The Ledbury

World-class standard

Truffle and mackerel canapes

Yes, another Ledbury post, what can I say, it is my no1 Fine Dining restaurant in the UK and I try to at least visit once a year. Under the creative eye of chef‐patron Brett Graham (working with head chef Tom Spenceley), The Ledbury has reinvented itself in recent years, especially following its two-year closure during the pandemic. It reopened in 2022, recharged, refreshed, but without surrendering its soul. What makes The Ledbury exceptional is how its food navigates the tension between technical precision and bold flavours. Below captures my 26th visit.

Restaurant St. Barts

Great British essence in a fine dining manner

British wagyu and crab toast

Set in Smithfield, Restaurant St. Barts overlooks St Bartholomew the Great church; floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ancient architecture, giving a breathing space to the urban surroundings. The interior leans Scandinavian in its aesthetic sensibilities—clean lines, warm woods. Restaurant St. Barts delivers a deeply considered, hyper-seasonal modern British tasting-menu experience. Executive Chef Johnnie Crowe and his team build plates around the minimalism of concept: usually only two or three ingredients per dish, each flourishing in its own right. 

Frog by Adam Handling

Playful British creativity takes on tasting menu

Canapes of chicken, crab, eel, mussels and cheese

Stepping into the single Michelin-starred Frog by Adam Handling in the heart of Covent Garden is an invitation to experience modern British fine dining with a theatrical twist. The open-kitchen layout means you're not just seated in a restaurant—you’re part of the show. At the heart of the experience is chef-owner Adam Handling’s philosophy of “fine dining without the stuffiness” paired with rigorous technique. One caveat: the price tag reflects the aspiration. With tasting menus from around £195 and optional supplements and wine pairings... it is not a cheap affair.

Portland

 Modern upmarket British template

Canapes of scallop, mushroom and liver

Stepping into Portland on Great Portland Street in Fitzrovia, you first notice how the space quietly declares its intentions: no pomp, but precision; no grand gestures, but thoughtful design. The food at Portland is modern British with a strong seasonal bent, rooted in high-quality produce and technique. The menu changes frequently—ingredients and dishes rotate in response to what’s fresh, what’s at its best. This is my 4th visit, and once again I opted for the private dining room experience with a special menu for a special celebration.

Michael Caines at The Stafford

The return of old school fine French

Orkney Scallop Ceviche, Oscietra caviar

Michael Caines at The Stafford is an eagerly awaited addition to London’s fine-dining scene, bringing together timeless elegance, a celebrated chef’s pedigree, and a renewed culinary vision steeped in British terroir. Located in St. James’s, the restaurant has taken over from the former Game Bird, under the stewardship of Michael Caines as culinary strategist. If you are a foodie, Michael shouldn't be an unfamiliar name as he is a true legend in the game, who held 2 Michelin stars in the past with his classic French cooking in Devon. His restaurant at TheStafford is his first London gig, and I was so looking forward to it. 

Moi

One-of-a-kind Japanese 

Bluefin Tuna Tataki, Karashi Miso, Grapefruit

A new Japanese-themed restaurant similar to the spirit of Roka and Zuma, the design is bold, heavily featured fine woods with atmospheric lighting, and yet it never feels overly theatrical. The heart of MOI lies in its cuisine: Japanese-inspired, yes, but deeply rooted in British produce and executed with fire, finesse and flavour. The kitchen is led by Andy Cook and head chef Nick Tannett, combining Japanese technique with British sourcing. Part of the charm is the dual nature of the space: the ground-level grill and sushi counter buzz with energy and the aroma of firewood.

Cloth

Wine and dine, proper British style  

Duck liver, soda bread

Tucked away on a quiet lane just behind the bustle of the City, Cloth brings an understated but dramatic twist to modern British cooking. While the focus here is on the wine and food, the way the restaurant is set up enhances the experience: Cloth is housed in a Grade II listed building on Cloth Fair, and the dining room is described as cosy with low ceilings, wood floorboards, antique wall lights and marble tables.

