London has become renowned for its culinary excellence over the past few decades. Currently, the city has five restaurants that have earned the coveted 3 Michelin stars (including two that are headed by female chefs), 10 that have achieved two stars, and an impressive 56 that have obtained a single star (meaning that they are competing to reach the next level).
However, given the plethora of options available, it can be difficult to select the perfect restaurant. In this article, we will examine the most expensive restaurants in London. Our analysis entailed scrutinizing the menus of all Michelin-starred establishments in London to identify those with the highest prices.
Every top-ranked restaurant on our list offers a combination of a renowned location, a beautifully-designed dining space, and, most importantly, those highly-regarded Michelin stars, ensuring a phenomenal menu and an unforgettable dining experience.
1. Kitchen Table
Photo credit: @kitchentable
If your desire is for a serene evening where you can have an undisturbed and intimate conversation, then perhaps Chef James Knappett’s Kitchen Table, which has been awarded 2 Michelin stars, and charges £300 (approximately $357) per person for their Tasting Menu, excluding drinks and service, may not be the ideal choice.
As its name suggests, you will be seated at a horseshoe-shaped counter and offered a full-on dining experience, where the “previously unseen kitchen theater” is just as captivating as the cuisine. The contemporary British menu changes regularly and highlights the freshest and best locally-sourced ingredients available.
2. Restaurant Gordon Ramsey
Photo credit: @gordonramsayrestaurants
Gordon Ramsey, an indisputable global superstar in the restaurant industry, has a flagship establishment situated in the chic Chelsea area, which has maintained a prestigious 3 Michelin stars rating for a considerable length of time. However, it’s worth noting that Gordon himself is not responsible for leading the kitchen team; since 2015, Chef de Cuisine Matt Abé has been at the helm.
At £220 (equivalent to $262 USD) per person, the Carte Blanche menu enables Chef Abé to craft a customized menu for you, emphasizing the use of the highest quality ingredients prepared in a contemporary French style. Additionally, a vegetarian menu called ‘Prestige’ is also available for £170 per person.
3. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Photo credit: @mandarinoriental
Although Heston Blumenthal was once regarded as the “enfant terrible” of the British restaurant scene, there is no doubt that he remains an innovator and one of the world’s finest chefs. Known for his unconventional creations, such as snail porridge, ice cream pork pies, and even edible cutlery, a visit to Dinner, located in the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, is sure to be a memorable experience.
Since 2013, this center of culinary innovation has maintained a 2 Michelin stars rating. The 8-course Chef’s Table menu, which serves four to six people and costs £220 (approximately $275) per person, offers a fresh take on dishes inspired by creations dating as far back as the 13th century. As Heston philosophizes, “The only distinction between history and the present is that history was in the past.”
What more could you need to know? It’s advisable to make reservations in advance.
4. Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Photo credit: @alainducasseatthedorchester
Alain Ducasse, a legendary chef, is highly regarded and respected by many of his contemporaries and rivals – not only for his culinary creations but also for his role in fostering and training a new generation of top chefs.
At his 3 Michelin-starred restaurant located in London’s Dorchester Hotel, the team is headed by Executive Chef Jean-Philippe Blondet, who reinterprets Alain Ducasse’s philosophy with a modern and sophisticated menu featuring the finest seasonal ingredients from top British and French producers. The remarkable 7-course Tasting Menu is priced at £210 (around $250) per person.
In the words of Alain Ducasse himself, “A produce, grown with love and respect has an incomparable flavor. Without it, a chef is nothing.”
5. Core by Clare Smyth
Photo credit: @corebyclaresmyth
Clare Smyth, who founded Core a mere five years ago, has been recognized as the “World’s Best Female Chef” by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. She has already amassed an impressive reputation, distinguishing herself from her male and female peers. Core by Clare Smyth, located in Notting Hill, has received numerous prestigious awards, including the highly sought-after 3 Michelin stars in 2021.
The traditional 7-course Tasting Menu is priced at £205 per person (approximately $244 USD).
6. A Wong
Photo credit: @awong
In 2013, Andrew Wong opened his namesake restaurant, which draws inspiration from his father’s Victoria restaurant and his travels around China, where he discovered authentic regional culinary traditions. Despite the serious approach to food, the atmosphere is informal, so be prepared to take your time while savoring the intriguing mix of two-star Michelin standards and incredible Chinese dishes. The Tasting menu costs around £200, and it is recommended to block out at least three hours to enjoy it thoroughly.
7. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Photo credit: @theconnaught
Located in the prestigious Connaught Hotel, Hélène Darroze’s eponymous restaurant presents a modern take on the classic French and British cuisine. Each dish is a visual and sensory delight, showcasing bright colors and bold flavors. The restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars for its outstanding quality and creativity. The Taste of Summer menu, created by Hélène Darroze, is a seven-course meal priced at £195 per person.
8. Claude Bosi at Bibendum
Photo credit: @claudebosiatbibendum
The Bibendum restaurant, led by 2-Michelin-starred Chef Claude Bosi, can be found in the magnificent Michelin House building, renowned for its distinctive Michelin Man stained glass window. This venue is ideal for an unforgettable experience.
Francesco, the Head Chef, has created a menu that reflects Claude Bosi’s vision, using only the freshest seasonal produce to create exquisite dishes. Their signature 8-course menu, named ‘Our Classics’, is priced at £195 per person.
9. Da Terra
Photo credit: @daterra
Da Terra is a restaurant situated in Bethnal Green, a trendy district in East London, that has earned a 2-Michelin-star status since its opening in 2019. Unlike many of London’s finest restaurants located in grand Mayfair locations, Da Terra is more laid-back and relaxed but still elegant. The two Tasting Menus combine Chef Rafael Cagali’s Brazilian roots and Italian influences and are presented to the diners without a menu. The chefs will guide you through the meal, which typically lasts around three hours and costs approximately £185 per person, excluding drinks.
10. Story
Photo credit: @restaurantstory
At Story, Chef Tom Sellers offers a 10-course Tasting Menu featuring classic dishes and seasonally inspired creations. Guests are not given a menu and are instead guided by the chefs. The menu is available in both standard and vegetarian options. Chef Sellers received his first Michelin star just five months after opening in 2013 and was recently awarded his second star in 2021.
11. Ikoyi
Photo credit: @ikoyi
If you’re looking for something different from the traditional “Modern French and British” cuisine favored by Michelin inspectors, Ikoyi is a 2-Michelin-starred restaurant in St James, located just off busy Regent Street, that might pique your interest. The restaurant was founded by friends Iré Hassan-Odukale and Chef Jeremy Chan, and their menu combines bold heat and umami with ground, fermented, burnt, and pickled spices typical of sub-Saharan West Africa to awaken your taste buds. Their original 13-course tasting menu is priced at £185 per person.
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