The best restaurants in London are magnificent and myriad. They are pizzerias, fine dining establishments, curry houses, food markets, grand dining rooms and caffs. Does London have Michelin star restaurants? Yes, 85 of them. Not more than Paris, but more than New York City, Copenhagen or Rome. Does London have sushi and Thai food and Turkish? But of course; the selection of cuisines knows no bounds. If you’re heading to London on either our British Royale or Castles & Kingdoms journeys, you’ll want to extend your stay and make some reservations – treat the list below as your little black book.  Somehow, we have narrowed it down to 13 of the best places to eat in London right now.

The Devonshire

The London pub of your dreams is just off Piccadilly Circus, right opposite the elaborate, art deco theatre that’s been hosting the feathers of Moulin Rouge since 2022. The Devonshire is a hot ticket, so book in advance. Then you’ll be able to luxuriate in your good planning, on a burgundy banquette, with a pint of velvety Guinness and a beef cheek suet pudding.

 

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Brutto

This perfect trattoria is one of the best restaurants in London for a celebratory lunch that ends on a tiramisu high and starts with coccoli or “cuddles” (which are fried balls of dough served with silky prosciutto and creamy soft cheese). The atmosphere is divine, as are the spritzes. Bookings open exactly 14 days ahead of time, so you must be alert.

 

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You may also enjoy reading: What to Wear to Dinner in London by Food Writer Laura Goodman

Brat

This Basque grill restaurant in chic Shoreditch is named after the old English word for turbot, one of the star menu items that comes golden from the grill. Brat is about great food, cooked disarmingly simply but with such skill. The grilled flatbread with anchovies is a modern classic, as are the chopped eggs with bottarga on toast, and – arguably London’s most famous pudding – the burnt cheesecake.

 

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The Clove Club

For fine dining with a big heart, nowhere does it like The Clove Club, which has been keeping modern British food interesting in Shoreditch Town Hall for over 10 years now. The tasting menu is ever-changing, but always an adventure through the best of British ingredients – Wiltshire trout, Orkney scallops, Scottish langoustine, Yorkshire rhubarb – containing eight dishes which are so much more than the sum of their parts.

 

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Chishuru

In 2024, chef Adejoké Bakare became the first black woman in the UK to be given a Michelin star. Her singular West African cooking had a loyal fanbase among London’s chefs and punters long before she settled at the Fitzrovia address, thanks to a previous Brixton iteration of Chishuru. The food is luminous, delicious, cosy, alive – this is a tasting menu that makes you feel looked after.

 

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Jikoni

Eat an abundant, joyous lunch at Jikoni, where the floral tablecloths and peachy pastels will lift your spirits and the food is sunshine on a plate. Chef-founder Ravinder Bhogal describes her kitchen as ‘no borders’, offering a gently genius cross-cultural menu of, for instance, prawn toast Scotch egg with banana ketchup, or Cornish ray wing with lime pickle beurre noisette. Not to mention the Jikoni ice creams (pistachio, Ovaltine or Turkish delight).

 

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Bookmark for later: The Luxury Gold Guide to the Best London Experiences

Trullo

This handsome blue spot close to Islington’s Upper Street is an Italian restaurant in the most London sense of the words. The menu is creative but unshowy and the food is reliable, but always a massive treat. It’s one of the best restaurants in London, but quietly. For primi: pappardelle with beef shin ragu or ravioli with Westcombe ricotta, sweet herbs and walnut sauce. From the oven: Whole Torbay lemon sole. Yes.

 

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Kol

Sitting at number 17 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Kol is a modern Mexican restaurant full of soul in calm, elegant Marylebone. Chef Santiago Lastra’s blending of central American flavors and British produce is masterful and the downstairs mezcaleria oozes fun. It’s fine dining – tasting menus only, which is just as well, because you don’t want to miss a thing.

 

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Ikoyi

And at number 35 of the same list is Ikoyi, which the people at the World’s 50 Best describe as serving “category-free cuisine”. With a choice location on The Strand, close to Covent Garden station, this two Michelin star restaurant is the brainchild of chef Jeremy Chan – he creates complex, beautiful dishes inspired by West African spices and British ingredients.