Luso

The new but not so new Portuguese in town

Clams, garlic, coriander

Luso is a brand new Portuguese restaurant that used to be the hit joint Lisboeta. After a total rebranding by the same people behind it, it has become more casual and simple. The décor carries forward much of the character from its predecessor: wood tones, soft lighting, prints of sea life, the sort of furnishings that feel refined without being overbearing. Under the new consultant executive chef, Leandro Carreira, the kitchen draws heavily on the Iberian Atlantic coastline, nodding to Portuguese coastal flavours.

Brutto

 High energy vibe, less on the food

Vitello tonnato

Walking into Brutto, nestled at 35-37 Greenhill Rents in Clerkenwell, London, you are greeted by the kind of energy that suggests a trattoria in full swing rather than a formal white tablecloth venue. The red-and-white gingham tablecloths, the vintage wall art, the faint hum of conversation, and the clinking of cutlery all combine to create a warm but lively environment. The restaurant is a rustic homage to Florence via London, with a meat-forward (no fish!), Tuscan-inspired menu and a friendly, casual approach.

Town

Not the Town I was hoping for

Cornish crab, tomato and trout roe salad

Covent Garden has never been short on showmanship, and Town, Stevie Parle’s newest creation on Drury Lane, leans heavily into theatre. The design alone is a performance: chrome curves, burgundy walls, lime-lit open kitchen, and a retro-futuristic dining room that feels like a 1970s nightclub. The menu is dotted with names familiar to London’s food-savvy crowd: Wildfarmed bread, Goods Shed vegetables, Irish cheeses and lobster from the Welsh waters, all carrying a sense of story and provenance. On paper it’s an irresistible mix: beautiful setting, traceable ingredients, a chef with pedigree, and the promise of something memorable.

Wild Flowers

The kind of Mediterranean restaurant that London just needs 

Cuttlefish ‘Arroz al Horno’, crisp pork jowl

Located in Newson’s Yard, Belgravia. From the moment you set foot into Wildflowers, you sense that this is no ordinary Mediterranean restaurant. I am a fan and this is my 3rd visit, so why am I returning? Well, it is a thoroughly accomplished restaurant: it combines striking design, skilled and daring cooking, and the kind of ambience that works whether you’re there for a casual dinner with friends or a special evening. Wildflowers delivers a menu anchored in Mediterranean traditions but adapted and refined with local, seasonal produce and live-fire or charcoal inspiration, and it is what makes this place special for me.

Brat

OG fire temple of London 

Grilled Bread with Anchovy

Located in Shoreditch, Brat is a Basque-inspired grillhouse reimagined in East London, anchored around the fire that sits at its heart. That fire, visible and omnipresent, sets the tone for the entire experience—it is Brat’s identity, its cooking philosophy, and its main act rolled into one. It transforms the space into something elemental, a reminder that good food is not just about ingredients but about what happens when you apply heat, time, and skill in the most exacting way. This is my 4th visit, and I found the food enjoyable yet a touch too expensive, especially since the decor is so casual with tables crammed so close together.

La Palombe

 Underrated West London gem

Chargrilled octopus, smoked beetroot purée, pickled carrots & capers

West London is no stranger to excellent dining, but every so often, a place comes along that quietly raises the bar. La Palombe is one of those places. Tucked away on a calm street, this restaurant blends French culinary tradition with a polished, contemporary touch, ALC style. The reason I give this place a visit is down to the head chef here, Jake Leach, who was head chef at my beloved fine dining restaurant Ledbury and the greatest food-led pub in London aka The Harwood Arms. He alone warrants a visit, as I have eaten some amazing meals over the years at those sites.

Osteria Angelina

 Fusion fun but far from perfect

Sicilian Red Prawns, Tentsuyu & Crispy Rice

Stepping into Osteria Angelina feels like entering a sleek warehouse-loft that has been tenderly reworked as a high-end “osteria” on the edge of the City and Shoreditch. On the plate, the menu at Osteria Angelina unabashedly brings together Italian traditions and Japanese technique: “itameshi” fusion. I have visited once already, and I felt the quality warranted a return.

