14 A-List Approved London Restaurants To Know
From celebrities like Tom Holland and Zendaya being spotted with Waitrose shopping bags to Rihanna casually hanging out at private members’ club Annabel’s, London is one of the best cities in the world to spot your favourite A-listers dining and casually hanging out at the city’s finest venues.
If you’ve got a celeb run-in on your bucket list, we’ve done the work for you and found out where the A-listers of the world hang out in London.
Annabel’s
One of London’s most exclusive private members’ clubs, Annabel’s, hosted British Vogue’s Fashion and Film party post the BAFTAs last year, which means most of your favourite celebrities were in attendance. Previously, Rihanna was glimpsed here, although you won’t find pictures as proof because there’s a strict no-photography policy here. Anna Wintour, Charlotte Tilbury, Eddie Redmayne, Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Naomi Campbell, Sienna Miller and Tom Ford are supposed to be members here, so you’ll be in good company if you manage to get in!
Where: Mayfair
Website: www.annabels.co.uk
The Spaniards Inn
A landmark London pub in a Grade II listed building that was once frequented by Charles Dickens and John Keats, The Spaniards Inn has now become quite the celebrity haunt. With its location near Hampstead Heath, the pub has attracted the likes of Dua Lipa, local resident Harry Styles and previously, Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn were rumoured to have visited.
Where: Hampstead Heath
Website: thespaniardshampstead.co.uk
Nobu
Dubbed one of the most popular celebrity restaurants in the UK, it’s safe to say Nobu has made an impression on the stars. Co-owned by Robert DeNiro, it’s hardly surprising it’s a favourite of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jason Statham, Sir Elton John and Katy Perry. Plus, Kylie Jenner has been sighted here in the past, too.
Favourites on the menu include salmon or yellowtail tartare with caviar, black cod miso, some stellar Japanese A5 wagyu beef and of course, the assortment of sushi.
Where: mayfair
Website: www.noburestaurants.com
Berenjak
This Iranian staple is one of Soho’s best restaurants, specialising in sharing plates inspired by traditional family gatherings. The hole-in-the-wall joint is as close to sampling the tastes of Tehran as you can get in London.
From hot, fluffy, freshly made bread and juicy spiced kebabs to a colourful carousel of small plates, the food is vibrantly full of spices, dips, pickles, and herbs.
where: 27 Romilly St, London W1D 5AL
website: berenjaklondon.com
The Connaught
Home to a three-Michelin-star restaurant, Hélène Darroze, The Connaught has had no dearth of celebrity visits, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Taylor Swift. This luxury five-star hotel has seen numerous stars flocking in and out of its door over the years, and there have been plenty of royal visits too – the kitchens were even opened by the late Queen in 1992. The elegant Jean-Georges at The Connaught is a restaurant that serves style and charm that can take you from divine breakfasts to late-night dinners. Or, get your fix of grills at the exquisite Connaught Grill, where the finest British produce takes centre stage.
Where: Bond Street
Website: www.the-connaught.co.uk
Hakkasan
Offering candle-lit corners and world-class mixology with modern Cantonese cuisine on the menu, Hakkasan’s dramatic interiors have attracted a list of star clientele that includes Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Naomi Campbell and Mollie King. On the menu, you’ll find the Hakkasan signature Peking duck with beluga caviar, a selection of dim sum flavours and stand-out mains like the Japanese wagyu beef sirloin.
Where: Mayfair
Website:www.hakkasan.com
El Pirata
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Spanish bar and restaurant El Pirata is one of London’s favourite spots for tapas. Its authentic cuisine and warm service have attracted quite a few celebrities over the years, including Queen’s Brian May, Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis and Matt Damon. Fred Sirieix, best known from Channel 4’s First Dates has been quoted as saying this is one of his favourite restaurants.
Where: mayfair
Website: elpirata.co.uk
Alba
This newly-opened Italian channels the taste and aesthetic of the Amalfi Coast, with sleek interiors, tasty cocktails and freshly made pasta each day. Overlooking Harrods, with a bill to match the location, this is more of a special occasion restaurant. The best way to start any Italian feast is with a burrata, and this one is truly brilliant. Follow this with a generously-sized portion of the caviar pasta. Our top tip? Then head straight for dessert with the pistachio tiramisu.
where: 70 Brompton Rd, London SW3 1ER
website: www.alba-ldn.uk
Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish continues to tempt celebs (and us) with their tasty Asian cuisine, attracting the likes of Hugh Jackson and Aubrey Plaza. If you’re lucky, you might even see Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner pop in on their travels from the States. You’ll find delicious Japanese-inspired sushi, sashimi, seafood, fish and meat cooked on a Robata grill being served up here. Your one-stop destination for good food, tunes and a dose of people-watching, Sexy Fish is the kind of place you’d want to visit for a night of weekend revelry.
where: Berkeley Square
Website: www.sexyfish.com
Gold Notting Hill
A late-night bar on Portobello Road, Gold has a menu that offers generous, seasonal plates with dishes cooked in wood ovens and served to share. Gold has hosted Australian actor Rebel Wilson and Sir Paul McCartney has been spotted here more than once. Highlights of the menu include beef carpaccio, chicken liver pâté, squid ink tagliarini, chargrilled picanha steak and seabass or octopus carpaccio for the seafood lovers.
Where: Notting Hill
Website: goldnottinghill.com
Quaglino’s
The world-famous Quaglino’s draws in guests from across the globe as it provides not only excellent food but live performances from stars, too, like Eliza Doolittle. The upmarket European brasserie and seafood specialist in the heart of St. James has drawn in the likes of Angelina Jolie, Mick Jagger, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jamie Cullum. You’ll find live music here every day of the week, and the upbeat vibe and elegant interiors invite you to sit back, relax and linger as you enjoy great food accompanied by some classy entertainment.
where: St. James’ street
Website: www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk
Kutir
With a menu designed to capture the essence of India’s heritage, Kutir has a seasonally inspired menu with a carefully curated wine list and cocktail menu with classics infused with Indian spices and herbs. With celebrity clientele here, including names like Ed Sheeran, James Blunt, Pierce Brosnan, and Roger Federer, you know you can count on Kutir for some stellar food, and maybe even a few chance celebrity run-ins.
Where: 10 Lincoln Street, Chelsea
website: kutir.co.uk
The Wolseley
It’s not hard to find a celeb knocking around in Mayfair, especially at The Wolseley. Edward Enninful, former editor of Vogue, was seen having a bite to eat with the late fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood and shoe specialist Manolo Blahnik a few years ago. The Wolseley is also famous for its classic afternoon tea and private dining, and it’s a hit with Rosie Fortescue, Victoria Beckham, Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller too.
Where: Piccadilly, St James’s
Website: www.thewolseley.com
Gaia
Gaia is a relatively new opening right on the corner of Piccadilly and Dover Street, bringing a fun and a little frantic Med charm to the heart of Mayfair. Following in the footsteps of successful ventures in Dubai, Qatar, and Monte Carlo, the London outpost is like a flame to celebrity moths.
where: 50 Dover St, London W1S 4NY
website: www.gaia-restaurants.com
