The directory
Places to put on the list.
A considered starting point for eating across the UK. Browse by region, then read the full review before you book the table.
Region
London
The capital’s full spectrum: Michelin-starred rooms, hotel dining, serious grills and lively neighbourhood tables.
- Core by Clare Smyth49/50Notting Hill, London · Modern BritishA masterpiece of modern British fine dining, where precision never becomes cold. Core turns exceptional ingredients into a quietly emotional, deeply memorable experience.
- Kitchen Table @ Bubbledogs48/50Fitzrovia, London · Tasting MenuA brilliant, intimate counter where British seasonality, technical confidence and a properly human team turn dinner into a shared performance.
- A.Wong47/50Pimlico, London · ChineseAndrew Wong’s regional Chinese cooking is ambitious, scholarly and deeply pleasurable, with tradition and technique held in unusually productive tension.
- Fallow44.5/50St James's Market, London · Modern BritishFallow’s ingredient-first cooking is inventive without becoming precious. It is a room with a point of view, generous portions and a genuine sense of fun.
- Starling Bistro38/50Esher, Surrey · Modern BritishA one-Michelin-star neighbourhood bistro cooking excellent British produce with respect for provenance, clarity and the people gathered around the table.
- Arros QD45/50Fitzrovia, London · SpanishQuique Dacosta’s Fitzrovia restaurant makes paella a piece of theatre, with a six-metre woodfire stove and serious Mediterranean intent.
- Street XO44.5/50Mayfair, London · FusionA club-like Mayfair collision of Asian flavours, dazzling drinks and unusually excellent staff, with the room’s exuberance mostly held in check by the cooking.
- The Ritz London44.5/50St James's, London · Fine DiningOld-world ceremony, polished service and classic French-leaning cooking in one of London’s most recognisable dining rooms — at a suitably serious price.
- Bob Bob Ricard44/50Soho, London · Fine Dining1920s Orient Express glamour, a brilliant Press for Champagne button and warm professional service wrapped around properly indulgent cooking.
- Lutyens Grill – The Ned Hotel43/50The Ned Hotel · City of London · Fine DiningTucked inside The Ned, Lutyens Grill pairs an opulent setting with confident classics. Refined technique and warm hospitality make the room feel indulgent rather than stiff.
- Sael42.5/50London · Modern BritishHigh ceilings, leather banquettes and Britpop in the background set the stage for a modern brasserie with energy, confidence and a reassuringly broad menu.
- Firepit @ Cave31.5/50Boughton-under-Blean, Kent · Sharing platesA dark, confident room where live-fire cooking gives a broad menu of global influences a convincing centre of gravity.
- Fazenda – Bishopsgate38.5/50City of London · South American grillA polished City dining room where the theatre of the rodizio is matched by a serious approach to fire, meat and hospitality.
- Lurra43.5/50Marylebone, London · Basque charcoal grillA persuasive Basque grill where exceptional produce, old-cow beef and a serious fire make simplicity feel like a luxury.
- Ekstedt at the Yard38.5/50Great Scotland Yard, London · Nordic wood-fireA beautifully controlled wood-fire restaurant where Scandinavian technique gives seasonal British ingredients both drama and clarity.
- Le Petit Beefbar – London31.5/50Chelsea, London · SteakhouseA glamorous Chelsea steakhouse that softens its luxury with a cosy multi-level room and a menu built for indulgent occasions.
- El Pastor – Soho31.5/50Soho, London · Mexican tacosA lively Soho taquería with properly made tortillas, bright salsas and the sort of mezcal-fuelled energy that makes a quick meal stretch out.
- Kinjo43/50Oxted, Surrey · Japanese restaurant, bar and grillA polished Japanese restaurant, bar and grill where a broad menu and lively room make it an easy choice for an informal London evening.
- Restaurant KÖD – London40.5/50City of London · Danish steakhouseA dark, handsome Danish steakhouse that keeps the brief pleasingly simple: good beef, well-made sides and a room worth lingering in.