Legado

Regional Spanish food in the City

Skate Wing Tortilla, Mojo Verde

Legado in Shoreditch is a brand new  Spanish restaurant from chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho, who already has a Michelin-starred outlet, Sabor in central London. What makes Legado truly compelling is its menu: a journey through lesser-known and regionally specific Spanish flavours and techniques, which delights both the Spanish food aficionado and the curious Londoner. There’s a sense that Barragán Mohacho has taken what she learned in her years at Barrafina and Sabor, and aimed here not simply for repetition but expansion: of scale, of repertoire, of ambition.

Atla

 Open fire Spanish concept 

Mushroom Fideos

Entering ALTA on Kingly Court in Soho is less about stepping into a typical Spanish-restaurant façade and more akin to being welcomed into a ritual of fire and flavour. The space revolves around a glowing hearth—an open wood-fire grill, a Josper oven, embers and coals at the heart of the kitchen. Alta isn’t about quick tapas or cliched Spanish-mood décor. The kitchen’s ambition is clear: take the frameworks of Northern Spanish cooking—escabeches, grill, seafood from the Cantabrian/Bay of Biscay region, Basque influences—and reinterpret them with British-sourced produce.

Ibai

Daily special

 

Roasted scallops with paprika

This is my 14th visit, Ibai sits on a quiet street near St Paul’s and carries itself with a kind of calm confidence that you notice the moment you walk through the door. The dining room is compact but thoughtfully arranged, with a warehouse vibe, packed with high-energy tones and soft lighting. If you have been a few times like me, you really should start exploring its daily special offering, as there are some very special dishes on there, ranging from small pintxos-sized dishes to mains.

Ibai

Best of London has to offer 

Grilled langoustine topped with sliced Iberico ham

In the heart of London, tucked within a stone’s throw of St Paul’s, Ibai has quickly claimed its place as one of the city’s most exhilarating new restaurants and gathered a lot of high praise from both the British and the overseas media. At the heart of that kitchen is an unapologetic devotion to meat, particularly the legendary steaks that have already become the restaurant’s calling card. Here, steak is not simply cooked; it is celebrated with the reverence usually reserved for fine art. Having said that, there are plenty of beautiful dishes just as good, some examples below captured from my 12th and 13th visits.

The Devonshire Soho

Meaty gastropub goodness 

Scallops in vinegar and bacon

The Devonshire in Soho isn’t just another London gastropub—it’s a meticulous revival of the classic British public house, elevated with chef-grade precision and obsessive attention to detail. Helmed by hospitality veteran Oisín Rogers and chef Ashley Palmer-Watts (ex-Fat Duck), it operates as a dual experience: a rowdy, soul-warming pub downstairs and a quietly confident grill restaurant above. The Devonshire sources with intention: dry-aged native breeds butchered in-house. For my 4th visit, I went for all the classic dishes that have been around since day 1, as they are classic for a reason.

Osteria Angelina

 Italian‑Japanese Fusion with Flair

Tomato and seaweed salad

Osteria Angelina, the latest outpost from the team behind Dalston’s acclaimed Angelina, takes root in Shoreditch with a bold promise: to fuse the soul of an Italian osteria with the precision and umami‑rich palette of Japanese cooking, tucked inside a restored Victorian warehouse just off Norton Folgate. Where the original Angelina offered tightly curated tasting menus, this Shoreditch sibling widens the lens with a more expansive à la carte menu, inviting guests to build their own journey through small plates, handmade pastas, and grilled mains.

Duchy

Duchy of Savoy in the land of Shoreditch

 

BBQ John Dorey in shellfish sauce

Duchy is a new restaurant in Shoreditch, the sleek new incarnation of Leroy, which was located on the same site. Duchy comes with a different approach that brings northern Italian‑French flair to East London. The interiors are mostly inherited from Leroy—minimalist without sterility, a touch of rustic warmth, the sound of a needle slipping onto wax. The open kitchen, where Simon Shand and his team work in full view, is a stage with no curtain, just steam, speed, and focused motion. The name “Duchy” is more than a title—it’s a hint at the culinary axis here: the historic Duchy of Savoy, whose former borders map perfectly onto the flavours of southeastern France and northwestern Italy.

