Michelin-starred dining by Ollie Dabbous on Piccadilly

HIDE at 85 Piccadilly is a Michelin-starred restaurant and bar opened by acclaimed chef Ollie Dabbous in 2018, overlooking Green Park. It spans three floors: ‘Above’ for higher-end tasting menus, ‘Ground’ for an all-day à la carte menu with an in-house bakery, and ‘Below’, a bar with one of the biggest wine lists in London.

What to order

Ollie describes the dishes as minimalist and pared back, with pure flavours that nod to the classics — highlights include Herdwick lamb and Porthilly oysters with caviar. Almost everything is made in-house, from the jams and juices to the charcuterie and freshly baked bread.

Who it’s for

HIDE is a good choice for a special celebration, a refined dinner or a memorable tasting-menu experience. Its Michelin-starred kitchen and exceptional wine list suit an occasion to remember.

Questions and answers

What kind of cuisine does HIDE serve? Modern British, minimalist and pared back, by Ollie Dabbous.

What should I order? The tasting menu, or à la carte highlights like Herdwick lamb.

Does it have a Michelin star? Yes — one Michelin star.

Where is it located? At 85 Piccadilly, overlooking Green Park in London.

Opening hours

A traditional Roman trattoria in Knightsbridge

Osteria Romana at 3–4 Park Close recreates the warmth and authenticity of a traditional Roman trattoria in the heart of elegant Knightsbridge. With warm lighting, Italian music and intimate seating, it has been selected as one of London’s best Italian restaurants by the renowned Gambero Rosso guide.

What to order

The menu focuses on authentic Roman pastas — carbonara, cacio e pepe and truffle tonnarelli — with standout desserts like tiramisu. The signature carbonara is prepared tableside in a large Parmesan wheel, while the slow-cooked oxtail is a must-try.

Who it’s for

Osteria Romana is a good choice for a romantic dinner, a family meal or a special occasion. Its cosy, candlelit atmosphere makes a visit memorable.

Questions and answers

What kind of cuisine does Osteria Romana serve? Authentic Roman Italian, with a focus on pasta.

What should I order? The carbonara prepared in a Parmesan wheel, or the slow-cooked oxtail.

What makes it special? Its authentic Roman trattoria feel and Gambero Rosso recognition.

Where is it located? At 3–4 Park Close in Knightsbridge, London.

Opening hours

Authentic Neapolitan pizza near Covent Garden

Vasiniko is a much-loved spot devoted to authentic, original Neapolitan pizza, with two central London locations — on Burleigh Street near Covent Garden and on Adelaide Street near Trafalgar Square. The name means “basil” in the Neapolitan dialect, a nod to the restaurant’s commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients. The Covent Garden room is bright and airy with a holiday feel — greenery hanging from the ceiling, Amalfi-inspired lemon tiles behind the bar and cosy booths for groups — set to lively music.

What to order

Pizza is the star, made in the true Neapolitan style. Go classic with the margherita and its rich, basil-infused tomato sauce, or indulgent with the creamy truffle tartufina. Beyond pizza, the menu offers spaghetti and provola, with desserts like tiramisu, rum baba and cheesecake to finish. With an average rating around 4.9, it’s considered excellent value for central London.

Who it’s for

This is a great choice for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner with friends or a group get-together where everyone wants proper pizza without the tourist mark-up. The bright, holiday-feel setting makes it especially fun for sharing.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Vasiniko serve? Authentic Neapolitan pizza, plus pasta like spaghetti and provola.

What should I order? The classic margherita or the truffle tartufina, finished with tiramisu or rum baba.

What does the name mean? “Vasiniko” means basil in the Neapolitan dialect — a nod to fresh ingredients.

What makes the interior special? A bright, holiday feel with hanging greenery, Amalfi-inspired lemon tiles and cosy booths.

Where is it located? Two central sites — Burleigh Street near Covent Garden and Adelaide Street near Trafalgar Square.

Opening hours

Modern Chinese under a cherry blossom canopy

Tattu London is a contemporary Chinese restaurant that has become as famous for its looks as its food. The interior is a masterpiece of modern elegance, crowned by a statement cherry blossom chandelier and signature cherry blossom trees, with a spectacular inner courtyard set beneath a soaring skylight — an intimate space that feels like dining under the London sky. Intricate detailing and a moody, glamorous atmosphere make it a favourite for special occasions.

