London's top celebrity spotting restaurants
If you want to dine amongst the stars, we'll give you your best chance...
Celebrity spotting has fast become the opium of the people. News of that bloke from N Dubs' appearance at a Ryman's outlet will move across Twitter faster than Mo Farah in sight of a freezer full of Quorn.
Although there's something very grounding about the idea that residents of celebsville may actually lead some semblance of a real life. They don't just swan from awards gala to book signing... Where do they shop for groceries? Where do they top-up their mobiles? … And where do they eat?
We've compiled a list of restaurants that give you the best chance of running into a fully-fledged celeb. Just imagine… 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.
Gilgamesh
Chalk Farm Road NW1 8AH
Asian
Opening Times
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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.
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?
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 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.
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.
Roka
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 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.
Not only does Sexy Fish serve food of the very highest of standards, the cutting-edge art and design in which it is served is seen as a key part of the restaurant's offering. Plus there are celebs knockin' down the doors.
Originally a meat-centric restaurant, 34 have incorporated fish and seafood to their menu of grilled steaks, game and Wagyu beef. Owned by the same people as J Sheekey and the Ivy, 34 was always set to become a celeb haunt; moreover Kate Moss celebrated her 40th birthday here with a long boozy lunch.
Zuma
5 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.
A perennial celebrity hotspot, this buzzy restaurant offers great cocktails, service and food, courtesy of Nuno Mendes' ingredients-led menu.