Sushi Kyu

Best value omakase experience in London

Horse mackerel

Hidden away on Soho’s Brewer Street, Sushi Kyu offers an omakase experience that feels worlds apart from the bustle outside. With only ten seats wrapped around a pale hinoki-wood counter, this is not the kind of sushi bar that leans on theatrics or showmanship; the atmosphere is meditative, almost hushed, with the chef’s movements providing the only real drama. The food itself is where Sushi Kyu sets itself apart from many of its London peers. The omakase menus—£74.80 for dinner or £51.80 at lunch—strike a sweet spot between accessibility and luxury, especially when compared to Mayfair’s eye-watering sushi counters.

The Knave of Clubs

Comfort pub food with an edge

Prawn scotch egg

Shoreditch has no shortage of trendy pubs and polished gastropubs. For a new pub, The Knave of Clubs possesses a confident vintage—an aesthetic of pedigree and purpose—yet it doesn’t feel forced or nostalgic. This newly opened spot on Hackney Road has an old-school boozer vibe, but has a strong focus on its food offering, helped by the fact that it has been developed by chef legend Patrick Powell. It is not just another place for overpriced pints and average burgers. It’s aiming for something smarter, sharper, and mostly, it delivers.

Andanza

 A cozy tapas haven with Basque flair

Foie Gras, Sweet Sherry Reduction

Andanza sits tucked just behind London Bridge station on Weston Street, in a restored former William Hill bookie. The space is small—about 30 seats including counter-bars and a few high tables—styled in rustic‑chic tones with carved oak, leather banquettes, bare floorboards and vintage Spanish prints. The menu blends authentic Basque‑style pintxos with classic Spanish tapas; you are encouraged to order between 3 to 4 dishes per person for sharing.

Noble Rot Mayfair

 The best of Noble Rot

Suckling pig feast

Noble Rot Mayfair, tucked into Shepherd Market, delivers a polished, wine-focused French European experience that blends history with hedonism. Housed in a handsome 19th-century townhouse in Shepherd Market—one of Mayfair’s last vestiges of old-school charm—the restaurant radiates a deliberate sense of intimacy and mischief. But Noble Rot isn’t content to coast on ambiance—it delivers a dining experience as precise and expressive as its wine list is expansive. At the heart of the kitchen is chef Adam Wood, whose background at Perilla and alliance with The Sportsman’s Stephen Harris create a menu that marries French bistro elegance with punchy British irreverence. For my 3rd visit, I stepped up with a feasting menu and dined at their private dining room in their basement, which also houses their fine wine.

One Club Row

 Jazzy feel-good dining vibe

Roasted scallop, confit garlic butter

One Club Row, located above The Knave of Clubs in Shoreditch, is a bold, stylish newcomer that merges Parisian bistro charm with New York tavern swagger. Opened in early 2025 by hospitality heavyweights Patrick Powell, James Dye, and Benjy Leibowitz, it’s already a standout in London’s dining scene. The entrance, discreet enough to miss if you're distracted by your phone, opens into a velvet-draped stairwell lit like a film set. The menu, crafted by Powell and head chef Attila Gellen, is a greatest-hits album of French and American comfort food, elevated with finesse.

Myrtos by Asimakis

A Greek Odyssey in South Kensington

Cornish Squid Skewer

Tucked away on Brompton Road, in the heart of South Kensington, Myrtos is not just another upscale restaurant in West London— it’s a love letter to Greece. But this is not the Greece of Instagram postcards or lazy clichés. Myrtos is a refined, personal, and deeply evocative culinary experience shaped by chef Asimakis Chaniotis, whose roots run deep into the soil of Kefalonia and Athens. This is a restaurant that dares to be intimate in both aesthetic and ambition. The ALC menu contained a selection of classic Greek dishes but with modern, fine dining elements to make it visually inviting and interesting.

Krokodilos

Sunny flavours in West London 

Beetroot salad

Nestled in the heart of Kensington, Krokodilos is a Greek fine-dining establishment that aims to transport diners to the sun-kissed landscapes of Greece. With its opulent interiors and a menu that pays homage to traditional Greek flavors, the restaurant offers an experience that is both immersive and indulgent. Helmed by Chef Angelos Togias, formerly of the Connaught, the kitchen presents a menu that celebrates the diversity of Greek cuisine. Dishes are crafted with a focus on authenticity and quality, utilizing ingredients sourced from various regions of Greece.