- Toriton Izakaya31/50Coulsdon, Surrey · Japanese izakayaA welcoming Japanese izakaya with a strong personal story, generous portions and a menu that rewards sharing across the table.
- The Harwood Arms – London31.5/50Fulham, London · Michelin star gastropubLondon’s original Michelin-starred pub remains a persuasive celebration of British game, proper hospitality and a room that never loses its ease.
- Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay41.5/50Belgravia, London · Michelin star modern FrenchA composed Belgravia dining room where modern French cooking, a remarkable wine cellar and polished service make the occasion feel properly complete.
- Murano's44/50Mayfair, London · Fine DiningOpened in 2008 and awarded a Michelin star within four months, Murano remains a refined Mayfair address for exemplary food, wine and welcome.
- Pollen Street Social44/50Mayfair, London · Modern BritishJason Atherton’s flagship remains a contemporary, buzzy room for ambitious modern British cooking, remarkable butter and desserts that know how to finish.
- Marcus43/50Knightsbridge, London · Fine DiningMarcus Wareing’s Knightsbridge dining room brings poised modern British cooking, calm white-tablecloth grandeur and precise service into balance.
- Coya42.5/50Mayfair, London · PeruvianA vivid modern Peruvian restaurant, pisco bar and lounge where ceviche, charcoal, music and cocktails turn dinner into a full evening.
- Chez Bruce43.5/50Wandsworth Common, London · Modern FrenchA packed Wandsworth Common neighbourhood restaurant where thoughtful French cooking, warmth and humour make a Michelin star feel entirely natural.
- Cut @ 45 Park Lane43.5/50Mayfair, London · SteakhouseA finely tuned Wolfgang Puck steakhouse opposite The Dorchester, where Mayfair polish, serious sides and easy hospitality carry the night.
- Friends Restaurant41.5/50Pinner, London · Modern EuropeanA 500-year-old Tudor setting with a modern culinary heart, balancing British and French cooking with the standards of a serious local restaurant.
- Red’s True BBQ in Shoreditch41.5/50Shoreditch, London · BBQA smoky Shoreditch basement of red neon, big flavours and occasional barbecue glory, with some cuts falling short of the sermon.
- Mosimann's41/50Belgravia, London · Fine DiningAnton Mosimann OBE’s family-run dining club turns a converted church, cuisine naturelle and quiet expertise into a distinctly London sense of occasion.
- Hide Above41/50Mayfair, London · Fine DiningA light-filled dining room above Green Park where Ollie Dabbous’s cooking turns attention to detail into a genuinely tranquil experience.
- Blacklock41/50Soho, London · Chops & GrillA loud, cram-packed Soho basement where exceptional chops, dripping flatbread and a generous sense of fun make the chaos worthwhile.
- Corenucopia47.5/50Chelsea, London · Modern British / Luxury BistroClare Smyth’s Chelsea bistro sets a 47.5/50 standard for the club: a warm room, unhurried service and cooking that lets good ingredients speak.
- Berenjak – Soho40/50Soho, London · Persian KababiBerenjak brings the charcoal grill and the bakery to Soho: smoky kababs, generous bread and a buzzy little room, scored 40/50 by the club.
- Picture – Fitzrovia41/50Fitzrovia, London · Modern BritishA thoughtful Fitzrovia address built on polished plates, personal ambition and a serious belief in value.
- Duck & Waffle40.5/5040th floor, Heron Tower, London · BritishA high-rise London classic with dramatic views, a strong supporting cast and just enough playful excess to make the evening memorable.
- Mahjong Rooms40.5/50Soho, London · ChineseXU’s private mahjong rooms pair a characterful setting with the promise of a more intimate Chinese dining experience.
- Scott's Mayfair40/50Mount Street, Mayfair, London · SeafoodOne of London’s oldest oyster and seafood rooms, still capable of combining professional polish with properly indulgent plates.
- Barrafina40/50Covent Garden, London · Spanish tapasFast, counter-side Spanish dining where charismatic people, excellent small plates and a good wine rhythm make the queue worthwhile.
