The Most Beautiful Restaurants in London

London has a plethora of stunning, Instagram-worthy restaurants, as is evidenced by the self-proclaimed #foodie photos flooding our feeds. But it’s not just the art-gastronomy that’s getting its moment in the sun. These bespoke dining spaces are enchanting us with avant-garde décor and interiors that are as tempting as the food itself.

As a group of passionate designers, the FCI London team love to keep a keen eye on furniture trends in the city’s hottest eating spots. Why? Because whatever’s in vogue out there can be used to enhance your own home spaces - and we’d love to show you how.

So let’s take a peek at the most beautiful restaurants in London and give you a glimpse into the design styles and types of furniture you’ll need to create a similar vibe.

 

Hide, Mayfair

Chef Ollie Dabbous’ new baby is conceptualised around a tree with a sinuous wooden staircase that winds through three levels. Dubbed the StairStalk, the centrepiece guides guests upwards by a wavy balustrade. The earth-toned interiors mirror the views over nearby Green Park, creating the feeling of sitting inside an elvish forest.

Each level showcases a different menu. Ground offers all-day, à la carte dining, Above features complex tasting menus and Below is a bar and wine cellar with cocktails by Oskar Kinberg.

Michelin Star *

Cuisine: simple but sophisticated seasonal offerings sourced from local farmers and suppliers.

Why we love it: patrons have access to Hedonism’s 6500 bottle wine list, with your bottle of choice being delivered directly to the restaurant on request.

Create the look: To nail that nature connection, aim for a rustic look by investing in wood. We’d recommend the Bryant dining table by Porada paired with a simple chair like the Opale chair by Bamax. Of course, that magnificent staircase probably isn’t within grasp, but there’s nothing stopping you from infusing your breakfast nook with some gorgeous plants to invite in the fey-folk.

Photos: Andrew Meredith

 

Hollingsworth Buildings, Clerkenwell

B&H Buildings is an event space featuring a restaurant unlike anything you've seen before. The space takes inspiration from the faded grandeur of an abandoned country manor where the gardens have overgrown into a tangled mass. Modern colour palettes meet exposed wooden beams, watched over by a verdant jungle of trailing greenery that makes it hard to believe you’re indoors.

Cuisine: contemporary British fare

Why we love it: B&H is known for its exquisite bottomless brunches – many an FCI team meeting has turned into an all-day razzle over drop scones and bloody Marys. 

Create the look: Embracing eclecticism is the name of the game, so find a corner in your conservatory or on your covered patio and fill it with an interesting ensemble of tables and seats. The biophilic-inspired Gaga armchair by Naustro Unwind could be integrated with Unopiu’s lovely Aurora chairs around a ceramic, marble or glass-topped bistro table, for example. And don’t forget to dress it with some fresh flowers, your best silverware and a gorgeous vintage cake stand or two.

Photo: B&H Buildings

 

Restaurant Story, Bermondsey

Wunderkind chef, Tom Sellers, dreamed up Restaurant Story at the age of 19 and had his first Michelin Star by age 26. Instead of set menus, he creates tailored tasting menus designed around guests’ personal preferences that narrate your dining experience.

The Scandi lodge-style building used to be a Victorian lavatory and is now a gorgeous Nordic-influenced interior full of warm tones and contemporary art, culminating in a startlingly beautiful ceiling installation. 

Michelin Star **

Cuisine: proudly British with more than a touch of the ethereal – think edible flowers and dainty amuse-gueules.

Why we love it: try the much talked about beef-dripping candle which slowly melts down in its holder, allowing you to sop it up with freshly-baked sourdough. *chef’s kiss*

Create the look: The Scandi style is a celebration of natural wood, minimalism and muted colour palettes, bringing about a feeling of hygge and promoting balance and wellbeing. To incorporate this into your dining space, focus on tables and chairs with tapered legs and gentle profiles, giving you a cosy, elegant aesthetic. The Bo Em dining table and Bo Em sideboard by Al2 and Tyler chair by Cattelan Italia will all head you in the right direction.

Photo: Restaurant Story

Annabel's Mayfair

A private member's club with a global reputation, Annabel's is experiencing something of a renaissance after topping every in-vogue list from the 60s through the 80s. The club underwent a refurbishment in 2018 which resulted in a very flashy makeover; 'out-and-out gilt-trimmed maximalism' trumpeted one publication. 

Hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper and a verdigris marble floor are just two showy additions, while the much-photographed Garden Room restaurant can be described as glitzy chic, with mirrored panels, painted rose trellises and a fully retractable glass roof. 

Cuisine: Italian, French or British depending on where you choose to dine

Why we love it: the exclusivity, knowing that the late Lady Di dined there alongside the Rolling Stones, the fact that Ridley Scott made a documentary about it - it's all there!

