(CNN) — The culinary scene in London has come a long way over the past decade and now more than holds its own against longer established global contemporaries.
From
modern fine dining, contemporary Indian, fusion Peruvian, immaculate
sushi and dim sum, to casual tapas, London has it all, served up with
the high-octane buzz of one of the world's great capital cities.
LTI
looked at 48 contenders, before settling on this eclectic selection of
20 of the UK capital's best luxury restaurants where you can enjoy your food and drink:
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky -- a classic New York steak house based in London's Covent Garden.
Smith & Wollensky
This renowned American steak house has made the trip across the pond to open its first non-US location in London.
Located
in the Art Deco Adelphi Building, and spread over two floors, it's a
classic New York steak house -- all leather, wood, brass and huge steaks
in a power house atmosphere.
Mirroring the Smith & Wollensky green and white theme, the London outpost has its own dry aging room and three party rooms.
Obviously steaks are the main food option, but there is also a great choice of shellfish, fish and poultry.
To start we recommend Wollensky's famous pea soup, their signature jumbo lump crab cake or burrata with tomato salad.
When
it comes to main courses, this is the only London steak house to have
USDA prime on its menu -- we especially love the Cajun bone-in rib eye,
though all steaks have been matured between 21 and 28 days and will not
disappoint.
Smith & Wollensky, The Adelphi Building, Covent Garden Riverside, 1-11 John Adam St, London WC2N 6HT; +44 20 7321 6007
Mere
Mere, pronounced Mary, is overseen by former Le Gavroche duo Monica Galetti and her husband David Galetti.
Monica
Galetti is more widely known for her TV appearances on UK cooking show
"Masterchef," and David Galetti is the former sommelier at Le Gavroche.
The
restaurant's head chef is Canadian-born Renee Miller, who has worked at
Michelin star level. As you would expect, the dishes are expertly
executed and very well presented, with unusual as well as classic
combinations.
We
like that the menu is uncomplicated -- it has just six options for each
course, which depend on what's in season. There's also a three-course
set menu, but it's not as impressive.
More
unusual dishes include roasted squab with manuka glazed swede and a
starter of scallop with black curry. All tables are well spaced and
agreeable, but the sofa tables under the murals are the most
comfortable.
Mere, 74 Charlotte St, Bloomsbury, London W1T 4QH; +44 20 7268 6565
Locanda Locatelli
Giorgio
Locatelli still personally oversees our favorite Italian restaurant in
London, which is looking better than ever since undergoing refurbishment
after a fire.
Legendary
interior designer David Collins devised this cream and dark wood,
intimate but luxurious dining space that's all about relaxed indulgence.
Soft, rounded banquettes curve around large tables, and the ambiance is welcoming and cozy, yet elegant.
The
menu consists of melt in your mouth pastas and the emphasis seems to be
on letting the natural quality and flavors of the ingredients shine
through, with many elements imported directly from Italy. A wide and
impressive variety of breads are made fresh on the premises.
Roast
monkfish in walnut caper sauce is one of the many stand out dishes and
we also love the Tiramisu, which is perfect for sharing.
Locanda Locatelli, 8 Seymour St, Marylebone, London W1H 7JZ; +44 20 7935 9088
Henrietta
Henrietta
sees Michelin-starred chef Ollie Dabbous and the group behind the
Experimental Cocktail Club come together to create a hotel restaurant
with real personality.
With award-winning Parisian designer Dorothée Meilichzon in charge of the décor, the interior makes a real impact.
Forest
green velvet chairs, exposed brickwork and a glass ceiling combine with
pressed flowers pay homage to the area's gardens of yesteryear --
creating a holiday vibe in the process.
The
restaurant's spirit-heavy bar produces imaginative cocktails inspired
by great authors -- The Citadel, a tangy blend of absinthe, gin and
orange bitters, is a stand out.
As
for food, Henrietta's menu is creative, French and pleasingly
affordable with mains starting at around £19 ($25). There's also a
selection of grilled flatbreads that are great for sharing and the
perfect madeleines make a wonderful dessert.
Henrietta, 14- 15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH; +44 20 3794 5313
Benares
Chef
patron Atul Kochhar carries the distinction of being the first Indian
chef to receive a Michelin star (at Tamarind), before earning one for
Benares.
The
restaurant, which occupies a large piece of prime Mayfair real estate,
has a relaxed vibe despite its elegant surroundings. Tables are well
spaced and the lighting creates a moody and romantic vibe.
The
menu is made up of innovative, sophisticated and modern Indian cuisine
using the best British ingredients, showcasing Kochhar's tireless
research of regional Indian recipes and global travels.
