The 5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in London Where Your Salad’s Fancier than You
We all know that finding the perfect spot for a romantic anniversary or an important client meeting takes work. You want incredible food, great service, and an atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression.
Luckily, London’s dining scene offers something for everyone, from food lovers to tourists exploring British gastronomy. If you want the ultimate experience, you’ll want to find the best fine dining restaurant in London.
So, we’ve explored the top spots across the city to save you time. Let’s take a look at the best restaurants to book for your next unforgettable meal.
How much does fine dining cost in London?
Fine dining meals in London range from £35 for entry-level set lunches to over £500 per person for ultra-high-end tasting menus with wine pairings.
| Dining Style | Cost Per Person |
| Set Lunches & Early Prix Fixe | £35 to £75 |
| Standard Tasting Menus (1-2 Michelin Stars) | £135 to £250 |
| Ultra-High-End Venues | £250 to £500+ |
1. Evelyn’s Table
Website: https://www.theblueposts.co.uk/
Address: 28 Rupert Street, Soho
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00 PM-11:00 PM; Saturday, 1:00 PM-11:00 PM
Evelyn’s Table is an intimate 12-seat spot that sits in the former cellar of The Blue Posts, giving you a Michelin-starred experience right in front of your eyes.
Here, you can watch the chefs prepare dishes like Cornish bluefin tuna and peri-peri monkfish just inches from your plate.
Plus, the restaurant offers vegetarian and pescatarian tasting menus for guests with different preferences.
A client we interviewed dined here with colleagues and said the exclusive setting worked perfectly for their meeting.
That said, getting a seat requires serious planning because the restaurant has very limited seating capacity each night.
Additionally, the menu can’t be adapted to remove soy or gluten, which may limit options for some diners.
Customer Reviews
Food and drinks at our fine dining experience was simply out of this world
Superb experience from start to finish! Food and drinks at our fine dining experience was simply out of this world and one of a kind. Every dish served not only tasted sensational, but the aromas and textures were second to none too. All the staff and chefs were very friendly and attentive, which added to the experience indefinitely. The atmosphere was lovely too and the playlist (hip hop, soul and jazz) was right up our street!
- Tulshi Patel | Google Review
Excellent fine dining in an elegant atmosphere
Excellent fine dining in an elegant atmosphere. The menu advertised five courses, but we were treated to seven or eight dishes throughout the evening – a generous touch. Every course was beautifully executed and delicious.
They ask you to wait in the ground floor pub until service begins, which is fine. Staff were wonderful throughout – attentive, helpful, and genuinely welcoming.
- Emre Can Ökten | Google Review
2. Ekstedt at The Yard
Website: https://ekstedtattheyard.com/
Address: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard
Contact: 020 7925 4749; [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 6:00 PM-9:30 PM; Sunday, 12:30 PM-2:30 PM
Fire, smoke, and ash create a dining experience unlike anything else in the city. Ekstedt at The Yard takes cooking back to their primitive roots, using natural heat and seasonal British ingredients.
You get a truly immersive experience as the chefs use charcoal to grill dishes like their incredible fermented potato and hay-smoked sweetbread.
Plus, the restaurant can easily accommodate vegans and guests with gluten allergies, making it a great option for mixed groups.
That said, the menu changes slightly based on the fresh produce available each season.
You’ll also need to give the team at least 48 hours’ notice for any special dietary needs, so they have enough time to prepare.
Customer Reviews
Really generous menu in a fine dining setting
Had an amazing Sunday lunch here – really generous menu in a fine dining setting. The beef rump came with all the trimmings and the blackberry meringue desserts was amazing. An elevated Sunday roast for sure.
- Rochelle Cohen | Google Review
Fantastic birthday meal at this insanely good fine dining restaurant
Fantastic birthday meal at this insanely good fine dining restaurant.
Absolute privilege to sit at the chefs table to see the amazing skill and hard work that goes in to the food that is served.
Thankyou to all staff for a truly unforgettable experience .
- Gary Benson | Google Review
3. Core by Clare Smyth
Website: https://corebyclaresmyth.com/
Address: 92 Kensington Park Road
Contact: +442039375086
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 12:00 PM-2:15 PM, Tuesday-Saturday, 6:30 PM-9:45 PM
Core by Clare Smyth seems to collect awards with ease. The restaurant holds three Michelin stars and 5 Automobile Association (AA) Rosettes.
The culinary team here turns humble British ingredients into impressive dishes. Plus, you can book the glass-enclosed Chef’s Table for an up-close view of the chefs at work.
