20 best Michelin star restaurants in London

London is undoubtedly one of the best culinary cities in the world. Home to a staggering 66 Michelin star restaurants, it is where some of the best chefs go to hone their skills and prove their worth. This list of the 20 best Michelin star restaurants in London features the crème de la crème of the capital’s culinary excellence. 

Many of the richest pickings can be found in and around upmarket Mayfair. This guide will take you on a delectable journey to the likes of China, Italy, California and France via Soho, Hammersmith, Chelsea, Shoreditch, and more.

From elaborate tasting menus and innovative dishes to impeccable service and spectacular interiors, these are best Michelin star restaurants in London.

1. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair

3 Michelin stars

The rare accolade of three Michelin stars has been bestowed upon this Mayfair restaurant located within The Connaught. Constantly looking forward in terms of ambience, the decor has recently been overhauled, resulting in a more welcoming and informal atmosphere. 

Ingredients of outstanding quality from all over the British Isles are at the centre of each culinary creation. International flavours are used sparingly and with incredible skill to ensure every diner has the most memorable meal possible.  

The Baba dessert is served alongside Armagnac made by Hélène’s brother, and is without doubt an exceptional signature dish.

2. Core by Clare Smyth, Kensington

3 Michelin stars

From the smoothest of service to the perfectly-judged wine flight, Core is all about the entire experience. The graceful interior reflects the food very well, being understated yet utterly luxurious. 

A focus on creating contemporary dishes executed with flair is best enjoyed by opting for one of the tasting menus: Core Seasons or Core Classics. Each element has been carefully honed to produce an awe-inspiring blend of texture and flavour. 

Larger groups can dine at the long table right by the kitchen, giving a fascinating insight into the workings of a triple Michelin starred restaurant in London.

3. Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair

3 Michelin stars

French and British influences combine at Alain Ducasse, a Mayfair restaurant with a dark, decadent and sophisticated vibe. The team here works seamlessly to ensure each and every diner feels both relaxed and well looked-after.

The menu comprises a mix of aesthetically-pleasing dishes from Jean-Philippe Blondet, the head chef, and Ducasse himself. All are bold in terms of flavour and there are some innovative combinations that somehow work fabulously well. 

For dessert, the Rum Baba is a must and make sure to order one of the superlative sauces to accompany your meal if you can. 

4. A Wong, Pimlico

2 Michelin stars

Head south into Pimlico and you can experience double Michelin starred cooking, Chinese-style. Both the interior and the menu at A Wong are awash with colour and style. Think purple velvet seating, oversized floral garnishes and ornate patterned plates.

Andrew Wong’s cooking is inspired by his travels throughout China and all regions are represented on the menu. Highlights include the dim sum and the Taste of China menu, which showcases specialities from all over the land during a three hour spectacular.

Don’t miss having a drink at Forbidden city downstairs, or pull up a pew at the kitchen counter to see it all unfold first-hand.

5. Sketch Lecture Room & Library, Mayfair

3 Michelin stars

A smart cream-fronted Mayfair townhouse is home to Sketch and its three Michelin star Lecture Room and Library. Diners are welcomed to what the Michelin Guide refers to as the ‘house of fun’. Take a seat and enjoy the pure theatricality of this magnificent dining experience.

The interior will delight those whose tastes lean towards the colourful and extravagant, and each guest is seated in a cosy armchair rather than a dining chair. As for the food, it is perfectly composed and executed as well as packed with flavour. 

If you value originality, generosity and enjoy a hint of drama, there is no place better to experience triple Michelin starred cooking.

6. Hakkasan, Mayfair

1 Michelin star

Cream banquettes, polished wood and pops of colour welcome diners to Hakkasan, tucked away in a peaceful Mayfair side street. If you’re dining by night, book a table in the basement floor, while by day dim sum is best enjoyed at ground level.

This is a convivial place to eat, with a colourful cocktail menu that complements the atmosphere beautifully.

