10 of the Best Rated Michelin Star Restaurants in London for 2024

The Michelin Guide: A Brief History

Founded in 1889 in Clermont-Ferrand, France, by André and Édouard Michelin, the Michelin Guide was originally a small red book filled with useful information for motorists, such as maps, how to change a tyre, and where to find fuel. It was created to help motorists develop their trips at a time when there were fewer than 3000 cars in the country. For 20 years, the guide was free until André Michelin saw a tyre shop using his guides as a prop for a workbench. Believing that “a man only truly respects what he pays for,” the guide was rebranded and relaunched in 1920, and sold for 7 francs.

Since 1920, the guide has evolved to include a list of hotels in Paris and restaurants categorized by quality. The Michelin Guide’s restaurant section became highly influential, leading to the recruitment of mystery diners, now known as restaurant inspectors, who reviewed restaurants anonymously. In 1926, the guide started awarding stars to fine dining establishments, initially marking them with one star. By 1936, the criteria for the starred rankings were published, and a hierarchy of 0, 1, 2, and 3 stars was introduced.

As of February 2024, there are nine restaurants in the UK holding three Michelin stars, with 170 restaurants holding one star in the UK and Ireland, and 80 of these in London. Today, the guide rates over 40,000 establishments across 24+ territories and three continents, with over 30 million Michelin guides sold worldwide.

Newcomers for 2024: Fresh Michelin-Starred Restaurants in London

Chishuru – Fitzrovia

• Website: Chishuru
• Cuisine: Modern West African
• Location: Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia
• Highlights: Chef Adejoké Bakare, the first black female Michelin-starred chef in the UK, offers a menu inspired by her Nigerian roots. The restaurant features wine from small French producers and cocktails using West African ingredients. The interiors showcase authentic materials, including rough plastered walls and pigmented cement.

Humble Chicken – Soho

• Website: Humble Chicken
• Cuisine: Japanese
• Location: Frith Street, Soho
• Highlights: Chef-owner Angelo Sato provides a luxury 18-seater counter with a multi-course tasting menu. The restaurant has outdoor seating for summer and features seafood, cocktails, and Japanese-inspired plates.

Pavyllon – Mayfair

• Website: Pavyllon
• Cuisine: Modern French
• Location: Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
• Highlights: Led by Chef Yannick Alléno and Head Chef Benjamin, Pavyllon offers an interactive dining experience with seasonal British produce. The restaurant features a live open kitchen, countertop seating, an al fresco terrace, and a private dining room.

Mountain – Soho

• Website: Mountain
• Cuisine: Spanish
• Location: Beak Street, Soho
• Highlights: Chef Tomos Parry’s second restaurant, Mountain, offers a large tapas-style menu with open flames and a wood-fired oven. The restaurant also has an excellent dessert list.

Akoko – Fitzrovia

• Website: Akoko
• Cuisine: West African
• Location: Berners Street, Fitzrovia
• Highlights: Akoko blends fresh seasonal British ingredients with African spices, offering a diverse range of dishes honouring African tradition. The restaurant features in guides to London’s finest African restaurants.

Sushi Kanesaka – Mayfair

• Website: Sushi Kanesaka
• Cuisine: Japanese (Omakase)
• Location: 45 Park Lane Hotel
• Highlights: Chef Shinji Kanesaka brings the traditions of Edomae sushi from Tokyo’s Ginza District. The restaurant features an 18-piece omakase menu and a host trained in the art of the Japanese geisha.

5 Best Rated Michelin Star Restaurants in London

Evelyn Table – Soho

• Website: Evelyn Table
• Cuisine: British with Scandinavian and Japanese influences
• Location: The Blue Posts, Soho
• Highlights: This intimate 12-seater counter dining experience is led by head chef James Goodyear. The menu evolves based on James’s experiences and love of British produce, using Scandinavian and Japanese techniques.

St John – Smithfield, Farringdon

• Website: St John
• Cuisine: British (Nose-to-tail)
• Location: St. John Street, Farringdon
• Highlights: Opened in 1994 by Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver, St John won its first Michelin star in 2009. The restaurant promotes a zero-waste, nose-to-tail concept with a daily changing menu.

Hide – Mayfair

• Website: Hide
• Cuisine: Product-driven
• Location: Mayfair
• Highlights: Opened in 2018 by Ollie Dabbous in partnership with Hedonism Wines, Hide offers product-driven cooking across three floors: a ground floor restaurant, a basement bar, and a formal upstairs dining room.

The River Cafe – Hammersmith

• Website: The River Cafe
• Cuisine: Italian
• Location: Hammersmith
• Highlights: Opened in the late 1980s by Ruthie Rogers, The River Cafe is renowned for its seasonal Italian flavours and has held a Michelin star since 1998. The restaurant features a bright pink pizza oven and a terrace.

The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch – Mayfair

• Website: Sketch
• Cuisine: Modern French
• Location: Conduit Street, Mayfair
• Highlights: Curated by Mourad Mazouz and Pierre Gagnaire, Sketch has held three Michelin stars since 2019. The restaurant offers a playful dining experience with fun, bright interiors and a variety of complementary dishes.

Honourable Mention: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay – Chelsea

• Website: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
• Cuisine: Classic and contemporary French
• Location: Chelsea
• Highlights: Established in 1998, Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant has held three Michelin stars since 2001. It is known for its elegant interiors, outstanding service, and exceptional wine list.