Plenty of restaurants have style, and many more have the substance. But putting the two together isn’t always easy, which is why we’ve simply got to applaud the prettiest restaurants in London for marrying delicious food to a keen sense of the aesthetic. Whether they’ve opted for muted pastel tones or wildly OTT décor, this lot are some of the prettiest restaurants around!
1. sketch, Mayfair
This list of the prettiest restaurants in London isn’t in any particular order, but whichever way we did order it, sketch would probably have emerged at number one amongst London’s prettiest restaurants. From the breathtaking spectacle of The Glade, to their ever-Instagrammed toilets, this place is straight up gorgeous. Read all about it here.
📍You’ll find sketch at 9 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2XG.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
2. Maggie Jones’s, Kensington
Nope, you’re not in the Dorset countryside. You’re actually in Kensington, inside the rustic restaurant Maggie Jones’s, which appears not to have changed since the late 1800s. Cannily designed to look like a rural farmhouse, the restaurant specialises in hearty dishes such as roast rump of lamb, and guinea fowl in white wine sauce. Yum! Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Maggie Jones’s at 6 Old Court Place, London, W8 4EP.
🚇 Nearest station is High Street Kensington.
3. 14 Hills, City of London
A beautiful addition to the capital, where it sits beneath tranquil rooftop The Garden at 120, 14 Hills is one hot spot. I mean, just look at the fancy furnishings, elegant bar, and tropical plants, artfully festooned around the place. They also do a mean brunch, in case you needed another reason to visit… Learn more here.
📍You’ll find 14 Hills on the 14th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 5AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Fenchurch Street.
4. Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden
It’s a firm fixture on our most romantic restaurants in London list, and for readily apparent reasons. Snag a seat in the “fairy room”, and you’ll be dining beneath insanely ‘grammable cherry blossoms whilst being sat next to a roaring fire. Food skews towards fancy, French, and filling – with a price point to match – but it’s nonetheless a meal to remember! More information can be found here.
📍You’ll find Clos Maggiore at 33 King Street, London, WC2E 8JD.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
5. La Poule au Pot, Belgravia
Like Maggie Jones’s, but altogether Frenchier! Belgravia’s cutest fancy French restaurant is actually a cousin of Maggie Jones’s, which explains the similarly rustic vibes and photogenic décor. A menu of snails (sorry, escargots), French onion soup, Boeuf bourguignon, and more make it one to visit, not to mention their very affordable three-course option for under £40. Read our guide here.
📍You’ll find La Poule au Pot 231 Ebury Street, London, SW1W 8UT.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
6. Mari Vanna, Knightsbridge
This one flew under our radar until recently, but no beautiful restaurant can escape the eyes of Secret London for long! Mari Vanna is a study in Russian elegance, combining opulent chandeliers with homely touches like retro crockery. Carb-heavy dishes like pirogis, borsht, and beef stroganoff certainly don’t hurt its appeal, either. Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Mari Vanna at Wellington Court, 116 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7PD.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
7. Amazonico, Mayfair
Rocking a pretty gorgeous arboreal theme, here’s Madrid transplant Amazonico, which brings the flavours of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil to Mayfair. It’s a toss-up as to what’s more exciting – the caramelised pineapples, spun over a gentle flame for four hours for maximum taste, or the tropical interiors, dotted with models of peacocks and tropical creatures. You can read all about it here.
📍You’ll find Amazonico at 10 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6BR.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
8. Bob Bob Ricard, Soho
I’d estimate a good 60% of Bob Bob Ricard’s attraction lies in their downright dangerous “press for champagne” button, but you can also feast your eyes upon vintage blue and gold interiors, whether that be at the bar or in their ultra-luxe dining room. Happily, there’s a second, similarly champagne-happy site over in The Cheesegrater, but the Soho spot remains the OG. Find out all the details here.
📍You’ll find Bob Bob Ricard at 1 Upper James Street, London, W1F 9DF.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
9. Casa Do Frango, London Bridge
Piri piri is, naturally, so good they named it twice, but equally nice are Casa Do Frango’s exposed brick interiors, light-flooded dining room, and artfully dotted house plants. Plus, with cocktail bar The Green Room hidden in the basement, it’s a place you’ll want to spend plenty of time in – especially once you’ve tucked into the chicken! They also boast venues in Shoreditch and Piccadilly so you’re spoiled for choice. See more here.
