Ten London restaurants that will start your 2026 in style
Before Christmas has even begun, many of us are already dreading the January blues. Once the New Year’s celebrations are over and the return to work looms, the first month of the year can feel like one long, cold, dark slog towards spring. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
So if you need an excuse to defeat January without a hint of guilt, consider this your go-to list. From chic eateries serving Italian classics, to the hottest hotels shaking up the coolest of cocktails, we’ve rounded up ten of the best restaurants in London worth booking now. Whether you’re planning a babysitter-worthy date night or a long-overdue dinner with friends, these London spots are guaranteed to kickstart your 2026 in style, with plenty of flavour.
Bottega 35, Kensington
Just off Kensington High Street, Bottega 35 is guaranteed to please the most style-hungry diners. Inspired by Italian artisanal craftsmanship and the warmth of a Tuscan country home, this low-lit, fashion-forward restaurant is perfect for those drawn to clean, minimalist interiors punctuated by bold design features. Statement artwork, glowing feature lamps and moody lighting create a warm yet striking setting, ideal for anyone who loves a dining room without the fuss. Hand-rolled pasta and seafood-led dishes take centre stage, with standouts including the rich mafaldine, finished theatrically in a wheel of pecorino with truffle, delicately pan-seared seabass, tomato and capers. Every dish is designed to be enjoyed alongside Italian wines or well-balanced house cocktails. Our tip? Order the tiramisu prepared tableside, a spectacle that’s as good to watch as it is to eat.
ROVI, Fitzrovia
Ottolenghi’s Fitzrovia restaurant has long been loved for its bold, vegetable-led cooking centred on fire and fermentation, and following a recent refresh, it feels more inviting than ever. Much of the menu is cooked over fire, with seasonal British produce, much of it grown at ROVI’s North London kitchen garden, shaping dishes that balance comfort with creativity. Standouts include octopus and lardo skewers cooked to perfection with fermented red pepper, alongside the Ottolenghi classic miso-glazed corn ribs and the newer Urfa chilli beef kofta. Set within a striking, art-filled dining room and backed by inventive cocktails (the ROVI Negroni is a must) and a natural-leaning wine list, ROVI is an easy choice for a January dinner that feels both warming and inspiring.
Jikoni, Marylebone
A vibrant celebration of ‘no borders kitchen’ cooking, Jikoni blends flavours and techniques from South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and Britain into imaginative, shareable plates. Chef Ravinder Bhogal’s instinctive, maternal-inspired approach creates food that is comforting, clever, and deeply satisfying. From delicate prawn puffs flecked with cumin and prawn toast ‘scotch eggs’, to charred sweetcorn with peanut sauce, addictive cauliflower “popcorn,” and rich, spice-laced slow-cooked pies, this place is all about providing joy. Peach-blush walls, wicker chairs, jewel-toned fabrics, sari-inspired lampshades, colourful cushions, and an eclectic mix of pot plants create a pretty, feminine atmosphere that reflects the food’s nurturing spirit. Perfect for sharing plates and cocktails with friends over brunch, or enjoying a cosy night out as a pair.
Kitchen at Holmes, Marylebone
Sitting proudly on Baker Street, Kitchen at Holmes brings the warmth and vibrancy of the Mediterranean to London despite the hotel’s ode to Britain’s most famous detective. Head Chef Stefano Motta celebrates sun-drenched Southern European flavours with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, creating dishes that balance rustic elegance with modern flair. Grilled over open flames, highlights include Cornish squid, beef ribeye, lamb kofta and purple prawns, inventive plates rooted in tradition, yet with a contemporary London twist. Bright, relaxed and welcoming, the space is perfect for a leisurely lunch next to the fire, or lively dinners with friends. The ultimate city spot to slow down, savour, and share the joy of great Mediterranean cooking in a beautifully British hotel.
Café Royal Grill at Hotel Café Royal, Regent Street
Established in 1865 and a favourite of Oscar Wilde, Café Royal Grill brings the grandeur of Parisian brasseries to the heart of London. Under Head Chef Kevin Gratton, the menu champions exceptional British produce, from Glenarm Estate beef and Scottish shellfish to hand-rolled Abernethy butter. Signature dishes include lobster bisque with cider brandy, steak tartare, and the house chicken and bacon pie with black truffle sauce, alongside seasonal highlights refreshed monthly. Elegant, timeless interiors reflect the restaurant’s storied history, complemented by a curated wine list and cocktails inspired by the original 1937 Café Royal Cocktail Book, including the Grill Martini and a modern take on the Negroni. Perfect for a refined lunch, pre-theatre dinner, or special night out in the capital.