All
the dishes prepared in the tandoor oven are excellent. Other stand outs
are the crispy soft shell crab and the roasted rump of English lamb.
The three-course set lunch is a good deal, and there's a very
interesting street food menu, but the tasting menu is ideal for special
occasions.
Benares, 12a, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6BS; +44 20 7629 8886
Barrafina
Barrafina -- a no reservations Spanish tapas restaurant from restaurateurs Sam and Eddie Hart.
Barrafina
Sam
and Eddie Hart now have three Barrafina restaurants, serving the best
tapas and robust Catalan cuisine in London, with its original earning
one Michelin star. A no reservations policy means queuing for one of the
coveted bar counter seats, which would be very off-putting if the food
was not outstanding.
The
ethos here is to use the freshest and finest ingredients, and to
interfere as little as possible. Barrafina's famous specials board
changes twice daily.
Head
chef Angel Zapata Martin, who replaced Nieves Barragán Mohacho in 2017,
presides over an ever-changing menu showcasing tapas from every region
of Spain.
There is
no bad choice here, but the restaurant serves some of the most flavorful
pan con tomate and the specials are well worth trying, particularly the
fresh fish.
Barrafina, 26-27 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3LL; +44 20 7440 1456
The Ivy
The
iconic Ivy is back to its best following a major and much publicized
refurbishment. It used to be known for its good and bad tables, but
since its reopening and new layout, all tables thankfully share the same
billing.
The small
cramped bar at the entrance has been replaced by a majestic bar,
designed for lingering and dining. However some of the restaurant's more
memorable features have been retained, such as the famous diamond
shaped stained windows and leather banquettes.
All
the old favorites are still on the menu such as shepherd's pie, liver
and onions, sausage and mash, but these now sit alongside a more
eclectic choice such as miso blackened salmon and tuna sashimi.
We
love the burrata with datterini and beetroot salad to start, followed
by fish and chips, rib eye steak (with one of the sauces on offer).
When it comes to service, the staff are very knowledgeable, which unfortunately sometimes comes across as being aloof.
The Ivy, 1-5 West St, London, WC2H 9NQ; +44 20 7836 4751
Scott's
This
Mayfair seafood stalwart is part of Richard Caring's restaurant and
private club empire, and still draws a well-heeled, attractive crowd.
Dominated
by a quietly majestic, marble topped seafood and champagne bar, dark
red banquettes are discreetly glossy, fine silverware and crystal gleam
gently under universally flattering light. The tables by the bar are the
most sought after, as they give diners a perfect view of the entire
room.
When it comes
to food, the oysters are king when in season, otherwise there's
assorted crustacea such as the classic Lobster thermidor and a dizzying
array of fresh off the line fish.
While Scott's is a seafood lover's paradise, the menu also has some game and meat dishes like venison and roast Cornish lamb.
It
also offers an impressive 42 wines by the glass (with many available by
the half-bottle carafe), showing an admirable commitment to the modern
restaurant ideal.
Scott's, 20 Mount St, Mayfair, London W1K 2HE; +44 20 7495 7309
Chiltern Firehouse
André
Balazs's hot entrée into the London hotel and dining scene in 2013
created more controversy than any other establishment in recent history.
Covering
4,000 square feet, the hotel restaurant accommodates 120 people and is
divided into four interflowing sections; a small bar, a main area, a
more private area behind a partition just off the main dining area, and a
narrower back area.
The vibe is lively, yet still manages to feel cozy, while a stringent reservation policy keeps tables on the most-coveted list.
Chef
Nuno Mendes (formerly El Bulli) takes the helm at the kitchen,
reinterpreting an American inspired menu with a lighter hand, while the
wine menu offers everything from the reasonable to the stratospheric.
Chiltern Firehouse, 1 Chiltern St, Marylebone, London W1U 7PA; +44 20 7073 7676
StreetXO
StreetXO is Madrid Michelin star chef David Munoz's first restaurant outside Spain.
StreetXO / John Carey
Madrid
Michelin star chef David Munoz (Diver XO) has brought his Avant-garde
style cuisine to London, complete with a lot of artistic showmanship.
Set
in an industrial style basement, the décor comprises red Formica
tables, leather chairs and lots of art including a stand out neon fish
over the counter area.
If you don't take things too seriously and embrace the theater of it all, you'll have a relaxed and fun evening.
Munoz
has previously worked at Nahm and Hakkasan, and there are Asian
influences in his dishes here, as well as European and South American.
The
menu, which changes regularly, is varied and original, with steamed
club sandwich, Pekinese dumplings, prawn suqet stew amidst the wildly
colorful options.
It's worth noting that the background music here is loud -- so it's not an ideal venue for those who want a quiet night out.
