Welcome to our essential list of the coolest restaurants in London where you’ll find all the latest cutting-edge foodie hotspots. If you want to eat out at places that are up to date with the latest culinary trends, or have been dying to try that dish you've seen all over your Instagram feed, you're likely to spot it here. Our curated pick of the best trendy restaurants in London is full to the brim with foodie places where you might just spot a celebrity or two, as well as ones that boast the most fashionable interiors.
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Champagne POMMERY: founded in 1836, Maison Pommery is an exceptional Domaine which has been able to impose itself as a benchmark thanks to the bold vision of Madame Pommery. As the creator of the first Brut in 1874, the Maison makes, year after year, cuvées which are based on a meticulous selection and a unique understanding between tradition and modernity. A Pommery Champagne is a unique oenological signature. Cuvée Louise, Pommery prestige cuvée, is a symbol of absolute and innate purity. With its coloured lines reminiscent of the rows of vines of the three Grands Crus terroirs of Avize, Aÿ and Cramant, the 2005 Cuvée Louise parcels express an exceptional year, the quintessence of Pommery style.
The Plimsoll
52 St. Thomas's Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2QQ
Cult-favourite pop-up Four Legs has been hanging out at The Plimsoll for a while now, churning out cracking menus as well as arguably London’s best burger. Without doubt one of the hardest places to get (and keep hold of) a table in London.
£30 - £49
Pubs
British
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
NoMad London
Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7AH
The Nomad Hotel’s restaurant feels a bit like being on a film set. It’s housedunderneath a soaring glass ceiling while romantic wraparound balconies and trailing foliage spill down onto the dining room below.
£50 - £79
Modern European
Book now
Rochelle Canteen
16 Playground Gardens, Shoreditch, London, E2 7FA
Rochelle Canteen has transcended the trends and has been a favourite of ‘those in the know’ since it opened in 2004, remaining cool over since. The secret here is uncomplicated cooking and clean, vibrant flavours.
£50 - £79
Modern European
British
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
The Water House Project
1 Corbridge Crescent, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9DS
The Water House Project feels less like a restaurant and more like an open house for a property you can’t afford. The seasonal monthly tasting menus are superb, but you’ll probably leave with some interior design inspo as well.
Over £80
Modern European
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Arcade Battersea
1st Floor 330 The Power Station, Battersea, London, SW11 8DD
Arcade’s newest food hall delivers an array of delicious options, all housed inside the glorious, newly-renovated Battersea Power Station. This is what we want our food courts to look like from now on.
Under £30
Nepalese
Middle Eastern
Mexican
Vegetarian
Thai
Taiwanese
Japanese
Chinese
Burgers
Barbecue
International
Indonesian
Indian
Fusion
Book now
Dorian
105-107 Talbot Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2AT
Brash and bustling Dorian has been a smash hit in Notting Hill, mixing edgy modern design with some really exceptional bistro cooking.
£50 - £79
British
One Michelin star
Bistro
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
The definition of a cool restaurant in London varies depending on who you ask, so we’ve identified a few specific criteria that will help you narrow down your search. Firstly, every single one of the trendy restaurants below must offer gorgeous interiors. You know the kind that makes you want to go home and retile your bathroom with pink grout? These swoon-worthy fit-outs are the calling card of many of London’s coolest restaurants, and we can’t help but fall for their charm.
The second essential element of a cool restaurant – we think – is of course the menu. Does it throw up unusual choices? Does it use beautiful, seasonal ingredients? Are its dishes inventive, surprising or pioneering? There’s no doubt that for a restaurant to be bang on the money, the food has got to be impeccable.
Cool doesn’t have to mean fancy, though. This list includes plenty of casual restaurants that are endlessly edgy, as well as a bunch of lively restaurants known to host DJ sets and epic brunches as part of their standard offering. In our opinion, in order for a restaurant to make the cut, it has to be a guaranteed good time, which is why this trendy list can also be considered a hymn sheet to some of the most fun restaurants in London.
Ready to take your street cred up a notch? Have a scroll and see which restaurant you want to book for an evening worth gloating about.
Brat
4 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6JL
With a wood grill at its centre, this Michelin starred restaurant by Tomos Parry has shirked the usual trappings of fine dining, trading starched linens for a more utilitarian approach. The stripped back interiors let the food do all the talking – like the Basque-style turbot.