Déjà Vu at La Petite Maison, Mayfair
In November 2025, La Petite Maison unveiled Déjà Vu, a cocktail menu at their beautiful backroom bar transporting guests to the Golden Age of the French Riviera. Styled as a vintage French magazine, each drink celebrates icons like Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly, and the Hermes Birkin. A mirrored menu offers non-alcoholic versions. Highlights include the Birkin (Americano with Charentais melon decorated with a silk scarf), Douliou Douliou (Pina Colada accompanied by music on a vintage Walkman), and Soleil (floral G&T with bespoke gin). With storytelling, intricate garnishes, and Mediterranean glamour, Déjà Vu is an immersive cocktail experience, perfect to enjoy before or after a booking at LPM’s restaurant showcasing elegant French-Mediterranean cuisine.
Dear Jackie at The Broadwick, Soho
A love letter to modern Italian dining, Dear Jackie in Soho blends Italian opulence with nightlife glamour. Plush booths, red silk walls, Murano chandeliers, tulip-shaped lamps, and floral banquettes create a theatrical, immersive atmosphere reminiscent of 1970s dolce vita elegance. The space is further enriched with original works by David Bowie and Andy Warhol, plus personal touches from founder Noel Hayden’s childhood, giving the restaurant a uniquely narrative charm. The menu celebrates refined Italian classics with a contemporary twist: seared scallops with champagne and finger lime, pumpkin tortelloni with ’nduja butter, Hereford beef fillet with black garlic, and the signature tiramisu and house gelato. Ideal for pre-theatre dining or a glamorous night out, Dear Jackie is as much about the experience as the food: a vivid, heartfelt homage to nostalgia, style, and theatricality.
Amalfi Ristorante, St Paul’s
Mere steps from St Paul’s Cathedral, Amalfi St Paul’s combines the glamour and sun-drenched sophistication of Italy’s Amalfi Coast with magnificent views of one of London’s most iconic landmarks. The interiors feature marble mosaic floors, deep banquettes, and a sweeping bar showcasing rare wines and spirits, mixing Italian elegance with a contemporary British edge. The menu is a celebration of coastal Italian cuisine, from fresh oysters and signature lobster pasta to handmade pasta, stone-baked pizzas, and refined seafood and steak dishes. A curated wine list and playful, aperitivo-inspired cocktails, alongside a sparkling welcome from Della Vite Prosecco, complete the indulgent experience.
Aki, Marylebone
Aki London brings Kyoto-inspired, contemporary Japanese cuisine to Oxford Circus. Housed in a £15m-transformed Grade II-listed former bank, the interiors fuse Art Deco opulence with Japanese serenity. Think soaring ceilings, cloud motifs, kimono fabrics, plaster trees and contemporary art creating a luxurious, cocoon-like atmosphere. The farm-to-table menu makes the most of 80 on-site micro-farms, fin-to-tail cookery, and certified Kobe beef. Hero dishes include tuna tartare with puffed rice and caviar, wagyu tataki with truffle, hay-smoked scallops, and Kobe sukiyaki simmered with root vegetables and shirataki noodles. Aki’s sustainable ethos, inventive flavour pairings, and striking design make it perfect for a memorable date night, while Kiyori, the underground DJ bar, offers cocktails and late-night energy in an intimate, exclusive setting.
Mowgli, Fitzrovia
Located on Charlotte Street, Mowgli is a green-fronted, amber-lit refuge from the hustle of London, a fairy-lit haven for diners seeking an oasis in the city. The menu brings the soul of Indian home cooking to the capital, blending comforting classics with bold new dishes. These highlights include chicken biryani with miniature poppadoms, creamy black dahl, and the famously good lamb bunny chow served in a hollowed loaf for sharing. A decadent cocktail menu boasts showstoppers such as the Sweet Delhi Heights: a towering mix of raspberries, gin, ginger, passionfruit, and apple juice, while the Chai Rum Sling, delivers warming chai with white rum, apricot syrup, apple, mint, and lime. Expect a warm, vibrant atmosphere reflecting the spice and zest of the menu.