What to order

The menu reinvents Chinese classics with flair, spanning small plates, dim sum, meat, seafood, vegetables, rice and noodles. Signature dishes include the sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef fillet and saffron black cod, alongside Peking duck with pancakes, black pepper beef and wagyu. Pair it all with one of Tattu’s theatrical signature cocktails.

Who it’s for

This is a place for date nights, celebrations and stylish dinners where the setting is part of the occasion. Diners consistently praise the impeccable service, attention to detail and vibrant atmosphere, making it a reliable choice for a memorable night out.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Tattu serve? Modern, contemporary Chinese — dim sum, Peking duck, sea bass, beef and more.

What should I order? The sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef fillet, saffron black cod and Peking duck.

What makes the interior special? A cherry blossom chandelier and trees, plus an inner courtyard beneath a dramatic skylight.

Is it good for a special occasion? Yes — its glamorous setting and service make it a favourite for celebrations and date nights.

What about drinks? Tattu is known for its theatrical signature cocktails.

Opening hours

Theatrical pan-Asian dining with St Paul’s views

The Ivy Asia St Paul’s is one of the City’s most glamorous dining rooms — an all-day pan-Asian restaurant set moments from St Paul’s Cathedral, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the dome in all its glory. The interior is pure theatre: a fluorescent pink onyx floor, gilded details and intricate wood carvings, plush velvet seating, an antique gold mirrored bar and panelled artwork depicting Japanese landscapes, with an upstairs floor lit by green semi-precious stone. It’s a striking contrast between old London grandeur and bold, modern Asian glamour.

What to order

The pan-Asian menu draws on the head chef’s travels across Tokyo, Cambodia and Vietnam. Signature dishes include the prawn har gau dumplings, the volcano roll sushi and the sublime miso black cod — 48-hour miso-marinated Alaskan sablefish, slow-roasted to perfection. For dessert, the Golden Dragon is a showstopper, with passion fruit doughnuts, warm chocolate sauce, sesame crème brûlée and mochi. Sushi, tempura, noodles and elevated sticky pork round out the à la carte, alongside afternoon tea.

Who it’s for

This is a destination for stylish celebrations, special occasions and lively, late-night dining, often with a DJ adding to the vibe. If you prefer a quieter meal, aim for lunch or an early midweek evening; for atmosphere and drama, the later it gets, the better.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does The Ivy Asia serve? Pan-Asian — sushi, dim sum, tempura, noodles and signature dishes like miso black cod.

What should I order? The miso black cod, prawn har gau dumplings, volcano roll sushi and the Golden Dragon dessert.

What makes the interior special? A fluorescent pink onyx floor, gilded carvings, a gold mirrored bar and floor-to-ceiling views of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Is it good for a special occasion? Yes — its glamorous setting and lively atmosphere suit celebrations and stylish nights out.

Where is it located? In the City of London, moments from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Opening hours

Big Mamma’s boldest, most theatrical trattoria

Ave Mario is the Big Mamma group’s most flamboyant London trattoria, set across three floors in the heart of Covent Garden and inspired by a Florentine palazzo — with a playful 80s twist downstairs. The space is pure theatre: six-metre-high ceilings, a bar decked out with some 3,500 bottles, irresistibly retro styling and eccentric, tongue-in-cheek touches throughout, including cocktails that arrive in outlandish vessels with equally outlandish names. It’s loud, colourful and unmistakably fun.

What to order

The kitchen, led by head chef Gianluigi, serves authentic Italian dishes built on seasonal ingredients from small independent producers. Expect crispy-soft Neapolitan pizzas, generous fresh pasta and indulgent antipasti, with the signature Gran Carbonara mixed in a 4kg pecorino wheel and a 35-day aged beef sirloin grilled with salsa verde among the highlights. Save space for the bold dolci to finish.

Who it’s for

This is a place for a lively night out, a birthday or a group celebration where the room and the cocktails are half the fun. With epic portions and fair prices for the spectacle, it suits anyone after great Italian food and a memorable, theatrical setting in central London. Booking ahead is recommended.

Questions and answers

What kind of food does Ave Mario serve? Authentic Italian — Neapolitan pizzas, fresh pasta, antipasti and bold desserts, with seasonal ingredients from small producers.

What should I order first? The Gran Carbonara from a 4kg pecorino wheel and the 35-day aged beef sirloin with salsa verde.

What makes the interior special? Six-metre ceilings, a bar with around 3,500 bottles and eccentric, retro 80s-inspired design across three floors.

Is it part of Big Mamma? Yes — it’s the group’s boldest London trattoria.

Where is it located? In the heart of Covent Garden, central London.

Opening hours