Hakkasan’s menu, meanwhile, focuses on decadent dishes abundant in subtle or more punchy Asian flavours. Try the black truffled roast duck, spicy prawn with almond and lily bulb or baked silver cod with honey and champagne.

7. The River Café, Hammersmith

1 Michelin star

Despite first becoming famous around three decades ago, The River Café is still a major player on the London restaurant scene. If you can, snag a table by the window or even on the terrace during clement weather, as the Thames-side position is a quintessential part of the experience.

Incredibly, the menu is rewritten for each service, demonstrating that The River Café is far from resting on its laurels. Both portions and service are generous and dishes showcase authentic Italian-style cooking.

Make sure you try the melt-in-the-mouth pasta and round off dinner with the Chocolate Nemesis – this breathtaking creation is never absent from the menu.

8. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea

3 Michelin stars

Head west to fashionable Chelsea and you can live and dine as the other half do – even if only for the evening. You may also rub shoulders with Jean-Claude, who has been a fixture here since the place first opened, and is a star in every sense of the word. 

Both Ramsay and co-owner Matt Abé are clearly committed to creating an exciting range of classic and more contemporary dishes, all of which are elegantly executed and feature beautifully balanced flavours.

This place manages to be oh so professional and refined, yet it also has charm in abundance. As Ramsay’s flagship restaurant, it’s a must for any fan of the TV personality.

9. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Knightsbridge

2 Michelin stars

Book into any Heston Blumenthal restaurant and you can rightly expect a culinary experience like any other. Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental is no different, with features like illuminated jelly moulds and exposed clock workings adding a playful touch to the elegant setting.

Blumenthal and his team are devoted to producing a range of sublime dishes that draw upon both history and science to lavish effect.

From the fourteenth to the twenty-first century, diners here may be surprised by the simple appearance of some dishes as much as the flavour explosion they provide to the palate.

10. Cornerstone by Chef Tom Brown, Hackney Wick

1 Michelin star

Taught by Cornwall’s Nathan Outlaw, Tom Brown has branched out in both culinary and geographical terms in opening Cornerstone. Located in Hackney, this cutting-edge restaurant boasts funky industrial styling and a deceptively simple yet innovative menu.

Brown’s ethos is in creating an original mix of raw and cooked dishes, and the introductory snacks are a highlight not to be missed. All food is bold in flavour and inventive in style, with surprising touches hither and thither a central part of the experience.

The open plan design also means you can witness the talented chefs at work while you dine.

11. Kitchen Table, Bloomsbury

2 Michelin stars

The horseshoe-shaped dining table almost brings to mind the boardroom when you first step into this double Michelin starred establishment. But the merest glance reveals that Kitchen Table is far more exciting than that. 

Red velvet, blue leather and elegant earthenware combine with industrial lighting and a thoroughly modern beamed ceiling to create surroundings that are refreshingly different.

You may need to harness your adventurous streak here, as the contents of the multiple course menu are only revealed to guests once its contents have been devoured. However it’s delivered, diners can expect top quality produce presented and served with great creative flair and aplomb.

12. Barrafina, Soho

1 Michelin star

Spanish chef Angel Zapata Martin now has four Barrafina outposts across the capital. For many, the original on Dean Street location remains the best.

It’s a laid-back place in which to savour flavourful sharing dishes, while perching at the L-shaped counter and trying not to salivate over what your neighbour is having.

The dishes of the day are centred around the freshest produce, and seafood is one of the outstanding stars. Although small in size, the little platefuls are surprisingly satisfying, though that’s not to say you’ll be able to resist ordering more. 

13. Pied à Terre, Mayfair

1 Michelin star

Yet again one of the capital’s finest culinary experiences can be found in Mayfair, where both the decor and the food always look super fresh and vibrant. David Moore has recently added an impressive vegan menu. Whatever you select, the cooking harnesses both French flair and Greek flavours that reflect his origins.

