicier and fuller dishes, and then quench your thirst with something from their Tokyo to Lima cocktail selection.
Top review
Leah
Dined on 18 Jan 2025
Food and service were great as usual - always have a consistently good experience.
St. JOHN Smithfield
4.8 (4174)
£41 and over
British
Farringdon
Situated just around the corner from Smithfield Market, this deliberately unpretentious establishment specializes in nose-to-tail eating—they make use of every part of the animal to create flavorful creations you won’t find elsewhere. Opt for one of their pies if you want a wholesome, filling treat, and don’t forget to peruse their extensive wine list. You’re even encouraged to take a bottle home with you!
Top review
Carol
Dined 4 days ago
Every time we visit London we make sure we eat at St. John! Excellent in every way!
Situated just around the corner from Smithfield Market, this deliberately unpretentious establishment specializes in nose-to-tail eating—they make use of every part of the animal to create flavorful creations you won’t find elsewhere. Opt for one of their pies if you want a wholesome, filling treat, and don’t forget to peruse their extensive wine list. You’re even encouraged to take a bottle home with you!
Top review
Carol
Dined 4 days ago
Every time we visit London we make sure we eat at St. John! Excellent in every way!
Dean Street Townhouse
4.6 (4706)
£26 to £40
British
Soho
You’d be hard pressed to find a more authentically British place to eat than Dean Street Townhouse. The dining room is part of a long-established Soho hotel, and it offers hearty English breakfasts, lunches and classic dinners. Drop by before a show to enjoy a fantastic buck rarebit and a house tonic by the roaring fire—or simply come in anytime for a drink from their comprehensive bar. Bliss.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
Delicious food and fantastic service, will be returning
You’d be hard pressed to find a more authentically British place to eat than Dean Street Townhouse. The dining room is part of a long-established Soho hotel, and it offers hearty English breakfasts, lunches and classic dinners. Drop by before a show to enjoy a fantastic buck rarebit and a house tonic by the roaring fire—or simply come in anytime for a drink from their comprehensive bar. Bliss.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
Delicious food and fantastic service, will be returning
Kai Mayfair
4.7 (1873)
£41 and over
Chinese
Mayfair
For multiple years in a row “The Sunday Times“ has ranked Kai the highest out of all Chinese restaurants, and this means you can expect something special. While remaining respectful to tradition, the chefs at this classic Chinese establishment aren’t afraid to experiment. Start out with their “Pig in Blankets“ with a plum and lime dressing for a taste of their liberated approach. Their menu of wines, spirits and cocktails is just as adventurous, so drink up!
Top review
Roni
Dined 6 days ago
Once more, a great experience at Kai: food was excellent, team kind and attentive and overall vibe fun and welcoming. Highly recommend for a special occasion
For multiple years in a row “The Sunday Times“ has ranked Kai the highest out of all Chinese restaurants, and this means you can expect something special. While remaining respectful to tradition, the chefs at this classic Chinese establishment aren’t afraid to experiment. Start out with their “Pig in Blankets“ with a plum and lime dressing for a taste of their liberated approach. Their menu of wines, spirits and cocktails is just as adventurous, so drink up!
Top review
Roni
Dined 6 days ago
Once more, a great experience at Kai: food was excellent, team kind and attentive and overall vibe fun and welcoming. Highly recommend for a special occasion
Berners Tavern
4.5 (4480)
£26 to £40
British
Oxford Circus
Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton has made this modern, elegant tavern into a gastronomic destination, with a range of contemporary British dishes. For a real treat, book for the weekend when you can experience the revolutionary Weekend Roast. Equal parts traditional and pioneering, this spread is bound to please, particularly when paired with one of their award-winning wines or a hearty ale.
Top review
Leigh
Dined 5 days ago
Truly excellent- food and service absolutely top notch.
Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton has made this modern, elegant tavern into a gastronomic destination, with a range of contemporary British dishes. For a real treat, book for the weekend when you can experience the revolutionary Weekend Roast. Equal parts traditional and pioneering, this spread is bound to please, particularly when paired with one of their award-winning wines or a hearty ale.
Top review
Leigh
Dined 5 days ago
Truly excellent- food and service absolutely top notch.
Sartoria
4.4 (2119)
£41 and over
Italian
Oxford Circus
As you might expect for an eatery on Savile Row, Sartoria is trendy, glamorous and popular. Serving up an all-day menu inspired by head chef Francesco Mazzei’s home region of Calabria, this contemporary Italian diner offers fresh pasta, brilliantly prepared seafood and seasonal vegetables. Head to the Librare bar for a selection of light bites, gorgeous wines and luxury signature cocktails, and round off the evening with a nightcap of brandy or amari.
Top review
sueVIP
Dined on 4 Mar 2025
It was a lovely evening - very comfortable table, good food, service and not noisy.
As you might expect for an eatery on Savile Row, Sartoria is trendy, glamorous and popular. Serving up an all-day menu inspired by head chef Francesco Mazzei’s home region of Calabria, this contemporary Italian diner offers fresh pasta, brilliantly prepared seafood and seasonal vegetables. Head to the Librare bar for a selection of light bites, gorgeous wines and luxury signature cocktails, and round off the evening with a nightcap of brandy or amari.
Top review
sueVIP
Dined on 4 Mar 2025
It was a lovely evening - very comfortable table, good food, service and not noisy.

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