If you are looking for celebrities, London is one of the most star-studded cities in the world. With football matches, fashion shows, concerts and movie premiere happening constantly, London is a total celebrity magnet. Fortunately, the rich and famous get hungry too, and the easiest way to spot stars is to dine at the same restaurants that they frequent. You might just get the chance to dine alongside these exotic creatures, observe their food choices and dining partners, and if you’re lucky enough to get seated at a neighbouring table, even eavesdrop on their conversations.
Here is a list of some of the best restaurants in London for star spotting. Whether you’re a dedicated stargazer or just someone looking for a quick bite of great food with a little stardust on the side, these restaurants will improve your chances of meeting your favourite celebrities. Plus, these are some of the best restaurants in town that serve top-notch food along with best deals.
Chiltern Firehouse
This former Victorian gothic fire station in Marylebone is an excellent restaurant where celebrities like to dine in secret. This exclusive establishment is owned by Andre Balazs who also runs The Mercer Hotel in New York and Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont. The restaurant boasts a garden terrace, many tables offering privacy as well as the chance to show off and an open kitchen where you can get seats at the kitchen counter and watch the chefs work their magic. Acclaimed head chef Nuno Mendes blends brasserie style with modern American cuisine that has attracted a large number of celebrities like Kate Moss, Orlando Bloom, David Beckham, Simon Cowell, Lindsey Lohan, Bradley Cooper etc. since its opening in 2014. Getting a table is quite difficult as the restaurant operates on a screening policy that prioritizes celebrities over civilians.
China Tang
Located inside the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair, this restaurant has been frequented by the likes of Hugh Grant, Stephen Fry, Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez and Naomi Campbell. This luxury Cantonese restaurant is owned by Sir David Tang, the founder of the Shanghai Tang chain. The elegant art deco décor, the all-day dim sum menu, the signature Peking duck and perfectly paired cocktails put this place on the must visit list of all celebrities in London. The restaurant has a separate Park Lane entrance and an ambience that removes all thoughts of a hotel restaurant from the diner’s minds.
Nobu
This famous Japanese restaurant is one of the most popular celebrity hotspots in London. Co-owned by Robert De Niro, Nobu is a veritable star-magnet that also serves some of the best sushis in town. If you’re feeling like some fine Asian fusion with a little celebrity on the side, Nobu is the place to go to. The signature dishes like black cod, rock shrimp tempura, lobster tacos and Wagyu rump tataki are to die for, and some of Nobu’s classic dishes are cooked in a Japanese wood-burning oven. You might just spot stars like Cheryl Cole, Brad Pitt, Calvin Harris, Rita Ora, Tom Cruise or Elton John who are frequent visitors.
The Ivy
This Covent Garden restaurant is a prime location for spotting A-list celebrities in London. Drop into the Ivy that serves traditional British cuisine with flair, when you’re in London’s trendy West End. This 90-year old classic restaurant in Theatreland has been the favourite pre-theatre meal option for rock legends like Elton John, Liam Gallagher, Hollywood’s finest like Al Pacino and even royalty like Lady Di. It is regularly visited by David and Victoria Beckham, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brad Pitt, Kit Harrington, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, Tracey Emin, Barbara Windsor, Paul O’Grady, David Walliams, Margaret Thatcher, Dannii Minogue and Princess Margaret. The restaurant features a genteel dining room that also has private booths. While you’re trying to spot celebrities, don’t forget to order their signature shepherd’s pie.
Sketch
This quirky restaurant in Oxford Street is a favourite haunt for many celebrities. This celebrity hotspot has an unconventional décor and serves modern European food that attracts celebrities like Jessica Alba, Bella Hadid, Harry Styles, Alice Temperley and Selena Gomez who are regulars here. In spite of an Algerian owner and French executive chef, Sketch offers a quirkily British experience. As a bonus to star-spotting, the menu is complemented by a large range of award-winning wines.
Hakkasan
This Michelin star restaurant serves exquisite Cantonese food that is regularly sampled by celebrities like Will Smith, Kanye West, Rihanna and Naomi Campbell. Indulge your taste buds with oriental decadence at this high-class Asian Fusion restaurant located in Mayfair. The sleek red dresses worn by the female staff are designed by Diane von Furstenberg whose boutique lies just across the road. Take a plunge into the world of fame and glamour by dining at Hakkasan.
