London's Best Restaurants for Spotting Celebrities
All In London's list of London's best Restaurants for Spotting Celebrities
Celebrity spotting has fast become the opium of the people. News of that plonker from N Dubs' appearance at a Ryman's outlet will move across Twitter faster than Michelle McManus at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Although there's something very grounding about the idea that residents of celebsville may actually lead some semblance of a real life and not swing continuously (via chauffeured pink limo) from awards ceremony to WH Smith book-signing. So where do these people lead their quotidian existences? Where do they shop for groceries? Where do they fill up their cars? … And where do they eat? Well, we're about to tell you.
We've compiled a list of restaurants that give you the best chance of running into a fully-fledged celeb. Imagine that… you're just reaching for the last piece of garlic bread and low and behold, sat adjacent to you is a cast member of Emmerdale. There is a God. Dingle be thy name. The list
7/10Our Rating Chalk Farm Road NW1 8AH
Mega-opulent Gilgamesh is popular with wags and starlets - you’re also likely to spot members of pop groups like Girls Aloud and JLS, Lisa Snowdon, Emma Bunton and other stars of that ilk. On one occasion TV chef Gino D’Acampo threw a wobbly when he wasn’t allowed to sit in a closed-off section of the restaurant. They’re a highly strung bunch, those Z-list celebs. 8/10Our Rating 160 Piccadilly W1J 9EB
London’s premier grand café attracts actors, pop stars and politicians alike; recent sightings have included Daniel Radcliffe, Sienna Miller, Victoria Beckham, Jamie Hince and Kate Moss. Then again, is there anywhere la Moss isn’t spotted?The Ivy1-5 West Street WC2H 9NE
It opened in 1916 in the heart of Theatreland, and has been hosting celebrities pretty much ever since. From Laurence Olivier and Marlene Dietrich to Kate Moss and Brad Pitt today, it’s remarkable that its status as a celeb favourite hasn’t waned. J Sheekey28-32 St. Martin's Court WC2N 4AL
J Sheekey is prime A-list territory. Madonna, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Ewan McGregor, Kylie Minogue… the list is endless. Owned by the same company as The Ivy and Le Caprice, who certainly know their target market. Locanda Locatelli8 Seymour Street W1H 7JZ
If you want to spy on the VIPs, head to Locanda Locatelli, a favourite with Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt, Madonna, Kate Moss, Helena Christensen and a whole host of supermodels, Hollywood stars and super-famous pop singers. 5/10Our Rating 37 Charlotte Street W1T 1RR
A favourite with Soho’s media community as well as celebland, Brangelina have been spotted here, as well as Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige, and assorted boy/girlband members. China Tang53 Park Lane W1K 1QA
China Tang at The Dorchester Hotel is owned by a man as flamboyant as his customers, many of whom he counts as personal friends. Kate Moss had business dinners with Topshop boss Philip Green here and Naomi Campbell chose the venue to celebrate her birthday, however in 2009 the restaurant came under fire for serving shark fin soup, prompting former devotees Elle McPherson and Trudie Styler to join a boycott. Nobu Berkeley15 Berkeley Street W1J 8DY
Nobu is the celeb restaurant par excellence, as British stars are routinely papped outside and the transatlantic A-list play it safe by visiting when in town. Far glitzier than its sister restaurant at The Metropolitan, it frequently sees the likes of Cheryl Cole, Kate Moss, Elton John and the Beckhams pop in for expensive sushi. Zafferano15 Lowndes Street SW1X 9EY
In 2008 this restaurant made headlines when a customer sent back an £18,000 bottle of wine for being a fake. It’s little wonder then that the clientele includes Madonna, Liz Hurley and Mick Jagger, who love Zafferano’s mega-discreet entrance and exclusive prices. Zuma5 Raphael Street SW7 1DL
This Japanese eatery is popular with the Beckhams, Beyonce and Jay Z, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Jordan, Kate Hudson and Nancy Dell’Olio. Gwen Stefani even went as far as naming her second child after the restaurant.