Ibai

The Basque grill king of London 

Tortilla

Ibai launched last summer, and I have been there 10 times already. Why am I such a fan boy? In a city brimming with steak houses and open-flame theatrics, Ibai doesn’t just enter the scene—it storms it. This isn’t just a steakhouse—it’s a culinary theatre where fire isn’t a gimmick but the main character. The menu is compact but focused, built around a handful of iconic cuts and a collection of starters and sides that refuse to play it safe. Some creativity there, but not over the top and given the perfect cooking treatment. For my 11th visit, I opted for some classics as well as the latest seasonal specials.

Run

 Where Precision, Heritage, and Elegance Meet

Wagyu beef puff

Housed inside The St. Regis Hong Kong in Wan Chai, Run, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant doesn’t rely on flash. Instead, it cultivates a refined atmosphere that mirrors the dishes it serves—deliberate, harmonious, and deeply rooted in tradition. I really enjoy its decor: Chinese tea pavilion style: wood-paneled walls, curved ceiling beams, and warm lantern-like lighting. What makes Rùn singular is how seamlessly it fuses classic Cantonese sensibilities with contemporary technique, thanks to Executive Chinese Chef Hung Chi-Kwong’s steady hand. His dishes are not radical reinventions—they’re elevated distillations of heritage.

Lai Ching Heen

Hallmark of Cantonese cuisine excellence 

Wok Fried Prawns, Asparagus in Black Bean Sauce

Lai Ching Heen, nestled inside the 5 stars luxury Regent hotel in Hong Kong, champions Cantonese cuisine and is a holder of 2 Michelin stars. This is a place where tradition speaks loudest, yet innovation still finds its voice. The menu is a confident blend of classic Cantonese dishes elevated to something far beyond familiar. The dim sum selection feels like the kitchen’s subtle flex—each piece crafted with care, from the translucent skins to the vibrant, carefully seasoned fillings. There’s an obvious respect for technique here, and that is the reason I came back to Lai Ching Heen for dinner, as I was impressed when I had a dim sum lunch here back in 2019.

Tang Court

Cantonese luxury fine dining 3 stars hype 

Fish maw and aged ham soup

Tang Court, located inside The Langham hotel in Hong Kong with 3 Michelin stars, pays homage to traditional Cantonese cuisine. As you expected from a luxury hotel, the dining room itself is understated: polished wood, soft lighting, and a layout that feels private even when the place is full. Here, classic Cantonese cooking is not reinterpreted or deconstructed; it’s respected, elevated, and delivered with technical perfection. The real brilliance of Tang Court lies in how it handles luxury ingredients. Instead of overwhelming them with showy techniques, the kitchen amplifies what’s already there.

Tin Lung Heen

Skyhigh Cantonese fine dining 

Seebass siu mai and grilled char siu pork

Tin Lung Heen, perched on the 102nd floor of The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong, commands attention before a single dish even reaches the table. The panoramic view is a spectacle — Victoria Harbour sprawling beneath, the city’s skyline cutting sharp lines against the sky. Of course, the real focus should be on the food as it must be pretty special too, when Tin Lung Heen itself has 2 Michelin stars. Sky high fine dining can be pricy, and that is the case with Tin Liun Heen, with costs that could be as high as  £200 per person after service and wine, so I opted for the more affordable lunch set menu to test the water. 

Ming Court (Mong Kok)

Still going strong 

Eel, Chinese Angelica

In the heart of Mong Kok, amidst the dense rhythm of one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts, sits Ming Court, an upmarket sanctuary of refined Cantonese cuisine housed within the Cordis Hotel. At first glance, its location might seem at odds with its culinary pedigree, but step through its understated entrance and you're transported to an elegant dining room marked by modern Chinese design—deep wood tones, gold accents, and subtle calligraphy motifs. The kitchen leans on traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients—goji berries, red dates—not as novelties but as thoughtful elements woven into the cooking. This balance of heritage and innovation defines Ming Court’s strength: it respects the past without being shackled to it.

