Gastronomy

Your Guide to London's Best Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Explore 5 of these London’s Michelin treasures, where innovation meets understated brilliance on every plate.

London's michelin-starred restaurant scene is lively.Image courtesy: Quilon

London’s dining scene is a gastronomic treasure hunt, where Michelin stars shine alongside bold experiments that rewrite the rules of a dinner plate. From hyped-up newcomers that have foodies flocking faster than you can say 'queue here', to old-school icons that have become practically stitched into London’s DNA, this city knows how to feed you well. Expect everything from curry worth commuting for to tasting menus that could pass as edible performance art—because eating in London is anything but ordinary.

Brooklands by Claude Bosi (Two Stars)

Perched atop The Peninsula London like a culinary crown, Brooklands by Claude Bosi is where speed, style, and sensational flavours collide. Named after Surrey’s historic racetrack, with a sleek Concorde model gracing the ceiling, this rooftop gem is a fitting tribute to British ingenuity and Franco-British flair. Plus, sunsets over Hyde Park never hurt your appetite. The Michelin-starred kitchen, led by chef Francesco Dibenedetto under the watchful eye of Bosi, turns British ingredients into edible masterworks. Think Lake District lamb and Cornish squid, refined into dishes that feel both nostalgic and cutting-edge. Crab-laced celeriac nosotto is decadent to the core, and Scottish cèpe with banana and crème fraîche is a dessert with a delightful, unexpected twist. Floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a dazzling city terrace, while the wine list whisks you to France and beyond. It’s high-octane dining inspired by aviation dreams and motoring passions, a Concorde for the taste buds, no ticket required.

This one is perched atop the Peninsula London,Image courtesy: Brooklands by Claude Bosi

Pavyllon (One Star)

Securing a table at Pavyllon isn’t a reservation; it’s a conquest. Yannick Alléno, a chef whose 17 Michelin stars ( across his 19 restaurants) shimmer brighter than a disco ball, brings his culinary brilliance to the Four Seasons in London, blending French finesse with global flair. Think of it as haute cuisine without the ego: indulgent yet approachable, refined but never frilly. At the heart of the action? A wraparound kitchen counter where diners can spy Chef Benjamin Ferra Y Castell orchestrating a fine dining symphony. Expect buttery British produce tangoing with Nordic whispers, Italian seduction, and Teppanyaki drama. The dining room is sun-dappled, and the vibe is laid back.

Pavyllon is led by Yannick Alléno who has 17 Michelin stars.Image courtesy: Pavyllon

KOL (One Star)

'Mexican soul, British ingredients’, a tantalising promise that Kol delivers with both swagger and soul. Santiago Lastra, the mastermind behind this Marylebone gem, is a culinary alchemist turning Britain’s landlocked larder into a vibrant Mexican feast. Citrus and avocados? Not in sight. Instead, he’s conjured up ingenious swaps, sea buckthorn steps in for lime, creating a zing that feels oddly familiar yet completely reimagined. It’s clever, it’s audacious, and, somehow, it works. The langoustine taco, the undisputed star of the tasting menu, arrives pre-assembled like a perfectly choreographed scene. The crustacean’s head sits nearby, designed to be squeezed for an umami punch, while smoky chilli surrounds it like a spicy embrace. Downstairs, the Mezcaleria beckons, a mood-lit den of Mexican spirits that ensures the night doesn’t merely linger, it soars.

Santiago Lastra is the mastermind behind this Marylebone gem.Image courtesy: KOL

Veeraswamy (One Star)

What do Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, and Indira Gandhi have in common? No, it’s not politics or Hollywood, it’s Veeraswamy, they have all dined here. This one is London’s oldest (read 100 years) Indian restaurant and arguably its most legendary. Since 1926, this glamorous Mayfair institution has been wooing diners with a menu that feels like a love letter to India’s culinary history. After finally clinching its first Michelin star in 2016, you’d think Veeraswamy would rest on its laurels. Not a chance. From the fiery duck vindaloo to the delicate raj kachori, which explodes like edible confetti, every bite shouts of authenticity. The tandoori prawns? Blitzed with spice and smoky perfection. The dining room, a riot of jewel tones and regal golds, feels like a modern maharaja’s feast hall, where cocktails swirl as generously as the spices.

Image courtesy: VEERASWAMY

Quilon (One Star)

Some restaurants make a statement; Quilon tells a story. Tucked away in St James’ Park, this gem has been quietly redefining London’s idea of Indian cuisine since the late ’90s. Back when the city couldn’t look past naan and tikka masala, Chef Sriram Aylur dared to spotlight the coconut-slicked curries and sharp coastal flavours of Kerala and Malabar. Fast forward to today, and Quilon is a destination for those in the know, proof that bold ideas, when done well, stand the test of time. The seafood tasting menu is a masterclass in restraint and finesse, every prawn, crab, and fish fillet cooked to perfection, kissed with just enough spice to let the ingredients shine. The vegetarian plates, meanwhile, are no afterthought. Recent renovations bring a breezy, coastal-inspired vibe to the dining room, reminding you that this isn’t just dinner, it’s an escape.

Image courtesy: QUILON

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