Top ten restaurants in London

To celebrate this blogs second birthday I have updated my list of the top ten restaurants in London. The list is dominated by new restaurants that have either just opened this year, or I have just discovered in the past year. Some old favourites still make the cut though, Vinoteca, which I have moved down one spot from being my number one restaurant to being number two and Tayyabs which holds a fairly steady position in the list as what I believe is the best value curry house in London.

Pea and mint bruschetta at Polpo

As always, this is a subjective list and is limited to restaurants I have eaten at in the past year. This means some great restaurants that were in the list last year, haven't made the cut this year as I haven't managed to get back to them so cannot vouch for their continuing standards. Obviously I haven't eaten at every restaurant in London so I am sure to have missed some hidden gems out. Do let me know what you think I should include or exclude so I know where to try over the next year.

1. Polpo
Love the small plates of simple Italian food. Love the buzzing, intimate atmosphere. Love the wine pricing system. Don't love the wait for a table (no bookings taken).

Details: 41 Beak Street, Soho W1F9SB (Ph 020 77344479) Tube: Oxford Circus

2. Vinoteca (-1)

This was my number one restaurant last year and I still love the way it comfortably straddles the divide of wine bar and restaurant. The bavette steak is to die for.
Details: 7 St John Street, Farringdon EC1M 4AA Tube: Farringdon

3. Launceston Place

Tristan Welch is doing fabulous things with the food at Launceston Place and this is serious Michelin star territory. Such a good restaurant that I've ear marked it to take my parents to on their upcoming visit to London.
Details: 1 Launceston Place, Kensington W8 5RL (Ph 020 7937 6912) Tube: Kensington High Street

4. Bob Bob Ricard

How could I leave the one restaurant in town with a "Push for Champagne" button out of my top ten? I love the crazy eccentricity of Bob Bob Ricard not to mention the Russian cusine on offer.

Details: 1 Upper James Street, Soho W1F 9DF (Ph 020 3145 1000) Tube: Tottenham Court Road

5. Yalla Yalla

After my trip to Lebanon this year I have fallen in love with Lebanese food and this tiny eatery specialising in Beirut 'street food' has a great fun vibe to it. Not to mention the great lamb shifa.

Details: 1 Greens Court, Soho W1F 0HA (Ph 020 7287 7663) Tube: Oxford Circus

6. Bar Boulud

This basement restaurant at The Mandarin Oriental features brilliant charcuterie, burgers and celebrity spotting galore. Did I mention the adorable and highly eccentric sommelier who has put together a top wine list? One place that you probably won't opt for a beer with your burger.
Details: 86 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge SW1X7LA (Ph 020 7201 3899) Tube: Knightsbridge

Salt marsh lamb at Launceston Place

7. St John Restaurant (-5)

From going the whole hog (literally) and ordering an entire suckling pig to snacking on great bar snacks like bone marrow and fresh from the oven madelines, St John's is an iconic restaurant that I just keep on going back to.

Details: 26 St John Street, Farringdon EC1M4AY (Ph 020 72511 0848) Tube: Farringdon

8. Tayyabs (-2)

Cheap as chips with the most brilliant, tender lamb chops you will ever taste. Tayyabs is the place that shows how Pakistani food should be done.

Details: 83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 (Ph 020 7724 9543)

9. Leong's Legend

Worth mentioning for their amazing - explosion of goodness right in your mouth - XLB dumplings alone.

Details: 82 Queen's Way, Bayswater W2 3RL (Ph 020 7221 2280) Tube: Bayswater

10. Patara Thai

My favourite Thai in London. The lamb shank green curry is a particular winner.

Details: 15 Greek Street, Soho W1D 4DP (Ph 020 7437 1071) Tube: Oxford Circus

Links
If you liked reading this you might be interested in reading last years list or for other London lists try this one for the top ten creme brulees in London.