Updated: August 2022

Having eaten in many fine restaurants in London I would recommend the following to those visiting or living in London. Not all are as one might expect. Tourists may be told to go to Le Caprice (now gone), The Ivy (now part of a chain), Sheekeys etc. However, I would not include these in a top listing as they can be rather expensive and also rather vulgar. Harrumph!

Instead my list below represents a balanced mix of some of the best, though not necessarily most expensive restaurants in London. One guarantees that you won’t be disappointed with a visit to any of them.

1. Bellamy’s (review) – Mayfair
   This reminds one of Sheekeys and the Ivy before they were ruined by the glitterati. Go here for a classy meal with high quality French food.
   Location: Near Berkeley Square in Mayfair
   Address: 18 Bruton Pl, London W1J 6LY
   Tel: 020 7491 2727
2. Kiln – Near Piccadilly
   A Thai inspired restaurant in Brewer Street, that can be wonderful as long as you know what to order. The glass noodles are always a real treat and the sausage laap. Also, any of the vegetables are excellent. Seems to be getting more popular with foodie tourists, especially those from asia and the USA.
3. The Ledbury (2 star Michelin) – Near Notting Hill (Review)
   An expensive modern restaurant serving modern food with high standards and a classy atmosphere. Credit card meltingly wonderful although it need not be so. Lunch is highly recommended but it can be a bit of a bugger to get to. Take a taxi dear friends.
   Location: Near Notting Hill but get it’s not a breeze to get to!
   Address: 127 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AQ
   Phone:020 7792 9090
4. Daquise (Review) – South Kensington
   Polish and not too expensive restaurant as it quite classy. This is your Doctor’s favourite for dinner . Steak tartare to die for prepared totally from scratch at your table.

   Location: Easy to find, just go to South Kensington underground and turn right twice.

   Address: 20 Thurloe St, London SW7 2LT

   Phone:020 7589 6117

    
5. The Goring – Victoria behind Buckingham Palace (review)
   A gem of a hotel, privately owned with it’s own garden overlooked by a terrace. The restaurant is high class and has a set lunch menu which is very good value. Daily specials can include a wonderful steak and kidney pie. If you are looking for something less expensive, sit in the bar area (or the beautiful terrace overlooking the hidden garden on sunny days). This is for Doctor Lunch and close chums only!
   Location: Behind Buckingham Palace. Victoria Underground.
   Address: 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW

   Phone:020 7396 9000

    
6. Cecconi’s – Piccadilly behind the Royal Academy
   A noisy, classy restaurant with a fabulous cocktail bar. Serves wonderful Italian food. Book well ahead
   Location: Behind the Royal Academy in Piccadilly.
   Address: 5A Burlington Gardens, London W1S 3EP
   Phone:020 7434 1500

7. Plateau – Canary Wharf (review)Well worth a visit if one is in Canary wharf. It is modern, it is lively, it serves stupendous cocktails and the view of the Canary wharf offices reminds one of being in New York or Chicago.
   Location: In Canary Wharf on the East side of London.

   Address: 4th Floor, Canary Wharf Group, Canada Square, London E14 5ER
   Tel:020 7715 7100
8.  Amaya
   One is including a non-European restaurant in the top ten. Forget Veeraswamy for Indian food. This is an experience. Cocktails can be taken at the bar and watching the food being cooked in the Tandoor is a treat. Not cheap but worth a visit.
   Location: Between Harrods, Knightsbridge  and Hyde Park Corner
   Address: Halkin Arcade, Motcomb St, London SW1X 8JT
   Tel:020 7823 1166
9. Grumbles
   Great value food in a quirky small bistro style restaurant. There are a few outside tables which are perfect for an al fresco lunch. The set lunch menu is amazing value and the staff are wonderful. Great for a simple, non-fussy lunch.
   Grumbles Bistro Ltd, 35 Churton Street, Pimlico, London, SW1V 2LT
   Tel: 020 7834 0149

Other London restaurants
The following is a list of your Doctor’s favourite restaurants in London. These are loosely ranked in the Doctor’s preference. Such a difficult task! The order could change tomorrow.

1. Coq d’argent (£££) –  Upmarket modern cuisine. Heavenly outside terrace which is perfect for dining Al Fresco on summer’s day.
   Location: City of London near Bank Underground Station
   Address: The Poultry, 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
   Tel: 020 7395 5000
   
2. Shikumen – A relative newcomer. Dim Sum par excellence in this slightly out of the centre Chinese restaurant. The best dim sum one has ever eaten in London. Go and it will not disappoint.
   Location: Take the Central line to Shepherd’s Bush in West London
   Address: Dorsett Hotel, 58 Shepherd’s Bush Green, London W12 8QE
   Tel: 020 8749 9978
3. Quaglino’s – A large, loud and buzzy restaurant. Great menu and the prices are bearable.
   Location: Just off Jermyn Street, Piccadilly Circus underground.
   Address: 16 Bury St, London SW1Y 6AJ
   Tel: 020 7930 6767
4. The Wolseley (££) – Lively, classy and trendy. Large French style brasserie where the glitterati love to hang out later on in the evening. If you want a French Brasserie but cheaper then go to Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly Circus.
   Location: Near the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly. Green Park Underground.
   Address: 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
   Phone:020 7499 6996
5. Wilton’s – (£££) – Maybe slightly overrated these days and it is certainly pricey. If you want traditional (but stylish) English cooking with an emphasis on Fish then this is the place for you. Very popular with one’s American chums.
   Address: 55 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 6LX
   Phone:020 7629 9955
6. Oxo Tower (£££) – Great views of London and the River Thames are afforded from this modern British restaurant. A wonderful place for cocktails but get there early to beat the evening rush.
   Location: On south side of the Thames near Blackfriars Bridge
   Address: Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, London SE1 9PH
   Tel: 020 7803 3888
7. The Ivy (£££) – Everyone has heard of the Ivy. The complaint is usually that one’s chums tried to book and found that they had to eat at 5pm. Not exactly fun. Now alas, The Ivy is a chain and can be found everywhere. It’s still fun to go to the original but avoid it unless you just want to say you’ve been there. 
   
   1-5 West Street, London, WC2H 9NQ

   Tel: 020 7836 4751

R.I.P.

The list of all those once fabulous restaurants that have dished out their last meal.

• Le Gavroche (January 2024)
• The Greenhouse – Mayfair
• Greens – Duke Street
• The Square
• Atelier Joel Robuchon
• Le Caprice
• The Whistler restaurant at Tate Britain
• Wheeler’s
• Shepherd’s