THREE LONDON RESTAURANTS WORTH BOOKING A TABLE FOR
From moreish small plates and a taste of Paris to Japanese-Peruvian fusion, these are three London restaurants bringing something different to the table.
London is hardly short of places to eat, but finding somewhere that genuinely stays with you long after the bill arrives? That's another story. Whether it's a dish you find yourself attempting to recreate at home, an interiors moment that has you mentally redecorating your flat, or a steak so good you're already planning your return visit, the best restaurants offer a little something beyond the menu.
From a cosy Peckham wine bar championing the art of the small plate to a French bistro bringing a little je ne sais quoi to North London, and a new Canary Wharf opening where Japanese precision meets Peruvian flair, these three spots each have their own reasons to make the reservation.
Consider this your nudge to get that dinner in the diary.
There are few things I love more than a menu that lets me order several starters and call it dinner. So, naturally, the rise of the small-plate restaurant feels a little like all my Christmases have come at once. Enter Peckham Cellars, a neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant on Queens Road that makes a very convincing case for ordering one more dish.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Helen Hall and Luke West-Whylie, the restaurant has built a reputation for seasonal cooking and a thoughtfully curated wine list. The kitchen, led by Basque-born head chef Pablo Urain Alfonso, brings together British produce and Spanish influences in a menu designed for sharing. And sharing is very much the order of the day.
First things first: the homemade focaccia with flavoured whipped butter. You know a restaurant is onto something when it takes something as simple as bread and butter and makes it sing. It was so good that, despite my gluten intolerance, I found myself more than willing to make an exception. Worth it? Absolutely.
From there, our waiter steered us through the small plates, and her recommendations were spot on. The tuna tartare, served on a crisp shiso leaf, was a standout, as was Pablo's croquetta with its silky homemade aioli. But the dish that really stole the show was the Cuore del Vesuvio tomatoes with burrata, fig leaf oil and almonds. Fresh, creamy and beautifully balanced, it was the sort of plate that makes you wonder why you ever bother cooking for yourself. I've since tried to recreate it at home, but sadly, lightning has yet to strike twice.
The food was matched by an equally impressive drinks offering. Peckham Cellars takes its wine seriously, with a list that champions predominantly European wines, sustainable winemaking and independent, family-run producers. But it's the cocktails that deserve a mention of their own. I had one of the best Negronis I've ever tasted here - a bold statement, I know, but one I'm prepared to stand by.
Small in scale but big on character, the restaurant has a laid-back charm that makes it ideal for a catch-up with friends, a date night or any occasion that calls for good food and a glass of something lovely. Come hungry, order generously, and whatever you do, don't skip the focaccia.
As a North London girl whose favourite cuisine happens to be French, I was already a little oh là là at the prospect of Bistro Sablé. Fresh from a trip to Paris, I arrived with high expectations for this Islington newcomer, and I'm pleased to report that it delivers on the charm, the classics and the all-important steak.
Formerly home to The Smokehouse, Bistro Sablé is the latest addition to the Noble Inns collection, bringing classic French bistro cooking to Canonbury Road. Inside, white tablecloths, traditional bistro chairs and artwork sourced directly from Parisian flea markets create the sort of atmosphere that makes you want to order a glass of red and settle in for the evening. The interiors feel considered rather than contrived, with vintage finds and original details giving the space plenty of personality.
But a pretty room only gets you so far. Thankfully, the kitchen knows its way around a French classic, too. We started with the baked cheese soufflé, a dish I was delighted to see on the menu. Notoriously tricky to get right, and far less common on restaurant menus than it deserves to be, this one was beautifully airy, wonderfully cheesy and an excellent opening act. Naturally, I couldn't visit a French establishment without ordering beef... and plenty of it. The dry-aged steak tartare, topped with an egg yolk and served alongside moreish matchstick potatoes, was a delicious start. But the real star of the show was the côte de boeuf, which we shared between us. Cooked rare, it was hands down one of the best steaks I've had in a long time: beautifully cooked, full of flavour and exactly what I wanted it to be. We each ordered a side of frites, but the portions were so generous that, if you're dining as a pair, I'd suggest sharing a portion and using the extra room for another side. A small but important public service announcement for fellow over-orderers.
For dessert, we rounded things off with a pear tarte Tatin. I'm not usually much of a dessert girl, but give me pastry and something with a little tartness and I'll happily eat my way into needing to be rolled home. This was no exception.
Bistro Sablé is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant you want on your doorstep: welcoming, unfussy and built around the simple pleasure of eating well. Whether you're popping in for an aperitif, settling down for a long lunch or making an evening of it over steak and wine, it brings a little Parisian escapism to Islington without requiring a Eurostar ticket. Très chic, if you ask me.
Canary Wharf's dining scene has a new arrival, and Bamboo Mat is bringing a little theatre to the table. I headed along to the opening party at its new Wood Wharf location to get a first look at the space, and while I can't claim to have put the full menu through its paces, there was plenty to catch my attention.
The independent restaurant brand specialises in Nikkei cuisine - the meeting of Japanese culinary techniques and Peruvian flavours - and its new Canary Wharf flagship takes that concept and runs with it. Spread across two floors, the 92-cover space features a striking cocktail bar and raw bar downstairs, with an open-plan kitchen and additional dining space upstairs.
First impressions? The interiors are fantastic. Rich timber, textured concrete, warm lighting and playful details give the space a distinct identity, while the carved wooden bar chairs are a particular highlight. With their expressive faces, they look as though they've wandered straight out of a Lord of the Rings film, and I mean that in the best possible way. It's the kind of detail that makes you stop and look twice, rather than simply walking past on your way to the table.
The menu moves between extremely moorish fresh ceviche, sushi and maki, alongside dishes cooked over charcoal on the robata grill. It's an exciting combination of techniques and flavours, with Peruvian ingredients and Japanese precision sitting side by side.
There's a wide selection of ceviche and sushi, making it a tempting prospect for anyone who likes their seafood fresh, vibrant and full of flavour. The menu also ventures into more substantial territory, with robata-grilled meats and fish, while three tasting menus offer a way to explore the kitchen's signature dishes. There's even a dedicated vegetarian tasting menu, which is a welcome addition for plant-based diners who want to experience the Nikkei concept beyond the usual token options.
Drinks are part of the experience, too, with a cocktail list inspired by Japan and Peru, alongside sake and wines. The ground-floor bar makes a particularly striking first impression, so even if you're simply stopping by for a drink and a few plates, the setting lends itself to a memorable evening.
With its ambitious menu and immersive interiors, Bamboo Mat feels designed for more than just a quick bite. Think celebratory dinners, group gatherings and evenings when you want the setting to be as much a talking point as the food.
As an introduction to Bamboo Mat's Canary Wharf outpost, it certainly made an impression - and those chairs alone deserve a moment of appreciation!