📍You’ll find Casa Do Frango at 32 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TU.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
10. Bancone Golden Square, Soho
I’m entirely biased on this one, since Bancone happens to be one of my all-time favourite restaurants in London. The original branch sits in Covent Garden, but a more recently opened Soho restaurant features counter dining, antique mirrors, and an olive tree in the heart of the restaurant. Some of the finest pasta dishes in town round off a truly special dining experience. Read our review here.
📍You’ll find Bancone Golden Square at 8-10 Lower James Street, London,W1F 9EL.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
11. Luca, Clerkenwell
Luca is where style, elegance, and magical Italian food all meet up – in the most gorgeous of environs. The décor draws inspiration from 1950’s Italy, from the olive trees in the garden room to the intimate booths and cobbled floor. It’s a simply stunning example of how some of London’s prettiest restaurants will make you feel like you’ve left London altogether! If you can, take a seat in the terrace garden room, where blooming jasmine perfumes the air and the sun scatters shadows around the room. They’re not just a pretty face either, with a Michelin star to their name, recognising the incredible quality of the food that matches the incredible interiors.
📍You’ll find Luca at 88 St John Street, London, EC1M 4EH.
🚇 Nearest station’s are Farringdon and Barbican.
12. Cafe Laville, Little Venice
Perched precariously over the waters of Regent’s Canal, Cafe Laville makes our prettiest restaurants list for the gorgeous views it commands of the water. It’s doubly special in summertime, when the glass doors are thrown open for al fresco dining – and triply special if you can dig into a plate of freshly-made pasta at the same time. More info here.
📍You’ll find Cafe Laville at 453 Edgware Road, London, W2 1AT.
🚇 Nearest station is Warwick Avenue.
13. Linnaean, Nine Elms
Well before Battersea Power Station finally arose from its slumber, Linnaean was doing its part to revitalize the area and bring it back to life. Part beauty salon, part café, it earns a spot on our list thanks to pastel colours and floral decor – and cake, of course. Never forget the cake. Learn all about it here.
📍You’ll find Linnaean at Embassy Gardens, 2 New Union Square, Nine Elms, London, SW11 7AX.
🚇 Nearest station is Nine Elms.
14. Bar Douro, London Bridge and City of London
We’re eternally grateful for all that Portugal has given the world, but especially for the holy trinity of port, pasteis de nata, and azulejos. Luckily, you’ll find them all in spades at Bar Douro, which marries brilliant small plates with a sense of design flair. Just look at those tiles! Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Bar Duoro at 35B, Arch, 85B Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0NQ and at Unit 3, 1 Finsbury Avenue, London, EC2M 2PF.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and Moorgate.
15. Uchi, Hackney
Right up at the restrained end of the design spectrum amongst London’s prettiest restaurants lies Uchi, which eschews the bells and whistles of Insta-ready dining in favour of something authentic. Sunken dining tables, soft wood, and white curtains permeate a homely, wholesome space, which is quickly filled with as much sushi, robata, and tempura as you can muster. Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Uchi at 144 Clarence Road, Lower Clapton, London, E5 8DY.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Downs.
16. Santo Remedio, London Bridge
My memories of Santo Remedio are, admittedly, a little hazy, having ventured along to try their bottomless margarita brunch. (Yes, that is as amazing as it sounds). Still, a quick scan of Instagram reveals a riot of colour, and since the food is pretty excellent too, it’s well worth checking out. You can also find the Santo Remedio Café in Shoreditch for a more intimate offering. Read all about it here.
📍You’ll find Santo Remedio at 152 Tooley Street, London Bridge, SE1 2TU and at 55 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3HP.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and Shoreditch.
17. Circolo Popolare, Fitzrovia
Circolo Popolare and sister restaurants Gloria, Ave Mario, and Jacuzzi, certainly aren’t known for their subtlety. Gigantic pizzas, outlandish pasta dishes, and a fabulously OTT lemon meringue pie are the standouts here… if your eyes are fixed only on the menu, of course. Otherwise, you’re probably looking at the fairy lights and 20,000 bottles of booze – which is pretty understandable. Full information here.
📍You’ll find Circolo Popolare at 40-41 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1HX.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
18. The Petersham, Covent Garden and Richmond
The entire Petersham Empire is extremely aesthetic, from their charming Richmond garden centre and tea room, to the homeware shop in the heart of Covent Garden. That extends to neighbouring restaurant The Petersham, which goes all in on the plants and chandeliers, without skimping on the flavour. Sunny days are best spent in the whitewashed courtyard, a world away from the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden. Read all about it here.
📍You’ll find The Petersham at 2 Floral Street, London, WC2E 9FB and at Nightingale Lane, Richmond, TW10 6UZ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Covent Garden and Richmond.
19. La Bodega Negra, Soho
Although the sign may offer GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, the reality is in fact TACOS TACOS TACOS. Which seems like a reasonable compromise, right? Head to the basement for low-lit dining amongst artfully distressed furniture, and don’t forget an all-important snap in front of their very misleading neon sign. Here are all the details.
📍You’ll find La Bodega Negra at 16 Moor Street, London, W1D 5AP.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
20. Palm Vaults, Hackney
Hackney isn’t often mistaken for Miami, but when you sit down for a latte and cake in Palm Vaults, we’ll forgive you for being confused. Mint green and soft pink are the dominant colours, and if you really love them, you can pick up some sweet merch to rep the tribe. Perhaps banana bread is a cheaper place to start, though. Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Palm Vaults at 411 Mare Street, London, E8 1HY.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
21. Ampéli, Fitzrovia
Greece is a gorgeous place, especially if you’re wandering through the whitewashed buildings and winding streets of a Cycladic village. At Ampéli, you sadly won’t be doing that, but your tastebuds sure will as they meander from whipped feta, to smoky lamb chops, to pitch-perfect loukoumades with a poppy seed custard. Your eyes, meanwhile, can focus on swish gold fixtures, interesting art, and a massive Greek wine list, which is compensation enough in our eyes. Read our review here.
📍You’ll find Ampéli at 18 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 2LZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Goodge Street.
22. Minnow, Clapham
Great things come in small packages, and squeezed into a little space on the fringes of Clapham Common is Minnow. The inviting frontage hits at their serious design credentials, and the stained glass window inside just proves that. Seasonal British cooking is the hallmark of their menu, and with a heavyweight Sunday roast on offer too, you’ll fall in love with more than the décor at one of the prettiest restaurants south of the river. More info here.
📍You’ll find Minnow at 21 The Pavement, London, SW4 0HY.
🚇 Nearest station is Clapham Common.
23. Peggy Porschen, Belgravia and Chelsea
It’s a great irony of London’s urban planning that a place so grey and uninspiring as Victoria Coach Station can sit basically right next door to one of the prettiest bakeries in town. Perfectly pink Peggy Porschen have now expanded to Chelsea, but that hasn’t stopped people queuing out the doors for cake, and a snap beneath the flower-garlanded entrance. Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Peggy Porschen at 116 Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9QQ & 219 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5EJ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Victoria, Sloane Square, and South Kensington.
24. Berenjak, Soho
Modelled on the hole-in-the-wall eateries of Tehran, Berenjak has a ravishing range of kababs, khoresht, and more Persian dishes available. If you can snag a seat in the Hayat, you’ll find a cosy, comfy space hidden behind a curtain, which really is the perfect hideaway to try everything on the menu. They’ve also got a late-night bottomless kebab menu – need I say more? Learn more here.
📍You’ll find Berenjak at 27 Romilly Street, London, W1D 5AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
25. Dalloway Terrace, Fitzrovia
The best thing about Dalloway Terrace is that you can come back every season and see it in a different outfit, because it’s often dressed in russet for Autumn, or twinkling with frosted pine in Winter. Instagram is usually an excellent barometer of this, but there’s really never a bad time to wander along. You can see more here.
📍You’ll find Dalloway Terrace at 16-22 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3NN.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
26. Brother Marcus, Spitalfields
Another of our prettiest restaurants that goes heavy on the plant life, Brother Marcus have just recently opened a branch in Spitalfields. It’s all very a e s t h e t i c, but perhaps even prettier is The Step Sister, a tower of sweet potato, courgette and feta fritters, avocado and kale, turmeric yoghurt and a poached egg which had our Georgie swooning. Read her review here. (Brother Marcus also now counts locations in Angel and Borough under their belt.)
📍You’ll find Brother Marcus at 2 Crispin Place, Whitechapel, London, E1 6DW.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
27. SUSHISAMBA, Covent Garden
When your first restaurant is high up in the Heron Tower, and commands views over The Gherkin, you’d better do something special for a sophomore effort. Thankfully, SUSHISAMBA’s gorgeous overgrown jungle – finished off with bespoke lighting, marble counters, and plush velvet chairs – does just that. More info here.
