Guide to the best Piccadilly restaurants

Just off Piccadilly in St James's, Sael is Jason Atherton's sleek but relaxed ode to modern British dining. The marble-and-brass interior feels smart without being too formal, while the central bar keeps things lively with cold pints and clever cocktails. In the kitchen, chef Sam Mills (formerly of Pollen Street Social) cooks over wood fire, turning out perfectly charred British steaks, Cornish lobster, and seasonal plates that change with the menu. It's the kind of place that works for a long lunch, pre-theatre dinner, or an easy-going night out in the West End. 

Step off Piccadilly for a meal at 45 Jermyn Street. You'll notice the restaurant thanks to its orange canopy. Inside there's a sleek dining room with similar bold bursts of colour. Breakfast includes kippers and kedgeree, and for lunch and dinner the menu consists of sophisticated British dishes like dressed crab and beef Wellington. Sunday lunch is served here and there's a lengthy wine list.

At the Hyde Park end of Piccadilly you'll find Theo Randall at the InterContinental just a few minutes away. This inviting restaurant from the acclaimed chef serves rustic Italian cuisine with delicate presentation. The daily-changing menus are inspired by the chef's frequent travels to Italy, with set and regional tasting menus available in addition to the main offering.

Mercante combines grand architecture with rustic touches and tiled floors to create a chic Italian restaurant with a strong Mediterranean feel. The restaurant has a number of sustainability initiatives and the wine list includes sustainable and organic bottles. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, with dishes like cured meats, grilled Dover sole, pizza, and risotto.

Enjoy tapas just off Piccadilly at El Pirata. This celebrated Mayfair restaurant serves a wide choice of tapas and is especially popular for its affordable set lunch. The dining room is rustic but still smart. You can complete your meal by choosing from a selection of more than 140 Spanish wines.

Considered one of the capital's finest eateries, at The Wolseley you can enjoy classic British and European recipes in a grand café-style setting. This refined restaurant serves food all day long, including breakfast and a traditional afternoon tea. Dishes include schnitzel, kedgeree, and gnocchi. There's also a private dining room that overlooks buzzy Piccadilly.

Visit Field by Fortnum's at gourmet department store Fortnum & Mason for contemporary dishes that are seasonal, sustainable, and plant-led. The airy ground floor dining space is full of light, bursts of colour, and towering leafy plants. There are plates like squash with stilton sauce, plus afternoon tea and a Sunday roast are served. Complete the meal with wine and botanical cocktails.

Riviera brings the refined flavours of the Côte d'Azur to Mayfair, infusing the experience with a touch of glamour. The restaurant boasts lavish furnishings, radiating opulence and luxury in every detail, from its stylish decor to its indulgent menu and carefully curated wine list. Guests can look forward to enjoying lobster, scallops, king crab, and other seafood sourced from the French Riviera, complemented by premium Champagne. Dining is available both indoors or al fresco on the terrace.

If you want the ultimate in opulent dining, two Michelin-starred The Ritz Restaurant is your go-to in Piccadilly. Set in The Ritz Hotel next to Green Park, you'll eat in a lavish space with marble pillars, chandeliers, and plenty of gold. Seasonal British produce is used in British and French dishes like beef Wellington or Cornish turbot.

Munch on Venetian sharing plates at Chichetti. These seasonal menus are made for sharing, with vibrant bites like garlic bread, oysters, fried baby mozzarella, salads, pasta, and pizza. Meat and fish dishes are served as well. Plenty of Italian wines are available to drink. The vibe is relaxed and the contemporary interior blends grey marble with light tones. 

Well-established Anglo-French restaurant Langan's Brasserie is based moments away from Piccadilly. It's a sophisticated spot with a tastefully-decorated dining room and a classic feel. Elegant all-day dining is on offer here with an eclectic menu ranging from bangers and mash to spinach soufflé. Upstairs there's a cocktail bar too.

