Chefs in London

“Went there for my wife's birthday dinner and we were so happy with tasty food and excellent service. Drinks from the bar took a while to prepare so eventually we ordered different drinks but other than that everything went well. Happy wife and kids.”

“Truly delicious and exciting food - highly recommend the pani puri and aloo firecracker. We went on a weekday so it was very quiet and a nice ambience. The manager was rude and abrasive to his staff in front of us which was disappointing, but hopefully a one-off.”

“It's the best place for me for breakfast and lunch in Forest Hill. Conveniently located next to the station. Food options are great, good variety, quality ingredients, and decent portion sizes. The decor is clean and welcoming, and the setting is nice for solo, or group eating. Family run, very friendly. Lovely coffee, deffo recommend the full breakfast.”

“It was my first tasting menu experience ever and I have to say that it was a delightful. The (dream) team: - Joanna was very kind since the beginning; - Chef Patron Sebastian Rast and his team made a great job in kitchen. Very quiet and effective. Absolutely masters! The food: I totally destroyed the wrong concept about gourmet food (gourmet is tasteless or/and not fulfilling). Every single dish was an explosion of flavours. Absolutely stunning! The ambience: Loved the decoration in tones of black and brown and somehow shady and minimalist. I can’t recommend this place enough! Price vs quality outstanding! Congratulations!”

“A lovely little cafe I came across as being new to the area and on maternity leave. The surrounding park is gorgeous and I often pit stop at Sassis for some iced coffee and a snack :) The owner, Wayne, was super accommodating for my little one’s first birthday and let us reserve a few tables for our family & friends. The staff were amazing, very friendly & helpful throughout the day! Food & drink, as always, was great too :) Definitely recommend this lovely little cafe to anyone, we’ll be back again soon!”

“I used to eat at the manor cafe just down the road a bit but it started to bec slow and not very nice. So I tried Top chef cafe and I can honestly say I will never be returning to manor cafe. The food is great, service is very friendly and I do not have to wait long for my grub. Thank you top chef cafe you have a customer for life xxxxxxx”

“Went in for breakfast, nice warm welcome from staff. Good choice of breakfast items and paninis. We ordered the nibbles and classic breakfasts and they didn't disappoint. Excellent quality and all cooked beautifully, really tasty. We loved the interior with the butchers counter and deli. Bought some items from the butcher who was so friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely return if in the area and would recommend.”

“With a background in kaiseki, Chef Yasu’s cooking always carries a strong sense of seasonality. This visit, set at the turn of summer to autumn, saw two styles of plating shift from vivid colours to the muted tones of fallen leaves, wheat, chestnuts and early autumn earth. The restaurant focuses on ageing, and the highlights were unmistakably the scallop and squid. Although Japanese ingredients in China are far superior to London’s in general, the flavour developed from this ice-water ageing technique was surprisingly deep and expressive. Inaniwa Udon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Intense katsuobushi umami with a touch of sudachi’s bright sweet–sour freshness. Hand Roll ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Crisp nori, creamy minced tuna, rich and silky — packed with pure umami. Anago (Saltwater Eel) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The exterior soaks up the sweet, glossy sauce; the eel is tight-grained and delicate with a hint of sansho. Scallop ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Soft and sticky after ageing, with concentrated natural sweetness. Hirame ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Clean and refreshing, faint acidity opening into a gentle sweetness. Buri ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Light fat, elegant umami, and the distinctive aromatic heat of yuzu kosho. Zucchini Blossom Tempura ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Deep mushroom aroma; the shell is crisp with a mild natural sweetness. A5 Wagyu Tartare ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beef fat laced with subtle truffle aroma; the tart shell is crisp and the umami full. Ika (Squid) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Finely cut and aged until soft, intensely sweet with a savoury edge. Akami ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thickly layered, meaty and full of deep, concentrated umami. Uni ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cold, silky, sweet, with shiso and nori aromatics. Amadai (Scale-On Grill) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Crisp salty scales, delicate slightly sweet flesh, and mushrooms (shiitake, maitake) sautéed into a savoury, aromatic mix. Wagyu ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A5 fillet breaded and fried, dipped in Nagoya hatcho miso — surprisingly reminiscent of Shaoxing stinky tofu in the best way. Tender and flavour-packed. Kakigōri ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plum and lime — tart, sweet and icy refreshing. Langoustine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Charcoal notes mixed with sansho leaf fragrance; rich tomalley and crisp-sweet meat. Aburi Ōtoro ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rendered fat aroma with a touch of Himalayan salt. Fatty Tuna Roll ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rich umami and fat in one satisfying bite. Chicken Sandwich ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Crisp bread, sweet–tart nanban sauce, firm and tender chicken. Kinako Ice Cream ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Financier shaped like a madeleine — warm, soft and sweet. Ice cream smooth and delicate, reminiscent of fresh soy milk. Fig Monaka ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Light sweetness with the gentle aroma of mochi wafers. Total bill: £269.1 Recommendation score: 9.2/10”

