Where to eat in London in 2023

It's safe to say 2022 was a challenging year for restaurants, fresh off the heels of the pandemic falling right into a looming cost of living crisis. London is absolutely full of restaurants that cater to all budgets and tastebuds – as going out for a meal remains a popular thing to do.

We have put together a guide of restaurants that we think you need to add to your list for 2023. Some you might recognise, and some are new eateries to London’s buzzing food scene.

Café Cecilia

Image: Cafe Cecilia. Hackney. © MTotoe

#FLODown: Cafe Cecilia is a chic Hackney-based restaurant that has made quite the splash on the East London food scene. The canal-side restaurant, located just a short walk from Broadway Market, is the first restaurant by chef Max Rocha, son of fashion designer John Rocha. Ideal for those lazy Sunday mid-morning catch-ups, the restaurant features a seasonal, Irish-influenced menu of no-fuss, comforting sharing plates. Don't miss out on trying their seriously good Guinness bread – there's nothing like it!

Location: Canal Place, 32 Andrews Road, London, E8 4FX. Instagram: @cafececilialondon

Elodie at Birch Selsdon

Image: Elodie at Birch Selsdon. © Adam Lynk

#FLODown: Elodie, Birch (Selsdon) Hotel's flagship restaurant, led by Michelin-starred chef Lee Westcott, embodies a "led by nature" ethos. With a seasonal menu celebrating British ingredients and harmonising with Birch's rewilding project, Elodie offers an authentic experience using ingredients from the sprawling 200-acre estate. Housed in a redesigned 19th-century mansion, the restaurant seamlessly blends history with nature-inspired design. Westcott's hyper-seasonal tasting menu features dishes like asparagus croustade and line-caught mackerel. Coupled with intriguing wine pairings and attentive service, Elodie provides remarkable value at £69 per person, making it a must-visit culinary destination.
Location: Birch (Selsdon),126 Addington Rd, South Croydon CR2 8YA. Instagram: @restaurantelodie

Akub London

Image: Akub London. Notting Hill. July 2023. © MTotoe 

#FLODown: Akub is a Palestinian restaurant in Notting Hill, celebrating the rich diversity of ingredients and culinary traditions from Palestine, using locally sourced British elements. Chef Fadi Kattan reinterprets traditional dishes with a modern twist, preserving their essence. The menu features vibrant sharing plates, like hot Gaza coastline salads and hearty Ramallah stews, alongside unique delights such as freekeh risotto and mousakan mille feuille. The chic earth green building offers a serene dining experience with a basement bar, showcasing Palestinian hospitality at its finest.

Location: 27 Uxbridge St, London W8 7TQ. Instagram: @akub.london

Rochelle Canteen 

Image: Brill, Salsify & Butter Sauce, Rochelle Canteen, © Emma Louise Pudge

#FLODown: Rochelle Canteen has been a foodie favourite since it opened in 2004.This not so hidden gem is tucked away from the bustle of Shoreditch High Street in the garden of an old school. Opened by female duo, Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold, this relaxed, feel-good restaurant serves a curated, seasonal menu of British dishes for lunch and dinner. A trip to Rochelle Canteen promises tasty food in a laid-back environment – ideal for when you’re craving something wholesome.

Location: Rochelle Canteen, 16 Playground Gardens, London, E2 7FA.Opening hours: Open Monday to Sunday for lunch, Wednesday to Saturday for Supper.

Lusin

Image: Lusin Mayfair, © Ming Tang-Evans

#FLODown: This brand new restaurant has opened in the heart of Mayfair serving authentic Armenian cuisines, with influences of the vibrant cultures of Eastern Europe and the Levant. Created by hospitality entrepreneur and founder of Mira Foods, Dr Mazen Amulgbel, a pioneer in the Saudi Arabia restaurant scene. Lusin – meaning “moon” in Armenian – was first established in Saudi Arabia in 2011 and was born out of inspirational travels to Armenia and Lebanon. Perfect for fancy gatherings, you can tuck into their famous Cherry Kebab and traditional Armenian Sujuc rolls alongside a glass of Armenian wine. Their fresh ingredients, unique dishes and fusion concept will have you coming back for more.

