I've explored plenty of truly luxurious spots in London, and let me tell you, in a city that has a deep love for all things royal, there are places that totally reinvent opulence in the most unexpected, dazzling ways. Come with me and discover these extravagant gems and their unforgettable offerings!
Los Mochis, a pioneer of pairing Mexican & Japanese cuisines, welcomed me with a tropical dreamscape: emerald velvet banquettes, cascading greenery, and brass accents glinting like sunlight through palms. First up, I ordered my favourite aguachile (£19) — packed with lime, a serious chili kick, and seafood so fresh it could've been swimming moments ago. Then there was wagyu carne tataki (£24), paired with vibrant salsas and unexpected textures. The house margaritas dazzled with their stunning presentation and bold, daring flavours. Around me, oversized Mexico City-inspired art and a vibrant buzz turned London's dining scene on its head. I left tipsy and thrilled, my taste buds staging a full-blown rebellion against everything I thought I knew about restaurant dining. This place doesn’t just break the rules — it makes new ones.
Carlotta enchanted me instantly. Copper lights cast an amber glow over eclectic interiors: vintage mirrors, partially draped mahogany panels, and hand-painted tiles were telling a story of Sicilian charm. Those mismatched chairs looked like they'd been collected from a dozen different Italian family estates, each in its own unique style. The signature pasta sauces spoke of Italian grandmothers who never measured, cooking with instinct and passion. I caught myself falling in love — not just with the food, but with the entire audacious spirit of the place that makes you want to settle in and never leave.
This Soho's newest spot pulled me into its embrace with crystal sconces from Murano glass workshops cascading like frozen waterfalls against seductive maroon silk walls. Vintage Italian furniture — curved, sensuous, unapologetically glamorous — created intimate pockets of conversation. My cocktail arrived like a perfectly tailored suit — sharp, unexpected, making everything around it look slightly underdressed. The blue-and-white booths felt like secret chambers where London's most interesting conversations were waiting to be born. I caught snippets of nearby discussions — art, scandal, the kind of gossip that makes evenings electric.
Inside the legendary Michelin building, I felt like I took a peek into culinary history. Art Nouveau windows flooded the space with cathedral-like light, original stained glass transforming sunlight into a kaleidoscope of colors. Plush velvet chairs in deep sapphire blue looked like they'd been stolen from a royal sitting room, while white marble surfaces gleamed with a surgical precision that matched Bosi's culinary approach. My tasting menu unfolded like a complex novel — surprising, occasionally bewildering, but always compelling. A piece of turbot arrived so perfectly cooked it made me break the silence with a sound only a chef could truly appreciate. Who knew fish could stir the soul like that?
The Savoy Grill exudes timeless glamour, its Art Deco interiors glowing with history. Seated in a plush booth, I indulged in beef wellington, its flaky pastry encasing tender meat and mushroom duxelles (£52). Lobster thermidor, drenched in a creamy cognac sauce (£68), was equally divine. To finish, I surrendered to the warmth of their sticky toffee pudding (£16) — a perfect balance of sweetness and depth. As I lingered over the last bite, I felt like I was dining in a golden age, surrounded by echoes of the legends who dined before me.
Kudu ambushed my senses with a space that felt like a globetrotting sanctuary. Raw concrete walls were softened by lush greenery and warm wooden tables that seemed hand-carved from ancient forest timber. Vintage South African maps and botanical illustrations adorned walls painted in rich, earthy tones. Small plates arrived looking like landscapes I'd never visited but desperately wanted to explore. A rooibos pickled carrot dish (£18.5) made me reconsider everything I thought I knew about root vegetables. Spices whispered of Cape Town markets, of road trips taken, of culinary borders gleefully demolished. I caught myself closing my eyes between bites, trying to map the ingredients’ intricate geography. Dinner at Kudu turned into an unforgettable journey, filled with flavours I never knew I was missing.
