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London Chefs' Guide to Restaurants

A photo of Red logo
by OpenTable
Updated November 09, 2023
London has some of the best restaurants around, thanks to the world-class chefs running the kitchens and creating culinary masterpieces across the capital. But where do the city’s best chefs dine when they're not the ones cooking up a storm? In an exclusive Chef’s Guide video series, OpenTable speaks to 6 top London chefs on their local restaurant recommendations across London. Who made the list? Scroll down to find out!
A photo of Pataka restaurant
4.4
4.4 (108)
£26 to £40
Contemporary Indian
Soho
About the restaurant
Selected by Lawrence Gomez. In Hindi, Pataka means firework, and you can expect an explosion of flavours in this contemporary Indian restaurant with dishes like slow-roasted butter chicken and naans from the naan bar.
Top review
TaraH
Dined on Feb 9, 2023
The best Indian food I have had in a long time. So inventive and tasty
A photo of Green Bar at Hotel Cafe Royal restaurant
4.6
4.6 (111)
£26 to £40
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Piccadilly
About the restaurant
Selected by Lawrence Gomez. Inspired by the Café Royal Cocktail Book compiled in 1937, Green Bar is a bustling cocktail bar serving botanicals and tonics along with classic cocktails, such as margaritas.
Top review
JimY
Dined on Feb 14, 2023
Love this place. Wonderful atmosphere. Quiet with some ambient music
A photo of Meraki Restaurant restaurant
4.6
4.6 (177)
£26 to £40
Greek
Fitzrovia
About the restaurant
Selected by Monica Galetti. Inspired by the Aegean islands, Meraki serves Greek dishes, including hot meze. The word 'Meraki' translates to fulfilling a vision with unwavering devotion and zeal.
Top review
SarahVIP
Dined 7 days ago
The host was absolutely delightful, both before and after the meal! She made our experience extra memorable with her kindness and humor. The food was delicious, a mix of small and larger plates. Highly recommend the mushroom skewer, which had very tender and flavorful mushrooms and veggies. The lavender and blueberry sour was a delectable mocktail, too, and fairly priced. Overall, it was fantastic—we’ll be back!
A photo of SOLA SOHO restaurant
4.5
4.5 (420)
£41 and over
Californian
Soho
About the restaurant
Selected by Alexis Gauthier. Take a trip to California without leaving Soho and book a table at SOLA, where Soho meets Los Angeles and offers a high-end tasting menu with cheesesteak and Kindai bluefin, Japan’s rarest tuna.
Top review
Emelie
Dined 5 days ago
We had the tasting menu. Really amazing food and superb service. The whole tasting menu was available gluten-free. Can highly recommend.
A photo of Yauatcha Soho restaurant
4.5
4.5 (6839)
£26 to £40
Chinese
Soho
About the restaurant
Selected by Alexis Gauthier. Yauatcha Soho sets the tone with its modern interpretation of old Chinese teahouses. Stop by for all-day dim-sum and a wide variety of vegan dishes.
Top review
Andrew
Dined 6 days ago
Staff are nice, food remains very good and has been very good for a very long time, which is commendable, the pricing inflation had been pronounced in the past few years and is the main con.
A photo of Café Murano - St James restaurant
4.4
4.4 (1715)
£26 to £40
Italian
St. James's
About the restaurant

Selected by Sally Abé. If you're after handmade pasta, Cafe Murano is the place. Expect excellent cooking with a regional focus and modern takes on timeless Italian dishes.


Top review
GregVIP
Dined on Jan 2, 2024
great Italian food. professional service. great pre-theater value.
A photo of Cinnamon Bazaar - Covent Garden restaurant
4.5
4.5 (3531)
£25 and under
Contemporary Indian
Covent Garden
About the restaurant
Selected by Adam Handling. Full of colour and vibrancy, Cinnamon Bazaar offers a happy and uplifting vibe and features dishes inspired by Indian heritage mixed with urban London.
Top review
Tina
Dined 4 days ago
Team is excellent with allergies. Food is very tasty and looks appealing too. Prices are high £~50pp without drinks and portions are small. But the food tastes great !
A photo of Margot Restaurant restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2782)
£26 to £40
Italian
Covent Garden
About the restaurant
Selected by Adam Handling. Margot celebrates the glamour and charm of Italian design, offering elegant Italian dishes and 300-plus wines to sample.
Top review
Megan
Dined 5 days ago
Went for pretheatre meal, and it was delicious! Wonderful spot for date night. Seafood Risotto was delicious.
A photo of Chourangi restaurant
4.6
4.6 (668)
£26 to £40
Indian
Marylebone
About the restaurant
Selected by Sameer Taneja. Taste flavours of India at Chourangi, which is just a stone's throw away from Marble Arch. The menu features contemporary takes on dishes eaten in Calcutta, with options including laal murgi kebab and bhapa hilsa, Calcutta's queen of fish.
Top review
Alice
Dined 1 day ago
It was really good and the team was really Nice. I would recommanded this place.
A photo of 123V restaurant
£25 and under
Vegan
Oxford Circus
About the restaurant
Selected by Sameer Taneja. 123V is a 100% plant-based restaurant from chef Alexis Gauthier where you grab a vegan burger or order sushi and salads. Find it at Fenwick of Bond St.
Top review
OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Absolutely fantastic! Food is great and service outstanding. Thanks
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