Trendy Restaurants In london

To say you’re spoilt for choice when dining out in London is an understatement. From counter dining to immersive experiences and Instagram-friendly interiors, there are so many different criteria for choosing a restaurant beyond simply its cuisine. Of course, a knockabout atmosphere is just as important as competent cookery in a culinary landscape speckled by the “cool quotient.” Gathered here is a list of the hottest and most trendy restaurants in London, from the new(ish) and noteworthy openings to timeless haunts that will never lose their haute status. Bon Apetit

Bar des Prés

That French “je ne sais quoi” meets Japanese cuisine in a très chic London address. Helmed by celebrated French chef Cyril Lignac, this intimate Mayfair restaurant is perfect for a date night or cosy catch-up. The wine list is immaculate and the parade of plates are as pretty as they are exquisite, fusing Asian flavours with French inspiration. The desserts ought not to be missed either from the pistachio soufflé to a very dark gorgeous chocolate tart bursting with a rich intensity of melted chocolate. 16 Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4HW | https://www.bardespres.com/london-restaurant/

trendy London restaurants bar des pres — **Bar des Prés**, **Mayfair**

Lavo

The good folks at Tao Hospitality (behind Hakkasan restaurants) certainly know a thing or two about helming trendy restaurants and their new undertaking in London, Lavo, is an Italian export from L.A. favourited by the likes of the Kardashians and Jenners. Unassumingly tucked away in Marylebone (behind Oxford Street), Lavo is as buzz-worthy as you’d expect with striking interiors blooming with Mediterranean foliage. Centred on coastal Italian cuisine, the decadent menu majors with the likes of a black truffle pizza and twenty layer chocolate and peanut butter cake. The BoTree, 30 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2DR | https://taogroup.com/venues/lavo-london/

Zephyr

This understatedly-elegant yet oh-so-vibey Greek restaurant and bar has fast become a darling of Notting Hill’s chic set. The discreet decor is uplifted by colourful artworks and an eccentric mish-mash of highly-covetable glassware randomly assigned across the tables. While no two pieces of serve-ware are the same, each exquisite bowl or plate is united in its determination to deliver a modern interpretation of traditional Greek food, rich in flavour and texture. 100 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QD | https://www.zephyr.london

Gold

Another beguiling bolthole in Notting Hill, Gold manages to be both moody yet vibrant and is set across a seductive bar and garden room sheathed by greenery and plants. Yes, it’s sensationally sceney but delivers on the epicurean front too with an eclectic modern European menu. 95-97 Portobello Rd, W11 2QB | https://goldnottinghill.com

Chiltern Firehouse

Housed in a former fire-station, this haute hotel from André Balaz (the hotelier behind the legendary Chateau Marmont in LA) remains as terrifically trendy today as it did when it first opened back in 2014. Those in the know can be found languidly sipping rosé in the cosy courtyard terrace on a summer’s evening. For the record, weekend brunch in the courtyard is just as inviting too! 1 Chiltern St, W1U 7PA | http://www.chilternfirehouse.com

Bachannalia

Any guide to London’s trendy restaurants would be incomplete without a mention of Richard Caring’s latest ode to extravaganza in Mayfair, the neighbourhood he has long since reigned over with the likes of Annabel’s, Scott’s and 34 to name a few of the many stalwarts in his empire. Frankly speaking, any mention of the food at Bacchanalia is immaterial as if you’ve made a reservation here it’s likely for a number of different reasons. Resplendent in rippling stone, frescoed ceilings, toga-donning servers, an exuberant collection of art (dating back two thousand years) and bespoke Damien Hirst sculptures – Bachannalia is defining a new era of hedonistic consumption. The dramatic thrill of dining here aside, let’s be honest – you’re really here for a bathroom selfie! 1 Mount Street, W1K 3NA | bacchanalia.co.uk

Gloria

Entering this jaunty trattoria in Shoreditch is not unlike being transported to 1970’s Capri. More-is-more and nothing is too over-the-top in this maximalist setting where your pasta is cooked in a giant wheel of cheese and the Incomparable Lemon Pie arrives with a towering 5’9-inch layer of meringue. 54-56 Great Eastern St, EC2A 3QR | https://www.bigmammagroup.com/en/trattorias/gloria | Read the full review, here.

North Audley Cantine Mayfair

Loosely channeling contemporary French bistro cuisine, the menu at NAC (as it is more fondly known) is speckled with the likes of miso-flamed aubergine and a truffle burger, with a dedicated brunch menu on the weekends. It would be criminal not to order the crushed milk chocolate cookies for afters, a dessert that is as Instagrammable as it is craveable, not least for the swoop of Frosties-studded soft serve served on top. 41 N Audley St, W1K 6ZP | https://naclondon.co.uk

Hakkasan Mayfair

With restaurants around the world, Hakkasan is a name which needs no introduction. Its Mayfair-based outpost sets itself apart with a sultry allure that ebbs from day to night with effortless flair. The modern Cantonese menu caters remarkably well for vegetarians and vegans, with certain dishes (including a succulent take on mock chicken) the closest some might come to eating meat. Don’t be shy to ditch your usual glass of wine for the signature lychee and sake-infused Hakka; but to really up the ante, round off your evening with the contemporary dessert pairing (pearl-like caviar-style passionfruit) served with the most complex expression of cognac, Louis XIII. 17 Bruton St, W1J 6QB | https://hakkasan.com/mayfair/