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.

Café François

Classic French charm the London way

Rôtisserie porchetta, Toulouse sausage, sauerkraut

Nestled in the bustling heart of London Bridge, Café François exudes Parisian charm from the moment you step through its doors with its quaint bistro tables and ambient lighting. I enjoy how it captured the spirit of a Parisian café with an effortless blend of sophistication and warmth. The interior is adorned with vintage French posters, rustic wooden furniture, and an open kitchen that allows you to watch the chefs craft their culinary masterpieces. The menu is a love letter to French cuisine, showcasing an array of classic dishes like snail and onion soup. I went twice in January to sample various dishes from its ACL menu.

Michelin

A list of Michelin-starred restaurants I have covered in my blog. By no means, Michelin is the perfect restaurant guide, but still, a decent source when it comes to searching for top-level dining experience and a guide that is respected by top chefs around the world. 

* Rating as of 2025 guide

UK


64 Goodge Street* (2nd)

Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester***

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal** (1st)

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal** (2nd)

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal** (3rd)

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal** (4th)

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal** (5th)

Angler* (1sit visit)

Angler* (2nd visit)

Angler* (3rd visit)

A Wong*

Behind*

Brat* (1st)

Brat* (2nd)

Brat* (3rd)

Brookland**

Core** (1st visit)

Core** (2nd visit)

Core*** (3rd visit)

Casa Fofo*

Club Gascon* (1st visit)

Club Gascon* (2nd visit)

Claude Bosi at Bibendum* (1st visit)

Claude Bosi at Bibendum** (2nd visit)

Claude Bosi at Bibendum** (3rd visit)

Cornus*

Da Terra* (1st)

Da Terra** (2nd)

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal* (1st)

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal** (2nd)

Dorian*

Endo*

Elystan Street*

Galvin La Chapelle* (1st visit)

Galvin La Chapelle* (2nd visit)

Galvin La Chapelle* (3rd visit)

Galvin La Chapelle* (4th visit)

Galvin La Chapelle* (5th visit)

Harwood Arms* (2nd visit)

Harwood Arms* (3rd visit)

Harwood Arms* (4th visit)

Harwood Arms* (5th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (3rd visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (4th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (5th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (6th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (7th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught*** (8th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught*** (9th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught*** (10th visit)

Humo*

Hide* (1st visit)

Hide* (2nd visit)

Ikoyi**

Kitchen Table* (1st visit)

Kitchen Table** (2nd visit)

Kitchen Table** (3rd visit)

Kitchen Table** (4th visit)

Kitchen Table** (5th visit)

Kitchen W8* (2nd visit)

La Trompette* (1st visit)

La Trompette* (2nd visit)

Lyle's* (1st)

Lyle's* (2nd)

Lyle's* (3rd)

Lyle's* (4th)

Lita* (1st)

Lita* (2nd)

Le Champignon Sauvage*

Murano* (2nd visit)

Midsummer House**

Moor Hall**

Mountain* (1st visit)

Mountain* (2nd visit)

Nut Tree Inn* (1st)

Nut Tree Inn* (2nd visit)

Ormer* (2nd visit)

Oma* (1st visit)

Oma* (2nd visit)

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay***

Pavyllon*

Paul Ainsworth at Number 6*

Petrus*

Pied a Terre* (1st visit)

Pied a Terre* (2nd visit)

Row on 5*

Portland* (1st visit)

Portland* (2nd visit)

Portland* (3rd visit)

Sketch (1st visit)**

Sketch (2nd visit)***

Sketch (3rd visit)***
 
Story* (1st visit)

Story** (2nd visit)

Sollip*

St John* (1st visit)

St John* (2nd visit)

St Barts* (1st visit)

St Barts* (2nd visit)

Taku*

The Clove Club* (1st visit)

The Clove Club* (2nd visit)

The Clove Club* (3rd visit)

The Clove Club** (4th visit)

Trishna* (2nd visit)

The Ritz* (1st)

The Ritz* (2nd)

The Goring Dining Room*

The River Cafe*

The Ninth* (1st)

The Ninth* (2nd)

The Five Fields* (1st visit)

The Five Fields* (2nd visit)

The Five Fields* (3rd visit)

The Five Fields* (4th visit)

The Five Fields* (5th visit)

The Coach Marlow*

The Hind Heads*

Waterside Inn*** (2nd visit)

