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London Chefs' Guide to Restaurants

A photo of Red logo
by OpenTable
Updated 09 November 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 9 Feb 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 14 Feb 2023
Love this place. Wonderful atmosphere. Quiet with some ambient music
A photo of Meraki Restaurant restaurant
4.6
4.6 (173)
£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
Nothando vip
Dined on 2 Oct 2024
Always a great experience - good food and ambience
A photo of SOLA SOHO restaurant
4.6
4.6 (382)
£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
Katie
Dined 1 day ago
We had the lunch menu. Absolutely perfect - delicious food, beautifully presented. The wine pairing was great - some really interesting wines with good explanations from the sommelier.
A photo of Yauatcha Soho restaurant
4.5
4.5 (6820)
£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
Arnie
Dined 1 day ago
Very noisy large group at the next table. Service not up to usual standard as we felt we were being rushed the whole time.
A photo of Café Murano - St James restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1721)
£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
Greg
Dined on 2 Jan 2024
great Italian food. professional service. great pre-theater value.
A photo of Cinnamon Bazaar - Covent Garden restaurant
4.5
4.5 (3435)
£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
Tracy
Dined 4 days ago
I finally made it back to Cinnamon Bazaar after a pre pandemic 1st visit, with different friends. We really enjoyed it, food excellent, service great. Highly recommend a visit
A photo of Margot Restaurant restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2744)
£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
Alan
Dined 2 days ago
Great food and great ambience. Love the stuffed squid, steak tartare and the cod. Desserts were exceptional too. Excellent value for the money with the fixed menu. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and helpful. Wine list is adequate and reasonably priced.
A photo of Chourangi restaurant
4.5
4.5 (635)
£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
Proshun
Dined 5 days ago
Much enjoyed, great Bangali/Indian food, menu and service!
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 1 Jan 2023
Absolutely fantastic! Food is great and service outstanding. Thanks
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