Wild Flowers

 Open fire Mediterranean-inspired restaurant

Baked mushroom rice, sherry, wild garlic

Tucked into the stylish Newson’s Yard development in Belgravia, Wild Flowers is a refined but relaxed Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that sidesteps the pomp of fine dining without sacrificing quality or craft. Helmed by chef Aaron Potter, whose résumé includes the Michelin-starred Trinity and Elystan Street, Wild Flowers delivers a sharply focused menu built around seasonal ingredients and live-fire cooking. I visited when it was opened not long ago before Christmas back in 2024, and it delighted me that I have decided to return in 2025. 

Victor Garvey Restaurant at Midland Grand

Great, but could be better

Canapes

​The Midland Grand Dining Room is not new to me, as I was a fan of its refined French food when it was overseen by chef Patrick Powell. He has since moved on, and the place is now under the guidance of Michelin-starred chef Victor Garvey. Garvey's approach marries traditional French haute cuisine with contemporary flair, resulting in dishes that are both elegant and innovative. His offering is for sure in the fine dining end with 2 tasting menus on offer, so it appears it is gunning for a Michelin star. The restaurant's ambiance, characterized by its Gothic charm and modern elegance, provides a fitting backdrop for the culinary artistry on display.

Ibai

Pure class 

Grilled sweetbread in green peppercorn sauce

I am a super fan of Ibai, tucked just off the heavy footfall of St Paul’s. There’s no overstated rustic décor or theatrical fancy elements; instead, the food is 'what you see is what you get', with a focus so pure it feels like a statement. It’s clear from the moment you sit down that the point here is not to distract you with noise or gimmicks. The menu reads short, deceptively plain, but each dish is tuned to precision. Ibai serves calm, confident food, built on an obsessive attention to ingredients and technique, with most dishes cooked on an open fire. The below covers by 9th and 10th visits. 

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

Total fine dining package

Red mullet, hazelnut, rhubarb

Nestled within the luxurious Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught delivers a three-Michelin-starred dining experience that balances refined elegance with warm hospitality. The menu, crafted by Chef Hélène Darroze, is a celebration of her French roots blended seamlessly with the finest British ingredients. Each course, presented with impeccable precision, demonstrates a deep understanding of flavor, texture, and seasonality. I have been here a few times in the past, for my 11th visit, I got the chance to enjoy a tasting menu at its chef's table, overlooking the busy open kitchen.

Oma

New rising star 

ajvar, mizithra, hazelnuts

Tucked away in the heart of Borough Market, Oma is a Greek-inspired restaurant that has quickly gained a reputation and become one of the most popular London restaurant openings of 2024. Oma, which means “mother” in Greek, pays homage to the rich heritage of Greek cuisine while embracing modern techniques and global influences. Upon entering Oma, diners are met with a sleek crudo bar showcasing fresh seafood selections, emphasizing the restaurant’s dedication to high-quality ingredients and minimalist, ingredient-driven dishes. It has landed itself a Michelin star in the 2025 guide.

Brooklands by Claude Bosi

 Hotel fine dining done right

White asparagus, hazelnut, and anchovies

Brooklands by Claude Bosi feels like a restaurant designed to prove a point — that luxury doesn’t have to mean predictable. Tucked into the top floor of the Peninsula London, it trades on grandeur but keeps a lightness of touch. The space is sleek and modern, with subtle nods to British engineering heritage, but it wisely avoids falling into themed gimmickry. Bosi’s stamp is everywhere: inventive, unforced, and grounded in deep technique. He’s known for pushing boundaries, but here he focuses that energy into refinement rather than theatrics.

Cornus

Classy British fine dining

Seabass tartare, oyster, apple, shiso

​Cornus, located near Victoria Station in London's Eccleston Yards, is the latest venture from the team behind Chelsea's esteemed Medlar restaurant. Situated on the top floor of the renovated Ice Factory building, Cornus offers diners a refined ambiance with white tablecloths and diffused natural light. The culinary direction at Cornus is led by Executive Head Chef Gary Foulkes, whose impressive resume includes tenures at The Square and the Michelin-starred Angler, Gary is a talented chef, and I have been to Cornus 2 times before. I returned once again after Cornus just landed itself a Michelin star in the 2025 guide.

