London’s Most Exclusive Restaurant With Limited Seating
Sometimes, we like a bit of exclusivity in our dining experience. Whether for an intimate romantic evening or discovering a secret hole-in-the-wall spot, small restaurants that only allow in a select amount of diners each night can feel extra special. We’ve rounded up a list of exactly that; places with only 15-or-so seats, from almost impossible-to-book omakase experiences and authentic tacos to Chef’s table dining and chic wine bars.
Kurisu Omakase
The dining table at Kurisu is one of London’s most coveted spots, and getting a reservation might make you wish you were trying for Glastonbury tickets instead – only eight diners sit each night. Like most Brixton joints, it has a local story – Chef Chris Restapo took over his family’s sushi restaurant Ichiban. What he turned it into is something truly special, and sits at the top of most in-the-know foodies’ bucket lists.
Getting a reservation might make you wish you were trying for Glastonbury tickets instead…
At £150 a head, it doesn’t come cheap and slots in as a special occasion restaurant, but relative to some of the omakase prices you see in London nowadays (often pushing past £300) and for 17-courses, it’s good value.
58D ATLANTIC RD, LONDON SW9 8PY
book here
Tollington’s
Newly opened Iberian fish bar Tollington’s has already stolen the hearts of North London and become one the most buzzy spots in the city.
The team behind Four Legs took over what was the old fish and chip shop on Finsbury Park, keeping the same old-school vibe and impeccable quality. You can get a takeaway from the bar or choose to eat in, with a handful of tables and stools available in the back.
172 Tollington Park, Finsbury Park, London N4 3AJ
book here
Hill and Szrok
Organic butcher by day, an intimate cookshop by night, Hill and Szrok is one of Broadway Market’s most beloved gems.
Their meat and produce all come from small family-run British farms. Four nights a week and for lunch on Sunday, the shop transforms into a restaurant, where guests can order cuts of meat from the blackboard, and enjoy a main-event dish like seven-hour roasted lamb or high-grade steak.
Hill and Szrok is one of Broadway Market’s most beloved gems
60 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ
thesmallherd.co.uk
Kebab Queen
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, Kebab Queen is a secret and intimate restaurant that sits only 10 people at a time. Their signature is a ‘no plates approach’ – food is eaten straight from the counter.
Currently helmed by chef Pamir Zeydan, Kebab Queen explores kebab culture and cuisine in its own unique way – by deploying fine-dining techniques to what is usually a cheap meal, disrupting what it means to ‘fine dine’.
4 Mercer Walk, London WC2H 9FA
eatlebab.com
Evelyn’s Table
Nestled in the former beer cellar of an 18th-century pub, Evelyn’s Table is one of London’s best foodie hidden gems. Just off Piccadilly Circus underneath The Blue Posts, it offers an intimate set menu at a chef’s table that seats just 12 diners. The ultimate secret spot for a special occasion.
Nestled in the former beer cellar of an 18th Century pub, Evelyn’s Table is one of London’s best foodie hidden gems.
28 RUPERT ST, LONDON W1D 6DJ
THEBLUEPOSTS.CO.UK
Juno Omakase
London has no shortage of great options when it comes to Omakase, but possibly its most secret and exclusive is at the back of a Los Mochis restaurant in Notting Hill. Sitting just six diners, Juno serves up a delicious 15-course menu from ex-Nobu and Roka sushi chef Han.
Of course, given the setting, expect a few nods to Mexico throughout the menu that will have you wondering why the jalapeño and wasabi crossover isn’t more of a regular thing. Granted, this doesn’t come cheap – the tasting menu is £180 – but the setting is so intimate it feels like your own private experience.
2-4 FARMER ST, LONDON W8 7SN
LOSMOCHIS.CO.UK
Cadet
This small neighbourhood wine bar and shop in Newington Green opened in 2022, offering wine, charcuterie and a cave-à-manger style kitchen with a daily changing menu.
Wine importers Beattie and Roberts and charcuterie George Jephson deliver some of the highest quality goods around to just a handful of diners – half the tables are kept back for walk-ins, so chancing your arm might just work here.
On rotation, expect everything from seabass, rainbow chard and todoli citrus, quail, parsnips and silver thyme and chocolate tart and malted rye on the menu.
57 Newington Grn, Newington Green, London N16 9PX
cadetlondon.com
Sonora Taqueria
Sonora Taquería came out of Hackney’s Netil Market, becoming such a hit that they opened a permanent location. Serving fresh Mexican fare, it’s gone from strength to strength, with queues out the door on most days. Takeaway is a popular option, but you can also sit at their counter which holds just a handful of seats.
From £4 tacos with marinated grilled pork with pineapple and habanero salsa, and grilled beef with pickled onion to £5 quesadillas with melted cheese and your choice of filling, this is delicious food at a bargain price.
208 STOKE NEWINGTON HIGH ST, LONDON N16 7HU
SONOROTAQUERIA.COM
Counter 71
Counter 71 opened last year, serving up a unique concept from Joe Laker, previously Head Chef at the renowned but unfortunately closed Fenn.
Located on Nile Street in Shoreditch, there are no waiters, and every night a maximum of 16 guests sit at a green marble counter to watch as a trio of chefs and one sommelier prepare a 15 – yes, 15–course meal.
Counter 71 opened last year, serving up a unique concept from Joe Laker,
71 NILE ST, LONDON N1 7RD
COUNTER 71
Aulis
Simon Rogan’s gastronomic playground, Aulis, is an experimental dining experience that’s evolved into a refined restaurant – but still retains its innovative spirit. Expanded to double its size, take a seat at the Italian slate counter, where 12 lucky guests indulge in a chef’s table experience led by Rogan’s protégé, Charlie Tayler. Every dish is excellent, from dry-aged beef to West Coast turbot.
Expect a farm-to-fork ethos and intriguing flavour combinations, with intimate seating and friendly service – earlier this year they received a richly deserved first Michelin star.
16 ST ANNE’S CT, LONDON W1F 0BF
WWW.AULIS.CO.UK
Imone
If there’s one place in London with a wealth of great Korean options, it’s New Malden. This South London area has one of the largest expatriate communities of South Koreans in Europe and, thus, a wealth of great Korean restaurant options.
One of the best is Imone, a cosy family-run joint serving up Korean favourites like hot stews like Budae Jjigae, Korean-fried chicken and signature dish Saengseon Jjim. This is truly authentic and incredibly delicious.
169 HIGH ST, NEW MALDEN KT3 4BH
IMONELONDON.COM