Wildflowers

 Open fire Mediterranean goodness

Orkney scallop baked in garlic & parsley butter, sherry & smoked roe

Wildflowers has quickly established itself as one of the finest open-fire restaurants in London, not because it relies on spectacle, but because it understands that great cooking begins with great ingredients and the confidence to treat them with restraint. In a city increasingly crowded with restaurants built around flames, smoke and theatrical grilling, Wildflowers stands apart by placing seasonal Mediterranean produce at the centre of the experience. The Mediterranean influence is evident throughout, but it never feels tied to one country or region. Instead, the restaurant draws inspiration from the broader culture of southern Europe, creating dishes that feel familiar yet original. What makes Wildflowers particularly compelling is its ability to balance rusticity with refinement. The cooking retains the warmth and generosity associated with Mediterranean dining, yet every plate arrives with the precision and thoughtfulness one would expect from a fine dining kitchen. 

Red prawn tartare, stracciatella, pistachio

Tuna crudo, honeymoon melon

Grilled Sicilian red prawns

The menu changes with the seasons, and that commitment to seasonality is perhaps the restaurant's greatest strength. The Cuttlefish fideuà delivered impressive depth of flavour. The toasted pasta absorbs the rich seafood stock beautifully, creating layers of savoury intensity in every bite. The richness was balanced off with the grilled red prawns, which were fresh yet packed with a wonderful sweet umami tone. The restaurant's Mediterranean perspective also brings a welcome sense of brightness to the menu. Citrus, herbs, olive oil and carefully judged acidity appear throughout the meal, ensuring that even richer dishes retain elegance and balance. The rack of lamb main is beautifully cooked too, tender and richly flavoured, while the buttermilk fried sweetbreads add a crisp, indulgent contrast. Cantabrian anchovy introduces a subtle saline depth that enhances rather than overwhelms.

Cuttlefish fideu

Devon lamb racks, asparagus, sweetbread and Cantabrian anchovy

Milk, melon and almond ice cream

What ultimately makes Wildflowers one of the very best open-fire restaurants in London is its refusal to rely on trends. While many fire-led concepts focus heavily on dramatic presentation or exaggerated smokiness, Wildflowers demonstrates a more mature and nuanced understanding of what live-fire cooking can achieve. The flames are used to highlight ingredients rather than dominate them, resulting in dishes that feel elegant, balanced and deeply rooted in seasonality. In many restaurants, innovation can come at the expense of comfort. At Wildflowers, the two coexist effortlessly. Every dish demonstrates technical skill while remaining grounded in the simple pleasure of eating exceptional produce cooked exceptionally well. It is this balance that immediately elevates the restaurant above many of its contemporaries and places it firmly among the capital's most exciting dining destinations. There is a reason why I have already been there 6 times when Wildflowers is less than 2 years old!

Food 4/5


What I paid: 
£66 per head

Average cost without drinks and services:
£60

Newson's Yard, 57 Pimlico Rd, London SW1W 8NE

https://www.wildflowersrestaurant.co.uk/