Create the look: Fearlessness trumps conservatism when putting together an “Annabel’s” look, so take a leap of faith and go with your gut. Seek out bespoke artwork and interesting furnishings that catch the eye and don’t be shy to over-exaggerate. An out-of-the-box brand like Boca do Lobo offers items with just the right level of bling, starting with their extraordinary Pixel cabinet made from 1088 colourful triangles in gilded leaf. You’ll be equally captivated by their Metamorphosis mirror, covered in a selection of insects engulfed in a territorial war, or their hypnotic metallic pink Zaragoza side table. Bottom line: let the mad genius in you out!

Photo: Vogue

Gloria, Shoreditch

From uppity member's club to the most welcoming establishment on our list; Gloria is an all-day trattoria known for its decadent Italian dishes, yesteryear decor and boisterous hospitality. The dining room is a re-imagining of a Fifties-style trattoria complete with over-the-top striped booths, ceramic plates and hanging ivy, while the downstairs lounge screams 70s kitch with its many shades of brown. 

By day the trattoria serves up Italian classics with a cheeky twist; by night the joint turns into a funky house lounge where cocktails flow freely alongside the neverending stream of pizzas. 

Cuisine: it doesn't get more Italian than this!

Why we love it: Gloria has her tongue firmly in her cheek, from the bold sass of the staff to the one-way mirrors in the toilets. This place is popular with the Instagram crowd and the layout respects its audience - it's one of the few places you can dine in London with a big group. 

Create the look: If you’re keen to embrace a retro feel, focus on the standout elements of the day. For a 1950s look, go colour-happy and fill your living spaces with abstract fabrics in bold florals, stripes, polka dots or even fruit (Fatboy’s Non-Flying Don’t Step rug is perfect). Or, if your heart lies in the ‘70s, get on board with a massive shag carpet, wicker lounge suite or anything in a groovy colour palette. Take a look at the fabulously orange Relaxing armchair by Poltrona, for example.

Photo: Big Mamma Group

 

sketch, Mayfair

Sketch is a London institution that many argue is the fairest of all the worthy competitors on this list. Sketch is quite simply fuelled by art. It pervades the walls, the hopscotch court-painted floor and the individual egg-like pod toilets that look like they're about to pop out Lady Gaga at any moment. And the food - the food is a thing of such beauty that avid Instagrammers will spend more time on their phone hashtagging #foodporn than on their dining experience.  

From the wall-to-wall dusky pink of the Gallery to the enchanted fairytale forest of the Glade, a lunchtime spot complete with a lush carpet of pine needles and lifelike grass, each new dining room will leave you freshly awestruck. 

Michelin Star *** (The Library)

Cuisine: Modern European

Why we love it: Why we love it: for its deeply luxurious afternoon tea. And it's not just the melt-in-your-mouth blackcurrant meringue kisses - it's your personal tea master, your caviar man and the string trio playing classical compositions alongside The Beatles. One word - go. 

Create the look: As we said, it’s all about the art and infusing your spaces with all things opulent. And yes, this particular genre is all about the eye of the beholder, so we suggest you wrap your head around your kind of beauty and celebrate it in style. If it were up to our design team, we’d be looking at items like the luscious pink La Isla sofa by Sancal, the Trapezium chair or Mirage armchairs by Eichholtz and then jazzing up your spaces with rugs, coffee tables and wall art to match.

Photos: Sketch London

Beach Blanket Babylon, Notting Hill

Known as BBB to its longtime fans, this Notting Hill favourite is set in a stunning Georgian Mansion and is comprised of a number of individual rooms, each decorated in its own tasteful and unique style. From the crypt to the chapel to the elegant private ballroom, you’ll feast your eyes on French country chateau, palatial Baroque and the asymmetrical gilding of Rococo.

Stately fireplaces, majestic chandeliers and lavish furniture complete the experience, while Disney-style drawbridges and staircases winding to who knows where enhance the overall mystique.

Cuisine: simple but expertly finished brasserie favourites

Why we love it: formerly a place of discreet elegance, BBB has changed somewhat over the years thanks to features on reality shows like Made In Chelsea, yet it has retained its rollicking, crowd-pleasing atmosphere that is ripe for a good night out. 

Create the look: To celebrate grandeur, focus on the ornate and indulge in furnishings fit for a king. Start with creating focal points with breathtaking chandeliers, like the Saint Roch chandelier by Eichholtz, and find throne-like seating that will cause a stir. If you’re seeking out a Baroque-style sensory spectacle, Cappellini’s lavish Proust armchair is an absolute winner!

Photo: Beach Blanket Babylon

Petrus, Belgravia

Petrus is a modern French affair that makes this list purely for its evening elegance and gorgeous views across the twinkling lights of London. While his other restaurants may be better known Petrus exudes classic GR style, while the enormous picture windows milk the location for all they're worth. 

Coloured in potentially drab cream and beige, the earthy decor is broken up by splashes of red and a glittering, transparent cylindrical wine store commands centre stage in the middle of the room. The menu is quintessential Ramsey with riffs on Gallic classics.

Michelin Star *

Cuisine: Modern French

Why we love it: you can't go wrong with a romantic dinner for two on a clear London night. The amuse-bouches and inter-courses are winners and may include fancy popcorn, tiny lemon-cream cones and even an ice lolly served with dry ice. 