- Bob Bob Cité40/50The Leadenhall Building, City of London · British-Russian brasserieA modern take on the traditional French brasserie, staged inside a City landmark with old-fashioned indulgence and a wink.
- The Jugged Hare39.5/50Chiswell Street, London · BritishA central-London banking boozer hiding a serious gastropub, with seasonal British ingredients and a properly fun sense of generosity.
- Anglo39.5/50Farringdon, London · Modern BritishA small, cosy smart restaurant where precise British cooking and kind, chatty service make a hidden gem feel entirely worth finding.
- Six by Nico "The Chippie"39.5/50Canary Wharf, London · Tasting MenuA playful six-course return to BTNDC, turning chip-shop memories into polished tasting-menu theatre at Six by Nico Canary Wharf.
- Heddon Street Kitchen39.5/50Regent Street food quarter, London · Modern BritishA relaxed West End room whose greatest strengths are its original cocktails, friendly service and easy generosity.
- Hawksmoor – Spitalfields39.5/50Spitalfields, London · SteakhouseA British steakhouse institution with serious produce, generous sides and the confident warmth of a well-run London room.
- Spring – Somerset House39/50Somerset House, London · Modern BritishAn elegant hidden gem in a palatial setting, with light-footed seasonal cooking and a few avoidable table and bread embarrassments.
- STK London39/50Strand, London · SteakhouseA glamorous American-style steakhouse where music, polish and a high-energy room give the familiar format a sense of occasion.
- Maze Grill Mayfair38.5/50Mayfair, London · GrillA polished Gordon Ramsay Mayfair grill with dependable produce, confident room energy and an occasion-friendly sense of celebration.
- Chamberlain's Restaurant38/50Leadenhall Market, City of London · SeafoodA thoughtful City fish and steak restaurant in a remarkable market setting, giving good produce space to speak clearly.
- Le Petit Nantais37.5/50Bromley, London · FrenchA charming French address whose unfussy cooking and warm sense of return give the room its appeal.
- Saltoun Supper Club37.5/50Belsize Park, London · Supper ClubA sociable supper club with imagination, generosity and a welcome sense of occasion.
- Caxton Grill37.5/50St Ermin’s Hotel, Westminster, London · GrillA return to a Central London favourite, with fond memories, friendly service and an unexpectedly good-value tasting menu.
- Restaurant Ours37.5/50Knightsbridge, London · Modern EuropeanA fashionable Knightsbridge room where friendly staff and a strong bar carry a concept-led evening.
- BAO Fitz37/50Fitzrovia, London · TaiwaneseSmall, precise and full of flavour, with the kind of energy that suits Fitzrovia.
- Butlers Wharf Chop House37/50Butler’s Wharf, London · BritishA handsome riverside room serving robust British comfort with dependable charm.
- Levant36.5/50Marylebone, London · Middle EasternA very fun Marylebone night built around generous sharing plates, belly dancing and a complimentary shisha.
- The French Table36/50Surbiton, London · FrenchA warm local French restaurant whose best moments are rooted in care and comfort.
- The Jolly Gardeners36/50Earlsfield, London · GastropubAmbitious pub food with generous portions, a relaxed room and some genuinely excellent dishes.
- Temper35.5/50Soho, London · BarbecueA meaty, smoky Soho night saved by excellent desserts and sides after a disorganised start.
- Dishoom – Kensington35.5/50Kensington, London · IndianBeautifully staged, deeply generous and still very good at making a crowd feel welcome.
- Lobos – Soho35/50Frith Street, Soho, London · SpanishA busy Soho room with good char, bright flavours and plenty of sharing-table appeal.
- Barbecoa35/50New Change, City of London · SteakhouseA stylish City steakhouse with a remarkable setting, some excellent dishes and enough misses to disappoint.
- le Bab34/50Kingly Court, Soho, London · Middle EasternPlayful, modern Middle Eastern cooking with generous fillings and a bright sense of fun.
