Elisted

LONDON · CURATED GUIDE

Special-occasion restaurants

Beautiful London rooms and memorable menus for celebrations, date nights and long lunches. Every place here comes from my own visits and is somewhere I would happily return to.

FROM MY NOTEBOOK

11 personal picks

Le Café NAC in London
Modern European café

Le Café NAC

The chicken schnitzel and radiatori alla vodka make a brilliant table to share—but do not leave without the crushed chocolate cookies and Rice Krispies soft serve.

17 Motcomb Street · BelgraviaOpen in Google Maps ↗
The Twenty Two in London
Modern British & Mediterranean

The Twenty Two

An elegant Grosvenor Square night for polished plates and excellent cocktails—the steak tartare, delicate pasta and warm chocolate cookie are the orders I would go back for.

22 Grosvenor Square · MayfairOpen in Google Maps ↗
RH London in London
American & Mediterranean

RH London

A spectacular Mayfair setting where the glowing chandeliers are as memorable as the food—go for the delicate carpaccio, grilled octopus and the generous prawn and avocado salad.

7 Burlington Gardens · MayfairOpen in Google Maps ↗
Em Sherif in London
Lebanese

Em Sherif

A generous Lebanese table at Harrods—come for the falafel, warm flatbread, colourful mezze and fattoush, and save room for the beautiful desserts.

Second Floor, Harrods · KnightsbridgeOpen in Google Maps ↗
The Garden at Corinthia London in London
Italian-inspired Mediterranean

The Garden at Corinthia London

One of London’s prettiest courtyard dining rooms, with orange lamps, climbing flowers and beautiful blue-and-white plates that make lunch feel especially transportive.

Corinthia London · Whitehall PlaceOpen in Google Maps ↗
The Dover in London
Italian-American

The Dover

A candlelit Mayfair dining room with old-school glamour—start with the seafood tower, order the fish, and leave room for the deeply indulgent chocolate desserts.

Mayfair · LondonOpen in Google Maps ↗
Berenjak in London
Persian

Berenjak

A brilliant Persian feast of smoky kebabs, charred corn, rice and mezze. They use Bulgarian white cheese, which makes it feel even more special.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High in London
Michelin-starred modern cuisine

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High

A spectacular 12-seat Chef’s Table on the 60th floor of 22 Bishopsgate—the surprise tasting menu is precise and beautifully paced, while the panoramic views across London make the experience feel completely unforgettable.

Floor 60 · 22 Bishopsgate, City of LondonOpen in Google Maps ↗
NINA in London
Modern Italian

NINA

A celebratory Marylebone table made for sharing—bright crudo, generous Italian plates, excellent cocktails and a room that feels effortlessly special.

18 Thayer Street · MaryleboneOpen in Google Maps ↗
GAIA in London
Greek Mediterranean

GAIA

A glamorous Mayfair table with an incredible seafood display, beautifully simple Greek flavours and desserts worth saving room for.

50 Dover Street · MayfairOpen in Google Maps ↗
ROE in London
Modern British & brunch

ROE

A stylish Wood Wharf table for a leisurely breakfast or brunch, with coffee, golden toast triangles and generous sandwiches served on striking veined marble.

5 Park Drive · Wood Wharf, Canary WharfOpen in Google Maps ↗