Dishes at Pied à Terre are a work of art and the service is splendid, striking just the right balance between attentive and respectful. To dine here is to enjoy a spirited yet peaceful experience. The dishes are so picture perfect that diving into them almost seems like sacrilege. 

14. Muse, Belgravia

1 Michelin star

A stately Georgian townhouse on Groom Place in Belgravia is home to Muse, the ideal place to enjoy a modern and creative edible experience. Tom Aikens’ tasting menus are akin to a trip down memory lane. Each dish references a memorable moment from the chef’s childhood or culinary career. 

There is a cocktail bar on the ground floor, while the upstairs room has space for just a handful of tables and an open kitchen counter. The result is an intimate and sociable atmosphere for around 25 lucky guests.

15. The Ninth, Fitzrovia

1 Michelin star

The Ninth is a laid-back neighbourhood eatery for those fortunate enough to frequent well-heeled Fitzrovia. With a vibrant counter area downstairs and a more formal dining room above, the whole place exudes a friendly and welcoming vibe.

As for the menu, it is divided into raw, cured, fish, meat, snacks and salads, and it is suggested that two diners share a range of dishes. Popping in for a couple of informal sharing plates is also encouraged.

An emphasis on the Mediterranean is evident in both the delicious flavours and attractive appearance of the food.

16. The Clove Club, Shoreditch

1 Michelin star

Shoreditch’s former town hall provides the rather unexpected setting for The Clove Club. Though it’s a far more sophisticated structure than many centres of civic life. Set menus are recommended by the Michelin Guide, and the seafood dishes in particular are utterly delectable.

You can watch the chefs as they move skilfully around the elegant kitchen, its blue tiled walls picking out its position as the focal point. Expect to see top drawer British produce being transformed with flair into flavoursome dishes – and it all unfolds before your very eyes.

17. Harwood Arms, Fulham

1 Michelin star

Britishness is stamped throughout this place like a stick of Brighton rock. Much of the game served up is sourced via the shoots hosted by the owners. 

If your idea of dining is a more laid-back experience, this place will suit you down to the ground. It remains first and foremost a pub that just happens to offer an outstanding menu.

No-nonsense dishes with an irresistible depth of flavours are the Harewood Arms’ forte. Everything here is delicious to eat and it’s all done very well. 

18. Marcus, Belgravia

1 Michelin star

The simple moniker of this restaurant at The Berkeley is enough to indicate that it’s the brainchild of TV chef Marcus Wareing. With a clubby look lent to the venue by lots of deep red leather button-back banquettes, the emphasis is on British ingredients with the odd Mediterranean addition. 

Sauces and desserts are both highlights. If you want the most rounded experience of all do opt for the Taste of Marcus menu. Perhaps washed down with wine from one of the world’s more unsung regions.

19. SO | LA, Soho

1 Michelin star

Step into this Dean Street restaurant in buzzing Soho for a taste of America’s West Coast. The ‘SO’ in the name reflects the location, while ‘LA’ gives away the Californian influence. With lots of lush, tropical foliage, sepia-toned light bulbs and wooden wall slats, the setting really stands out.

SO | LA is overseen by an American chef with Spanish and French heritage. The contemporary Californian style menu is characterised by stunning presentation, bold flavours, and quirky touches that elevate the experience out of the ordinary.  

20. Murano

1 Michelin star

Angela Hartnett’s Mayfair restaurant is elegant in style yet unashamedly feminine, with lots of fresh flowers brightening up the otherwise unstated setting. As per her signature style, Hartnett’s menu is strong on Italian influences, particularly those from the northerly regions.

Dishes are classics with a modern vigour and the fresh pasta, as you might expect, is a triumph. The eatery’s clientele includes many regulars, who return time after time for faultless Italian food and the down-to-earth vibe Harnett is famous for. 

These Michelin star restaurants in London are perfect for a special occasion – or simply if you’re feeling decadent. If you’re planning a trip to London, have a read of my London travel guide. Or discover my top picks of the best luxury hotels in London and the top London tourist attractions.