For many years, Britain’s culinary reputation around the world was at best non-existent, and at worst, downright deplorable. These days we’re all grateful to live in an era where British food is changing for the better, and slowly but surely, a new wave of British restaurants are putting the country back on the international map. There’s even an appetite for British food in Paris, of all places - who would have thought!
International culinary adventurers often come to London in search of great restaurants and that is no surprise - the British capital is home to some of the best restaurants in the world these days. London is broad and multicultural, with a huge range of restaurants that represent cultures all over the world, but it is also a good place to come if you’re looking for great British cooking.
What does that entail exactly? Contrary to international opinion, British food isn’t all fish and chips, sausage rolls and pies, and if it was that frankly wouldn’t be such a terrible thing. Some of these restaurants take a very traditional approach to British cooking, whipping up pies, suet puddings and a long list of delicious stodgy puds to such a high standard that they earn themselves a place in the famous Michelin Guide. Others are a little more modern, taking a more contemporary approach to British flavours and ingredients to forge a new image of what British food can be in the 21st century.
Our list of the best British Michelin star restaurants in London has something for everyone, from easy-going gastropubs to some of the best fine dining in the city. Scroll down for more info and click through to the restaurant listing for pictures, booking details and more.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Knightsbridge
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What: Heston Blumenthal has become synonymous with modern British fine dining thanks to his work at The Fat Duck and at Dinner - his eponymous restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge. At Dinner, Heston and team take guests on a history lesson, reimagining British culinary delights of yesteryear in fun and delicious ways, for example, the famous ‘meat fruit’ - a chicken liver mousse with mandarin jelly, made to look like an orange.
Where: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA
Book now: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Restaurant St Barts, Barbican
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What: Sitting at the more modern end of the spectrum, Restaurant St Barts serves exquisite, precise tasting menus that celebrate the bounty of ingredients found across the British Isles. The cooking itself takes plenty of influence from around the globe, which is in itself a great example of what modern British cookery has become. St Barts is also the only restaurant in London to hold a Michelin star and a Michelin Green star for its sustainable practices.
Where: 63 Bartholomew Close, EC1A 7BF
Book now: Restaurant St Barts
The Goring Dining Room, Victoria
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What: The Goring Dining Room is newly refurbished and let us tell you, it is looking stupendous. Officially the closest hotel to Buckingham Palace, The Goring has long been a firm favourite of the Royal Family, with Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother both famously enjoying the dining room. Many of the classic dishes remain, making this the ultimate destination for British luxury dining in London.
Where: 15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW
Book now: The Goring Dining Room
The Harwood Arms, Fulham
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What: London’s only Michelin-starred gastropub is the place to go if you want something a little less fine dining and a little more traditional. That said, dishes at the Harwood Arms are still thoroughly restauranty. You’re still welcome to pop in for a pint and a Scotch egg, if you want a very classic British pub experience.
Where: Walham Grove, SW6 1QP
Book now: The Harwood Arms
Lyle’s, Shoreditch
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What: Our London Restaurant of the Year in 2024 is another must-visit for anyone in London. James Lowe’s slick, minimal Shoreditch spot really is one of London’s era-defining restaurants, and dishes make incredible use of seasonal British produce. The lunch menu is excellent as well if you can’t get a dinner table.
Where: The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
Book now: Lyle’s
St John, Farringdon
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What: Any discussion of British food in London starts and finishes with St John. Fergus Henderson’s Smithfield temple of British gastronomy has stood the test of time, serving ultra-seasonal British food that doesn’t shy away from offal, and never compromises on flavour. If you can’t get a table in the restaurant, it’s worth popping into the bar where you can eat small plates and the tables are for walk-ins only.
Where: 26 St John Street, EC1M 4AY
Book now: St John Smithfield
The Clove Club, Shoreditch
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What: Isaac McHale’s obsessive pushing of the envelope has made The Clove Club a two Michelin-starred London behemoth, famous for radical, orthodox cooking that doesn’t lose sight of the importance of just being absolutely delicious. The digs are nice too - a prized spot at Old Shoreditch Town Hall, within striking distance of Liverpool Street.
Where: 380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT
Book now: The Clove Club
Restaurant Story, London Bridge
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What: After a nice refurb, two Michelin-starred Restaurant Story is fit and firing once again. Tom Sellers’ cooking is big on storytelling, cribbing from meaningful moments in his own life to conjure impressive modern dishes.
Where: 199 Tooley Street, SE1 2JX
Book now: Restaurant Story
Read more about London’s Michelin-starred restaurants right here, or if you’re in the market for the top line in luxury dining, check out this guide to every three Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK.