21 aesthetic London restaurants to book now
What I look for in a restaurant is a chic aesthetic, simple and seasonal food—often small plates—and a sense of elevated design. London is full of beautiful places to eat, but this is my curated list of the most aesthetic London restaurants I’d like to visit.
This is not a list of Instagrammable restaurants, or the prettiest restaurants in London, although many of them are beautiful. I’ve noticed that many London restaurants tend to market on a visual gimmick, and I understand the appeal, but the food rarely matches. This is a list of understated but elevated London restaurants that provide a chic aesthetic along with thoughtful food plated beautifully.
Six Portland Road
Six Portland Road is a small neighbourhood restaurant near Holland Park that offers a seasonal menu that changes monthly. The menu is concise and curated, with small plates, starters, mains and desserts.
They offer a great deal at lunchtime with a set menu for £28. Each meal starts with delicious Guinness bread and butter and olives, as well as your choice of sparkling or still water (all free) which is such a nice touch for a London restaurant.
As the menu is constantly changing I can’t recommend a single dish, but everything I’ve had there has been stunning. Chocolate mousse in July 2023 was especially memorable—I love their desserts. For a personal standpoint, this is one of the best restaurants in London.
Little Duck The Picklery
Little Duck The Picklery is a quaint little place with a focus on fermentation. Their creative menu changes each week, but celebrates pickling and fermentation through the food and drinks. From tangy pickled vegetables to fermented beverages, every dish at Little Duck The Picklery is thoughtfully prepared using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Their products are made in-house and available to purchase from the fridge as well. You could be taking home Juniper + Koseret Kombucha or White Peach Drinking Vinegar after your visit.
There are two other fantastic restaurants in this group, Emilia and Duck Soup.
Emilia is a stunning Italian osteria in Devon, and is most definitely on my list when travelling that way. Duck Soup is a natural wine bar and restaurant in Soho.
Mriya Neo Bistro
Mriya Neo Bistro is a fine-dining Ukrainian restaurant in Earl’s Court. This is the place to find beautifully plated, authentic Ukrainian food with an elevated sensibility. Traditional dishes like borsch, honey cake and varenyky (dumplings) are levelled up by a passionate chef eager to share the best of Ukrainian culture. Set menus are available through The Fork, making the experience kinder on the wallet.
Mriya goes further in celebrating Ukraine, with a beautiful interior with every element sourced from Ukraine to a staff of Ukrainians, many displaced to the UK. What better way to learn about and celebrate Ukraine than to stop by this delicious bistro?
Lina Stores
Now expanded to 6 locations, Lina Stores started in Soho with a charming green delicatessen and the nearby Greek Street restaurant. Freshly made pasta is the order of the day at Lina Stores, and a reasonably priced menu of small plates is perfect for sharing.
Established in 1944, Lina Stores has proudly upheld its tradition of delivering authentic and flavorful dishes that celebrate the true essence of Italian culinary heritage. Simple and fresh pasta dishes could not be more delicious.
The retro design of Lina Stores evokes quaint Italian delis and each space is filled with beautiful natural light.
In addition to the restaurant, Lina Stores boasts a delightful deli section that showcases an array of Italian delicacies. From imported cheeses and cured meats to bottles of rich olive oil and artisanal pastas, visitors have the opportunity to take home a piece of Italy, allowing them to recreate the magic of Lina Stores in their own kitchens.
Leo’s Chatsworth Road
Leo’s in Clapton is housed in a reclaimed, old-school London cafe, immediately imbuing the place in cool vibes. Leo’s specialises in Italian food with Sardinian heritage and is headed by Giuseppe Belvedere. The retro interior is quintessentially East London and it’s a great place to hang out—there’s also a bar and daytime menu.
Sessions Arts Club
Sessions Arts Club is a staple of any London restaurant list, and has been an iconic Instagram spot since it opened (and I don’t mean that in a bad way!). Situated in Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell, a regenerated court house, the restaurant is so beautifully dilapidated its hard to believe it happened organically.
The space is made up of the restaurant, bar, terraces and also functions as a sort of art gallery, so there is an inherent artsy twist that happens with their changing wall art and hand-drawn menu.
Chef Florence Knight heads up Sessions Arts Club with panache and the simple but punchy dishes provide twists on old classics.