Head to Hide for Michelin-starred dining overlooking Green Park. This distinctive restaurant combines three venues into one, separated by its dramatic sweeping staircase. Visit the intimate drinking den in the basement, go for sophisticated all-day dining on the ground floor, or sit upstairs for light dishes with sweeping views.

Visit Caviar House & Prunier for luxury dining. This place is renowned as a market leader for fine smoked salmon and caviar. The space is upmarket and opulent, serving high quality seafood. For breakfast you can try scrambled eggs with truffle and later sample caviar, oysters, meat and cheese boards, and wash it all down with champagne. 

Minutes from Piccadilly there's Titu, a vibrant and pint-sized Asian fusion restaurant that focuses on Japanese dishes. There's a bold blue exterior and a compact interior with lots of detail. This place is well-known for its gyoza with creative fillings but grilled and fried dishes like chicken katsu escalope or aubergine miso are served too, along with sake and wine.

Get your pasta fix in Piccadilly at Notto Pasta Bar. The space is bright and minimalist with rustic touches, and the restaurant has a simple menu of freshly-prepared pasta with seasonal sauces. On the menu you'll find dishes like rigatoni cacio e pepe and ravioli in garlic leaf pesto, plus breads, starters, desserts, wine, and cocktails.

Guests head to Terrace at The Dilly for fine dining in a refined space. This is a botanical oasis with swooping arches and a glass ceiling, as well as outdoor tables. Food is prepared with local ingredients and is served throughout the day. Try a traditional English breakfast, seasonal sharing boards, and dishes like pan-roasted scallops. Meals for children are also available.

Just off Piccadilly in Albemarle Street there's Gymkhana. This two Michelin-starred restaurant evokes the feel of an elite members' club in colonial India. Lunch, dinner, and decadent tasting menus of classic and contemporary Indian dishes are served, with several luxurious dining spaces available, as well as private dining facilities. Food is accompanied by signature cocktails and a global wine list.

Visit one of London's first restaurants to specialise in Xi'an Chinese cuisine, Murger Hanhan. This cosy space just off Piccadilly has walls decorated with Chinese characters and a menu of mouthwatering street eats. Diners can expect Xi'an-style burgers, also known as murgers, cold noodles, hand-pulled noodles, and dishes cooked in a traditional clay pot.

If you're craving steak visit Hawksmoor in Air Street, just off Piccadilly. The restaurant looks classic with green leather booths and low lighting. Expect hearty portions of traditional recipes like bone marrow and onions, various cuts of steak, and indulgent seafood like a whole lobster. This place also does a set menu and a Sunday roast.

Coya gives diners a multi-sensory experience combining art, design, music, and food. The rich interiors feature plants and bold colours and textures. Vibrant Peruvian dishes are on the menu, combining traditional recipes with culinary influences from Spain, China, and Japan. There are set menus, à la carte choices, and an animated brunch at weekends.

Franco's has been open just off Piccadilly in Jermyn Street since 1945, making it one of the city's original Italian restaurants. The place has a traditional look both inside and out. As well as the main dining room, there are outdoor tables and a private dining space. The menu includes favourites like burrata, beef fillet, lasagne, and lobster linguine. Wine and cocktails are also served.

The Gallery at Hotel Café Royal serves casual Mediterranean meals in an upscale setting. Beneath a cascading chandelier, you can dine on vibrant dishes all day. Food is prepared with local and seasonal ingredients. Start with something like burrata or caviar before moving on to steak, pasta recipes, or lighter sandwiches. Tempting cocktails are also available.

Started in 1742 as a fishmonger, Wiltons is the capital's second oldest restaurant. It still specialises in fish and seafood today and is located minutes from Piccadilly. Walking into the timeless dining room feels like you're stepping into history. Expect sophisticated dishes such as oysters and grilled Cornish plaice served in a tasteful environment.

At 116 at The Athenaeum you can sample contemporary British cooking in a sophisticated space. The dining room is decked out with wood, natural tones, and style-conscious furniture. Seasonal menus are served all day, prepared with local ingredients. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served plus dishes like cauliflower steak, sandwiches, and burgers.