The TOP 10 Modern Restaurants in London

What is it? The Dover is a restaurant on Dover Street in London, located an eight-minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts and a ten-minute walk from Bond Street. It holds the Cocktail List of the Year award from the 2024 National Restaurant Awards.

Why we love it: The Dover balances a high-end price point with a 4.70 guest rating, proving its Contemporary, Modern, and Classic menu holds its own among the stiff competition of Mayfair. It manages to feel romantic while offering a terrace and a view, a rare combination for an address just 600 meters from the greenery of Green Park.

Good to Know: The Dover requires a smart and elegant dress code, so save the sneakers for the walk over from Green Park.

What is it? Doppo is an Italian restaurant on Dean Street, located a six-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus and seven minutes from Regent Street. It holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award and won the award for best value wine list at The World’s Best Wine List Awards.

Why we love it: While much of the surrounding area is defined by high-turnover tourist traps, Doppo keeps the focus on a contemporary approach to modern Italian cooking. The wine list selection justifies the price point, offering a level of curation that earned recognition from both Wine Spectator and global industry experts.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code is strictly observed, so expect a polished, romantic environment that feels removed from the chaos of the nearby British Museum crowds.

What is it? Dorian is a contemporary restaurant located at 105–107 Talbot Rd. It sits an eight-minute walk from the Portobello Road Market and holds a Michelin star.

Why we love it: This is a serious kitchen that eschews fuss for precision, landing it at number 20 on the National Restaurant Awards UK Top 100 list. It balances the high-stakes performance of a Michelin-starred venue with a modern sensibility that also earned it a spot among the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s modern, creative approach to the menu makes it worth dressing in your best smart and elegant attire for a night that feels as much like an occasion as the awards suggest.

What is it? Wagtail Rooftop sits at 68 King William St, a short ten-minute walk from the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. It functions as a restaurant and bar, offering a terrace for guests looking for a high-altitude vantage point over the city.

Why we love it: It manages an impressive 4.80 rating from over 1,300 diners, a rarity for a venue that also serves as a primary destination for a view. While many establishments in this price tier rely solely on their skyline, Wagtail Rooftop keeps its focus on Modern international grills.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Wagtail Rooftop is strictly enforced, so leave the trainers at home even when visiting the terrace bar.

What is it? Hakkasan is a fine dining restaurant on Bruton Street. It holds a Michelin star and sits a ten-minute walk from the Burlington Arcade.

Why we love it: It manages the high-end Asian category with a rare consistency, maintaining a 4.62 rating from nearly four thousand guests despite the high price point. The modern execution of its Chinese menu feels grounded by its proximity to the Royal Academy of Arts, offering a refined, quiet alternative to the busier thoroughfares near Bond Street.

Good to Know: The dress code at Hakkasan is smart and elegant, so lean into a polished aesthetic to match the low-lit, luxury interior.

What is it? The Ned London is a restaurant located at 27 Poultry. It sits within a ten-minute walk of St. Paul’s Cathedral and is less than five minutes by foot from Leadenhall Market.

Why we love it: This venue pulls its 4.60 rating from over 1,000 reviews by balancing the scale of its historic footprint with a focused contemporary international menu. It offers a rare fine-dining experience that avoids the frantic pace of the nearby Tower Bridge district.

Good to Know: The terrace at The Ned London provides the best vantage point for navigating the bustling intersection of contemporary city life and classic architecture.

What is it? The Ivy sits at 1-5 West St, a four-minute walk from the crowds of Covent Garden. It serves a menu of classic and traditional international dishes in a space that feels inherently fine-dining.

Why we love it: While neighboring venues compete for foot traffic near the National Gallery, The Ivy relies on its status as a local institution to maintain a steady stream of regulars. With 4,694 reviews averaging a 4.69 rating, it manages a rare consistency in a high-turnover district. The price point is firmly in the upper bracket, but it pays for a degree of polish that remains difficult to replicate elsewhere in London.

Good to Know: The Ivy enforces a strict smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual layers for your subsequent walk to Trafalgar Square.

What is it? Core by Clare Smyth sits on Kensington Park Road, a ten-minute walk from the Portobello Road Market. It holds three Michelin stars and ranks among the top 100 restaurants in the world.

Why we love it: This is modern, contemporary fine dining that justifies the price point by balancing technical precision with a relaxed atmosphere. While it sits within walking distance of Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, it feels distinct from the area's more formal institutions, opting for a luxury experience that prioritizes comfort over stuffiness. With a consistent guest rating of 4.90 from over a thousand diners, it remains a reliable high-water mark for contemporary cuisine in London.

Good to Know: Core by Clare Smyth enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so plan your attire to match the refined, contemporary interior before heading to Kensington.

What is it? The Audley Public House sits at 41-43 Mount St, just an eight-minute walk from Hyde Park. It is a restaurant that blends traditional, classic, and modern styles within the Mayfair district.

Why we love it: The venue manages a 4.52 rating across over 1,300 reviews, a rare consistency for a spot this close to the dense tourist footfall of Apsley House. It brings a fine dining sensibility to a traditional pub setting, making it a reliable choice for a smart and elegant meal in an area that often prioritizes flash over substance.

Good to Know: The Audley Public House enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so pair your traditional tavern fare with a polished wardrobe rather than standard pub attire.

What is it? Nolita Social Bar is a restaurant located on the lower level of 4 Knightsbridge Green. It sits an eight-minute walk from Harrods and is within a twenty-minute walk of both Hyde Park and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Why we love it? This venue offers a fusion of international flavors in a space defined by its terrace and expansive views. With a guest rating of 4.62, it distinguishes itself through a focus on modern, upscale dining that remains accessible despite its proximity to major London landmarks.

Good to Know: Nolita Social Bar requires a smart and elegant dress code to match the tone of its international-fusion menu.