The best chef's tables in London
Be part of the kitchen action
If you can't stand the heat... don't book the Chef's Table.
This is where the magic happens... If you can't get enough of the cut and thrust of a working kitchen then a seat at the Chef's Table is for you... the sights, the smells, the tirade of F-bombs (we josh, chef is always on best behaviour) then pull up a seat in the kitchen of some of London's most esteemed restaurants and see exactly what goes into creating a magnificent plate of food.
Chef's Tables are seldom the cheapest seats in the house but as well as magnificent food you'll get to meet the chefs and witness a performance from the masters at work.
Here's our selection of London's best Chef's Tables...
Launceston Place has a modern twist on this most private of tables, the ‘Chef’s Office’, where diners can watch the chef at work via a large plasma screen. There’s a sommelier to hand and the room can be booked for sit-down meals or parties.
A novel idea is the chef’s counter at Bocca di Luppo, which doesn’t require advance booking and is ideal for solo diners. Watch the chefs at work knowing you’ve got the best seat in the house.
Richard Corrigan’s exquisite British menu has been wowing diners since opening in 2008. Up to 12 people can be seated at the chef’s table, where the restaurants’ highly skilled staff can be seen hard at work through a glass screen. Complimentary canapés are offered on arrival.
Murano
20-22 Queen Street W1J 5PR
Between seven and twelve people can check out Angela Hartnett’s kitchen, with a specially composed menu with wine pairing for each course. This Michelin-starred Italian eatery is every bit as polished as Hartnett’s mentor Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants.
An eight course tasting menu comprising smaller versions of the main menu’s dishes is available here, with thorough explanations provided by the staff. Up to six diners can make use of the chef’s table, however as with the main restaurant expect a lengthy waiting list.
Maze
10-13 Grosvenor Square W1K 6JP
The chef’s table at Gordon Ramsay’s Grosvenor Square eatery is (much like at his other restaurants) bang in the middle of the kitchen, at the centre of the action. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll get to meet the man himself, however if you’re lucky enough you may walk away with an autographed menu, and of course there’ll be champagne and canapés aplenty.
Zuma
5 Raphael Street SW7 1DL
Zuma’s contemporary Japanese cuisine is popular among London’s flashy young diners. Unlike many other chef’s tables there is no extra cost to sit here and you can even order from the normal menu.
Angelus chef’s table comes courtesy of Martin Nisbet, who serves up French brasserie-style fare. It’s rather less extravagant than a Gordon Ramsay experience for instance, but also far more affordable.
Polpetto continues to be a hot ticket since re-opening in its new, bigger premises on Berwick Street. As before reservations are not taken, however if you’re a group of 10 – 15 you may book the chef’s table in the basement, which overlooks Florence Knight’s kitchen.
Marcus Wareing is a rather more relaxed man than Ramsay, therefore rather than throw his diners in at the deep end he allows them to oversee the kitchen’s goings-on without actually being in it, in an exclusive, air-conditioned room that caters to a maximum of ten people. Expect to pay upwards of £150 a head for dinner.
