The best London restaurants to dine in this winter
London’s restaurant scene is one of the best in the world – and we all have our favourites. Work your way down OB’s top recommendations and discover some oldies but goodies – as well as some new places making serious waves.
If you’re fed up with your local haunts, work your way down OB Private’s top picks of places to dine this month and beyond. From sushi to Italian, fine dining to wood-fired, and places to dance, book and be seen, we promise they won’t disappoint.
1. Wood-fired at BRAT X Climpson’s Arch, London Fields
Enter the courtyard of BRAT, where you’ll find an insulated marquee roof for those who like to eat in the great outdoors without shivering all the way through. Great for groups, you can hop onto one of the long tables and pick from the daily blackboard of Spanish-style dishes, including wood-fired breads, Roasted Chicken Rice, Whole Crab with Hay Butter and Basque Burnt Cheesecake. Bonus points awarded for allowing dogs.
2. Italian at Murano, Green Park
Within four months of opening in 2008, Angela Hartnett’s Murano had acquired a Michelin star – and it’s easy to see why. Inspired by her Italian aunts’ and grandmother’s recipes, Hartnett has created a space that prizes ‘fun’ over being ‘fine’. Within this relaxed, home-from-home atmosphere, you’ll discover various menus, including those catering exclusively to vegans and vegetarians. Look out for the Duck Fagottini, the Squash Gnocchi and the Carnaroli Risotto – but be sure to leave some space for the exquisite Pear and Brown Butter Frangipane Tart.
3. The one everyone’s talking about at Bacchanalia, Mayfair
Richard Caring’s new venue caused quite the commotion when it advertised a job vacancy for a dedicated ‘grape feeder’ before opening in November. Step inside, and it’ll certainly provide an experience like no other. From the Martin Brudnizki interiors to the four Damien Hurst statues and the wall-to-wall murals by Gary Myatt, the restaurant is an ode to Greco-Roman feasts and the hedonistic spirit of Bacchus, god of wine and generally wild times. Yes, you’ll go for the sexy décor and the food (octopus, turbot, artisan cheeses, banquet-style platters and plenty of good vintages), but mainly, you’ll go to tell everyone else you’ve been.
4. Sushi at Sumi, Notting Hill
If the light, bright and airy space that is Sumi doesn’t tempt you, then the menu of sushi and Japanese fare certainly will. Here, you’ll find Sashimi, Nigari, Temaki, Robata and Gohan menu sections to pick and choose from, along with some masterful cocktails like the Wasabi Mule and Umeshu sour. Book for lunch, then wander down Westbourne Grove, where you’ll find some of our favourite fashion boutiques (Sezane, Free People and Sandro), along with Daylesford for homewares and groceries.
5. Set lunch at Portland, Fitzrovia
For those moments in life when only a six-course tasting menu will do, you won’t find better than the Michelin-starred Portland. Led by Executive Chef Stuart Andrew, this is fine dining at its best, with contemporary twists on classic dishes. Embark on a culinary journey through Cornish Seabass, Hake, Smoked Celeriac, Silk Venison and Fig Leaf Ice Cream – paired expertly with their Single Bottle List containing some of the finest wine’s in the world.
6. Classic seafood at Wilton’s, St James’s
A-listers, royalty and senior politicians all frequent the London institution that is Wilton’s. Founded in 1742 by shellfish monger George William Wilton, it continues to thrive 280 years later. Stop by the famed oyster bar, or plough on with the a la carte menu for elevated classics such as Lobster Thermidor and Apple Crumble with a Hazelnut Crumb and Vanilla Custard. You know you’ve made it when you’re offered one of the highly-prized top tables – but you might spend a lifetime trying.
7. Dinner & dancing at Stereo, Covent Garden, opened 9th December 2022
Head beneath Covent Garden Market to Stereo for some good old dinner and dancing. The after-dark vibes of Manhattan meet old-school Parisian chic in this latest venture from the Experimental Group. Go for an aperitif, followed by a dinner of American bar-style classics from Chef-Restaurateur Andrew Clarke, then carry on for the live music and sets by the resident DJ. A selection of snacks will be available through the night to keep you fueled on the dancefloor.
8. Brunch at The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town
Many pubs claim to be among the most iconic in London. Not many can claim that the likes of Blur, Oasis and the Manic Street Preachers performed there live. So, if you fancy an excellent pub brunch with a side of Brit-pop history, the Bull & Gate is the perfect place to spend the morning after the night before. Order a BLT or a posh Fish Finger Sandwich, washed down, of course, with a Bloody Mary.
9. Jacuzzi, Kensington High Street
Jacuzzi, which opened this January, is the ideal place to dine away the January blues – it’s an immersive extravaganza set over four floors on High Street Kensington. The latest venture from the Big Mamma Group (also behind London’s Gloria, Ave Mario and Circolo Popolare) is rumoured to be all glamorous mezzanines and Italian murals, complete with a retractable glass ceiling and a menu that’s equally OTT (think truffles, caviar and a certain fondue made out of half a kilo of Valrhôna). Because who needs resolutions when you can fill your boots with that much chocolate?
