Wow-factor restaurants in London

At its previous location, Gilgamesh used to be the biggest restaurant in all of London, and it's retained that sense of opulent grandeur in its new reincarnation. Inspired by the “Epic of Gilgamesh”, the Covent Garden restaurant brings the wow-factor with intricate Babylonian carvings, plush seating, late-night DJ sessions, and a curated menu of pan-Asian favourites such as sushi or robata-grilled meats, accompanied by signature cocktails and fine wines.

Taka is not the kind of place that shouts for attention, but it does the type of careful, seasonal cooking that ends up surprising you. The menu follows the Japanese idea of Shun, so the chefs build dishes around what is at its best each week. That might mean crisp salmon rice, delicate sashimi, miso-black cod, or their rich Wagyu sukiyaki rice. The room has a low-key elegance, and the bar mixes sake, cocktails and wine chosen to suit the food. If you want a wow factor delivered in a calm way rather than with fireworks, this is a top pick.

Everything at Punk Royale is designed to leave you wordless, starting with the concept of doing away with stuffy fine dining rules and adding a bit of playful, creative chaos to the proceedings. This successful Swedish export serves multiple-course tasting menus in graffitied surroundings, rejecting traditional approaches and cutlery in favour of things like serving syringes. It's designed to wow you, and it definitely succeeds.

With an interior recalling Neptune's palatial dwelling, complete with flowing chandeliers, a hand-painted ceiling, and patterned tableware, Bocconcino spin-off Osteria is designed to impress at first glance. The wow-factor stays with you throughout your meal, however, as rich pasta dishes and expertly grilled fish are carried to your table, the resident mixologist pours signature cocktails, and live DJ music enhance the experience.

There's plenty to wow you and your guests at Novikov. For starters, the restaurant is divided into charming yet chic Italian dining area and an elegant, intimate Asian section, each with its distinct menu. Furthermore, the showstopping dishes served here are artfully arranged and feature eye-catching ingredients like black truffle or Wagyu. And finally, once you're done with your meal, you can retire to the lounge bar for drinks, live music, and convivial relaxation.

If you're wowed by tales of late nights at infamous NYC club Studio 54, head on over to this Italian restaurant in Soho. We're not promising the same kind of debauchery, but between the plush, Studio 54-inspired setting and the authentic Italian food served by the family-run kitchen, there's definitely an air of hedonism to the place. The prices are rather budget-friendly, too.

Since The Gherkin is a wow-factor element of London's skyline, it seems fitting to include Searcys in this list, where you can enjoy food and drinks whilst experiencing the view from inside the building. This restaurant and bar is spread across the building's top three floors and offers 360-degree views across the city. So, whether you're planning a special occasion, like an anniversary or birthday, or you simply want to have a memorable meal, Searcys is an excellent option.

Tattu London strives to wow you not just with its venue and location, a Chinese-inspired courtyard house on top of the Now Building, with the view and décor to match. The real ace up its sleeve are the dishes, arranged in clever and wondrous ways that almost make it a shame to sink your teeth in. With their Chinese cuisine combining flavours in new and unexpected ways, the experience as a whole is quite memorable.

Venture deep enough into London's concrete jungle and you might come up on a, well, jungle jungle. The immersive rainforest environment, full of luscious foliage and natural materials, transports you to Latin America. The tropical flavours, charcoal grilled meats and traditional dishes of the Amazon region are spiced up by a unique sushi menu, while the live house band and resident DJs make sure there's plenty of entertainment as well.

Celebrated French chef Alain Ducasse lends his name to The Dorchester's exquisite French fine dining restaurant, with executive chef Jean-Philippe Blondet overseeing the three Michelin-starred cuisine. The opulent Park Lane venue is one of the most prestigious restaurants in the world. Regarding food, you can enjoy à la carte or tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, chock full of the finest French dishes.

This immersive restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it's a multisensory experience from head to toe. You can expect lush hanging plants, contemporary art, vibrant colours, and bold textures alongside beautiful specially commissioned murals by contemporary South American artists. As for the food, there's an à la carte menu as well as a set lunch option, but people flock here for their decadent and colourful Peruvian-inspired brunches with music, dancing, and entertainment. Expect tacos, ceviche, salads, and dishes to share, like Wagyu brisket.

Sessions Arts Club has a reputation for being one of the most fashionable restaurants in London, and it's easy to see why. It's located in a Grade II-listed building in Clerkenwell and boasts a bar, restaurant, and events space in a stripped-back, sexy, stylish decor. Although the vibe is what draws people here, the food is also a catch - you can sample their international menu featuring stand-out ingredients like 'nduja, quail, and white asparagus.

