A lively buzz and tables aplenty are the order of the day at these Michelin Guide restaurants. Explore our list of dining spots well suited to dining with a group.
Palatino, Clerkenwell
From acclaimed restaurateur Stevie Parle, Palatino serves bold but simple Italian dishes. An industrial-style space with exposed brickwork and minimal decor, the dining room offers prime views of the chefs in action from the open kitchen, complete with rustic wood burner and traditional pizza oven.
Blixen, Spitalfields
Blixen is modelled on European grand cafés, and occupies a converted bank overlooking London’s Spitalfields Market. The spacious dining room plays host to brunch, lunch and dinner menus packed with fresh produce, with the plant-filled conservatory offering a tranquil haven from the neighbouring market.
Issho, Leeds
A large rooftop restaurant and bar in Leeds city centre, Issho offers a bold, contemporary take on Japanese cooking. Crafted in the open kitchen, the Issho menu showcases traditional robata recipes and authentic sushi, with creative cocktails served on the terrace.
Crafthouse, Leeds
Aiming to source all produce from within a 50-mile radius, Crafthouse in Leeds serves sophisticated British cooking, with an emphasis on succulent meat cuts and fresh fish cooked on the Josper grill. Featuring an open kitchen, the chic dining room offers diners full view of the chefs, whether dining at the counter, or the large tables seating up to 20 guests.
The Honours, Edinburgh
From Martin Wishart, The Honours is a modern French-style bistro in Edinburgh city centre. Seasonal Scottish ingredients are used to create French classics, complemented by a 17-page list of French and New World wines, all served in an ultra-contemporary dining room.
100 Wardour St, Soho
A bustling spot in Soho conjuring a private members’ club-style atmosphere, 100 Wardour St presents a diverse menu of Mediterranean-Asian sharing dishes. This sprawling spot sits on the site of London’s former Marquee Club – which hosted the likes of The Rolling Stones and David Bowie – and a fittingly lively vibe lives on with the presence of live music and DJs.
Quaglino’s, Westminster
Evoking the rip-roaring glamour of the Jazz Age, Quaglino’s has been a mainstay in London’s Mayfair since the 1920s. Descend the dramatic staircase to the buzzy basement dining room, where classic European brasserie dishes are served and the foliage-adorned, under-lit bar serves up a plethora of glamorous drinks.
Leroy, Shoreditch
A bold menu meets elegantly understated styling at Leroy in East London’s Shoreditch. Whitewashed walls, laminate-topped tables and line-drawn sketches bedeck the decidedly minimalist dining room, with a high ceiling that makes for a constant sound-bouncing buzz. The soundtrack is a key focus here, with a lovingly compiled collection of vinyl also on display.
Santo Remedio, Bermondsey
Conjuring the colour and vibrancy of Mexico City, Santo Remedio seamlessly blends ingredients from the British Isles and beyond to create its zingy menu. Having started life as a supper club, group dining is ingrained in Santo Remedio’s ethos, and the dining room is awash with rainbow hues. Look out of particularly quirky menu items, like guacamole laden with grasshoppers.
Bang, Dublin
Showcasing some of Ireland’s finest ingredients, Bang in Dublin is a sleek, multi-floor restaurant, serving honest dishes finished with a sophisticated edge. Mirror-lined walls, caramel-shade banquettes and black-and-white prints fill the dining room, offering an elegant backdrop for dishes bursting with variant textures and colours.
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