The Best Places To Eat And Drink In London—Winter 2024

16.01.2024 - 22:07 / forbes.com / Damien Hirst

It’s a new year, but when it comes to world-class food and drink, it’s still the same ol’ London. Meaning there's no Shoreditch—err...shortage of options across this perennially dynamic cityscape. With literally thousands of restaurants and bars worth exploring, there’s obviously no way we can include everything on one measly list. So the task here is to highlight some places that are doing something especially awesome this winter season. Whether you’re in town for a short stay, or a longtime local, check out what’s on below and you’re certain to be satisfied.

This Chelsea newcomer has only been on the scene for several months, but it’s already become of the hottest restaurants in town. Focusing on elevated Irish cuisine, the menu imports the best ingredients from across the Emerald Isle—cream, cattle, cheeses—and artfully renders them in ways never before seen in the city. Come in on Sunday to savor a roast unlike any other. An outsized portion of tomahawk steak is a highlight, served with cheesy leeks, Hispi cabbage with bacon, and roasted potatoes, of course. It’s available all day and goes best when paired with the bar’s umami-rich Bloody Mary preparation.

This Mediterranean standout in Mayfair is much more than a restaurant—it’s a vibe. The exuberant dining room is as boisterous as ever, buoyed by Damien Hirst statues and colorful murals depicting ancient Greece. The food is, as always, anchored by large format pastas and grilled meats including a thyme-dusted lamb cooked over a wood fire and a Milanese inspired ossobuco served over saffron studded risotto. But what’s new here is a savory selection of craft cocktails made to enjoy during the colder months. Check out the Bird of Paradise as a compelling example: silver tequila combined with carrot and ginger. Or the Nightingale—Grey Goose mixed with a subtler Italian dessert wine, vermouth and chocolate. The signature cocktails are equally as elaborate and are each equipped with a pair of helpful descriptors on the menu, to help you find one best suited to your mood.

If you think fish and chips are something that can’t be taken seriously, allow this warm and inviting parlor to recalibrate your senses. The award-winning seafood destination has been a staple here since 2015, specializing in Cornish fish—cod or haddock—coated in a whispery-light batter. But you also won’t want to miss there delectable soft shell crab burger, nor the crowd-pleasing lobster mac n’ cheese. So make sure you have at least one or two dining partners in tow. For a surprisingly magical pairing, order a full bottle of Piper-Heidsieck champagne. The restaurant will keep it iced down for you as you make your way through the freshly-fried fare.

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