“I visited Tindli By Chef Karnavar restaurant today and really enjoyed my meal. The place was clean and the staff were friendly. I ordered a sea food sadhya, Malabar chicken biryani and Ada Pradaman payasam it tastes really good The portion size was good for the price. Overall, it was a satisfying meal, and I would come back again.”

“This was an incredibly positive experience. I came here for lunch today with five friends, which we booked online. The waiters were very attentive,friendly and talked through the menu which was fresh, featuring mainly local or UK-sourced ingredients. The food was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. I loved the creative fusion and the clever multi-use of the space as both a local atelier and a restaurant. Definitely a five-star experience.”

“Khan G Kababish is hands down one of the best places for Lahori food in town! Their Lahori Nashta is absolutely amazing — from the crispy halwa puri to the rich, flavorful nihari and chana, everything tastes just like home. The parathas are perfectly cooked, the lassi is refreshing, and the overall vibe makes you feel like you’re sitting in a classic Lahore dhaba. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the portions are generous. Every dish is full of authentic spices and aroma — you can tell it’s made with passion and care. If you’re craving real Pakistani food, especially traditional Lahori breakfast, Khan G Kababish is the place to go. Highly recommended!”

“Came in with my boyfriend ordered 2 patties for a quick munch. I am usually intimidated by Caribbean restaurants as customer service isn’t always great. But the lady and the man in the shop running the place were so welcoming and polite and lovely and made us feel comfortable. The patties were gorgeous and hot and decently priced. Will only come here from now and can’t wait to try other food. Thank you ! X”

“Excellent food and service. There are so many curry restaurants on Brick Lane - how do you choose? Well, luckily we chose this one. It’s fantastic. Nice and cool in the heatwave too. Great food, good value and excellent service especially Niaz. Really enjoyable.”

“We went around 7:15 PM for dinner, it was quite at the time, mostly empty. More people joined afterwards but was not overly crowded being a Wednesday night. Service was prompt and food was excellent. We are vegetarian so ordered only vegetarian food and both the items from mains were good. We also ordered two deserts and they were good too. It had calm vibes of small town Mexican dinner.”

“Just one of those gems that you den't expect to find.... On a day that we were surptised by a Spurs home win we followed that up with one of the best meals and definately the best Thai I have ever had.”

“The desserts at this place are amazing. The waffles and the cookie dough at this place beats all other places. Makes Cream look average. Honestly, presentation to taste this was 10/10 for me. Highly recommend this place.”

“I have been there twice and I loved their food. It's very fresh and delicious and the portions are big.Definitely Recommend.”

“What a wonderful place. Found myself in the area for three days and this became my daily home from home. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming, the food was hearty and wholesome and the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. Thank you for having me, I'll miss the pots of decaf tea you kept me stocked up with through the day!”

“Really nice place with friendly staff. Prices so reasonable”

“I stayed at Sofitel for a few days at the end of October to celebrate my sister's birthday. The whole staff was extremely kind and professional. A special thank you to Joe, Jeff, and the Concierge Team, who cuddled us and who did their very best to ensure an unforgettable experience! Thanks also to Erno, who helped me arrange a last-minute transfer so I didn't lose my flight!! See you next time. ;)”

“Wonderful pizza place! The staff were so lovely, the atmosphere was cosy and welcoming, and the food was so authentic and delicious. Truly, some of the best pizza my partner and I have ever had. We will be coming back!”

“I have dined here several times and each time they never fail to amaze me. I introduced my Spanish friend to Somali food yesterday and she loved it. She has an open mind and excited to try foods from different cultures and loved her experience. I over-ate as usual lol because the food is absolutely delicious especially the green chilli sauce which I love, hot but tasty. Huge man size portions and very reasonably priced especially as I tend to order lamb. Thank you for your amazing food and wonderful service.”

“Great authentic Bolivian dining experience. Salteñas pretty good, sopa de maní and other dishes very tasty”

“Loved the food, was just as we expected it to be. For me the Thai curry was so flavourful and aromatic. Prawns were cooked perfectly too and the service was great, so welcoming and attentive. Will definitely be returning to try other items on the menu. Thank you Thai spice!”

