My Top 5 London Restaurants of 2018

Trying to pick my top 5 London restaurants was never going to be an easy task and it took me a lot of thinking and deciding. Picking out dishes I’ve fallen in love with this year, the service which goes with it and stunning dinning rooms which set the backdrop for all of this incredible food London has to offer. So without further adieu, here are my Top 5 London Restaurants of 2018.

1. Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill

I don’t think this restaurant or its chef needs any introduction other than stating the fact that is is incredible. I’ve eaten in so many restaurants this year and none have been so captivating as Core. Clare Smyth isn’t just a chef, but an artist in the kitchen.  Every single dish we ate was an experience in its own right but when we were served a dish of ‘potato & roe’, I was quite expecting what I ate. If you’re looking for exquisite service, an amazing setting and world-class cooking then Core by Clare Smyth has it all and is why they are my 2018 restaurant of the year.

Read my full review HERE

2. Wild Honey, Mayfair

I don’t know what it is about Wild Honey, but ever since we ate here I can’t get it out of my mind. The purity of the cooking, the quality of the ingredients and the passion behind every single dish. With each bite you can tell the kitchen, looked after by head chef Anthony Demetre – is putting their heart in soul into everything. One plate of food that really cemented that ethos to me was one of the most simplest – burrata topped with greengages and dukkah spice. I can’t even put into words just how good it was so you’ll simply have to book and try it for yourself. Though don’t forget to order a portion of their legendary cheesecake too.

Read my full review HERE

3. Kutir, Chelsea

I’ve said it many time, but my dessert island cuisine has always been Indian food. Rich and spicy curries in the north, to coconut scented dishes in the south. Indian food offers so much complexity and flavours that excite me every time. Kutir excites me just as much too, brought to us from Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai and Abhishake Sangwan (both previously Jamavar and Gymkhana). The food is modern, progressive, incredibly exciting and down right delicious. Housed within one of Chelsea’s stunning townhouses, Kutir is here to stay and to bag many awards in the future.

Read my full review HERE

4. Gazelle, Mayfair

If there was ever a restaurant that is a few steps in front of the rest then it would be Gazelle. It’s experimental, exciting and I think the future of food to come – thanks to chef Rob Roy Cameron and drinks expert Tony Conigliaro. Years ago a meal used to be just a dinner out before the experience, such as the cinema or theatre, but now restaurants have become the experience in their own right and us Londoner’s are always looking for more and Gazelle is more and I can’t get enough of it.

Read my full review HERE

5. The Harwood Arms, Fulham

Fine dining, exquisite food – but in a traditional London pub. I’ve actually eaten here three times now and every time I visit, it gets better. I absolutely love how casual it is in this place, but when you take one bite of Sally Abé’s cooking you almost forget where you are. A lot of people also don’t realise that the Harwood Arms is owned by Australian born Brett Graham who is the chef owner of 2 Michelin star restaurant The Ledbury.

Read my full review HERE


What’s been your favourite London restaurant experience from 2018?

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3 Comments

  1. January 3, 2019 / 1:38 pm

    So many fantastic restaurants! I would love to eat at Core!

  2. Christina
    January 3, 2019 / 9:56 pm

    I found the food at Kahani tastier than Kutir.
    Interesting combination of restaurants.

    • January 4, 2019 / 9:24 am

      Very interesting Christina! I think I might go and try it next week as I live just around the corner.

      Thanks for the tip. Gary