Everything about Sessions Arts Club is an experience and wandering the building feels like an adventure. A special experience fit for a celebration in London’s most aesthetic restaurant. You must book well ahead.
Rochelle Canteen
Rochelle Canteen in Hackney has been a staple on London’s restaurant scene since 2004. Located in a former schoolyard, the restaurant is charmingly rustic and serves simple British dishes with a daily menu focused on seasonality.
Enter Rochelle Canteen by buzzing into an enclosed garden. Like a secret garden for foodies, Rochelle Canteen feels like a hidden gem despite its renowned status for Londoners in the know.
Rochelle Canteen’s dessert menu is especially wonderful, with simple British classics made perfectly. It’s a truly beautiful London restaurant.
Jolene
Jolene is a group of several outstanding bakeries across East London, as well as a restaurant in Newington Green. Jolene has a strong focus on sustainability, working with regenerative growers to produce a thoughtful and aesthetic daily menu.
With beautiful pastas, gently cooked meat dishes and of course stunning pastries and desserts, Jolene is a small but mighty London restuarant.
Cafe Cecilia
Cafe Cecilia is a charming little bistro in Hackney headed by Max Rocha. With an aesthetically simple white interior, the focus here is on the simple and classic dishes such as their onglet and chips. The dessert menu is especially wonderful, featuring guinness bread ice cream and a deep fried bread pudding with cold custard that I dream about.
Towpath
Towpath is a wonderful London hidden gem located right on the canal in De Beauvoir Town. Open during the summer months with alfresco tables right on the towpath, this aptly named cafe serves up a daily menu of fresh and seasonal dishes on bright green tables and homely crockery.
Towpath serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with pauses between services. I suggest arriving around 12:30 and waiting in the queue to be seated before lunch is served at 1pm. As a small kitchen, dishes run out fairly quickly, so it’s best to be on the ball to make sure not to miss anything.
Towpath’s dishes are simply delicious and are not too concerned with concept or aesthetics, which is what makes it so effortlessly beautiful but also rustic. Their soft serve is legendary; make sure to have a treat at the end of your meal.
It’s a perfect place for sharing, as you’ll want to try everything on the menu anyway, so come with a few friends on a sunny day in London.
Brawn
Brawn is a mediterranean restaurant on Columbia Road with a neighbourhood feel and focus on rustic dishes. From pastas to beans to a focus on pork, Brawn has a thoughtful, small menu changing each month. With simple wooden tables in a light-filled space, Brawn is a charming and cosy place to go in East London.
St John Bread and Wine
St John Bread and Wine in Spitalfields is the epitome of a classic London restaurant. This renowned restaurant, an offshoot of the renowned St. John Restaurant, captures the essence of British cuisine. Expect rustic yet elegant dishes made from the finest seasonal produce and meats, like their iconic bone marrow dish. The menu changes daily but is very old-school London with ingredients like ox heart and devilled kidneys. The restaurant's madelines are a perfect dessert and the essence of simplicity. For an authentic taste of London's culinary heritage, St John Bread and Wine should be on the list.
St John’s Bakery is one of the best in London, and their donuts are by far the best I’ve had in the city. If you’re around Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey, be sure to stop and check it out.
Brutto
Brutto is a much-feted Italian restaurant in Farringdon with a focus on Florentine dishes and a relaxed and welcoming feel. It does not take itself too seriously, and provides delicious meals with a home-cooked feel. With a name that means ugly, Brutto is unfussy but remains aesthetic with its old-Italian interior design, red checked cafe curtains and all. Brutto won the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022 and 2023, and has well-earned a place on your London restaurant bucket list.
Toklas
Step into the world of culinary innovation at Toklas, an avant-garde restaurant just off The Strand. Inspired by the creative spirit of Alice B. Toklas, this eatery pushes the boundaries of gastronomy with its visually stunning dishes. Owned by the founders of Frieze, Toklas has fine art embedded into its design.
The restaurant combines modern concrete architecture with a historic area of London and pops of contemporary colours in its decor. Combine fresh and seasonal dishes, and you’ve got a winning combination for most aesthetic restaurants in London.
Toklas Bakery is just next door, and is one of the very best bakeries in London.