£50 - £79
Spanish
One Michelin star
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Gloria
54-56 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3QR
Zany, silly and tonnes of fun, Gloria burst on to London’s restaurant scene in early 2019 and has since achieved a cult following. Part of the Big Mamma Group, Gloria revels in campy excess and it does so brilliantly.
£30 - £49
Italian
Book now
Lyle's
The Tea Building, Shoreditch, London, E1 6JJ
Famously serene, Lyle’s whitewashed walls and sleek Scandi lines are the definition of wabi sabi restaurant style. The cooking is rightly lauded too.
Over £80
British
One Michelin star
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Booking Office 1869
Euston Road, King's Cross, London, NW1 2AR
The grand, towering ceilings, giant palm trees and sleek furniture of this 19th century ticket hall are quite something. Order a co*cktail at the 22-metre-long bar and ogle at the interiors for half an hour - it’s worth every penny.
Book now
Bébé Bob
37 Golden Square, Soho, London, W1F 9LB
From the team behind Bob Bob Ricard comes bright young thing Bebe Bob, a rotisserie chicken-focussed concept designed to draw the crowds. Of course there's caviar, Champagne and beautiful interiors to keep people coming back for more.
£50 - £79
British
French
Book now
Kiln
58 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 9TL
The clue is in the name at this buzzy Soho joint. Kiln is a tiny Thai spot which is full of fire – fiery dishes that is - such as as glass noodles topped with Tamworth pork belly and brown crab meat.
£30 - £49
Thai
Burmese
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Kricket Soho
12 Denman Street, Soho, London, W1D 7HH
Having graduated from a shipping container in Pop Brixton to a restaurant proper, Indian small plates joint Kricket serves up signature dishes such as fiery Keralan-fried chicken and crunchy Bhel puris which explode in the mouth with a swirl of tamarind stickiness.
£30 - £49
Indian
Book now
Bao Soho
53 Lexington Street, Soho, London, W1F 9AS
Known for the queues that form outside its door nightly, a visit to Bao is practically a rite of passage for Londoners. The signature fluffy bao buns here are filled with the likes of confit pork belly, fried chicken or lamb shoulder.
Under £30
Taiwanese
Chinese
Book now
Seabird
32-40 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, SE1 8PB
For all out wow-factor, Seabird in Southwark delivers on both views and food. The gorgeous rooftop space looks over London’s sweeping skyline, while the menu features fresh Portuguese-inspired plates. Don't miss the oyster bar.
£50 - £79
Portuguese
Fish
Book now
Apricity
68 Duke Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 6JU
Chantelle Nicholson’s sustainably-focused restaurant is pioneering for many reasons, from using low-waste cooking techniques to its upcycled interiors. The chairs are even made from recycled Coca Cola bottles!
£50 - £79
Modern European
British
Book now
Cadet
57 Newington Green, Highbury, London, N16 9PX
Over the park from another Newington Green trendy favourite, Jolene, Cadet is a no-bookings wine bar that hides some truly fantastic cooking behind the scenes. Don’t leave without trying a slice of pate en croute.
£30 - £49
French
Wine Bars
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Westerns Laundry
34 Drayton Park, Islington, London, N5 1PB
Achingly cool Westerns Laundry comes from the same people who own hit bakery Jolene. Stripped back interiors and a candlelit courtyard draw a trendy north London crowd who lap up the seafood sharing plates.
£30 - £49
Modern European
Fish
Book now
Isabel
26 Albemarle Street , Mayfair, London, W1S 4HY
Isabel is home to a dining room which could have been ripped straight from Architectural Digest, so it’s no surprise that the restaurant is loved by London’s fashion crowd. Its glossy interiors include shiny monochrome tables and a striking brass disc studded ceiling.
Over £80
International
Book now
Padella
6 Southwark Street, London Bridge, London, SE1 1TQ
Arguably one of London’s most famous no-bookings restaurants, securing a table at Padella is notoriously difficult. It’s worth the queue though, as once you’re inside you can delight in the restaurant's perfectly simple menu.
Under £30
Italian
Book now
Crispin
Pavilion on the Corner, Spitalfields, London, E1 7NF
Taking their grub seriously, the team at Crispin are constantly working to evolve their menu. The ‘one of everything’ gives you a little taste of all the kitchen’s favourite dishes – like the potato-topped toast with anchovies and green sauce.