 

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Toklas

This Mediterranean restaurant with its own bakery has lots of fans, including Britain’s own Nigella. It’s near Temple, close to the Thames, and only a short walk along The Strand from Covent Garden. Come for coffee and squishy cardamom buns in the morning or a perfect, pre-theatre set menu. Or, luxuriate in the full menu, from boquerones, through grilled pork chops (with escarole, raisins and capers), fantastic fries and tarte tatin. Toklas is one of the best places to eat in London at any time of day.

 

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Gymkhana

This is a two Michelin star restaurant inspired by the elite clubs of India where members of high society socialize, eat, drink, and play sport. The dining room – with its amber lighting, dark timber, shades of jade green and brass – is a chic space in which to work through a thoughtful tasting menu, an adventure in Indian fine dining.

 

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The Ritz

What is the most iconic restaurant in London? There is nowhere on this planet like The Ritz. Think: lofty, frescoed ceilings, gilding, glittering chandeliers, marble columns and all the rest of it. Go for absolute theatre – it’s icons or bust. The beef wellington is a fine centrepiece, made with Périgord truffle, sliced at the table and the crêpe Suzette is cooked (and dramatically flambéed) tableside.

 

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With exceptional dining at the heart of every Luxury Gold journey, take a look at our collection of small group luxury tours.

From how to dress for a Michelin star restaurant to what the stars mean, many diners have questions before their first Michelin meal. With several Michelin restaurants on our luxury tours, including luxury train travel, we want you to know what to expect at a Michelin star restaurant and that all essential Michelin star restaurant dress code. 

See how Exceptional Dining takes centre stage on every Luxury Gold journey.

What Is A Michelin Star Restaurant?

Yes, it’s that Michelin. The Michelin food guide originated in the early 1900s when the founders of the Michelin tire company wanted to encourage motorists to take road trips—and buy tires. So, they created a guide for those in search of good food on road trips. The guide started by offering a single star and expanded up to three stars. Discerning diners began to refer to the guide in the 1960s and 70s. It has since evolved into a guide that gives a restaurant its highest honor. As a prestigious recognition, fewer than 3,000 restaurants have received Michelin notoriety. 

Image credit: @lemonzurestaurant on Instagram

Enjoy seasonal produce and sensational views as you dine at Michelin-starred Le Monzù restaurant on the Italian Isle of Capri, on Ultimate Italy. 

Michelin Star Restaurant Criteria

To be considered for a Michelin star, a Michelin inspector uses the following criteria: 

1. Quality of products 
2. Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
3. Personality of chef in the cuisine 
4. “Wow” factor and harmony of flavors 
5. Consistency of food between inspectors’ visits 

You may also be interested to read further: How Do Restaurants Get Awarded a Michelin Star?

What Do The Michelin Stars Mean?

The Michelin star awards are issued yearly. A restaurant can both have a star added and taken away from year to year. Unlike other restaurant recognitions, Michelin stars are awarded for the food only. Restaurant style and degree of formality are not considered. An overview of the meaning of the stars: 

One star: high quality cooking 

Two stars: excellent cooking with the personality and talent of the chef evident in the dishes 

Three stars: exceptional cuisine of chefs at the peak of their profession where cooking is elevated to an art form  

You may also enjoy reading: 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants Around The World

Preparing For Your Meal

Now that you know what you have to look forward to, there’s a lot you can do in advance to make the most of your dining experience. Be sure to inform the restaurant of any dietary requirements or intolerances in advance. Michelin-starred restaurants are accustomed to accommodating vegetarian, vegan and gluten–free as well as other specific dietary requirements. When traveling with Luxury Gold, your travel concierge is also a great point of contact to share any dietary restrictions with. Then, of course, its time to turn your attention to the Michelin star restaurant dress code. 

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Taste the best of English cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurant The Olive Tree in Bath, on our British Royale journey.

What To Wear To A Michelin Star Restaurant

Dining at a Michelin Star restaurant is not just about enjoying exquisite cuisine; it’s also an experience that often calls for refined dress. While there is no official Michelin star restaurant dress code, and specific attire required depends on the restaurant and location, dressing smartly is generally the best approach.

For men, a tailored suit or dress pants paired with a crisp button-down collared shirt is a safe choice. A blazer adds sophistication, and a tie may be required at some establishments, so it’s wise to check the restaurant’s guidelines in advance. This can also apply for jeans. Opt for polished dress shoes to complete the look, avoiding overly casual footwear.