Cafe Deco
Cafe Deco in Bloomsbury is a charmingly simple restaurant with a weekly menu and re-imagined retro classics on the menu. From their iconic egg mayonnaise starter to turbot mains, Cafe Deco is luxe and vintage. With a focus on top-quality wines, Cafe Deco is a sophisticated night out.
Crispin
Crispin, a trendy and airy spot in the fashionable area of Spitalfields, captures the essence of modern London dining. Led by chef Lewis de Haas, Crispin features a ever-changing all-day menu filled with creative dishes. Emphasising sustainability and seasonality, their culinary offerings reflect the best of British produce and global influences. With a small-plates model, Crispin is the perfect place to come with a small group and share everything on the menu.
Honey & Co
Discover the vibrant flavors of the Middle East at Honey & Co, a charming Israeli-inspired eatery at home in Bloomsbury. Husband-and-wife duo Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich infuse their dishes with passion and tradition, creating a menu that showcases the best of Israeli cuisine. Indulge in an array of mouthwatering mezze, grilled meats, and sumptuous desserts that transport you to the bustling streets of Tel Aviv. The intimate and inviting setting, coupled with the warm hospitality, ensures that dining at Honey & Co is a delightful journey for the senses.
Honey & Co has expanded to a shop, larger grill-focused restaurant, and a deli and bakery soon to be opened in September 2
Eline
Eline is a simple and sophisticated small restaurant near Hoxton. The seasonal menu changes monthly and is built on the foundation of French classical cooking. The menu is a fixed price per number of courses with three or four options per course. The restaurant also specialises in natural wine pairings.
Not only is the food delicious, but it is artfully plated — the dishes may be the most beautiful I’ve seen in London. I also think Eline’s branding deserves a mention as it is both unique and aesthetic.
Garden Museum Cafe
The Garden Cafe at the Garden Museum is an oasis hidden in the serene Garden Museum in Lambeth. With the picturesque backdrop of the church architecture mixed with modern glass additions and green foliage, the Garden Cafe is a unique place to stop for exquisite eats.
The menu changes daily and is prepared with utmost seasonality and freshness. Vegan and vegetarian options are built into the menu as well. When it comes to museum cafes, this one is on another level.
Spring
Experience the epitome of elegance and sophistication at Spring, a stunning restaurant housed within Somerset House. Helmed by acclaimed chef Skye Gyngell, Spring celebrates the beauty of the seasons through its exquisite menu, showcasing the finest ingredients from British producers. The restaurant's luxurious and refined interior, adorned with beautiful floral arrangements, sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. From delicate pastas to succulent meats and artfully crafted desserts, every dish at Spring is a masterpiece that reflects the passion and dedication of the culinary team.
For those on a budget, Spring offers a wonderful set menu dinner at pre-theatre times. Called the Scratch menu, Spring seats 30 diners between 5:30 - 6:30 Tuesday - Saturday using ‘waste’ produce. By using what would otherwise go to waste, the Scratch menu is always changing and is a very frugal £30.
Petersham Nurseries
Petersham Nurseries in Richmond is probably the world’s most beautiful garden centre. It also houses several eateries in its aesthetic greenhouses and serves menus focused on garden-fresh ingredients with an Italian inspiration. With a Michelin Green Star, Petersham Nurseries restaurant is of the highest quality and sustainability.
Petersham Nurseries restaurant is truly beautiful with tables set round a fountain and purple flowers softly framing the space. With set menus available from £60, the restaurant is pricey but beautiful. It’s also worth checking out their Garden Afternoon Tea and exploring the beautifully curated shop while visiting Richmond.
Aesthetic restaurants in London
Discover London's most aesthetic restaurants, where chic design meets delectable cuisine. From hidden gems to beautiful interiors, the city offers a diverse array of pretty dining destinations. Experience Six Portland Road's minimalist elegance and Little Duck The Picklery's creative fermentation. Indulge in the Mediterranean-inspired Leo's Chatsworth Road and the artistic fusion at Sessions Arts Club. From historic venues to avant-garde wonders, these aesthetic restaurants promise a visual and gastronomic feast.
South West London is full of endless things to do: it is home to charming neighbourhoods, incredible parks and beautiful stately homes.