PAUSE Eats: Top Restaurant Picks – London

PHOTO CREDIT: Interiors of  Decimo – Courtesy of  Decimo

London’s food scene has never felt more alive. In recent years, a wave of innovative chefs and inventive restaurateurs has transformed the city into one of the world’s most exciting places to eat. Like its population, the food scene is incredibly diverse, with authentic flavours from every culture and corner of the globe. You can slip from a candlelit dining room serving intricately spiced curries, to buzzing counters plating delicious handmade tacos, then on to a tiny kitchen in the south of the city dishing up some of the best Caribbean food you’ll find outside of the islands. From Mayfair to Hackney, London is a city where every meal can feel like a passport stamp. We’ve gathered a few of our standouts restaurants that are absolutely worth the hype.

CUISINE: Greek     PRICE: £££

Bottarga brings a slice of the Aegean to London’s King’s Road, a buzzy, contemporary Greek bistro that opened in late 2024 and was an instant hit amongst the city’s food scene. The menu is all about vibrant shared plates, featuring mezze highlights like smoky aubergine, spicy feta with red-pepper chimichurri. Standouts include succulent lamb chops, bright raw plates like yellowtail with yuzu, and whole grilled sea bass dressed in amarillo butter. The dessert menu is a dream for anyone with a sweet tooth, and beyond the food, the atmosphere blends warmth and artsy character with a contemporary flair.

PAUSE RATES: 4/5 ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

“Delicious, fresh food and really nice vibes!” – Taija-Leorelle (Head of Travel & Hospitality)

Food: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑     Service: ⭑⭑⭑      Ambience: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Bottarga

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Justin De Souza for Decimo

CUISINE: Mexican Fusion      PRICE: £££

Located within The Standard London hotel, Decimo is the debut London venture from Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, artfully blending his Spanish heritage with a deep love of Mexican cuisine. Situated on the 10th floor, its floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning views of the city skyline, the perfect backdrop for both daytime and evening dining. The space is a showstopper, with standout interiors and a retro-luxe aesthetic. The menu, the true standout of the experience, focuses on small plates made for sharing, built around bold flavours and open-fire cooking. À la carte highlights include caviar and tuna tostadas, succulent beef rib, and black cod wrapped in banana leaf, each perfectly paired with curated cocktails. The newly launched Taco menu, available Wednesday to Saturday at lunch, offers the ideal setting for a taco and cocktail tasting.

PAUSE RATES: 5/5 ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

“Some of the best Mexican food and cocktails i’ve had in London, such a gorgeous restaurant too” – Taija-Leorelle (Head of Travel & Hospitality)

Food: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑     Service: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑      Ambience: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

CUISINE: Persian      PRICE: ££

Berenjak founded by Kian Samyani, one of London’s most rave-about restaurants, a vibrant Persian grill tucked away Soho, offering a contemporary reimagining of Tehran’s hole-in-the-wall kebab joints. The intimate space feels like a cosy, rustic Iranian eatery, complete with a counter overlooking the open kitchen, exuding the theatre and authenticity of Middle Eastern show-kitchen culture. The menu is designed for sharing, anchored by small mazeh plates such as the viral black chickpea hummus, warm assorted breads, and fresh feta salads, alongside standout charcoal-grilled kebabs served with flavourful sides. To finish, the baklava ice-cream is a must-try, best enjoyed with a pick from the creative cocktail list, making for a truly memorable dining experience.

PAUSE RATES: 5/5 ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

“Hooked! One of my fave restaurants without a doubt” – Taija-Leorelle (Head of Travel & Hospitality)

Food: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑     Service: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑      Ambience: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

Special Thank you to Bart and the staff at Berenjak Soho!

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Berenjak London Instagram

PHOTO CREDIT: Interiors of Bottarga, Courtesy of Bottarga