Women have a broader range of options but should aim for elegant attire, such as a sophisticated dress or a chic blouse paired with tailored pants or a skirt. Accessories like statement jewelry can always enhance any outfit, and this is the perfect reason to go bold. Heels or stylish flats are suitable for footwear, ensuring comfort without sacrificing style.

Regardless of your choice, keep it at least smart casual and avoid items like shorts, flip-flops or gym wear. Ultimately, the goal is to feel confident and comfortable while respecting the fine dining atmosphere of a Michelin Star restaurant.

Other top tips for a Michelin star restaurant dress code are:  

• When in doubt, dress a little nicer. Dining in a Michelin star restaurant is a special opportunity, so why not elevate your time with a bit dressier attire? 
• Consider the restaurant. Learning a bit about the style and décor or the restaurant will help you to select an outfit that matches the formality of the setting. 
• One strategy is align your dress to the star rating. This simple formula translates to more business casual for 1-star restaurants, while a 2 or 3-star restaurant might call for dressier attire. 
• Don’t be shy about contacting the restaurant. It’s perfectly common and acceptable to contact the restaurant to ask what type of attire patrons wear. Some restaurants even post their attire on their website. Or, ask your friendly travel concierge.

If you love fine dining you will enjoy reading: These Are Our 15 Favorite Michelin Star Restaurants in Italy 

Courses And Pairings

Now that you’ve found the right look for you and the restaurant, it’s time to focus on the meal. Many Michelin star restaurants will present you with a tasting menu and the choice of a drink pairing. A trained sommelier will have matched the beverages with each course to enhance the flavors of the dishes. Because of the multi-course menu, both the dishes and pours of these pairings will be less than a full main course dish and glass of wine. 

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On our Harmony of Central Europe luxury tour, enjoy Hungarian/French fusion Michelin-starred dining in Budapest at Borkonyha Winekitchen

The Service

Be prepared for attentive service. You should expect your waitstaff to often be close by, enhancing your experience.  Your waiter will fill your glass, replace your napkin should you step away, and probably clean the crumbs from the table at the end of the meal. 

How long do Michelin Star Meals Take?

A meal at a Michelin restaurant is an experience to remember. And part of that experience is taking your time and savoring each course. Most meals last at least two hours, and often three to four hours. Rest assured that the chef has your experience in mind and has thoughtfully paced the courses and wine pairings for your benefit. In short, settle in and relax into a decadent, memorable evening. 

Where will Michelin dining take you? Browse our collection of luxury small group journeys, many of which include Michelin starred dining.

Picture the scene: a sommelier comes over as you flick through the wine list. There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of options to choose from. You feel overwhelmed: you know what you like, but you’re interested in trying something new. It can be hard to know what to ask a wine professional, or how to talk their language. We caught up with Aisling Bury, sommelier and Restaurant Manager at The Olive Tree in Bath, UK ‒ the city’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, which as a Luxury Gold guest you’ll visit on our British Royale journey ‒ to learn how to talk to a sommelier on your travels.

What is a sommelier?

First things first: what is a sommelier? Essentially, it’s the wine expert employed by a restaurant to help select wines for the venue. They talk guests through the wine list, helping them choose a good match for their dish. Depending on the country, a sommelier usually has a diploma or qualifications from an institution such as the Court of Master Sommeliers. Much of their role happens behind the scenes: designing a restaurant’s wine list ‒ which can run into the tens of thousands of bottles ‒ and working with head chefs to plan food and drink pairings. But they’re also here to guide you. If you’re wondering how to talk to a sommelier, think of what you want from the chat: usually, to help them understand your tastes while also learning a bit about the evening’s wines and getting some new recommendations. Go in confidently with this bluffer’s guide to sommelier talk.

For further reading: From Prosecco to Pecorino: a Guide to the Best Italian White Wines For 2024

Dishes and varieties

The Olive Tree specializes in seasonal fine dining (credit: @olivetreebath on Instagram)

By the time a sommelier comes over to your table, you’ll likely have had time to peruse the menu, and this is vital. You might like a Pinot Noir or a Sauvignon Blanc at home, but your choice of dish is the biggest influence on the wines they will choose. This is especially true of dishes involving red meat, fish, chocolate or cheese, but everything from herbs to char-grilling can influence their choice. So before your chat, note the dishes you’re most interested in ordering. Try to communicate what you like: even if you think you don’t the terminology of wine tasting, you’ll certainly know which flavors your palate responds to. Think of it like ordering a cocktail: you might tell a barman you prefer bright, acidic, citrus flavors, or mellow, sweet or fruity flavors. Those same preferences can be transferred to wine, so don’t be afraid to describe your favorite things to your sommelier.

