There are few cities in the world that can go toe-to-toe with London when it comes to restaurants. With dozens of international cuisines represented across a dining scene that also boasts 78 MICHELIN Starred establishments, it is quite simply one of the best places to eat around the globe. With London’s culinary map constantly evolving, our Inspectors add new restaurants to The Guide every month, while the much-coveted Stars and other awards are announced once a year. Click here for the latest additions across the UK & Ireland.
As winter sets in, a meal out has all the more appeal – a comforting balm against the cold. Fortunately for Londoners, the city’s dining scene continues to evolve. No fewer than 11 London restaurants have been added to The MICHELIN Guide selection this month, showing once more the depth of talent in the city’s kitchens. They are typically international in their inspiration, with Filipino, Basque and Korean restaurants among them. Plus, there’s another new Jason Atherton joint, because he might just be the most prolific restaurateur in town right now.
Aragawa, Mayfair
Japanese SteakhouseFans of high-end Japanese beef have found their new favourite restaurant in Aragawa. You can start with luxury options like caviar and lobster, but coming here is all about the steaks. Choose between different cuts of Tajima Wagyu and 10 different cooking temperatures, then bask in the extreme quality of the produce, having paid a premium for the privilege.
Arlington, St James’s
EuropeanVeteran London diners will almost certainly have heard of Le Caprice, the swish St James’s restaurant that for decades attracted celebrities like moths to a flame. With Arlington, it is reborn in all but name, with the same site exuding the same bygone-era elegance and serving the same kind of uncomplicatedly delicious cooking. It’s an institution, and one we’re glad to have back.
Donia, Soho
FilipinoKingly Court has been a restaurant hotspot for years now. Located just off Carnaby Street, it’s a terrific spot for eating, drinking and being merry. Its smallest top-floor premises was previously occupied by Darjeeling Express, then Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, before they moved next-door to bigger sites – now it’s the turn of terrific Filipino restaurant Donia to take up the mantle, with its endearing service and flavour-packed dishes.
DOSA, Mayfair
KoreanThe basement of the relatively new Mandarin Oriental Mayfair hotel is the setting for this Korean tasting menu experience, where British produce and flashes of classical French technique also play a part. The counter itself is gorgeous and the luxury feel is continued by the presence of dishes like lobster marinated in soy, mirin and sake, then topped with Kaluga caviar.
Ibai, City of London
BasqueNemanja Borjanovic, the co-owner of Marylebone restaurants Lurra and Donostia, is further showcasing his love affair with Basque cooking at this industrial-style spot near St Paul’s Cathedral. The menu leans towards the French side of the Basque region and, as this is a modern London restaurant, there’s both cooking over fire and seats at a kitchen counter.
Llama Inn, Shoreditch
PeruvianThere’s something delightfully bright about Peruvian cooking, which Llama Inn embodies perfectly. The cooking is fresh and zingy, while the décor is full of colour from the moment you set eyes on its bright yellow door. You wouldn’t know it from that separate entrance, but the restaurant is actually located on the top floor of The Hoxton Shoreditch, a MICHELIN Guide hotel.
Mary’s, Mayfair
Modern BritishWhen Jason Atherton closed the much-acclaimed Pollen Street Social, there was no shortage of interest as to what he’d do next. The answer, among a slew of other projects, is Mary’s. The aim here is to be unpretentious and accessible, with a range of menus largely centred on wood-fired grilling of quality British produce. The bar area is operated as The Blind Pig, serving snacks and a smash burger.
Mignonette, Richmond
FrenchCalling all residents of south-west London: your new favourite bistro has arrived. Located on Kew Road a short walk from Richmond Station, Mignonette is a pared-back French spot where the focus is not on opulent décor but on simply delicious cooking with a generous spirit. The lunch menu offers particularly great value, especially considering the size of the portions.
NIJŪ, Mayfair
JapaneseThe latest opening from the Creative Restaurant Group, home of all things Endo Kazutoshi, has added another Japanese restaurant to a lineup that already includes Sumi, Kioku and Endo at The Rotunda. This time the focus is on katei ryōri, the Japanese art of family-style home cooking to share. There’s also a killer sushi selection and Wagyu beef available too.
Pollini at Ladbroke Hall, Notting Hill
ItalianWest London’s Italian restaurant options just got a little stronger. Inside the large Edwardian building that is Ladbroke House resides Pollini, alongside various spaces for artistic expression from workshops to exhibitions. It may be a somewhat unusual setting, but it’s the ideal place if you like the simple joys of Italian cuisine, like a good homemade pasta washed down with a lovely red wine.
Sesta, London Fields
European ContemporaryIt was a blow to the Hackney dining scene when Pidgin closed its doors earlier this year. Thankfully, the same chef has reopened in the same premises as Sesta. It doesn’t feel too different to its predecessor, with the main change being an extensive à la carte instead of the set menu. The dishes are generous and robust, providing big, impossible-to-ignore flavours.
Other London restaurants added to The MICHELIN Guide this year are:
AGORA, Borough Market
Greek
Ambassadors Clubhouse, Mayfair
Indian
Bistrot at Wild Honey, St James's
Modern British
Camille, Borough Market
French
Cloth, City of London
Traditional Cuisine
Cornus, Belgravia
Modern British, Seafood
Holy Carrot, North Kensington
Vegan
Josephine, Chelsea
Lyonnaise, French
Julie’s, Notting Hill
Modern British
July, Bloomsbury
Modern French, Alsatian
Kinkally, Bloomsbury
Eastern European
Kioku by Endo, Westminster
Japanese Contemporary, Mediterranean Cuisine
Kolae, Borough Market
Thai
Lasdun, South Bank
Modern British
Lita, Marylebone
Mediterranean Cuisine
Mambow, Clapton
Malaysian
Miga, Hackney
Korean
Morchella, Islington
Mediterranean Cuisine
Nanyang Blossom, Knightsbridge
South East Asian
OMA, Borough Market
Greek
Paulette, Little Venice
French
Plates London, Shoreditch
Vegan, Vegetarian
Roe, Canary Wharf
Modern British
Sael, St James's
Traditional British
Sune, Hackney
European Contemporary
Tamarind Kitchen, Soho
Indian
The Cocochine, Mayfair
Modern French
The Fuji Grill, Belgravia
Japanese
The Hero, Maida Vale
Traditional Cuisine
The Park, Bayswater
American, Italian
Volta Do Mar, Chelsea
Portuguese, Classic Cuisine
YiQi, Chinatown
Asian
Hero Image: © Llama Inn/Anton Rodriguez
