Luca London

Luca sits on St John Street, a five-minute walk from Smithfield Market. The kitchen blends contemporary and classic Italian techniques, earning the restaurant a Michelin star. It also holds the no. 43 spot on the National Restaurant Awards UK Top 100 list and ranks at no. 39 in the 50 Top Italy guide.

The dining room runs smart and elegant, but it lacks the stiff, hushed formality often associated with Michelin-starred restaurants in this part of town. While many places in the vicinity lean into the industrial history of the surrounding area, Luca feels lighter, prioritising a social, energetic rhythm that feels more intentional than its neighbours. It succeeds because it rejects the stuffiness that usually accompanies such high praise, making it a better choice for a lively dinner than the more traditional, solemn dining rooms nearby.