- Albert's Table34/50South Croydon, London · Modern BritishA personable local table with sturdy cooking and an unforced sense of welcome.
- Inamo @ Covent Garden34/50Covent Garden, London · Asian fusionInteractive tables, good sharing plates and a playful family energy make Inamo memorable, if not especially calm.
- Six by Nico "Childhood"34/50Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London · Tasting MenuNostalgia gets a polished tasting-menu treatment, with fun doing much of the work.
- Galvin La Chapelle34/50Spital Square, City of London · FrenchA spectacular room and serious wine list surround a tasting menu with some strong highs and costly lows.
- Kanishka34/50Maddox Street, Mayfair, London · IndianModern Indian cooking with fragrant depth, attractive presentation and a generous spirit.
- Sagardi – London33.5/50Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London · Basque grillPintxos, fire and a bustling Basque rhythm make this an easy room to enjoy.
- Smokestak33/50Shoreditch, London · BarbecueExcellent smoke and deeply satisfying meat, served with a refreshingly direct attitude.
- Chez Vous31/50Purley, London · FrenchA friendly French-leaning table with comfort, charm and a relaxed pace.
- The Chiltern Firehouse31/50Marylebone, London · Modern EuropeanA glamorous Marylebone landmark where the atmosphere remains the most persuasive part of the evening.
- Rules31/50Covent Garden, London · BritishHistoric London dining with a sense of theatre, tradition and proper old-room charm.
- The Clink – Brixton29/50Brixton, London · Modern BritishPurposeful cooking and a meaningful setting make this a table with real substance.
- Archipelago28.5/50Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, London · Tasting MenuA boldly exploratory tasting menu that prizes curiosity, conversation and an open mind.
- Amazonico – London26/50Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London · Latin AmericanA lavish, high-volume room where the atmosphere is designed to do the heavy lifting.
- Shuang Shuang22.5/50Shaftesbury Avenue, London · HotpotA sociable, hands-on meal where the pleasure comes from choosing, sharing and dipping.
- Bombaylicious22.5/50Purley, London · IndianColourful, accessible Indian cooking with a straightforward sense of generosity.
Region
Surrey & West Sussex
Country inns, gastropubs and destination restaurants where local produce and a warm welcome do the heavy lifting.
- Cattle & Cocktail34/50Oxted, Surrey · SteakhousePart modern steakhouse, part lively cocktail bar, Cattle & Cocktail balances serious beef with a relaxed, sociable atmosphere made for settling in.
- The Grumpy Mole – Tadworth24/50Tadworth, Surrey · Country innA leafy Surrey inn with a warm welcome, local-supplier instincts and the kind of generous cooking that suits a long country lunch.
- The Victoria Oxshott35/50Oxshott, Surrey · GastropubA confident Surrey pub revival with elevated British classics, a generous garden and a serious commitment to making the room feel communal.
- Branded – Sevenoaks32/50Sevenoaks, Kent · Modern eateryA relaxed modern brasserie with a broad menu, lively room and genuinely attentive team that makes mixed-group dining easy.
- The Kentish Hare41/50Bidborough, Kent · Two AA RosettesA stylish village restaurant with local produce, a welcoming bar and the technical confidence to make a country meal feel properly special.
- The Fordwich Arms45.5/50Fordwich, Kent · Michelin star pubA deeply appealing Michelin-starred pub where Kentish produce, old-room atmosphere and exacting cooking are held in unusually good balance.
- Rocksalt Folkestone26.5/50Folkestone, Kent · Harbour-front seafoodA dramatic harbour-front room that puts the Channel in the frame and local seafood at the centre of a confident, accessible menu.
- Number Eight35.5/50Sevenoaks, Kent · Restaurant and barA friendly Sevenoaks restaurant and bar built around seasonal small plates, a flexible room and the pleasure of ordering for the middle.
- Sorrel44/50Dorking, Surrey · Fine DiningSteve Drake brings Roux Scholarship discipline and 25 years of experience to a thoughtful Surrey restaurant with serious but generous intent.