Create the look: Classic dining rooms don’t have to be boring, especially if you focus on decor that will keep you comfortable, putting the main focus on flowing conversation and delicious food. To create this aesthetic, make sure you find a timeless, ergonomic dining chair with lumbar support in all the right places, like the Sofia dining chair by Italforma. For the ultimate in tables, Cattelan Italia is the brand to beat, so take a browse through our catalogue and pick out something you love. Their Skorpio Round Ker-Wood dining table is both ionic and sublime.

Photo: Petrus

Berners Tavern, Fitzrovia

Berners Tavern has some serious credentials. Run by Michelin-starred restaurateur and executive chef, Jason Atherton, it also won the Global Restaurant Award for Best Design in 2016. The relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by all-day dining with a focus on modern European brasserie cooking, but don’t be fooled – eating here feels like you’re dining in the Sistine Chapel.

Berners effortlessly blends historical charm with sophisticated design. Vast ornate ceilings feature intricate plasterwork, while majestic chandeliers survey the profusion of artworks that grace the walls. The menu features fancy British comfort food, but the real star of the show is the sense of occasion. 

Cuisine: fancy British pub fare

Why we love it: even if you just stopped by for a quick pint after work, it would be the most legendary pint of your life. That's the Berners legacy in one. 

Create the look: Comfort, comfort and more comfort is the name of the game - it’s all about creating a gracious atmosphere without making things stuffy. If you’re working on your dining space, find seats that will cocoon you in plush, beautifully upholstered cushioning (the Filmore collection by Eichholtz in Cameron green would do just fine). And invest in elegant lighting that’s timeless and not too flashy. Soft, gilded wall sconces like the Pathleaf series by Serip and the Scottsdale chandelier by Eichholtz are both sublime.

Photo: Out There Magazine

 

Kai, Mayfair

Michelin-starred Kai has twice been ranked the best Chinese restaurant in Britain's top 100 restaurants. The interior is glitzy and quietly extravagant, far more Mayfair than Chinatown - but then so is the overall experience, which combines deep Chinese roots with the kind of innovative menu that has diners gasping out loud as their plates arrive.

Owner Bernard Yeoh wanted a fine dining affair to counter the stereotypical image of Chinese restaurants in London at the time. It's safe to say he exceeded all expectations. Expect an updated, playful take on Chinese traditions like medicine shops filled with vials of mysterious fragrant powders and jars of fortune cookies. 

Michelin Star *

Cuisine: Modern French

Why we love it: four words - Chinese Whispers Afternoon Tea. Surrounded by Maj Jong tiles and the most gorgeous sweet delicacies, we dipped our hands into the 'jar of whispers' and found out things about one another that we'd never thought to ask - you have to try it for yourself. 

Create the look: To perfectly balance elegance and opulence without being over the top, we would pick out the sumptuous First Lady sofa by Silvano Luxury for our living area, along with a matching footstool and their striking Avalon coffee table. Or, if it’s a dining space you’re refurbishing, go for Italforma’s timeless Asia-High diamond quilted chair placed around the Darc dining table by Laskasas.

Photos: Kai Mayfair

 

 

Bob Bob Ricard, Soho

We finish our list with what might be the FCI team’s number-one pick for reasons we’ll get to in a minute. Bob Bob Ricard commemorates the roaring 20s, transporting you from the streets of Soho to a carriage in the Orient Express or a party at Jay Gatsby’s mansion.

Everything about BBR screams flamboyance, from the Russian-inspired blue-and-gold furnishings to the lavish menu that serves up English and Russian cuisine. Even the staff dress up for the occasion. The lighting is ridiculously flattering lighting, the cocktails are generous and served with flair and the food is the comfort food of millionaires. In short, this London fixture is not to be missed.

Cuisine: Russian and English moneyed classics – think caviar, lobster, steak and champagne

Why we love it: The pièce de résistance that gives BBR the edge is the “Press for Champagne” button at every table. it is famous for pouring more champagne than any other restaurant in Britain. We rest our case.

Create the look: If you love the speakeasy scene of the 1920s, then you’re after an Art Deco twist with metallic accents, rich colours, loads of glam and geometric patterns aplenty. This style is all about being suave! So invest in that spanky bar trolley (the Oakhurst trolley by Eichholtz is fab), grab an eye-catching pendant light (we love Tom Dixon’s Spring pendant lamp) and go all-out with a camelback sofa. The Royal sofa from Collection Alexandra will tickle you pink.

Photo: Bob Bob Ricard

Find Your Ultimate Design Style at FCI London

At FCI London, we love everything to do with gorgeous interiors and have our fingers constantly on the pulse when it comes to all the latest trends.

Our fabulously curated range of furnishings is carefully selected from the world’s most respected brands, so if you’re after that perfect ensemble, get in touch today.

You can also browse through our latest projects portfolio for design inspiration or pop into our spectacular showroom for a guided tour.