A client we interviewed recently celebrated her anniversary here and couldn’t stop raving about the roast Devon duck. She also said the atmosphere felt incredibly elegant, with smart dress expected throughout the restaurant.
At the same time, the setting still has a relaxed and luxurious feel.
However, the Chef’s Table seats only 10 guests, so larger groups can’t use this option. And the restaurant stays closed on Sundays and Mondays, so dinner bookings aren’t available on those days.
Customer Reviews
It was the single best dining experience I’ve had truly
Each course was exquisite, the service was incredibly attentive, and the overall atmosphere was very elegant, with an added level of sophistication. The attention to detail on every item was well done.
Nothing was out of place, and everything was absolutely perfect.
It was the single best dining experience I’ve had truly exhibiting what a fine dining experience should look like from beginning to end.
- Jada Says Hello | Google Review
I am used to fine dinning, this wasn’t my first rodeo and still they managed to impressed all of us
I couldn’t have chosen a better restaurant to spend my birthday. I am used to fine dinning, this wasn’t my first rodeo and still they managed to impressed all of us. The setup is chilled, the food is incredible and they way the cared for us was amazing: one person in our group was pescatarian and they had a dedicated menu just for them 🫶 oh and bonus points for seeing Clare by the kitchen!
- Ren | Google Review
4. The Ritz Restaurant
Website: https://www.theritzlondon.com/
Address: 150 Piccadilly
Contact: +44 (0) 20 7493 8181; [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7:30 AM-10:00 AM, 12:30 PM-2:00 PM, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
The Ritz Restaurant is a world-renowned destination that holds two Michelin stars and consistently delivers one of the finest dining experiences available anywhere.
The executive chef here sources organic beef and succulent lobsters to craft exquisite five- or seven-course tasting menus. Plus, carefully matched wine pairings complement every course!
While this spot might not match the breezy vibe of the best rooftop restaurants in town, the live music on weekends elevates the celebration.
But remember, diners must follow a very strict dress code, as sportswear is completely banned in all areas.
Travelling to this central location can also take a while if you live in the outer boroughs.
Customer Reviews
Overall, I highly enjoyed my dining experience at the Ritz
Overall, I highly enjoyed my dining experience at the Ritz. Having been to several fine dining restaurants, I have decided that the Ritz, along with Core by Clare Smyth, are the best restaurants I have tried so far. I will go so far as to say that the Ritz deserves more than one Michelin star – for the standard they uphold, they should easily be awarded two if not three Michelin stars. I can’t wait to return to the Ritz restaurant in the future.
- Nelson Soong | Google Review
The Ritz Restaurant offers a truly classic fine dining experience in an elegant, timeless setting
The Ritz Restaurant offers a truly classic fine dining experience in an elegant, timeless setting. We visited to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday, and it felt like the perfect choice for such a special occasion. The food is beautifully presented and expertly executed, with a strong focus on traditional techniques and flavour. Service is impeccable and highly attentive, making the whole experience feel memorable from start to finish.
- Sally Mansell | Google Review
5. The Ledbury
Website: https://www.theledbury.com/
Address: 127 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill
Contact: 020 7792 9090; [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5:45 PM-9:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 12:00 PM-1:30 PM, 6:00 PM-9:15 PM
Exceptional seasonal produce forms the backbone of The Ledbury, an iconic Notting Hill destination. The kitchen builds their tasting menus around fresh ingredients, with much of the meat raised on the owner’s private farms.
You can taste the quality in dishes like the Limousin veal sweetbread and Cornish sea bass.
Plus, wine enthusiasts can explore the impressive 800-bin cellar, which the team has carefully built over the last 20 years.
The calm, understated dining room also gets plenty of natural light, creating a relaxing atmosphere for your meal.
However, lunch reservations can be difficult to secure midweek because the restaurant doesn’t serve lunch from Tuesday through Thursday.
Additionally, the entire restaurant stays closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Customer Reviews
An amazing fine dining experience
What a wonderful evening. An amazing fine dining experience. The evening starts in the lounge where staff join you for a friendly chat, then off to the restaurant for a visual and taste experience you would never forget. Brett and Tom joined us for a chat at the end which topped the evening off perfectly
- Dean Wincott | Google Review
Truly one of the best fine dining establishments in London
Truly one of the best fine dining establishments in London. From the first starter to the final bite of dessert, there’s a great combination of flavours. The cocktails were also exceptionally well done. A special shout out to the staff, as they were professional but not stuffy.
- TKS | Google Review