![\"Food](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Moro-2-cfa2.jpg\")
\n\t\tMoro was named one of London\u2019s most iconic restaurants (Picture: Moro)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tMoro was named one of London\u2019s most iconic restaurants (Picture: Moro)<\/p>\n
With thousands of restaurants<\/a> across the city, working out where to eat in London<\/a> is no easy task.<\/p>\n If you live in the city, you\u2019ll likely have your own neighbourhood favourites, but if you\u2019re keen to try somewhere truly memorable, then there are apparently 26 spots that should be on your radar.<\/p>\n This is according to the team at OpenTable,<\/a> who have revealed a list of \u2018icons\u2019 which they say are this year\u2019s \u2018hottest\u2019 restaurants, \u2018defining dining\u2019 in the capital.<\/p>\n The list is in no particular order and features everything from\u00a0steak<\/a> places to Indian restaurants, and, of course, a few British institutions.<\/p>\n It was compiled by a panel of industry insiders, including Adam Hyman, the owner of CODE Hospitality and The Good Food Guide, Lorraine Copes, the founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality, cook and food writer Jenny Lau, and food content creator and author Seema Panhania.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tWelcome to the Slice\t\t\t<\/p>\n The Slice<\/a> is your weekly guide to what\u2019s happening in\u00a0London<\/a>, so if you\u2019re looking for restaurant<\/a> reviews,\u00a0drinks<\/a>\u00a0deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll be in your inbox every week, bringing you expert reviews, exclusive deals and the latest events.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n One of the top picks is Darjeeling Express<\/a>, an Indian restaurant that not only serves delicious, authentic dishes but also has an impressive backstory.<\/p>\n It was founded by Asma Khan<\/a> and started as a supper club featuring family recipes dating back generations, before the physical restaurant opened in 2017.<\/p>\n What\u2019s truly unique about it is that it has an all-female kitchen run by immigrant housewives \u2013 most of whom are in their 50s.\u00a0<\/p>\n Not a single one of them (Asma included) has any professional culinary training. They all learned to cook at home, proving you don\u2019t need to have a fancy qualification to make amazing food.<\/p>\n Popular dishes include Methi Chicken (\u00a323), which has a rich tomato-based sauce and is flavoured with dried fenugreek, as well as the Tamarind Dal (\u00a38), a veggie side dish featuring tangy and spicy lentils, cooked with garlic, dried red chillies, cumin and curry leaves.\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, you\u2019ll find Darjeeling Express in Kingly Court, but it\u2019s moving location soon, closing on May 16 and reopening in Rupert Street in Soho on June 3.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tThe full list of OpenTable’s icons:\t\t\t<\/p>\n Andrew Edmunds, Soho Also on the list is St. JOHN in Smithfield, a firm favourite of many Londoners, famous for its nose-to-tail cooking approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n The British restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star for its food, and the menu changes daily.<\/p>\n Examples of dishes include a roast bone marrow and parsley salad (\u00a316.50), devilled tripe, chips and ketchup (\u00a325.50), and roast lamb, carrots, and green sauce (\u00a334).<\/p>\n Rita\u2019s, an independent restaurant in Soho where modern American dining meets British and European produce, also made the cut.<\/p>\n \t\t It was founded in 2012 by chef-owner Gabriel Pryce and beverage director Missy Flynn, who began the business as a pop-up in Dalston.<\/p>\n The menus are guided by the seasons, with all meat and fish raised and caught sustainably<\/a>, and produce sourced from organic farms near London.<\/p>\n Harry Styles<\/a> and Zoe Kravitz<\/a> are thought to be fans, and popular dishes include\u00a0beef tartare and fried chicken. <\/p>\n Rita\u2019s was also featured in OpenTable\u2019s Restaurant Awards, winning a people\u2019s choice accolade for having \u2018standout service\u2019. St. JOHN garnered one too, being crowned a \u2018neighbourhood gem\u2019. <\/p>\n Other places to try include Juno Omakase in Notting Hill, a six-seater counter within the Japanese Mexican eatery, Los Mochis, The Plimsoll pub in Highbury, which is often touted as serving one of the best burgers in London, plus BRUTTO, an Italian<\/a> spot in Farringdon that specialises in Florentine dining and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.<\/p>\n Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea was featured too, and it comes as the legendary chef prepares to open his 100th spot.<\/p>\n Bread Street Kitchen opens at 22 Bishopsgate on May 6, and Metro was lucky enough to snag an early preview<\/a>.<\/p>\n Laure Bornet, senior vice president of international growth at OpenTable, said: \u2018Our first-ever OpenTable Restaurant Awards winners are the places defining London\u2019s culture right now, setting global standards and creating experiences that stay with diners long after they leave.<\/p>\n \u2018At a time of real pressure for the industry, celebrating and backing the people and places raising the bar matters more than ever, and we\u2019re proud to champion these standout spots to diners.\u2019<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Darjeeling-Express-2-509a.jpeg\")
\n\t\tDarjeeling Express was on the list (Picture: Darjeeling Express)<\/p>\n
\nRita\u2019s, Soho
\nDarjeeling Express, Soho
\nBlacklock Soho
\nDonia, Soho
\nHumble Chicken, Soho
\nScott\u2019s, Mayfair
\n64 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia
\nBRUTTO, Farringdon
\nThe Quality Chop House, Farringdon
\nSt. JOHN, Smithfield
\nHawksmoor St Pancras & Martini Bar, King\u2019s Cross
\nBouchon Racine, Farringdon
\nPortland Restaurant, Marylebone
\nCORE by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill
\nMoro, Angel
\nThe Ledbury, Notting Hill
\nThe Plimsoll, Highbury
\nRestaurant Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea
\nDa Terra, Bethnal Green
\nMAMBOW, Clapton
\nThe Clove Club, Shoreditch
\nChez Bruce, Wandsworth
\nTrinity, Clapham
\nBrawn, Bethnal Green
\nJuno Omakase, Nottng Hill<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ritas-3-da64-e1777982966566.jpg\")
\n\t\tHarry Styles and Zoe Kravitz are thought to be fans of Rita\u2019s food (Picture: Rita\u2019s)<\/p>\n
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