England’s capital is one of the most visited cities in the world for its countless luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, achingly-trendy bars, art galleries, upmarket boutiques, music, sporting venues and more.
We have come up with a handpicked list of the 11 best luxury restaurants in London with not only great ambience but also great cuisine that you must pay a visit to.
Table of Contents
1. The Maine
If a glamorous underground jazz club is your ideal dining destination, catch a straightway for Maine in Mayfair. Everything about this restaurant is magnificent, specifically the extravagant Brasserie in the basement.
Every meal under the dazzle of a show-stopping chandelier sets the mood while a jazz band (and, later in the night, burlesque dancers) provide the much-required entertainment to enjoy a classic meal.
This luxury restaurant in London has a seafood-focused menu that has a lot to offer and the portions come up large, so we’d recommend sharing a couple of starters and raw plates that are considered the big hit dishes like the shrimp cocktail and tuna tartare with avocado and soy-ginger dressing.
For the main course, you can go for the restaurant’s New England leanings with Maine lobster or choose from the vast steak selection. Besides, there is cedar plank salmon with sriracha butter that is being cooked to its juicy perfection and is absolutely worth a shout-out! And at last, you can get yourself a dirty pickle martini and settle in for the most decadent night out.
2. London Stock
This fine dining restaurant is set against industrial decor, with intimate tables and low lights, which completely succeeds in bringing a relaxed dining concept to South London.
They offer a seasonal 8-course tasting menu which is priced at £70 per person, the menu includes prime venison and ox cheek cuts that are cooked to perfection, zingy goats cheese and stone bass courses, as well as two delightful desserts for those with a sweet tooth. Additionally, a full 8-course vegetarian menu is also available, with tempting fragrant king oyster mushrooms and creamy risottos. The highlight of the menu is undoubtedly the flavours, from earthy miso and smoky black garlic to a refreshing Brussel sprout puree that comes with classic ingredients like artichoke and cod. For cocktails, make sure to try their Final Fig, a tasty twist on a Kir Royale. They also offer “wine flights,” which are priced at £55, and a menu that will take you all over the world, from California to Chile.
3. Roof garden at pantechnicon
The Roof Garden at Pantechnicon is absolutely a summer-ready restaurant that people are loving currently. And ideal for anyone looking for an underrated spot, which combines good food with a relaxed yet chic vibe.
Towards the 4th floor, guests are welcomed into a botanical-inspired space, filled with greens and a cosy inviting atmosphere where you can loosen up with drinks, a light bite or an all-out feast.
This luxury restaurant London offers a unique and exciting menu combining not only Nordic but also Japanese-inspired dishes. Here you can find dishes from beef short rib sando with wholegrain mustard to the succulent pork belly with apple, sage and beetroot. Its seasonal cocktails, crafted by head mixologist Gento Torigata, also have a fresh feel. It is made with fresh products, house-made infusions and exclusive spirits to create cocktails like the pine forest (Talus hop infused East London Kew gin, granny smith apple, lemon myrtle and idyll pine soda) and the flavoursome lingonberry cosmopolitan (Pantechnicon exclusive Akvavit, lingonberry, passion berry and Sassy rosé cider).
4. Madera
It is one of the best places to eat in London while enjoying the beautiful scenic views of London. Located at the top of London’s Treehouse Hotel, the Mexican restaurant combines bold flavours with organic ingredients, offering a finger-licking selection of dishes across every meal from breakfast to dinner and even weekend brunch. There is something for you that you are sure to enjoy, irrespective of what time of day you decide to visit. From the delicious Pan Plano Mexican flatbreads to chorizo bowls, you can indulge in it all in this amazing restaurant.
5. Sushisamba
Situated at the heady heights of the Heron Tower, this Brazilian-Japanese dazzler might not be the building’s loftiest slot but definitely, it is a dominator when it comes to glitz. It offers thrilling expense-account fusion food, fabulous cocktails, premium shakes and stunning views, especially from the terrace. What else could you ask for a ‘well-spent’ evening?
6. Darwin Brasserie
The luxury restaurant London is situated at the top of the Walkie-Talkie. It is an all-day brasserie that offers jaw-dropping views of London. It is much faster and easier to book a table here than wait for your turn in the Sky Garden itself. The menu features the sort of accomplished dishes you find in high-end business hotels.
7. Helix at Gherkin
This London posh restaurant is all about the epic 180-degree views from high up on the thirty-ninth floor of the Gherkin. The best time to visit is during the nighttime since at that time London looked like Gotham City. It has canteen-style seating and uneven British-themed cooking, but nothing beats those dizzying vistas. With great ambience comes great meals, the restaurant offers decent-value meals and you can still enjoy the river and the bustling streets below.
8. Min Jiang
This luxury restaurant London is arguably one of the most underrated yet amazing restaurant-with-a-view in the capital. The Chinese cuisine-based aristocrat Min Jiang is perched on the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel. Its long dining room gives a panorama of Hyde Park, although all eyes quickly turn to the restaurant’s speciality – whole Beijing duck served two ways, and includes pancakes and all that jazz needed!
9. Sketch
This high-end restaurant is popular for its original art-decoration themes which makes this place the perfect dining experience. It showcases over 200 artworks from the well-known British artist David Shrigley all in their Gallery. With its excellent baby pink art decoration, the room resembles something out of a Wes Anderson movie. Apart from the authentic original menu which is well known in Mayfair for being a must-try, the decoration itself is enough to mesmerise the customer. Moreover, Sketch is one of the best posh restaurants in London with a Michelin star rating.
10. Le Pont de la tour
The Le Pont de la tour is one of the top restaurants London and when it comes to dress-to-impress London dining, the folks at D & D London are all over it. It offers the most stunning views of Tower Bridge and beyond. The ambience of this restaurant is smartly decorated and the riverside beauty effortlessly adds up to the beauty of the ambience. It has a conventional brasserie-style Bar & Grill. This London posh restaurant focuses on elaborately plated modern dishes with the touch of incredible international flavour.
11. Aqua low-lit Restaurant
Aqua low-lit restaurant is a luxury restaurant in London that is located at just the right height for visitors who want to really appreciate London’s riverside cityscape. During the daytime, the views stretch from Tower Bridge to the London Eye and beyond. And at night, you can spot the reflection of lights on the water below. This is the ultimate place to stop by while the dining room for a raft of contemporary British flavours, or the more casual lounge space for an afternoon cup of tea.
FAQs
What is the most prestigious restaurant in London?
You can find many restaurants in London that are very popular for their unique cuisine. But, restaurants with Michelin stars are the most prestigious ones of all.
Can you wear trainers to Quaglino’s?
No, Certainly, the Quaglino’s restaurant doesn’t allow trainers, themed wear, sportswear, flip flop and tracksuits. The ideal dress code at Quaglino’s is smart casual so jeans can be a decent pick.
What restaurant has the most Michelin stars in London?
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, owned by the renowned chef Hélène. It is a French cuisine-based restaurant and has the most Michelin Stars in London.
What is the most expensive meal in London?
Samundari Khazana curry at Bombay Brasserie is the most expensive meal in London and is priced at about £2,000.
Does Sheesh have a dress code?
Yes, Sheesh restaurant has a very smart dress code and doesn’t allow any sort of sportswear or ripped jeans.
