Discover Trending Restaurants in London

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 09 November 2023

London is simultaneously ancient and ultra-modern, trendy and traditional—and the best restaurants in the city encapsulate this dichotomy. You might dine on a culinary creation that feels entirely "now" while sitting in a centuries-old building. Young, up-and-coming chefs source their produce from long-established heritage farms across the British Isles, and restaurants that have been around for decades revamp their dishes and dining spaces to keep up with the latest trends. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemaker List. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top trendy spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. The best spots in the city bring a whole world of flavors into the dining experience while honoring their London home.

Blacklock Soho

4.7

4.7 (5991)

£25 and under

Steak

Soho

About the restaurant

The minimalist, meat-centric menu and bargain craft cocktails at Soho's Blacklock have proved so popular that it launched two more restaurants, one in the City and another in Shoreditch. For its venue, the restaurant transformed the basement of a once-seedy building near Picaddilly Circus (they don't mind telling you it used to be a brothel) into a trendy, industrial-chic space with communal tables and exposed brick. The menu is a showcase for the finest British meat cut from carefully sourced heritage breeds. Lamb, beef, and pork chops come in skinny, big, and off-the-bone cuts a la carte. Side options are substantial and flavorful, among them beef dripping chips, a 10-hour ash-roasted sweet potato, and barbecued baby gem lettuces with anchovy dripping. On Sundays, Blacklock offers an old-fashioned British roast.

Top review

James

Dined today

A very nice experience and first time dining at Blacklock. The service was very friendly and prompt. The food quality was also excellent and the steak delicious. I believe larger steaks would have been better and the odd (non matching) plates on our table was an unusual novelty. I would go again to Blacklock, however, note that the meals sizes arent large (unless sharing) and the Soho restaurant was also very noisy.

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4.7

4.7 (1127)

£41 and over

Seafood

Liverpool Street

About the restaurant

A seasonal delight at Angler, on top of the South Place Hotel, is the rooftop terrace with views across the city. A retractable roof extends the availability of coveted terrace seating, but every seat in the house promises a delightful dining experience, especially for those who love fish and seafood. Chef Gary Foulkes earned Angler a Michelin star with his ever-changing menu of meticulously prepared, impeccably sourced British seafood with French, Asian, and Scandinavian influences. A signature dish is the yellowfin tuna tartare with avocado, shiso, and wasabi. Regulars also rave about the banana, salted caramel, and Guanaja chocolate tart, a highlight of the dessert menu.

Top review

Alison

Dined on 1 Feb 2025

We have eaten at other Michelin 1* and 2* restaurants previously (eg Restaurant Story, Le Manoir au Quat' Saisons), and Angler was equally enjoyable in terms of quality of food, service and general ambience. The staff were friendly and efficient, food was exquisite (especially the tuna tartare and lobster ravioli) and the Chablis was so good! The sommelier recommended an alternative white wine, which she kindly gave us each a small complimentary glass of, as it paired particularly well with one of the courses. Would definitely return for a special occasion meal!

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4.5

4.5 (1758)

£41 and over

Peruvian

Mayfair

About the restaurant

The journey toward making COYA Mayfair one of the best trendy restaurants in London was a genuine around-the-world quest for chef Sanjay Dwivedi. Before devising his acclaimed Incan-Peruvian fine dining experience, Dwivedi spent a year tasting the flavors of Latin America and delving into the incredible culinary heritage of the Andes and Amazon. The result is a menu offering authentic delights like uncommonly fresh ceviches, Japanese-Peruvian fusion sashimi and antichuchos, marinated skewers of tender meat, and seafood cooked over charcoal. And, of course, COYA Mayfair does a mean Pisco sour.

Top review

Ahmad

Dined on 23 Jan 2025

The ambiance was good, food was great. The place decoration and interior wasn’t that luxury and in the range of our expectation as dining in Mayfair. Saying all that the price counted to be so high.

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Experience

Valentine's Day at COYA Mayfair

Experience

Clásico Brunch at COYA Mayfair!

Experience

Sunday Lunch Menu

The Ledbury

4.9

4.9 (2825)

£41 and over

British

Notting Hill

About the restaurant

Just months after The Ledbury opened in Notting Hill in 2005, Michelin Guide awarded it an incredible two stars, immediately landing the restaurant a solid spot among the best trendy restaurants in London. Australian chef Brett Graham is at the helm of the 55-seat space, presenting his signature contemporary European cuisine centered around British game, seafood, and produce. Graham's signature dish, flame-grilled mackerel with smoked ell, shiso, and Celtic mustard, is a certain highlight of the menu.

Top review

Sunil

Dined on 4 Feb 2025

We are here prior to Covid , and had one of the great meals of our lives . Back now , it’s even better - the duck parfait was ridiculously good , each dish was a new sensation . Wine pairings were excellent and very well thought out . Service was friendly and knowledgeable , and Chef was very engaging . Go if you can .

Scott's Mayfair

4.8

4.8 (1992)

£25 and under

Seafood

Mayfair

About the restaurant

As one of the oldest restaurants in London—it started out as an oyster bar in 1851—Scott's Restaurant has certainly proved its ability to evolve with the ever-changing trends of contemporary cuisine while focusing on classic British seafood. The restaurant has had plenty of time to perfect its traditional offerings, among them potted shrimps, dressed crab, and goujons of Cornish sole. Japanese, French, and Nordic traditions come into play as well, particularly with the raw bar selections. Some interesting vegetarian options and hearty meat dishes round out the a la carte lunch and dinner menus.