Location: Lusin Mayfair, 16 Hay Hill, London, W1J 8NY. Instagram: @lusinmayfair

 Ikoyi

Image: Plantain Caramelised in Ginger & Kelp, Uziza Jam © Maureen M. Evans

#FLODown: Named after a neighbourhood in the Nigerian capital, Lagos, this Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant by school friends, Iré Hassan-Odukale and Jeremy Chan, serves up dishes rich in spice and flavour inspired by sub-Saharan West Africa. Prepare to have your taste buds wow-ed with their unique, authentic take on cuisines, including signature dishes such as smoked jollof rice and our favourite Plantain Smoked Kelp and Blackberry. Ikoyi recently moved to 180 Strand after closing their St. James location. It it worth noting however, unfortunately if you are vegetarian or vegan you won’t find anything on the menu –this is just for the meat eaters!

Location: 180 Strand, London. WCRC 1EA. Instagram: @ikoyi_london

Sessions Arts Club

Image: Sessions Arts Club. © MTotoe

#FLODown: Housed within the historic Grade II listed building called Old Sessions House, Sessions Arts Club stands as one of London's trendiest restaurants. Originally constructed in the late 18th century as the nation's largest courthouse, this architectural gem now serves as a creative studio, restaurant, wine bar, and art gallery. The restaurant exudes an air of exclusivity without being an actual private members club. Its peeling plaster walls showcase incredible contemporary art, seamlessly combining the old and the new to create a glamorous and decadent atmosphere. Led by renowned chef Florence Knight, the restaurant offers a seasonal European menu with a focus on British, French, and Italian cuisine. Indulge in flavourful dishes like Lovage with goat’s curd and yolk, Panine with pea and Parmesan, Hake with courgette and basil, and a delightful almond cake with lemon curd and cream. Sessions Arts Club masterfully combines history, art, and gastronomy to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Reservations are highly recommended due to its popularity.

Location: Old Sessions House, 24 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA, UK. Instagram: @sessionsartsclub

Kutir 

Image: Kutir Chelsea, © MTotoe

 #FLODown: Housed in a townhouse just off the King’s Road in Chelsea, this cosy restaurant offers delicious Indian cuisine. The restaurant oozes elegance through its fresh olive walls, upholstered chairs, exquisite artwork, hanging chandeliers, and a skylight that allows vast natural light to flood in. Scoring high points for their interiors, the food scores equally high. Brought to you by Michelin star chefs, Rohit Ghai and Abhishake Sangwan, the delicious dishes will be ones you just won’t shut up about. Oh, and did we mention the naans are exceptional?

Location: 10 Lincoln Street Chelsea, London SW3 2TS. Instagram: @kutirchelsea

Koyn 

Image: Koyn Mayfair, © David Loftus

#FLODown: KOYN is a modern Japanese restaurant located in Mayfair's Grosvenor Square, formerly the US embassy. Led by Executive Chef Rhys Cattermoul, it offers a diverse range of Japanese cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant features a sushi bar and Robata-style open kitchen, presenting mouth-watering dishes like black cod with yuzu miso and Japanese A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki. A visit to KOYN promises a fresh and delightful experience of Japanese food, with vegetarian options available. Though prices are on the higher side, it aligns with the upscale W1K area.

Location: KOYN, 38 Grosvenor Street, London, W1K 4QA. Instagram: @koynlondon

Gold

Image: Gold Notting Hill, @goldnottinghill

#FLODown: Situated in the heart of Portobello Road, Notting Hill, Gold epitomises the ideal destination for spending a leisurely Sunday with friends. Owned by a consortium led by Nick House, renowned as the 'king of clubs', Gold spans four floors, offering a restaurant and late-night bar exuding informal yet classic chic. It pays homage to Notting Hill's creative legacy, highlighted by a massive mural by Portuguese graffiti artist Vhils on the building's facade. The restaurant specialises in European cuisine, with a focus on small plates, seasonal ingredients, live-fire cooking, and wood roasting. Must-try dishes include wood-roasted pork tomahawk and wood-roasted sea bream. Vegetarian options like ricotta ravioli and chestnut-sage delica squash are also standout choices. Make sure to book ahead, as Gold is famously bustling, especially during peak hours.

Location: 95 Portobello Road, London, W11 2QB. Instagram: @goldnottinghill

Officina 00

Image: Officina 00, © Eleonora Boscarelli

#FLODown: If there is one thing Londoners love, it's seriously good homemade pasta, and Officina 00 delivers exactly that. The contemporary Italian restaurant by Elia Sebregondi and Enzo Mirto, features a seasonal menu dedicated to traditional Italian recipes. As if the delicious pasta wasn’t enough, Officina 00 have a workshop where you can learn to make your own artisanal pasta from scratch. You can find Officina 00 in both Shoreditch and Fitzrovia.

Location: 67 Whitfield St, London W1T 4DE (Fitzrovia) 156 Old St, London, EC1V 9BW (Old Street). Instagram: @officina00