When you think about London icons, the things that come to mind are probably Big Ben, the late Queen Liz, David Bowie or the London Eye – people and landmarks that had a huge part to play in the making of the city as we know it today.
London is also one of the best places in the entire world for food and so there are a number of restaurants here that are deserving of ‘icon’ status, too. To give those places their dues, restaurant reservation platform OpenTable has put together a list of 26 places that it reckons are defining the capital’s restaurant scene.
The list of 26 icons and ‘powerhouses’ was compiled with help from industry insiders who know the London dining landscape like the back of their hand – people like Good Food Guide owner Adam Hyman, food content creator Seema Pankhania and critic Jimi Famurewa. It was revealed as part of the first ever OpenTable Restaurant Awards, which also gave out Restaurateurs’ Choice and People’s Choice prizes.
Trad British spot, ‘goddamn institution’ and Time Out favourite St. John features on the list (and was named Neighbourhood Gem in the People’s Choice category), as does our former number one restaurant in the city Mambow. Naturally, a couple of pubs made the cut too, including The Plimsoll in Finsbury Park (also voted Gastropub of the Year by OpenTable users) and The Ledbury in Notting Hill (which also received the Bucket List award).
Laure Bornet, senior vice president of International Growth at OpenTable, said: ‘Our first-ever OpenTable Restaurant Awards winners are the places defining London’s culture right now, setting global standards and creating experiences that stay with diners long after they leave. At a time of real pressure for the industry, celebrating and backing the people and places raising the bar matters more than ever, and we’re proud to champion these standout spots to diners.’
The 2026 OpenTable London restaurant ‘Icons’
- 64 Goodge Street
- Andrew Edmunds
- Blacklock Soho
- Bouchon Racine
- Brawn
- BRUTTO
- Chez Bruce
- CORE by Clare Smyth
- Da Terra
- Darjeeling Express
- Donia
- Hawksmoor St Pancras
- Humble Chicken
- JUNO Omakase
- Mambow
- Moro
- Portland
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
- Rita’s (Standout Service)
- Scott’s Mayfair
- St. JOHN Smithfield (Neighbourhood Gem)
- The Clove Club
- The Ledbury, Notting Hill (Bucket List)
- The Plimsoll (Gastropub of the Year)
- The Quality Chop House
- Trinity
Discover London’s 50 greatest restaurants here.
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