“Finally last Saturday I went to the Cornerstone restaurant in Hackney Wick. It was an amazing experience, the place is very nice and classy. The fish was unbelievably fresh and tasty; and dish after dish the chef kept surprising me with excellent food presentations. I loved the mackerel, the pickled oyster and the mussels; I’ll definitely go back to try the remaining or new dishes. The staff was nice, helpful and explained me in details the concept of the restaurant and how the dishes were prepared. I’m surprised it doesn’t have a Michelin Star ⭐️ yes! Keep up the amazing work and well done!”

“Food is great! Sweet and sour chicken is good! Crispy beef delicious! Staff so friendly And kind! Definitely coming back Thanks”

“We went on Wednesday evening, we were greeted with a smile and showed to our table. The staff were extremely friendly and polite, and guide you with the menu. The setting is very nice and parking is easy to find. The food was quite tasty. We got the Calamari, Wings and the Prawn Tempura for starters. For the mains we got the lamb chops, wagyu surf and turf, wagyu sirloin and the wagyu t-bone steak.. and we enjoyed our food. Would I go back there again? YES! Our steaks were amazing and full of flavour,the customer service was amazing, and the overall experience was very personal. So yes, gets a 5 outta 5. Good hidden gem.”

“A chefs perspective of ottos it could not get more French when you walk in your transported to France. The owner is a French as they come! I thought the goats cheese soufflé was one of the best starters I’ve ever had. The scallops were also as good as it gets. The service on the starters wasn’t the best they got our starters mixed up the front of house manager took our order so that was his bad the younger waiter had to take the embarrassment for it!. I did find the front of house manager abir all the place pacing up and down the restaurant looking quite bored at times but he is good with customer with his old school approach and jokes and he’s certainly knows what he’s doing. It was quiet that night so maybe that was the mistake and the pacing up and down. As for the rack of lamb the theatre was great but the lamb was as good as roar in my opinio. I forgot how rare the French cook meat. That ruined it for me and in my opinion English peolple think that is to under cooked the worst part was the fat had not been rendered down and was very raw and tough also the whole lamb was under seasoned and it needed some sort of peas maybe as a purea?! It ruined rhe meal for me I said to my sister I’ve only cooked a rack of lamb a few times so these guys should get it bang on cooking it most nights but they messed it up big time! They should ask how you want it cooked because once it’s been carved that’s it you will have to flash it in a pan which will ruin it to cook it more! execute the cooking right b4 you bring the theatre out I would say I have never had pomme soufflés b4 I wanted to get them to see what the hype is about they were exactly how they should be looks wise a work of art crafted by a mater of his trade! They are extremely hard to make so hats of ro the chef who did them for me sadly as I expected rhe flavour was not great just like a crisp with no seasoning the salt had not even stuck to them again all about the theatre but lacking in seasoning. They would be better served with some sort of Hollandaise or aioli not the jus. The Apple tart was to die for and the chocolate pot and the after dinner truffles were not very impressive . It’s a great restaurant I would not return I would say it’s the sort of place most people would only go once I would not say it’s worth the price tag for normal people anyway. I know my food and how hospitality runs so I like to leave an honest chefs review of restaurants. I would like to say the younger guys in the team were very professional and knew what they were doing shame they have to make up mistakes of others but it was an experience I wanted to show my sister a higher class of food and service and it did deliver just a shame rhe lamb was not right. Whej it came to the bill I was not willing to pay the 12.5% tip I wanted to tip what I thought it was worth they wanted £30 service charge well I put 10£ for it and of course like all fancy places and most places in general in london they make you feel bad for it and it can create a scene my £10 was a fair tip they shpuid of been happy with considering the service they had given me and tbh this bugs me about these places I’m not from the 1% my bill is already very expensive why embarrass me in front of other guests and my sister not all guests have endless amounts of money and don’t take it personally if people cannot pay the service charge it’s optional some people are hard up and save for a meal like this. Thanks to ottos for the experience it’s something I will not forgot the French know how to eat drink and live that’s for sure there food brings joy all round the globe they are very passionate people when it comes to hospitality.”

“This place feels like a warm hug. The staff are kind, the food is simple but incredible and the atmosphere is perfect. The lunch deal is great value, especially for London. Try the homemade chilli oil, it's my new obsession.”

“I had the 6-course menu for lunch, and everything I ate was delicious. I drank a glass of champagne and was pleasantly surprised to have received a cake for my birthday. The service was impeccable, and the setting was beautiful. I absolutely loved it.”