London's top 50 restaurants
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By Time Out Food & Drink editors
Updated: Fri Oct 28 2011
British | Gastropubs | Indian | Oriental | French | Italian | Vegetarian | Modern European | Spanish | Best to impress | Best service | Best for grazing | Something different | Map Best Modern European restaurantsFeature continues-
Arbutus
63-64 Frith Street, W1D 3JW
The phrase ‘making a silk purse from a sow's ear’ sums up the cooking style at Arbutus. Since opening in 2006, chef and co-owner Anthony Demetre (who has since opened Les Deux Salons) has kept the kitchen consistent, in line with his ethos of taking unloved, thrifty ingredients (such as pig’s head, tripe and trotter) and transforming it into fine dining delights. Not that it’s all odds-and-ends served here; rather, the overarching theme is taking fantastic British ingredients and executing with Modern European flair. The à la carte will have you reaching for the credit card, but the set lunches offer great value – ditto the well-priced wines, available in 250ml carafes.
When to go: For a posh mid-week lunch and cheeky carafe of wine.
What to have: A meal is not complete without Arbutus’s divine île flottante (floating island) with cloud-like meringue and silky custard. Read more
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L'Autre Pied
5-7 Blandford Street, W1U 3DB
This Pied à Terre offshoot positively purrs with the pleasure and efficiency of a restaurant at the top of its game. Marcus Eaves’s Modern European cooking is accomplished and precise, with imaginative yet well-considered flavours. They look good too: try translucent poached egg sat upon a vibrant green bed of crushed peas and broad beans. The surroundings are like a French take on an Oriental theme, with screens and dark wood; all that’s missing is Kato springing out of a cupboard.
When to go: With friends who admire both style and substance.
What to have: The lunch and pre-theatre menus (6-7pm) are particularly good value at £20.95 for three courses. Read more
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Launceston Place
1A Launceston Place, W8 5RL
Chef Tristan Welch’s unpretentious attitude in the kitchen is a refreshing contrast to the smoothed-down elegance of his Kensington restaurant. Despite the fripperies, polished staff, glasses and cutlery, a meal here leaves you with a sense of fun and satisfaction. Welch’s speciality is using the best of British produce in a way that results in refined dishes that are as astounding for their simplicity as their complexity of flavour. The menu keeps pace with the seasons and many ingredients are sourced locally, so diners can expect to enjoy British delights such as brown shrimps, West Coast scallops and Herdwick lamb.
When to go: The set lunch, at £22 for three courses, is astounding value and features all the usual fancy tidbits in between courses.
What to have: Apple tart and clotted cream ice-cream makes a regular appearance on the dessert menu. Serves two, but is delicious enough for one... Read more
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British | Gastropubs | Indian | Oriental | French | Italian | Vegetarian | Modern European | Spanish | Best to impress | Best service | Best for grazing | Something different | Map-
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19 comments
Why is most of the best veggie restaurants not actually vegetarian!? If I wanted to limit my choices to just the 'veggie options' of a menu, I would go to any place on the high street. More actual vegetarian restaurant reviews would be nice
The Moti Mahal in the best Indian category? The food we had bland, uninspired and pretentious. Surroundings are pleasant enough and the staff are friendly but the food we had was dull and quite frankly, I have often had far better Indian food in my local High Street. £150 for two with wine made it vastly overpriced for what it was. Save your money and head for Brick Lane
I went to Hawksmoor in Spitalfields for lunch last year with great expectations. Was very disappointed. Firstly, was shown to the bar first instead of a table even though the restaurant was almost empty. Would have preferred having my drink at the table. I had a very expensive burger which was fatty and lacking flavour. This might have been a one-off but I doubt I will go back.
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Song Que ??!!!! One of the best oriental restaurants in London??!!!! My God... HOW??? That's it for me getting my recommendations from Time Out. Greasy, poor service, too salty and it goes on....
Who the hell are these reviewers!!!!!
I went to the Steak Exchange restaurant and bar on exchange square last week and its a little gem. I usually go to Hawksmoor when im craving a good feed but a friend recommended we try Steak Exchange and we are so glad we did the steak was just as good if not better than Hawksmoor. Great atmosphere on a busy friday night, the staff could not do enough for us and the pudding list was to die for. I Think this new steak restaurant is a real winner and should be featured as its definately one to visit in london.
Have been to Hawksmoor in Covent Garden several times and so pleased to see it high on the list. It is truly great, not only because of the amazing steak and other dishes (ohhhh the desert menu!!!) but for it's amazing cocktails, lovely, warm staff and beautiful venue.
Maybe it was an off night when I went to Veeraswamy but feel there are several better Indian restaurants in London (Cinnamon Club & Tamarind)
I'm surprised to see Magdalen in Tooley Street missed off this list !
Mien Tay is the worst Vietnamese restaurant I've been to, so I'm not surprised it is nowhere to be seen.
@Unashamed Human:
Ever heard of live and let live?... Just because you are unashamed, doesn't mean everyone feels the same. I'm not vegetarian, but if I was, I am sure I would like to know the best vegetarian restuarants in London. What does it hurt you if some feel like that?
Very tasty food in Basaba Eathai at Westfield but don't like the concept of serving starter and main at the same time which results in eating cold food. Strong sense that you are required to eat, pay and go. Small thick glasses containing small amount of whatever you are drinking. Also, something that is nowadays so common but to someone of my age incredibly rude, the waiting staff pass food etc in front of the client instead of from the side.
I agree with Ian. You need to get with the program re Vegetarian/Vegan/Raw food restaurants. What about SAF in Hoxton, Manna in Primrose Hill, The Gate in Hammersmith, Vita Organic and Zilli Green in Soho to mention a few.
For some reason I can't possibly fathom, Angels & Gypsies continues to be lauded by food critics. It's a lovely little restaurant, but the food is indifferent and very expensive for what it is. Don't bother braving a 30 minute bus ride down the Walworth road shit hole to eat there.