StreetXO, 15 Old Burlington Street. Mayfair, London W1S 2JR; +44 20 3096 7555
Zuma
The
original Zuma that started it all is still one of the English capital's
most in demand restaurants, humming with energy seven days a week.
Created
to deliver authentic, high quality Eastern flavors, within a bustling,
fun, sophisticated izakaya style setting, it succeeds in spades.
The
vibe is accordingly lively and casual, but sophisticated, and the décor
exemplifies modern Eastern simplicity, with bare wood tables, simple
beige chairs and slatted wood partitions.
The
menu contains something for everyone, from Robata grilled and cooked
temptations to the freshest sushi and sashimi. Meanwhile the Sake bar
contains over 40 varieties of sake, Zuma signature cocktails.
Zuma, 5 Raphael St, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DL; +44 20 7584 1010
Colony Grill Room
The Beaumont's Colony Grill Room serves up a classic American grill menu.
Colony Grill Room / Nick Ingram
Inspired
by grill rooms of the early 1900s that offered gentlemen a welcome
respite from the constraints of formal evening dress and dining, the
atmosphere at Colony Grill Room is quietly cozy and relaxed, even when
the dining room is full.
Tucked
away in the hip yet discreet Beaumont, Chris Corbin and Jeremy King's
debut hotel, its decked out with plush deep red leather banquettes,
white linen covered tables, sepia-toned deco inspired wall murals and
framed images of yesteryear personalities.
The
menu contains transatlantic classics such as chicken pot pie, Colony
Club chopped salad, oysters (when in season) and beloved back catalogue
hits like shepherd's pie.
We recommend the build your own ice cream sundaes for dessert.
The Colony Grill Room, The Beaumont, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TN; +44 20 7499 9499
Spring
Located
in a wing of Somerset House on the Strand, this former government tax
office has been transformed into a beautiful contemporary space with
chef Skye Gyngell at the helm.
The
main dining room is adorned with a stunning white marble bar, wide
planked oak wood floors, pastel walls, high ceilings, white pillars and
honey leather dining chairs.
Spring's
daily changing menu is committed to using only the freshest, seasonal
produce, and there is a straightforward, elegant approach in the
kitchen.
Recent
options have included Guinea fowl with buttered leeks, chanterelles and
crème fraîche and wild sea bass with crushed borlotti beans, braised
tardivo and rosemary.
Spring, Somerset House, Lancaster Pl, London WC2R 1LA; +44 20 3011 0115
Park Chinois
Park Chinois pays homage to 1930s Shanghai glamour whilst serving the finest dim sum and Chinese cuisine.
Park Chinois
Alan
Yau's high-end Chinese restaurant is a sight to behold -- its interior
is as graceful as an 18th century French building, with a nod to 1930s
Shanghai glamor.
Park
Chinois provides the perfect full night out, with cocktails, great food
and entertainment -- there's a live jazz bar on most nights -- and it's
open until 2 a.m. every night.
All tables are excellent, but if you want to be closer to the action we suggest a table near to the small live music stage.
And although there's much to admire on the menu, the duck for sharing is what most diners come for.
Complemented
with steamed pancakes and hoisin sauce, Thai cucumber and spring
onions, as well as a choice of caviar (a classy touch), it's a
particularly memorable dish that elevates Park Chinois into our London
favorite list.
Park Chinois, 17 Berkeley St, Mayfair, London W1J 8EA; +44 20 3327 8888
Sexy Fish
This
super glamorous addition to the Richard Caring empire is an
Asian-inspired fish and seafood restaurant with German chef Bjoern
Weissgerber at its helm.
It's
essentially a super luxe and impressive brasserie with plenty of
magnificent bespoke art on display including installations from Damien
Hirst and excellent works by Frank Gehry (designer of the Guggenheim in
Bilbao).
The
Asian-inspired menu includes a tempura section, as well as an array of
seafood-filled salads, soups and noodle dishes, and of course, plenty of
fish.
There's also a selection of meat dishes including bone-in rib eye steak and Japanese wagyu.
Sexy
Fish also comes with a wine list that means business, concentrating
firmly on European icons, big name domaines and chateaux, and with
impressive vintage depth for those with pockets to match. Sexy Fish
remains one of the hottest in London, so make sure to book well ahead.
Sexy Fish, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square W1J 6BR; +44 20 3764 2000
Hakkasan
Serving
contemporary Cantonese cuisine with a twist, this second London outpost
of the now international Hakkasan brand has gone from strength to
strength.
The
split-level restaurant features a bar and large casual dining area on
the ground floor and a more intimate, den-like lower ground floor
restaurant area.
Hakkasan
pioneered a look and ambiance best described as nightclub Chinoise at
their original restaurant on Hanway Place, with a stunningly moody,
dark, Christian Liaigre designed interior and Hakkasan Mayfair continues
the blue and black color theme and nightclub vibe.
Stand out dishes include roasted silver cod in champagne and honey, stir fried Chilean sea bass and black truffle roast duck.
It's
wine list has been ruthlessly curated for food harmony, each one is
tasted with at least four dishes to ensure that all match seamlessly to
the food.
Hakkasan Mayfair, 17 Bruton Street, London W1J 6QB; +44 20 7907 1888
The Delaunay
Restaurateurs
Chris Corbin and Jeremy King opened Delaunay following the huge success
of The Wolseley in Piccadilly -- and it has proved to be another big
hit for the dynamic duo.
The
dining room, modeled on the grand cafés of Vienna and Budapest, is
undeniably stunning, with Old World charm in spades. Imposing
chandeliers and leather banquettes add to its grandeur.
The
menu is split into lots of sections, from soups, starters and wieners
to crustacia, caviar, cakes and coupes -- with lots in between.
Dishes
are simple but well executed and, while the food is not fine dining,
the sense of occasion being the comes from being in this brass and dark
wood venue makes up for it.
We particularly recommend the Wiener Schnitzel and the steak tartare, and a crab cocktail to start.
The Delaunay, 55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB; +44 20 7499 8558
Duck & Waffle
Duck and Waffle is positioned on the 40th floor of Heron Tower, offering fantastic views over London.
Duck & Waffle
Bringing 24/7 dining to new heights, Duck & Waffle is based on the 40th floor in the Heron Tower, in the heart of London.
Its
magnificent views and fun, playful take on traditional British comfort
food make for a winning combination. Inside is industrial chic, from the
graffiti in the bar area, to the wood planked ceiling, simple uncovered
tables, farmhouse style white wooden chairs and the large u-shaped
leather banquettes.
The restaurant's small bar is also a fun destination in its own right thanks to its stellar views.
As
for the menu, the eponymous duck and waffle (perfectly crisp duck
confit, fried duck egg and waffle, accompanied by mustard maple syrup)
is among the restaurant's most popular dishes.
The majority of dishes here are ideal for sharing, which we highly recommend.
Duck & Waffle, Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY; +44 20 3640 7310
Coya
This
modern Peruvian restaurant offers fresh, contemporary cuisine from one
of its three kitchens -- the ceviche bar, charcoal grill, and central
kitchen.
Its extensive menu requires lengthy perusal before ordering, but the fun and lively atmosphere helps keeps things casual.
Starters
are divided into four categories, anticuchos (skewers), ceviches,
tiraditos and small plates while mains are categorized by animal type
and cooking style.
The
standout dishes include sea bass ceviche, crab and avocado tacos,
quinoa salad, arroz Nikkei (Chilean sea bass and rice, lime and chili in
a miniature iron pot) and Chuleton (28-day aged rib of beef). We're
particularly fond of the family style sharing plates.
Coya, 118 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 7NW; +44 20 7042 7118
Elystan Street
Following
his star turn at The Square in Mayfair, two Michelin star chef Phil
Howard is back on the scene, along with his business partner Rebecca
Mascarenhas and head chef Toby Burrowes, with this very charming Chelsea
restaurant.
The interior is stylish, with moody lighting and chic, concrete tables.
While
the menu isn't as complex as The Square, it's still very innovative,
adventurous and fun. Recent additions include langoustine tartare and
duck salad with caramelized vegetables and red onion.
And while Elystan Street doesn't have a bar, the cocktails are inventive and there's also a great beer list.
Elystan Street, 43 Elystan Street, Chelsea, London SW3 3NT; +44 20 7628 5005
Our conclusion
London's
restaurants thrive with a new found, eclectic global energy. Chiltern
Firehouse and The Ivy draw in the celebrities, and Sexy Fish is super
glamorous.
Benares is our top pick for contemporary Indian, while for Italian it has to be Locanda Locatelli.
Zuma
continues to dominate as the top tier Japanese for quality of food and a
lively atmosphere, and a host of fun casual eateries (Barrafina, Duck
& Waffle, Coya) breathe new life into an already burgeoning
restaurant scene.
Our
top choice for steak, meanwhile, is Smith & Wollensky, and for
reliable all day dining we favor The Ivy and The Delaunay.
Park
Chinois is a real class act -- for the food, the ambience and the late
night entertainment. And for something completely different: StreetXO is
full of theatrical dishes from hot Spanish chef David Munoz.
There has never been a better time to eat out in London, just be sure to book well ahead.
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