Food and Drink
The London Restaurants That Celebrities Love
Hand-crafted, luxury experiences curated by our team—speak to our concierge to learn more
London has no shortage of incredible dining destinations which come A-list approved. If you're looking for dinner with a side of celebrity spotting, these are the places to visit.
As the favoured watering hole for stars and socialites, London's hospitality scene is constantly buzzing. Whether it's a fine dining venue or a sophisticated cocktail haunt, certain venues hold favour with the it-crowds.
From the moment they're photographed exiting, the reservation list is sure to soar... so having the inside scoop puts you one step ahead.
Discover the London restaurants...
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Meet The Chef: Kate Austen of The Great British Menu
Despite ending the first challenge—a vegan starter—with the lowest score amongst the chef challengers, Austen came back with a vengeance to become the first female chef in the show’s 19-year history to win the main course with her stuffed quail, truffle French toast, and scotch egg dish. Though Austen is not currently working in a restaurant, she has quite the Michelin-starred line-up under her belt: Morston Hall, Marcus Wareing, AOC, and Frantzen to name a few. “Cooking in Scandinavia was awesome,” she says. “In Denmark, my eyes were opened to a new style of cooking which is always exciting and challenging. I was immersed in the whole side of pickling and preserving, something that was relatively new to me, but the Nordics are known for. The kitchen was so calm and controlled, a different service to the many covers I had done in the UK. And I loved it.” Austen explains that cooking in the Nordics taught her about having focus, attention to detail, and precision, and she soon realized that she had found her style. She soon moved on to a tougher challenge, joining a three-Michelin star restaurant in Sweden as a sous chef. “That carries with it a lot of proving of oneself. At times I found the attitude intimidating and tiring but I worked diligently and earnt my stripes. I think if you are moving in the top circle of any industry, then your role will be challenging and tricky at times – arguably that’s why you are there, because you can handle it,” she says. It’s that determination, coupled with her unparalleled technique, that truly helped Austen stand out on The Great British Menu. With a new notch under her belt, I ask her if she’s ready to leave the private chef world behind and make the leap into becoming a restaurateur. “I think there is a part of me that will always want and crave a restaurant. I love the buzz of it, I live for creating dishes that evoke emotions and leave memories, and it’s an area that I believe I understand well,” she shares. “However, London intimidates me from a business point of view. I feel like it used to be a place you came to with nothing and left with something, but we all know the issues that surround restaurants: Rising rent, rising wages, rising food costs. I don’t know how to manage this side of the business, and with such a hugely saturated market already, I would be nervous. Never say never though… “
Meet The Chef: Nathan Cornwell of Silver Birch
Cornwell comes with a pedigree that is bursting with Michelin stars—Kitchen W8, Geranium in Copenhagen, Oaxen Krog in Stockholm, and The Barn at Moor Hall, to name a few. Cooking was always on the horizon for Cornwell, who says he knew from a young age that it was a passion of his and one that he knew he would eventually pursue as a career. “I had strong love with produce as my family grew their own veg and loved all things food,” he shares. A few days after our dinner at The Silver Birch, they were awarded the coveted 3 AA Rosettes, an absolutely well-deserved achievement! The restaurant has a welcoming and accommodating neighbourhood vibe. It’s clear that most diners are locals, and we overhear some tables talking about how there’s nothing like The Silver Birch in the area. There’s no frills about Cornwell’s cooking, but it’s in fact in the simplicity of the elements on the plate that each ingredient is able to shine. Cured sea bream, crispy pig’s head, and an herby cheesy cracker arrive as a welcoming trio of snacks. Organic celeriac sits beautifully in a broth of celeriac tea, with picked onions and herbs adding texture and crunch. Oscietra caviar makes its appearance in a dish with smoked eel from Devon, bathed in a sauce of pickled leek and chives. Desserts are a tantalising display of technique, textures, and flavours such as those in the show-stopping brown butter chocolate delice with caramelised white chocolate. The Sybarite speaks to Cornwell about his new venture and his favourite thing about Chiswick.
7th Floor Hassler: An Evening Above The Roman Skyline
As we journey to our dinner reservation at Rome’s Hassler Hotel, we climb the Spanish Steps and turn back to admire the view. Basking in our newfound perspective, it felt like we could see everything. Little did we know, it would only get better from here. We cross the road and step inside the the prestigious hotel, which has occupied the coveted spot atop the steps since 1893. The elevator is called to the seventh floor, which houses the aptly named 7th Floor Terrace, a panoramic rooftop bar and restaurant. With sweeping views of the city skyline, the vantage point is nothing short of spectacular. The stage was set for an unforgettable evening, and it certainly delivered.
An Evening Of Opulence At Mistral, Grand Hotel Villa...
As we walked through the foyer at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni to the pianist’s tune of Strangers In The Night, we felt like we’d stepped inside a movie. The overwhelming sense of grandeur is hard to overstate. Every fine detail adds to the feeling that you've stepped into a historic hotel which hasn’t been tarnished by time.
Microbrewery Hopping in England's Craft Beer Capitals
In recent years, England has witnessed an explosion of microbreweries, each with its own distinctive charm and character, offering a tantalising array of craft beers that cater to every palate. From the historic streets of York to the trendy alleys of Bristol, these cities have become veritable meccas for beer enthusiasts seeking a taste of something truly special.