📍You’ll find SUSHISAMBA at 35 The Market, London, WC2E 8RF.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
28. Brunswick House, Vauxhall
A worthy addition to this roundup of the prettiest restaurants in London here. Ever been in a restaurant and wished you could walk out with a load of the fixtures? I mean, apart from all the previous spots on this list, of course. Well, at Brunswick House, you can, for everything you see is for sale – because the fancy restaurant doubles up as an antiques shop, filled with chandeliers, mirrors, and chairs. You’ll be leaving with more than just a full stomach, I’m sure. See more here.
📍You’ll find Brunswick House at 30 Wandsworth Road, London, SW8 2LG.
🚇 Nearest station is Vauxhall.
29. A.O.K, Marylebone
Yup, the design is A.O.K here. Branches of white petals extend across the upstairs restaurant (they’re even on the wallpaper), whilst the tiles in the downstairs bakery are equally swoonworthy. Come for breakfast, stay for lunch, and then load up on pastries – sorted! Read all about it here.
📍You’ll find A.O.K at 52-55 Dorset Street, London, W1U 7NH.
🚇 Nearest station is Baker Street.
30. Saint Aymes, Marylebone
Perhaps the most Instagrammable coffee shop in town is also the fanciest, as Saint Aymes top their beverages with edible 24ct gold. Add a steady diet of pinks, purples, and pastels in the design – plus the flower-bedecked exterior – and you see why it’d be a crime to leave it off this list. See more here.
📍You’ll find Saint Aymes at 52-55 Dorset Street, London, W1U 7NH.
🚇 Nearest station is Baker Street.
31. Ziggy Green, Mayfair
A tropical taqueria with a taste for all things Bowie (the album cover for Ziggy Stardust was shot on the street outside), Ziggy Green dips into the flavourful offerings of Tulum, Mexico for their array of ceviche and tacos. Oh, and their infamous bottomless dinners come with a watermelon margarita fountain, so you’re definitely going to want to check them out here.
📍You’ll find Ziggy Green at 1 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BD.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
32. Tiffany Blue Box Cafe, Knightsbridge
The words “Tiffany” and “aesthetic” are virtually synonymous, so it’s no surprise to find the brand’s Harrods cafe on this list. Inspired by the NYC flagship cafe on Fifth Avenue, the London spot features the famous Tiffany blue for the walls, upholstery, and crockery, and boasts a rather delectable afternoon tea. Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Tiffany Blue Box Cafe at 87-135 Brompton Rd, London, SW1X 7XL.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
33. Apple Butter, Seven Dials
Giving the Garden of Eden a run for its money, Apple Butter’s claim to being one of London’s prettiest restaurants leans heavily on the giant apple tree at the heart of the cafe. Middle Eastern-inspired desserts should provide plenty of temptation. Read all about it here.
📍You’ll find Apple Butter at 32-34 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9HA.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
34. Bacchanalia, Mayfair
Bacchanalia is one of those restaurants that finds your jaw hitting the floor as soon as you walk in, only to return to its rightful position when you leave. The cavernous venue is absolutely packed full of gorgeous sculptures, busts and paintings. In their own words: “This is not merely a restaurant, it is a breath-taking feast for the senses”. Mediterranean and Greek dishes complement the grandeur of the restaurant, harking back to the strength of their empires and rich history, with dishes that invite you to “Banquet like Bacchus”. Find out more here.
📍You’ll find Bacchanalia at 1-3 Mount Street, London, W1K 3NA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Green Park and Bond Street.
35. Gold, Notting Hill
Name your restaurant after a precious resource, and an age-old symbol of wealth and prosperity, and you better have something impressive to back it up with! Fortunately, Gold has plenty to show for their name. However, it’s not all flash and pizzazz, or opulence and wealth that contributes to it being one of London’s prettiest restaurants. Instead, the interior is restrained, understated, but delightfully cosy and gorgeous. Oh, and it’s also decorated on the outside with a stunning building-encompassing artwork that peers down at passers-by, and extends into the dining room. The food, seasonal sharing platters cooked in wood ovens, is similarly “humble” but reveals a great depth and thoughtfulness. And with four floors, including an attic terrace, you’ll just have to keep coming back to check it all out. See more here.
📍You’ll find Gold at 95-97 Portobello Road, London, W11 2QB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Bayswater and Queensway.
So there you have it – a roundup of the prettiest restaurants in London.
For even more foodie updates and dreamy restaurants, be sure to follow our dedicated food & drink page The Mouthful on Instagram!
Also published on Medium.