British food has a bad reputation for being bland, strange, and unappealing. In reality, the country has seen a cuisine transformation in the last few decades and London is quickly becoming one of the best food cities in the world. Notably, a wave of Michelin-star chefs has taken over London.
There are only five restaurants in London that, as of 2022, hold a three-star Michelin rating. This list includes all five outstanding establishments, but we also have some one-star and two-star places that are worth a visit. If you want to experience a side of fine dining and culture in London, make a reservation at any of these 8 Michelin-star restaurants.
1. Casa Fofo - One Star
While most people prefer the three-star Michelin restaurants, we promise you that the one-star and two-star establishments have a lot to offer! One of the best restaurants in London is Casa Fofo. This small restaurant is in the heart of Hackney and provides an intimate, romantic setting for diners. Casa Fofo serves up a set menu of seven dishes plus a fresh bread course. The restaurant's focus is to use seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and producers. And this means the menu is often changing to adapt to what's fresh and available.
The menu is simple but elegant and delicious. And the best part? The tasting menu is only £55 per person, making it one of London's most affordable Michelin-star experiences.
2. Amaya - One Star
Most people know that London has some of the best Indian food in the world outside of India. Amaya is a popular London restaurant. Amaya opened in 2004 and achieved almost immediate overnight success. The restaurant serves up Indian-style tapas that are "prepared for sharing in bite-sized portions." Unlike most Michelin-star fine dining restaurants, Amaya doesn't serve a fixed menu. Instead, diners can choose the dishes they want off a menu that adapts with the seasons.
The food served at Amaya is intricate with bold flavors. Unlike many Indian restaurants that focus on slow-cooked curries, Amaya tries to showcase another side of India - grilled foods.
As this is another one-star Michelin restaurant, a reservation at Amaya won't be too shocking on the wallet either. Order 8-10 dishes (the equivalent of a three-course meal) with wine and you'll spend about £85-£90 per head.
3. A. Wong - Two Stars
A. Wong is London's only two-star Michelin Chinese restaurant. The restaurant is named after Chef Andrew Wong, who has a passion for creating innovative Chinese plates that look almost too pretty to eat.
You can come here for lunch or dinner for entirely different experiences. Lunch is a dim sum menu that celebrates Chinese food heritage that has evolved over 4000 years. Or, try the "Five Moments" dinner menu, which takes you through "the perfect blending of the five flavors, seasons, and elements."
A. Wong delivers a fine dining Chinese cuisine experience that will leave you satisfied and impressed.
4. Sketch Lecture Room and Library - Three Stars
The Sketch Lecture Room and Library looks like what you would imagine a three-star Michelin restaurant to look like. This beautiful, large restaurant is an 18th-century tearoom that transforms into a stunning cocktail lounge in the evenings.
The restaurant is one of the most beautiful in London for dining atmosphere. Whether you come for the high tea service of dinner and a cocktail, the ambiance will impress. A reservation at this three-star establishment is especially worthwhile for a special celebration, like an anniversary or a birthday. You won't regret coming here for the unique, upscale experience.
5. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay - Three Stars
It wouldn't feel right to write a post about Michelin-star restaurants in London and not mention Gordon Ramsay. Gordon's restaurant, simply called "Restaurant Gordon Ramsay," is a tribute to Gordon's history. This was Ramsay's first solo restaurant that he opened in 1998, and just three years later, in 2001, he became the first Scottish chef to win three Michelin stars.
It's definitely worth visiting here to see exactly what put Gordon Ramsay on the track to international fame. The food is sublime, the service is exceptional, and the attention to detail in the entire dinner service experience makes it worth every penny.
6. Core by Clare Smyth - Three Stars
In 2021, Core by Clare Smyth was awarded three Michelin stars by the Michelin Guide. This casual restaurant is located in Notting Hill and prides itself in offering fine dining food in an atmosphere that's not too stuffy.
Core is run by the famously brilliant chef Clare Smyth, who was the first female chef to receive three Michelin stars while she worked at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Now onto her own adventure, Smyth is already making a name for herself. At Core, she focuses on serving up fine dining English cuisine while using seasonal, local British produce. Since opening in 2017, Core has won countless awards, and we have no doubt it will continue to dominate the London food scene.
7. Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
The famous Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester has received three Michelin stars consistently since 2010. Chef Jocelyn Herland creates a menu that takes a modern, innovative approach to French cuisine.
This classy, elegant experience will cost you a small fortune, but many say it's absolutely worth it. Expect a dinner of rich, delicious food that will leave a lasting impression on your palate. The specialty here is the sauces that accompany and transform most of the dishes on the menu.
8. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Another three-star Michel restaurant serving Haute French cuisine in London is the Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. Previously a two-star restaurant, Chef Hélène Darroze was upgraded to three stars in 2021.
This restaurant is everything you would expect a fine dining, three-star French establishment to be. The atmosphere is refined and beautiful, the staff are attentive, and the portions are small but decadent.
Each dish is created with seasonal produce sourced from suppliers and farmers carefully chosen by Hélène. It only takes one visit here to understand why Hélène has won herself three stars.
Now the only question is, which London Michelin-star restaurant catches your eye for a reservation?
Summary:
Explore the vibrant culinary scene of London with a visit to these eight Michelin-starred restaurants. London's reputation for bland cuisine is a thing of the past, as the city has evolved into a global food hub. From innovative British fare to diverse international flavors, these dining establishments showcase the culinary excellence that London has to offer.
