Charming and full of character

Relaxed and free from pomposity, there is a lovely neighbourhood feel to this restaurant that provides both great cooking and a warm welcome. The versatility of the place knows no bounds, as it’s as suited to a romantic dinner as it is to a quick lunch while out shopping or when celebrating with friends. The reliably enjoyable dishes are based on classical combinations and often have a Mediterranean inflection – such as carpaccio of scallops or grilled octopus with smoked paprika aioli. A good value set menu is available alongside the à la carte, but must be booked in advance.

He may be one of the most famous chefs on the planet, but Gordon Ramsay still remains fiercely committed to maintaining the highest standards at his elegant yet relaxed flagship restaurant. The team here interpret Ramsay’s style impeccably across a choice of menus: the set 'Prestige' selection; the 'Carte Blanche' surprise menu; and the à la carte, where you will find signature dishes like the lobster ravioli and the roast veal sweetbread. The latter is a perfect embodiment of the kitchen's perfectly judged contrasts of flavour and texture, with a pleasing lightness of touch.

Elystan Street is a neighbourhood restaurant, but as that neighbourhood is Chelsea, you can expect to find elegance and style in spades. It’s a collaboration between Philip Howard and Rebecca Mascarenhas, and with its huge windows, well-judged lighting and friendly service, it's an equally charming spot for a light lunch or an intimate dinner. The cooking comes with well-defined flavours and a lightness of touch, exuding a pared-back, unfussy style that suits the frequent Mediterranean influences. Barbecued octopus with aioli, crispy chickpeas and tardivo is a prime example.

Chef Claude Bosi returns to his Lyonnaise roots with this buzzy ‘bouchon’, where the tables are tightly packed and the walls are adorned with colourful posters. The menu could scarcely be more French if it was emblazoned with the tricolore: vol-au-vent, andouillete, frog’s legs… take your pick. It’s all executed with great skill and packs in plenty of flavour, while the service is delivered with a certain ‘bonne humeur’. The set menu is remarkably good value, as is the 'plat du jour', and the well-chosen wine list contains some notable French producers. There's another, larger branch in Maryle

Heston Blumenthal has announced that this restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel will close for good in early 2027, so now’s the time to see exactly why it has always been so highly rated. The menu may take inspiration from England's oldest recipe books, but there is still something decidedly 'Heston' about the creative dishes. The signature illusory 'Meat Fruit' epitomises his playful influence, while providing a reminder that superb flavours underpin his dishes – in this case it's a smooth, delicious chicken liver parfait. In another twist, guests are asked how much interaction

From the charming welcome to the last of the delicious petit fours, Clare Smyth's elegant Notting Hill restaurant offers a superb experience. Start with a drink in the delightful Whiskey & Seaweed bar, before choosing between an à la carte or two tasting menus. 'Core Seasons' features more recent seasonal creations, while 'Core Classics' includes Smyth signatures like 'Potato and Roe' and 'Lamb Carrot'. Throughout, the eye-catching dishes take outstanding ingredients and fashion them into beautifully balanced, skilfully composed dishes with supreme depth of flavour.

After running his own restaurant Cornerstone in Hackney, Chef Tom Brown returned in 2025 to the genteel surroundings of The Capital Hotel, the place where his reputation was first established. The dining room is intimate, immaculate and perfect for that discreet lunch or celebratory dinner. As is the case with all Brown's endeavours, the focus is largely on seafood and the visually thrilling dishes make great use of superb prime ingredients, whether that be turbot with a beautiful array of courgettes or more inventive dishes like the cuttlefish ‘cacio e pepe’.