London is a fantastic place for luxury addicts, whatever it is for fashion, hotels, art galleries, exclusive places and… restaurants! This is my selection of 5 best restaurants in London for anyone loving fine dining, and those who want to discover it.
1. Spring
Located in the arts and cultural heart of London, Spring is set in the New Wing of the iconic Somerset House. The amazing dining place brings warmth and elegance in that place. At Spring food is celebrated for its conviviality and the joyfulness of sharing seasonal produce. The cooking is heartfelt, wholesome, produce driven, and cooked by a team of people who are passionate about what they do and who feel privileged to work with beautiful ingredients.
2. The Ledbury
The Ledbury is something of a West London institution. First opened in 2005, it has gone on to win hearts, minds, and a lot of awards like in 2010 with two Michelin stars. Though it was once known for being a relatively relaxed haute cuisine spot, so many of London’s restaurants – even the fine dining ones – have become so casual, that The Ledbury now sits on the formal end of the scale. Waiters treat guests like old friends and the dishes – from Aussie Chef Brett Graham – are as close to perfection on a plate as you’ll get in this town.
3. Barrafina
Barrafina is an authentic Spanish tapas bar. There are actually four in London; the original site is on Soho’s Dean Street, there are two in Covent Garden, Adelaide Street and Drury Lane, and a fourth in Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross. Each restaurant has an open kitchen, a beautiful marble-topped bar where guests can sit and watch the chefs at work and stylish red leather stools. The a la carte menus comprise authentic regional dishes from around Spain and there is also a daily changing specials menu unique to each restaurant.
4. The Wolseley
Combining British heritage with European grandeur, The Wolseley is an all-day café-restaurant on London’s iconic Piccadilly, renowned for its spectacular interior, immaculately presented classic food and seamless service. Pillars and a high vaulted ceiling give this buzzy restaurant the feel of a grand Café, albeit with the occasional Oriental influence, thanks to a previous incarnation as a Chinese restaurant. It’s open from early until late and the appealing menus offer a mix of classic dishes from across Europe.
5. Endo At The Rotunda
This 15-seat restaurant, designed by Kengo Kuma, offers a unique sensory experience, drawing inspiration from Japanese traditions. It is located at the top of the recently redeveloped Helios building, in a stand-alone cylindrical space. Guests can enjoy expansive views over West London. The two-hundred-year-old Hinoki wood sushi counter – sourced from the mythical forests of Tochigi – evokes the gentle fragrance of ancient temples, whilst it confidently winds through the space. It also creates both an intimate and dramatic relationship between sushi masters and their guests.
I have traveled across Europe, but have never been to London and now want to go. I would love to be able to dine at some of these luxurious restaurants.