The Cocochine

Perhaps the best non starred fine dining joint in London

caviar canapes

Opened in 2024, The Cocochine nestled in Mayfair at 27 Bruton Place, is a four-story restaurant that harmoniously blends fine dining with art. The Cocochine's interior exudes understated elegance, featuring herringbone parquet flooring, brown leather chairs, and a marble wine island. The intimate ground-floor dining area comprises just eight tables, each subtly separated to create private dining experiences. Chef Jayasekara, formerly head chef at Michelin-starred Pétrus and a National Chef of the Year winner, brings a wealth of experience to The Cocochine. The menu showcases imaginative and ornately presented dishes, with most of its seafood sourced from its own farm Tanera Mòr in Scotland.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High

Sky high fine dining by Gordon Ramsay

native lobster, caviar, pumpkin

London’s fine dining scene has reached new heights—literally. The newly opened Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High in Bishopsgate is making waves as one of the most exclusive and breathtaking dining experiences in the City. Located on the 60th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, it is an intimate 12-seat Chef’s table offering a blind 8-course tasting menu, designed to provide an immersive and theatrical dining experience, where guests can witness the artistry and precision of a three-Michelin-starred team working right in front of them while overlooking the jaw-dropping panoramic views of London’s skyline.

The Ledbury

Don of London's fine dining

Chinese water deer 4 ways, artichoke

I have almost lost count of how many times I have been to The Ledbury (25 times!), situated in the heart of Notting Hill, London, which has been a cornerstone of the city's fine dining scene since its inception in 2005 and won the prestigious award of three Michelin stars in 2024. The restaurant is renowned for its commitment to seasonal ingredients, many of which are sourced from their own livestock, including deer, Jersey cows, and Iberian pigs. This dedication to quality is evident in their meticulously crafted tasting menus, which offer a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Dorian

British Bristo, fine dining price

Crab and artichoke rosti

Dorian is an interesting restaurant, it became very popular ever before it gained a Michelin star, it presents itself as a refined yet approachable neighborhood dining spot, effortlessly blending modern elegance with a touch of classic charm using open-fire cooking methods. Renowned for its focus on locally sourced ingredients and inventive dishes. While it does look like a casual and modern bistro, the menu is loaded with luxury offerings, from caviar, and lobster to langoustine, therefore depending on what you go for, you can end up easily spending more than  £100 per person.

Ibai

London steak champ 

Grilled red prawns with caviar

Ibai was the restaurant opening of the year in London last year. Since its opening in the summer of 2024, I have been seven times. The establishment is a collaboration between chef Richard Foster, formerly of Chiltern Firehouse, and the team behind renowned meat supplier Txuleta. The menu at Ibai showcases a variety of Basque dishes, with a notable emphasis on premium meats. A standout offering is the Galician T-bone steak, praised for its exceptional quality. For my 8th visit, I was able to try some old classics as well as some new seasonal specials.

Hakkasan Hanway Place

 The OG Chinese fine dining joint in London

Char siu, radish and mustard

It has been more than 20 years since Hakkasan launched in London. It has taken Chinese cuisine upmarket which at that time, was revolutionary. Few names hold as much prestige when it comes to Chinese fine dining in London as Hakkasan. With its signature blend of contemporary Cantonese cuisine, and stylish, club vibe ambiance, it has firmly established itself as a must-visit destination for food lovers, jet-setters, and those looking for an elevated dining experience. For my 7th visit, I revisited mostly its signature dishes which have been around since day 1.

Prince Arthur Belgravia

Hit-and-miss Spanish affair

Tuna, Caviar, Urchin, Turbot Dripping Potatoes

Prince Arthur is a brand new pub opening in Belgravia, it features a Spanish restaurant within, which champions seafood and luxury items such as caviar and lobster. During my recent visit to Prince Arthur in Belgravia, I found the experience to be underwhelming, especially considering its price point and the top-quality ingredients it uses (which means is not easy to mess things up!). Starters are in the region of £20 and mains £30, with desserts, service, and drinks, this place would easily set you back £100 per person so I had an expectation.