We’ve narrowed down our picks for the best places to eat in London right now, including a buzzy new dining room you’ll brag about going to, a place where you can walk in without reservations and a top value spot.
We’ve also introduced the Bloomberg DINE Index of what’s ranking high on the Bloomberg Terminal’s DINE
New: Kudu, Maryleborne
To be up-front, Kudu isn’t brand new. It spent eight years in Peckham, familiarizing South Londoners with expertly prepared South African food. But in 2025, husband-and-wife owners chef Patrick Williams and Amy Corbin relocated to a central location close to the energy — and shopping — around Bond Street. Their new dining room is suitably dressed up, with golden lighting and rose-colored walls that were designed to evoke Cape Town sunsets. But the focus of the space, both physically and menu-wise, is the South African fire-powered grill known as the braai.
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Meals invariably begin with the bread service: warm rolls served with a selection of butters that are melted for optimal dipping (get the shrimp butter, £9 or about $12). As a starter, there are thick slices of cured sea trout in coconutty tigers milk (£12). For mains, the poussin with Kashmiri chile crisp is wonderfully charred and spiced (£26); whole black bream for two comes with zhoug butter roti (£52). As you’d suspect, the wine list is South Africa-focused; cocktails are also regionally influenced, including the Seis martini (£10), made with the mint-like plant buchu. 7 Moxton St.; kuducollective.com
Business: Bob Bob Ricard, City
Like the famed flagship in Soho, this City outpost also has “Press for Champagne” buttons at the tables. It’s not far from Liverpool Street station and even closer to Bank, and at lunch you’ll see plenty of diners in suits, talking business and occasionally pressing the Champagne button. (The restaurant is located in the building unofficially known as the “Cheesegrater” because of its perforated-like facade; it’s home to companies such as the global insurer Aon. Employees from the nearby Bank of England also frequent the place.)
The menu specialises in classic Russian cuisine, including Champagne-friendly caviar service, starting at £45 for a dollop of intense Siberian sturgeon. Or you can order little truffle and potato vareniki in mushroom veloute (£19). At the City location, there are also prime meats coming off the Josper grill, such as Chateaubriand (£16 per 100 grams) and caramelised slices of free-range Iberico pork. (There’s also a bigger wine selection and more large format bottles here.) The chicken and Champagne pie (£28) is emblazoned with the Bob Bob logo; it fits the luxe, Orient Express train vibe of the place. 122 Leadenhall St.; Floor 3; bobbobricard.com/city
Value: Med Salleh Kopitiam, Bayswater
On the west side of town, in the Berjaya Eden Park London hotel, sits this first-rate Malaysian cafe, where the walls are jammed with photographs and the country’s flags. It’s racked up rave reviews from London critics such as Giles Coren and Jay Rayner, who are fans of the authentic cooking, starting with snacks like chicken satay with house peanut sauce (£10.90; the tofu version is £8.50). Keropek lekor, the traditional spongey fish cake (£9.90) and fried chicken with a couple pieces of roti and curry gravy (£12.20) are deals. In fact, the whole menu is good value, including main courses such as spicy curry laksa noodles with chicken and prawns (£14.90) and a rich, tender beef rendang with rice (£18.90). 35-39 Inverness Terrace; medsalleh.co.uk/med-salleh-kopitiam-1
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No Reservations: Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate, City
There’s no better view of London right now than the panoramic ones you get from the 60th floor outpost of Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate, the one place in town that gives you the sensation of looking down on the Shard.
The a la carte menu, served all day, is a catalog of Asian food greatest hits with premium prices that reflect the sky-high location, starting with edamame, spicy or not (£7 and £6). The chef’s selection of six sashimi choices goes for £28; three nigiri pieces are £15; and a spicy tuna maki costs £22. The bao and dumplings section includes juicy wagyu gyoza (£19), and a server will mix the £20 egg-fried rice for you at the table. A benefit for diners who haven’t booked ahead: The place is open every day starting at 11.30 am until 1 am. (On weekends, it’s a little later; on Sundays, a little earlier.) 22 Bishopsgate, Floor 60; gordonramsayrestaurants.com/lucky-cat-bishopsgate
DINE: José Tapas Bar, Bermondsey
One of London’s best tapas spots sits on a corner of groovy Bermondsey Street. It’s the place with the crowds lingering around, especially on a nice day. But even in cold weather, chef José Pizarro’s spot has the kind of convivial buzz that makes people want to go, including DINE users. “Cute and cosy tapas restaurant. They don’t take reservations so you just have to show up and be lucky. It’s a little cramped and chaotic inside, but the food is great and I found the vibe quite charming and intimate,” says one DINE champion. On José’s blackboard menu are standards such as pan con tomate (£5.50) and top quality 5J jamon Iberico (£14) alongside rotating dishes like fried goat cheese with honey (£10.50), cod fritters (£8) and lamb cutlets with baby potatoes (£21). There are also dozens of Spanish wines and sherries.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
