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. It holds the Cocktail List of the Year award from the 2024 National Restaurant Awards.

Why we love it: While many London venues lean on trends, this spot balances contemporary, modern, and classic styles with a deliberate focus on the bar program. With a 4.70 guest rating from over 100 reviews, it manages to maintain a consistent reputation in a price tier that demands precision. It is the rare Dover Street destination where the drinks hold as much weight as the menu.

Good to Know: The Dover enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual attire for your walk through nearby Green Park.

What is it? Doppo is an Italian restaurant on Dean Street, located a ten-minute walk from the British Museum. The venue holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award and received the title of Best Value Wine List at The World’s Best Wine List Awards.

Why we love it: While many spots in the West End lean into high-volume turnover, Doppo prioritizes a contemporary, fine-dining experience that feels earned. The kitchen’s focus on modern Italian techniques provides a rare level of precision for a venue sitting just blocks away from the heavy foot traffic of Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street.

Good to Know: The wine list is the primary draw here, so ask the sommelier to navigate their award-winning selection to pair with your course.

What is it? Dorian sits at 105–107 Talbot Road, a ten-minute walk from Portobello Road Market. This restaurant holds a Michelin star and ranks no. 20 in the National Restaurant Awards’ UK Top 100.

Why we love it: It earns its place as a contemporary destination by balancing fine dining with the focused intensity of a world-ranked steakhouse, currently holding the no. 26 spot on The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list. With over 300 guests consistently rating it a 4.40, the space manages to feel both private and professional without the stuffiness often found in this price bracket.

Good to Know: The kitchen focuses on contemporary, creative techniques, so expect the menu at Dorian to lean into high-heat preparations that favor the ingredients found in their steak-forward curriculum.

What is it? Wagtail Rooftop sits at 68 King William St, a short walk from St. Paul’s Cathedral. It functions as a restaurant, bar, and terrace that focuses on international grills.

Why we love it: It earns its 4.80 guest rating by balancing a luxury setting with a terrace that offers rare sightlines of the surrounding landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. While many venues in this price bracket rely on formality, Wagtail Rooftop keeps the focus on the combination of modern international grilling and the elevated vantage point.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code applies to the entire space, so pack accordingly if you plan to move from the bar to the restaurant terrace.

What is it? Hakkasan is a fine dining restaurant on 17 Bruton Street. It holds a Michelin star and sits within a ten-minute walk of both the Royal Academy of Arts and the Burlington Arcade.

Why we love it: It manages the high-price tier better than most by leaning into a precise blend of modern Asian and Chinese techniques. While many of its Mayfair neighbors focus on traditional formality, Hakkasan maintains its reputation through a consistent, sharp execution that sustains a high guest rating across thousands of reviews.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Hakkasan is strictly observed, so expect to pair your attire with the venue's moody, low-lit aesthetic.

What is it? The Ned London is a restaurant located at 27 Poultry. It sits a four-minute walk from Leadenhall Market and remains within a ten-minute walk of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Why we love it: The space combines international, contemporary, and modern cuisines under one roof, catering to a crowd that appreciates high-end, fine-dining service. With a guest rating of 4.60 across over one thousand reviews, the venue provides a consistent, reliable atmosphere that justifies its premium price point.

Good to Know: The Ned London hosts multiple dining options that transition into a lively, smart and elegant scene, so keep the dress code in mind if you plan to move between the indoor dining areas and the terrace.

What is it? The IVY is a restaurant at 1-5 West St in London. It sits a five-minute walk from Covent Garden and remains a short stroll from both Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.

Why we love it: While many London establishments rely on proximity to the major squares, this venue maintains a consistent following, evidenced by its 4.69 rating from nearly 4,700 guests. It avoids the trend-chasing of nearby cafes, leaning instead on a blend of traditional and international cuisines that prioritizes fine dining over experimental plating.

Good to Know: The Ivy enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so trade the trainers for something sharper before heading in for a classic menu selection.

What is it? Core by Clare Smyth sits on Kensington Park Road, a ten-minute walk from the Portobello Road Market and less than fifteen minutes from Kensington Palace or Hyde Park. It holds three Michelin stars and ranks among the top 100 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Why we love it: It earns its place as the sixth-highest entry in the Harden's Top 100 UK list by elevating modern, creative cooking with a level of rigor that rarely feels forced. The room is beautiful and maintains a consistent 4.90 rating across more than a thousand guest reviews, proving that the luxury fine dining experience here survives the scrutiny of its high-profile status.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s contemporary approach favors technical precision, so stick to the smart and elegant dress code to match the room’s standard.

What is it? The Audley Public House sits at 41-43 Mount St in Mayfair. It is a ten-minute walk from Hyde Park and roughly a seventeen-minute walk from Apsley House.

Why we love it: The Audley Public House offers a blend of traditional, classic, and modern cuisines that feels deliberate rather than scattered. With a guest rating of 4.52 from 1330 reviews, it provides a consistent, high-end experience that avoids the tourist traps common to its Mayfair neighbors, making it a reliable destination for those seeking fine dining in a beautiful, structured environment.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code applies throughout the space, so expect a more polished atmosphere than your typical pub as you order from their classic or modern menus.

What is it? Nolita Social Bar sits on the lower level of 4 Knightsbridge Green. It is an international, modern, and fusion restaurant located a ten-minute walk from Harrods.

Why we love it: The venue manages a high 4.62 guest rating by leaning into the privacy of its subterranean location. It offers an escape from the retail bustle of the Knightsbridge district while providing a more intimate scale than the nearby grand institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum or the sprawling lawns of Hyde Park.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Nolita Social Bar is strictly enforced, so prioritize tailored evening wear to match the refined aesthetic of the space.