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The Top Five Celebrity Chef Restaurants in London (by online rating)

Posted by Lockhart Catering

on 29 July 2014

Ask anyone who enjoys good food, and they’ll probably admit that dining at the restaurant of a famous name is on their bucket list. It’s just one of those things you ought to do, and there’s no better place to do it than London.

Happily though, organising and paying for a visit to one of these revered establishments isn’t as scary or expensive as it used to be. Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll see any of the following celebrities actually working their kitchens nowadays – they’re too busy making more TV series and climbing the ladder of fame (or notoriety) - but at each of these restaurants, reputation is most definitely at stake. We’ve spent some quality time researching diners’ reviews as well as professional critics to bring you a Top Five list of the best that London has to offer.

FIVE

Name: Berners Tavern
Fame: Jason Atherton
What: Brasserie at the London Edition Hotel
Opened: September 2013

Picture of the Berners Tavern

There is no denying this is a truly spectacular venue, and while not as big as a celebrity as some, Jason Atherton’s provenance is peerless – he’s worked with Marco Pierre White, Ferran Adria (as the first ever Brit to complete a stage at el Bulli) and Gordon Ramsay. A regular guest on Saturday Kitchen and often appearing in the broadsheets, he’s also the man behind Ramsay’s Maze chain, and opened the hugely acclaimed Pollen Street Social in 2011.

À La Carte £35+
Sunday Lunch £22.50

OpenTable: 4.2/5 (921)
TripAdvisor: 4/5 (238)
Urbanspoon: 95% (46)

FOUR

Name: Marcus
Fame: Marcus Wareing
What: European cuisine at The Berkeley
Opened: March 2014 (refurb)

Picture of the menu at Marcus

Chesterfields, modern art and classical lines blend together to give a coolly sophisticated feel to this fabulously reburbished two-star restaurant which also sports what must be the best Chef’s Table in the city. Of course, Marcus Wareing needs little introduction; his 15-year partnership then ensuing rivalry with Gordon Ramsay goes back to 1989 when he walked into Le Gavroche at age 18 to work under Albert Roux. Wareing admits he’s not much of a TV personality, but his attention to detail and natural brilliance in the kitchen have nonetheless made him a household name.

3-course lunch £38
À La Carte 2,3 or 4 courses for £60, £85 or £95

OpenTable 4.3/5 (153)
TripAdvisor: 4.5/5 (1541) Certificate of Excellence 2014
Urbanspoon: 79% (52)

THREE

Name: Le Gavroche
Fame: Michel Roux
What: Classical French cuisine
Opened: 1967

As celebrity chefs go, Michel Roux is right up there with the very cream of the crop, and with good reason. His culinary expertise is peerless. Le Gavroche was the first restaurant in the UK to achieve one, two and then three Michelin stars (it has two for now). With more awards than you can shake a giant pepper mill at, and with Michel actually working there ‘full-time’ (although his exact schedule is never revealed), this snug but beautiful restaurant exudes comfort, charm and class. Particularly famed for its desserts.

8-course Tasting Menu £124 (£194 with wine)
Set 3-course lunch £55 incl. water, wine & coffee

OpenTable 5/5 (567)
TripAdvisor: 4.5/5 (1541) ‘Travellers' Choice’ 2013 Winner
Urbanspoon: 84% (49)

TWO

Name: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Fame: Heston Blumenthal
What: British historic gastronomy
Opened: 2011

Picture of the Dinner by Heston Blumenthal website homepage

It took nearly 16 years to lure Heston out of Bray, to replace the Michelin-starred Foliage restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge. What helped was his discovery of historical cuisine in 2000, and his desire to see genuine old recipes going as far back as the 14^th Century brought back to life with a modern twist – the incredible ‘Meat Fruit’ (c.1500) being a fine example that’s swooned over regularly.

Set 3-course lunch £38
À La Carte starters from £16
Mains £30-£45
D desserts from £12

OpenTable: 4.5/5 (2051)
TripAdvisor: 4.5/5 (1919)
Urbanspoon: 84% (399)

ONE

Name: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Fame: Gordon Ramsay
What: Contemporary French
Opened: 1998

Picture of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay website homepage

Potty-mouthed he may be, but the man knows food like few others – what’s more, Ramsay has an uncanny knack for talent spotting, which is why Chef Patron Clare Smyth MBE heads the kitchen at this fabulous 12-table restaurant. Her classically-rooted cuisine is combined with many modern techniques of cooking which has helped this tiny place hold three Michelin star for 13 years running. It’s hugely popular and there’s a long waiting list. But for the best dinner and service in London, you simply can’t beat it. Just look at this list of reviews for proof!

Set 3-course lunch £55
À La Carte three courses £95