£30 - £49
Modern European
SquareMeal London Top 100
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Sune
129A Pritchard's Road, Hackney, London, E2 9AP
Hospitality power couple Honey Spencer and Charlie Sims head to Broadway Market for this achingly cool modern bistro and wine bar. Sune sits right in the zeitgeist but few restaurants nail this combination with such class and conviviality.
£50 - £79
Modern European
British
Book now
Smokestak
35 Sclater Street, London, E1 6LB
Taking industrial-chic to a new level, this dark and dingy Shoreditch restaurant is a no-frills affair. The food however, is very much on the indulgent side with a menu consisting of barbecue sharing plates including an epic brisket bun with pickled red chilli.
£30 - £49
North American
Barbecue
Book now
MiMi Mei Fair
55 Curzon Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8PG
Bringing together lavish 1920s interiors with high-end Chinese Food, MiMi Mei Fair has been an instant hit on London’s scene. Don’t miss the roast duck that’s carved tableside and there’s a secret basem*nt bar too.
Over £80
Chinese
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
BiBi
42 North Audley Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 6ZP
Gorgeous interiors, a bustling open kitchen, and a menu of unusual but additive Indian plates inspired by the chef’s childhood makes this a winner. For Mayfair it’s surprisingly lowkey, and the service is top-class too.
£50 - £79
Indian
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Papi
1F, Hackney, London, E8 3DQ
The energy at Papi is frenetic, joyful chaos, as messrs Matthew Scott and Charlie Carr sling out utterly unique dishes and cleverly matched wines. One of East London’s hottest properties right now.
£50 - £79
Modern European
British
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
14 Hills
120 Fenchurch Street, City of London, London, EC3M 5BA
Interiors adorned with fake foliage have been in vogue for a quite a while now, and 14 Hills capitalised on the trend at the perfect time. Jungle-like interiors andcity views from the 14th floor make this D&D restaurant double cool.
£50 - £79
British
Book now
mu
432-434 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AA
Easy-going modern Japanese plates and live jazz in a shabby chic restaurant in Dalston - it doesn’t get more cool and trendy than that does it?
£50 - £79
Japanese
Book now
La Bodega Negra
9 Old Compton Street, London, London, W1D 5JF
From the outside, Bodega Negra looks like a slightly seedy sex shop, but head downstairs and you’ll discover an underground Mexican bar serving margs and tacos all night long. This is Soho's worst kept secret.
£30 - £49
Mexican
Book now
Lagom
Hackney Church Brew Co, Hackney, London, E8 1DU
Head to the back of Hackney Church Brewing Co to find Lagom, where chef Elliott Cunningham is manning the flames of an open wood fire and knocking out delicious steaks, smash burgers and more.
£30 - £49
Barbecue
Book now
Akara
Arch 208, London Bridge, London, SE1 9AD
We’re huge fans of Akoko, and Akara offers a more relaxed entry point into Ayo Adeyemi’s dynamic West African cooking. The signature akaras are delicious, but there’s lots more on the menu worth trying too.
£50 - £79
West African
Book now
KOL
9 Seymour Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 7BA
Part theatrical experience, part restaurant, KOL is Marylebone’s latest Mexican restaurant. Watch as the chefs cook over grills in the centre of the room and enjoy innovative twists on classic cooking, like langoustine tacos.
Over £80
Mexican
One Michelin star
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Lasdun
National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX
The South Bank finally has a restaurant of real note - Lasdun - which sits tucked away inside the National Theatre. A tribute to Brutalist architect Denys Lasdun, Lasdun boasts a certain geometric majesty, and is worthy of much more than just pre-theatre dinners.
£50 - £79
British
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Los Mochis
2 Farmer Street, Notting Hill, London, W8 7SN
Los Mochis seamlessly blends two worlds, mixing a colourful Mexican aesthetic with slick, modern Japanese design. Moody, buzzy interiors are a big part of the interest, but the food is bold, exciting and delicious too.
£30 - £49
Mexican
Japanese
Fusion
Book now
Facing Heaven
1a Bayford Street, Hackney, London, E8 3SE
Cult hangout Mao Chow has been reborn as Facing Heaven just around the corner in Hackney, where it serves vegan Chinese food, natural wines and baijiu co*cktails under neon lighting.
Under £30
Chinese
Book now
The Little Yellow Door
6-8 All Saints Road, London, London, W11 1HH
Decorated in the style of a student flat share complete with a faux living room, kitchen and utility area, needless to say this boho-chic restaurant and bar doesn't take itself too seriously.