Hutong is a luxurious Chinese restaurant on the 33rd floor of The Shard. One of the best things about this restaurant is the breathtaking views of London from every table. The menu features upscale Northern Chinese cuisine, featuring dishes like table-carved roast duck and dim sum platters on its à la carte and set menus.

It can be hard to choose the most impressive part of Sketch, the 18th century townhouse near Oxford Circus that contains four different eye-catching restaurants. You can't go wrong with the Glade though. The enchanted forest setting makes it a mainstay on the lists of the most beautiful restaurants in London. It's primarily a breakfast and lunch venue and a place to enjoy a cocktail in the evening, taking plenty of social media snaps along the way.

Petersham Nurseries successfully defy expectations about the impresiveness of garden centres with their Richmond café. You'll quickly forget about central London's concrete jungle while enjoying seasonal delicacies in a cosy garden setting will, and the separately-booked afternoon tea in the glasshouse just might top the list of quintessentially British experiences.

Chef John Javier, formerly of Noma, Momofuku Seiobo, and Master, originally opened The Tent (at the End of the Universe) as a members-only restaurant. These days, it's open to all, and Javier serves an exquisite menu of contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine in a truly stunning setting reminiscent of a secretive Bedouin tent nestled beneath a faux night sky.

Chef Clare Smyth, formerly of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, boasts an impressive list of accolades, including the World's Best Female Chef Award by the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2018. Since opening in 2017, her Notting Hill restaurant has earned three Michelin stars for its beautifully crafted dishes featuring artisanal, sustainable British produce. The light, elegant decor sets a swish tone, and for an exclusive experience, up to ten guests can book the chef's table.

This neighbourhood restaurant on Portobello Road offers modern European cuisine, utilising seasonal ingredients and specialised cooking techniques such as fire cooking and wood roasting. The menu changes frequently depending on what's in season, but past standout dishes have included roasted cauliflower with spiced yoghurt and braised beef short rib with porcini butter. Cocktails are also served here, and you can expect to be dining in a stylish, plant-filled, ambient space.

Quaglino's is a legendary restaurant founded in 1929 that has made a name for itself within the royal and celebrity worlds. The elegant and grand decor complements the lively atmosphere, usually enhanced by live music. The venue features two bars and private dining options for special occasions. Guests can enjoy a lunch menu, set menu options, and an à la carte menu with sophisticated dishes like dressed Devonshire crab.

The Ledbury is a restaurant belonging to the acclaimed Australian chef, Brett Graham. This impressive spot has garnered a whopping three Michelin stars and pays homage to the best produce of the British countryside. Choose from The Ledbury's lunch and dinner tasting menus, which are chock-full of carefully crafted dishes presented in an artistic, creative way.

The Ritz is one of the most iconic hotels in the world, and it's located in the heart of London. This opulent establishment is perched on Piccadilly Street in a grand building with luxurious suites, rooms, bars and restaurants, including the Ritz Restaurant. This historic and glamorous two Michelin-starred venue offers exceptional service with waiters in full morning suits and bright silver trolleys. Executive Chef John Williams MBE has crafted a menu of classic French dishes using the finest local British produce. Plus, the luxurious dining room and terrace overlook the leafy Green Park.

It's pretty clear what makes you stand above the rest (pardon the pun) when you're located in the tallest building in the country. Tíng is part of the Shangri-La Hotel on the 35th floor of the Shard and the highest dining experience in the building, and it takes full advantage of the panoramic views of the city. The stylish eatery offers Asian-inspired dishes to go with the setting.

Colonel Saab draws inspiration from the travel experiences of owner Roop Choudhary's parents and is adorned with cherished mementoes from his childhood. Walls are hung with plates and other memorabilia alongside ornate rugs and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling all the way up the stairways. There are even treasured love letters exchanged between his parents. The decor is just as impressive as the food; the menu showcases inventive Indian cuisine, featuring standout dishes such as the Anglo-Indian chicken chop and a highly imaginative cocktail menu to complement the dining experience. Opt for the tasting menu with cocktail pairing to go all out.

We can't write a wow-factor restaurant guide without including Aqua Shard in it. It's perched atop the 31st floor of The Shard, so you can enjoy a meal with incredible views of the city skyline no matter what seat you end up in. The food here is award-winning British fare that has nailed the contemporary and creative concept, including dishes like venison carpaccio, grilled halibut, and leek and potato ravioli. There is also a range of innovative cocktails to pair alongside your food, or if you're more of an oenophile, there's also an extensive wine list that showcases bottles from around the world, with a more extensive selection of French wines. 