- The Pass @ South Lodge43.5/50Horsham, West Sussex · Tasting MenuA 20-cover kitchen theatre where Matt Gillan’s precise tasting menu is matched by genuinely passionate service.
- Stovells43.5/50Egham, Surrey · Modern EuropeanA composed, quietly luxurious room where the cooking rewards close attention.
- The Dining Room (Reigate)40.5/50Reigate, Surrey · Modern BritishA calm, accomplished Surrey dining room with an unusually complete sense of hospitality.
- The Clock House40/50Surrey · Modern EuropeanA polished Surrey dining room where the setting and the cooking share a quiet confidence.
- The Ivy – Cobham37.5/50Cobham, Surrey · BrasserieReliable brasserie pleasures, delivered with polish and a room built for lingering.
- Regional Thai Taste29/50Reigate, Surrey · ThaiDistinctive regional flavours and a welcome willingness to move beyond the familiar.
- The Cloisters @ Nutfield Priory24/50Nutfield Priory, Surrey · Hotel DiningA handsome setting with a sense of occasion, even when the plate is less assured.
- Casa Zilli15/50Bletchingley, Redhill · ItalianA well-intentioned Italian table whose ambitions are not yet matched by the execution.
Region
Sussex
Landscape-led dining, from a great country house to a garden restaurant and Brighton’s generous smoke-led cooking.
- Gravetye Manor44.5/50East Grinstead · Fine DiningGravetye makes the grand-country-house experience feel natural. The cooking is exacting, the service quietly assured, and every course feels tied to the landscape.
- Salt Shed45.5/50Brighton · SteakhouseBold, vibrant and unapologetically centred on exceptional meat cookery. Salt Shed delivers the kind of generous Brighton energy that makes a long lunch disappear.
- Restaurant Interlude48.5/50Leonardslee, West Sussex · Michelin starA rare garden-led dining experience where Sussex produce and foraged ingredients make the surrounding estate part of the menu.
- Shampan 4 @ The Spinning Wheel43.5/50Bromley, Kent · IndianA confident Indian table with spice, generosity and enough refinement for a special evening.
- The Swan – Chapel Down40/50Tenterden, Kent · Modern BritishA beautiful Kent setting with confident modern British cooking, Chapel Down wines and service that knows how to have fun.
- Gravetye Manor (2025)39.5/50East Grinstead, West Sussex · Country HouseAn exceptional fine-dining experience where a centuries-old manor, estate-grown ingredients and gracious service create complete escapism.
- The Old Bank35.5/50Westerham, Kent · Modern BritishA polished neighbourhood room where familiar cooking is handled with quiet competence.
- Thackerays32.5/50Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent · Modern BritishA serious local dining room with old-fashioned care and a polished finish.
Region
Berkshire / Rest of UK
A wider table beyond the South East, including the full-flavoured Caribbean cooking that makes Portsmouth worth the trip.
- The Fat Duck43.5/50Bray, Berkshire · Tasting MenuA landmark of culinary imagination, where playful theatre is held together by serious technical craft and a rare generosity of spirit.
- Natty's Jerk41.5/50Portsmouth · CaribbeanFood that warms the soul and stays in the memory: smoky, spiced and full of generosity, with the sort of easy welcome that turns a meal into an occasion.
- Tristans47/50Horsham, West Sussex · Fine DiningMichelin-starred cooking in a comfortable, relaxed setting, where technical precision never overwhelms the pleasure of sitting down to dinner.
- The Dog & Pickle40/50Moreton, Ongar, Essex · Modern BritishThe club’s evening at The Dog & Pickle in Essex: a two-AA-rosette kitchen cooking generous modern British food, scored 40/50.
Region
International
Occasional journeys further afield, judged with the same attention to welcome, pleasure and what actually arrives on the plate.
The leaderboard
The tables we’d book again.
Scores are a guide, not a shortcut. The detail behind each one is in the review.
See the full leaderboard ↗