Ibai has established itself as one of London's finest destinations for serious steak lovers, yet reducing it to merely a steak restaurant would miss much of what makes it special. Located in the heart of the city, this Basque-inspired restaurant captures the spirit of northern Spain with remarkable confidence, combining exceptional produce, restrained cooking, and a deep respect for tradition. The menu is built around the principles that have made Basque cuisine so admired around the world: outstanding ingredients, precise cooking, and an understanding that simplicity often requires the greatest skill. One of the great pleasures of dining at Ibai is exploring the daily specials, which are treated not as afterthoughts but as central attractions.
Island arrives in King's Cross with serious pedigree and equally serious ambition. Backed by two Michelin-starred chefs (Tom Brown and Brad Carter), the restaurant promises a playful, premium take on surf and turf, combining top-quality seafood and carefully sourced meat in a stylish, energetic setting that feels designed as much for celebration as it does for dinner. The menu avoids playing it safe, encouraging diners to order broadly and share across the table, which adds to the social atmosphere. Not every experiment lands, however, and there are moments where the pursuit of novelty feels as though it has overtaken common sense.