It's all about smokey dishes cooked on an open fire at Brat, a sophisticated East End restaurant influenced by Basque cooking methods. The menu is chock full of delicious meat and seafood dishes, like mutton offal with sausage and beans and grilled mackerel with soused tomato. It quickly nabbed a Michelin star after opening. There's also an eclectic wine list which includes a monthly focus on a specific wine, offering diners an insight into its provenance.

You could do worse than sitting beneath cherry blossoms next to a roaring log fireplace if you're trying to take someone's breath away. With a charming conservatory that many consider to be the most romantic dining establishment in London, the intimate Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden is well aware of this. The seasonally changing menu speaks the language of love as well, starting with oysters and running the full gamut of contemporary French-inspired cuisine.

Opening in the uncertain times of late 2021, Booking Office 1869 took a cue from the timelessness of the famed train station it shares an address with. The impressive room is inspired by St Pancras' original ticket office and features palm trees, wood panelling, pendant lights and a lengthy bar for that old-world European charm and international boldness. The menu makes stops all over the world, stuffing its luggage with everything from schnitzel to gnocchi.

Berners Tavern, located in the London EDITION hotel and headed by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, might just scratch your fine art itch in addition to sating your hunger. Beneath an elaborate ceiling and chandelier, the sophisticated eatery, hung wall to wall with paintings, offers contemporary British cuisine on its all-day menu.

Acclaimed French chef Hélène Darroze's London office at The Connaught hotel is a work of art in itself before you even get to the three-Michelin-starred menu. The elegant dining is all warm wooden hues, pinkish tinges and curved lines, with specially commissioned art by Damien Hirst nestled among them. The intimate dining experience comes courtesy of the personally tailored menu, but booking well ahead is obviously a necessity.

Noble Rot is a leading London wine bar and restaurant located in a townhouse on the iconic Lamb's Conduit Street dating back to 1701. The space is sleek and stylish and oozes 'special occasion', but really, what this place is renowned for is its exceptional wine expertise. The staff are effortless vino experts, ready to guide you to the perfect wine to pair with your meal. In the cosy, candlelit dining room, you'll feast on delicious bread and food in a relaxed and refined atmosphere. 

This innovative restaurant in St James's uses carefully sourced spices, particularly from sub-Saharan West Africa, in combination with seasonal, sustainable British produce. Enjoy the culinary artistry that earned chef Jeremy Chan his second Michelin star in 2022 with their thirteen-course dinner tasting menu or the five-course set menu served at lunch.

Unlike most restaurants, this laid-back Chinese restaurant has a no-menu policy – inform your server what you like and dislike and how spicy you want your food, then sit back and let the chefs work their magic. The result is a bespoke 12-18 course meal tailored to your taste – you might receive fried chicken, clams, poached fish, or dumplings. The only way to find out what's in store is to visit and find out for yourself.

The Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant Trinity embodies acclaimed chef Adam Byatt's seasonal and sustainable philosophy. The menu features British and European favourites like Cumbrian lamb and courgette flowers. Guests at this elegant, monochrome restaurant can pair their meals with selections from the extensive wine cellar.

Dinings SW3 offers a sophisticated, modern take on a Japanese izakaya. The menu is chock full of sushi, sashimi, and innovative dishes that blend European and Japanese cuisine, such as mini steamed burger buns. Daily specials are also available, and the restaurant is renowned for its attentive service.

The Goring Dining Room is a swish restaurant that serves British dishes in luxury surroundings, complete with opulent chinoiserie wallcoverings. The food is refined and classic, served throughout the day, with the likes of grilled mackerel and honey-glazed guinea fowl on the menu, although it does change. Champagne and wines are served by the glass or bottle.

Seabird, located on the 14th floor, is a seafood restaurant renowned for having the longest oyster list in London and stunning city views. The restaurant is decorated with tall plants and rattan furniture and features a spacious outdoor terrace with a retractable roof, perfect for rainy days. You can enjoy original cocktails while feasting on the fish-filled menu, which boasts small plates, sharing plates, and a raw bar.

This iconic restaurant on Charlotte Street, Pied à Terre, has held a Michelin star for longer than any other restaurant in the country. It's all about fine food made with the best seasonal ingredients here. Multi-course menus take centre stage, enjoyed in their bright modern dining room or the exclusive private space.