London's best Fine Dining Restaurants

So much more than just a dandy plate of food

Restaurants which aspire to fine dining really do give you so much more than just a dandy plate of food. Somehow they even bring out the finery in you.

You won't turn up to Le Gavroche in ripped jeans, flip-flops and a musky wife-beater would you? (Actually, you couldn't even if you wanted to: Micky Roux is pretty hot on his obligatory jacket dress requisites.) If you're eating fine, then you want to dress fine.

And when you're seated: it's shoulders back, elbows off the table (you wouldn't want to crease the 900 thread-count ironed tablecloths). If you're eating fine, then you want to project some finery.

... and the bubble of conversation from your table... it's unlikely to recall Sunday's X-factor results punctuated with a litany of F-bombs. Let's, instead, effervesce with chatter of Puccini, of Proust, of Titian and of Linekar (OK, some things don't change).

Finally, the food... oh, this will be fine.

Galvin La Chapelle image
Galvin La Chapelle
35 Spital Square E1 6DY
Liverpool Street 0.25 miles
AIL
Users
European
Photos

Mouthwatering modern French food combined with one of London’s most breathtaking settings (it’s housed within a Victorian chapel), and let’s not forget the never-ending, highly informative wine list. This is undoubtedly gourmet heaven.

Pied A Terre image
Pied A Terre
34 Charlotte Street W1T 2NH
Goodge Street 0.11 miles
AIL
Users
French
Photos

David Moore opened this fine French eatery in 1991, and it has firmly established itself as one of London’s premier haute cuisine restaurants. The menu has thoughtful flavour pairings like scallops with toasted hazelnuts, caramelised celeriac and confit of Buddha lemon, and a very broad selection of European wines.

La Dame de Pic image
La Dame de Pic
10 Trinity Square EC3N 4AJ
Tower Hill 0.06 miles
French
Opening Times

The first UK restaurant from Anne-Sophie Pic, expect a focus on unusual flavour combinations set within the grand surrounds of Four Seasons Hotel London.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester image
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
53 Park Lane W1K 1QA
Hyde Park Corner 0.36 miles
AIL
Users
French
Photos

It’s hard to imagine French cuisine getting any better than this. The attention to detail is second to none, from the perfect cooking to the pairing of cheeses with individual condiments to suit, and entering the beautiful dining room is akin to stepping into a different, far more opulent world.

Gordon Ramsay image
Gordon Ramsay
68 Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HP
Sloane Square 0.53 miles
AIL
Users
French
Photos

Ramsay’s flagship restaurant is among the best, and within that pool, it’s among the best of the best. Head chef Clare Smyth’s flavours are rich, varied and expertly put together, presentation is sublime and there is a top wine list. The elegance and intimacy of the dining room (there are only 45 covers) are even more of a bonus.

Le Gavroche image
Le Gavroche
43 Upper Brook Street W1K 7QP
Marble Arch 0.23 miles
AIL
Users
French
Photos

It’s not often that a meal requiring you to take out a second mortgage is worth the money, and while we wouldn’t recommend you use up your life savings on a meal, in the case of Le Gavroche, it’s true. Michel Roux Jr.’s superb cuisine, coupled with service that is second to none ensure this restaurant continues to be an institution more than 40 years after opening.

Marcus image
Marcus
Wilton Place SW1X 7RL
Hyde Park Corner 0.08 miles
AIL
Users
British
Photos

What should one expect from a fine dining establishment? A super-plush interior? Service that makes you feel like royalty? Flavours so good they linger in the mouth for hours after the meal, and prices that make your eyes water? Wareing’s restaurant has all this in spades.