A sommelier will often talk to you about dryness versus sweetness and the options of full-bodied, medium-bodied or lighter wines. These choices enhance different textures and flavors in your food: so a fatty meat might need a juicy, acidic wine to cut through that fattiness, while an off-dry white wine has the sweetness to complement spicy dishes.

For food lovers: Why South Africa is the Ultimate Setting For a Gourmet Road Trip

Scent and clarity

Once a first wine has been selected, your sommelier will pour you a small glass to try. But don’t knock it back just yet. “The first thing you’re going to do is swirl the wine,” explains Aisling Bury, who encourages diners to get a deep noseful of the wine’s aroma. “You’re looking for things that smell out of place; so scents of wet cellar, damp cardboard, a caramel note or just generally an unpleasant vinegar smell.” Next, you should hold the wine up to the light, taking note of the color and transparency of the liquid. “You’re looking for clarity,” explains Aisling. “Unless it’s a natural wine, you want it to be clear and not foggy.” Natural wines aren’t filtered or fined, due to their low-intervention style of winemaking, hence a slight cloudiness when you hold them to the light. Feel free to talk to a sommelier about how the wine was produced and any unusual techniques. 

Your sommelier may also talk to you about the “legs” on your wine. Aisling explains: “When you swirl a wine and it goes up the glass, it’s how slowly the little rivulets of liquid stream down the inside of a glass. The slower they move down suggests a higher alcohol content or sugar content in the wine.” Think of it as syrup running slowly down a glass surface, but water running quickly, hardly leaving any trace. The sweeter the wine, the slower the “legs”.  “Most people think that it’s either to do with the age of the wine or the quality of the wine, but it’s actually a lot simpler than that,” says Aisling.

Tasting the wine

Now, time to taste. Expert tasters swish a mouthful of wine around their mouths, identifying any sour, sweet, mineral, fruity or tannic notes. Tannins are substances from the wine skins and seeds that give your mouth a dry, coated feel, and are most common in red wines. You might take a small sip of air through your mouthful of wine to oxygenate the liquid and bring out different flavors.

One myth Aisling wants to bust is that this first taste is a chance for diners to give a wine the thumbs-up. “You’re not checking whether you like the wine,” she says. “At this point you’ve made your choice, so you’re checking to see if the wine is faulty, not whether or not you like it.” If either you or the sommelier detects a dank, musty, wet cardboard smell, or unpleasant taste, they may conclude the wine is “corked” and decide to open another bottle. Being corked simply means the bottle has become contaminated with cork taint, creating a chemical reaction. A sommelier may show you the wine’s cork, which will also smell if the wine is corked. 

Assuming the wine is of a good standard, take this opportunity to ask your sommelier questions about the country of origin and the winemakers who created it. They can tell you which grape varieties it is made from, what the terroir (earth) is like at the vineyard, any unusual methods that were employed, and which other foods it pairs best with.

We also think you’ll like: For Fine Dining in Spain, This City Sets the Gold Standard

Three experiences to put your knowledge to the test

Fashionable mature women having fun toasting and drinking wine at luxurious restaurant in France

Rosés in Provence, France

On Luxury Gold’s 12-day Ultimate Southern France tour, you’ll stop by the prestigious Château La Coste winery outside Aix-en-Provence, to see its outdoor art and sculpture collection, stroll among the vines and try the acclaimed rosés. It’s had an “Organic Agriculture” label since 2009 thanks to its biodynamic methods of farming and production.

Cool-climate reds in Chile

Boutique winery Kingston Family Vineyards handcraft small-production batches of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in the cool climate of Chile’s Casablanca Valley, pioneering cool-climate reds as well as the white wines Chile is most famous for. Visit while touring the continent on Luxury Gold’s epic, 23-day Grand South America journey.

Scenic tastings in South Africa

On a nine-day Spectacular South Africa tour, you’ll meander through the luscious green countryside north of Cape Town, enjoying a scenic drive through the wineland towns of Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek, packed with incredible vineyards. South Africa’s diverse wines are also a big part of your delicious Farm-to-Table meal at the award-winning Werf Restaurant, which is renowned for its sustainability.

Dine with us at The Olive Tree in Bath when you join our 10-day British Royale Journey