Top review

Mark

Dined today

Wonderful atmosphere and service. The linguine with crab and the ray wings were exquisite. I want to come back here again 💯

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Experience

SCOTT’S Deposit required for bookings of 4 plus .

St. JOHN Smithfield

4.8

4.8 (4153)

£41 and over

British

Farringdon

About the restaurant

The signature of St. John, which opened in Smithfield in 1994, is chef Fergus Henderson's pioneering whole-animal approach to classic British cuisine. Diners enthusiastic about offal, game, and uncommon cuts of meat find a lot to love on St. John's menus that change daily, especially when it features Henderson's famous roasted bone marrow on house-made sourdough bread. The lunch and supper menus also feature some top-notch vegetarian, seafood, and more-approachable cuts of meat, along with sides exemplifying the best of British comfort food, like cauliflower cheese and Welsh rarebit. Traditional puddings are an essential finale.

Top review

Gurn

Dined 3 days ago

Tremendous food and service It did not disappoint Staff were the best

Portland Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2265)

£41 and over

British

Marylebone

About the restaurant

An immediate critical darling upon its debut in 2015, most notably as the recipient of a Michelin star, Portland Restaurant has gained rave reviews and earned itself a loyal following among London locals. The open kitchen turns out beautifully presented contemporary British fare amplified by Mediterranean-inspired flavors but emphasizing local ingredients of the highest provenance. Tasting menus for lunch and dinner showcase exemplary dishes, while the a la carte dinner menu includes shared plates for a more casual approach. A Portland Restaurant signature is wild game pies.

Top review

Brooke

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic restaurant. Food was exceptional and staff we super. My only criticism is that the wines were very over priced. For example, we love segla but have never seen it near this price in any restaurant.

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Experience

10 years of Portland - Early evening menu

Kai Mayfair

4.7

4.7 (1872)

£41 and over

Chinese

Mayfair

About the restaurant

"Liberated Chinese cooking" is the founding ethos of Kai, a Mayfair institution (since 1993) that boasts a Michelin star and a solid claim to being one of the best trendy restaurants in London. The menu is lengthy, pricey, and thorough, a journey through the culinary heritage of Chinese South Seas-regional cuisine as interpreted by Malaysian-born chef Alex Chow. The signature dish is wasabi prawns, and the hot and sour soup is another best seller. Kai's creative desserts are such a highlight that they're presented at the beginning of the menu rather than the usual relegation to the back.

Top review

TamsinVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious food and great service. Our second visit and I'm sure we'll return at some point. Their wasabi prawns are incredible. Make sure you order them.

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Popular dish

Wasabi Prawns

Hakkasan - Hanway Place

4.5

4.5 (6339)

£41 and over

Chinese

Fitzrovia

About the restaurant

Hakkasan Hanway Place isn't the only Hakkasan in London (there's another in Mayfair), but it's the original restaurant that launched an international empire. The location won a Michelin star in 2003, a testament to the prodigious skill of chef Tong Chee Hwee and his elevated versions of classic Cantonese cuisine. The Peking duck entree accompanied by caviar is a signature, and lunchtime dim sum always draws a buzzy crowd. Hakkasan's cocktails gain as much attention in glowing reviews as the food, as does its stunning black and gold dining room and an open kitchen behind the noticeably nondescript back-alley entrance.

Top review

CedricVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Always enjoyable with great decoration. Food never disappoints and great wine list.

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Experience

The Devil Wears Prada - 3 courses & cocktail

Experience

Weekend Brunch

Experience

Taste of Hakkasan - 3 Course Menu and Champagne

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

4.4

4.4 (14180)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Chelsea

About the restaurant

The Ivy Chelsea Garden dazzles a chic crowd of diners with its venue, light-filled space on King's Road with an orangery and leafy garden terrace in the back ideal for warmer-weather meals and drinks. The British bistro-inspired cuisine on the lengthy all-day menu, along with a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu, fits with Ivy's sunny vibe. Comfort food like the classic hamburger and shepherd's pie share space with lighter options like a warm chicken salad with barley, apples, pomegranate, and herbs, and the raw market salad of seasonal vegetables sliced paper thin next to avocado hummus.

Top review

Cameron

Dined 5 days ago

The food was excellent; we loved everything we had, but were a little disappointed that vegetables were an expensive optional extra. We loved the wine options, though, and everything arrived quickly. It was very loud, with other patrons a bit too close, and there was lots of banging and clattering (and FIVE glass smashes by the bar behind us!). We'd love to come back when it's quieter, as we did like the staff and the restaurant's design. I think without the excessive noise we'd enjoy it more.

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Experience

Breakfast Set Menu

Experience

The Ivy Chelsea Garden Afternoon Tea

Experience

Sunday Steak Supper

Berners Tavern

4.5

4.5 (4474)

£26 to £40

British

Oxford Circus

About the restaurant

A vast and eclectic assortment of paintings united by gilt frames blanket every inch of wall space around Berners Tavern, perhaps competing for diners' attention with the beautifully ornate ceiling—or the impeccable versions of British comfort food and modern European fare that characterize the menu. Breakfast, an afternoon tea, and a weekend roast give Londoners and visitors ample opportunities to sample incredible British produce transformed into something truly gourmet. The overall vibe is one of hip glamour, securing Berners Tavern a solid claim to being one of the best trendy restaurants in London, along with the rest of Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton's acclaimed empire.

Top review

Wendy

Dined 5 days ago

We were there to celebrate a birthday- everything was lovely , staff couldn’t be nicer, food always amazing and beautiful atmosphere. Thank you for helping make the evening so special!

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Popular dish

Chateaubriand

Popular dish

Berners Tavern Mac and Cheese (vg)

Experience

Three-course Early Berners

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