Sabor* (1st visit)

Sabor* (2nd visit)

Sabor* (3rd visit)

Sabor* (4th visit)

Sabor* (5th visit)

Sola*

White Swan*

Wild Honey*

Trivet*

The Ledbury** (2nd visit)

The Ledbury** (3rd visit)

The Ledbury** (4th visit)

The Ledbury** (5th visit)

The Ledbury** (6th visit)

The Ledbury** (7th visit)

The Ledbury** (8th visit)

The Ledbury** (9th visit)

The Ledbury** (10th visit)

The Ledbury** (11th visit)

The Ledbury** (12th visit)

The Ledbury** (13th visit)

The Ledbury** (14th visit)

The Ledbury** (15th visit)

The Ledbury** (16th visit)

The Ledbury** (17th visit)

The Ledbury** (18th visit)

The Ledbury** (19th visit)

The Ledbury*** (20th visit)

The Ledbury*** (21st visit)

The Ledbury*** (22nd visit)

The Ledbury*** (23rd visit)

The Ledbury*** (24th visit)

The Ledbury*** (25th visit)

Sadly no longer with us

Greenhouse** (2nd visit)

Greenhouse** (3rd visit)

Greenhouse** (4th visit)

Le Gavroche** (1st)

Le Gavroche** (2nd)

Le Gavroche** (3rd)

Le Gavroche** (4th)

La Dame de Pic* (1st visit)

La Dame de Pic* (2nd visit)

La Dame de Pic** (3rd visit)

Pollen Street Social* (4th visit)

Pollen Street Social* (5th visit)

Pollen Street Social* (6th visit)

Spain

Azurmendi***

Akelare*** (1st visit)

Akelare*** (2nd visit)

Arzak***

El Celler de Can Roca***

Martín Berasategui*** (1st visit)

Martín Berasategui*** (2nd visit)

Restaurante Cenador de Amós***

ABaC***

Cocina Hermanos Torres***

Lasarte** (1st visit)

Lasarte*** (2nd visit)

Noor***

Alkimia*

Caelis*

Disfrutar**

Mirador de Ulía*

Massana*

Mina*

Mugaritz**

Etxanobe*

Enigma* (RIP)

Elkano*

Angle**

Abantal*

Canabota*

Canabota* (2nd visit)

Dos Palillos*

A Barra*

Ramon Freixa Madrid**

El Club Allard*

Saddle*

Gaytan*

Hisop*

Mantua*

Via Veneto* 

Hofmann*

Koy Shunka*

Restaurante Kokotxa*  (1st first)

Restaurante Kokotxa* (2nd visit)

Ricard Camarena**

Restaurante El Serbal*

Zuberoa*



Netherlands

Bridges*

Ciel Bleu**

The White Room*

Rijks*

Sinne*

212*



Italy

Agostino Iacobucci*

Andrea Aprea*

Ristorante I Portici*

Borgo San Jacopo*

Contaste*

La Bottega del Buon Caffè*

La Leggenda dei Frati*

Ora d'Aria*

Acquolina*

Enoteca La Torre*

Il Convivio Troiani*

Ristorante Lorelei*

Il Buco*

Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890**

Piazza Duomo***


Portugal

100 Maneiras*

Alma*

Alma**

Belcanto**

The Yeatman**

Casa de Chá da Boa Nova**



Austria

Carpe Diem*

Restaurant Steirereck**

Germany

Restaurant einsunternull Berlin*

Cordo Berlin*

France

Benoit*

Les Climats*

Le Celadon*

Les Fables de la Fontaine*



Ireland

Chapter One*

The Greenhouse**

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud**



Taiwan

Raw**

Mume*




Hong Kong


Amber**

Bo Innovation***

Pang's Kitchen*

Sun Tung Lok**

Imperial Treasure*

Ming Court* (2nd visit)

8 1/2 Otto E Mezzo Bombana***

Lung King Heen***

Shang Palace*

Ah Yat Harbour View*

Tim Ho Wan* (1st visit)

Tim Ho Wan* (2nd visit)

Tate*

Yan Toh Heen**

Kam's Roast Goose* (1st visit)

Kam's Roast Goose* (2nd visit)

Yat Lok*

Ho Hung Kee*

Jardin de Jade* (1st visit)

Jardin de Jade* (2nd visit)

Zhejiang Heen*

Yat Tung Heen*

Ying Jee Club**

VEA*