£30 - £49
Bars
International
Book now
Lucky and Joy
95 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, London, E5 0NP
With 80s interiors, this east London Chinese restaurant manages to carefully ride the fine line of retro, hitting the references just right so that nothing is too gimmicky. Interiors are stripped back and café-like, while dishes are moreish and satisfyingly savoury.
Under £30
Chinese
Book now
Bubala
65 Commerical Street , Shoreditch, London, E1 6BD
Stripped back interiors hold space for only 30 diners, so eating here very much feels like you’re among others ‘in the know’.Plus, it's totally veggie! Think potato latkes with garlic sauce and thick slices of fried aubergine doused in zhoug.
£30 - £49
Middle Eastern
Vegetarian
Book now
Coya City
31-33 Throgmorton Street, City of London, London, EC2N 2AT
Colourful, South American chic and a hefty menu of easy-eating ceviche, steak, tacos and tiraditos make Coya endlessly popular.
Over £80
Peruvian
South American
Book now
Hoppers Soho
49 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4SG
The original Hoppers may no longer be the newest kid in town, but it’s still popular as ever. Its best dish has got to be the eponymous hopper: a bowl-shaped pancake made from rice which boasts a gooey egg at its centre.
£30 - £49
Indian
Book now
The Garden Café Lambeth
Lambeth Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7LB
We’re almost hesitant to include The Garden Café on our list. You see, part of its charm is the illusion that this is a cool restaurant that flies slightly under the radar. The minimalist dining room looks onto a pretty courtyard oasis and the small plates are undeniably delicious.
£30 - £49
Modern European
British
Book now
Bistro Freddie
74 Luke Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 4PY
Bistro Freddie lives up to the name with candlelit bistro tables and a menu full of comfort food you just want to dive into.
£50 - £79
Modern European
British
International
French
Bistro
Book now
Hakkasan Hanway Place
8 Hanway Place, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1HD
Hakkasan is the perfect spot for a hot date. Sleek interiors and impossibly good looking staff all add to Hakkasan’s exclusive vibe, while the outward bravado is backed up by a menu of Cantonese classics.
Over £80
Chinese
Book now
Cafe Cecilia
Canal Place, Hackney, London, E8 4FX
Since Max Rocha opened Café Cecilia in 2021, it’s become known as the place to be and be seen in East London. Why? We think its menu of seasonal, unpretentious sharing plates might have something to do with it.
£30 - £49
British
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Berenjak
27 Romilly Street, Soho, London, W1D 5AL
Any restaurant that the JKS Group touches turns to gold, so it’s no surprise then that Berenjak has a clutch of in-the-know fans. Serving affordable small plates and majoring in kebabs, Berenjak has plenty of showstoppers on the menu that beg to be devoured.
£30 - £49
Persian
Middle Eastern
Book now
Poulet
37 Maltby Street, Bermondsey, London, SE1 3PA
Funky, quirky and full of entertainment, Poulet is a rotisserie restaurant like no other, with entertainment such as drag shows, burlesque, comedy nights and West End singers. Over the top floral decor and glittering chandeliers also make this restaurant perfectly instagrammable.
Under £30
Modern European
French
Book now
JOIA
1 Electric Boulevard, Battersea, London, SW11 8BJ
JOIA has pride of place at the top of art’otel Battersea, with stunning views overlooking the Power Station. It’s beautiful inside and out - the pastel shaded art deco styling really appeals to us.
Portuguese
Tapas
Spanish
Fish
Book now
Evernight
3 Ravine Way, Battersea, London, SW11 7BH
Sumptuous, inventive modern Japanese food meets slick contemporary interior design at Evernight - the best of Nine Elms restaurant offerings for our money.
£50 - £79
Modern European
Sushi
Japanese
British
SquareMeal London Top 100
Book now
Now that you’ve browsed through some of the most hip and happening restaurants in London, we’re almost certain you’re going to be interested in London's most instagrammable restaurants too, which are sure to make your jaw drop thanks to their fabulous decor. In fact, if your version of cool involves totally OTT interiors that scream ‘photograph me’, then this list of pink restaurants in London has got to be part of your research.
You know what else makes a restaurant cool? Awesome views. That’s where our guide to London’s best rooftop restaurants comes in, where you can oggle at the city’s spectacular skyline while tucking into dinner. We’ve also got some of the best rooftop bars in the capital that are sure to make that co*cktail taste even sweeter.