January might feel like a month for quiet nights in, but with a lineup like this, staying home would be a crime.
I mean, you want to start the year on a high note, right? With exceptional dining experiences? Cocktails you’ll be thinking of for centuries to come?
Okay, that’s perhaps an exaggeration, but whether you’re on the hunt for somewhere to spend a cozy night with comfort food that doesn’t come in takeaway container or a lavish evening to remember, these six restaurants and bars will have you covered.
Dear Jackie
This Soho hotspot might be new, but its effortless charm has already made it a favorite. Step inside, and you’re greeted by warm lighting, cozy leather booths, and a menu that reads like a love letter to modern bistro classics. Start with the Devon crab, Datterini tomatoes, basil, and Pangratatto–both delicate and rich–before diving into the best pumpkin Tortellini (with ‘nduja butter and Amaretti) for a truly triumphant taste. Pair this with a glass of wine from their carefully-curated list, and you’ve got the start of a perfect winter lunch or dinner.
Lower Ground, 20 Broadwick St, London W1F 9NE
Frog by Adam Handling
Known for its Michelin star-collecting culinary creations and much as its sustainable practices, Frog by Adam Handling has a well-deserved reputation as a gastronomic playground–and Handling’s new menu is a perfect case in point. A marvel in its own right, the tasting menu is designed to showcase the best that Britain has to offer and, while they prefer to keep the full menu secret to heighten the full experience, I’ll let you in on a few highlights; one) the restaurant’s signature chicken butter, which I’d quite literally lose an organ for, and two) Wagyu beef used in manners–yes, multiple–which celebrate its robust flavors with finesse. All of which is to say, Frog is a must-visit*.
34-35 Southampton St, London WC2E 7HG
Fatt Pundit
Rooted in the dishes the Hakka people created after migrating to India from the Chinese province of Canton, Fatt Pundit’s brilliant menu packed with bold flavors and surprising food pairings. The kind that might encourage the least-willing plate-sharers to order a few extra dishes for the table. If you don’t have time to indulge in the full set menu (my top rec for a proper exploration), don’t miss the Tangran momos—veg, chicken, beef or kid goat, as you prefer—or the shredded “chilly” venison, made famous at the Leopold Cafe of Mumbai.
6 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NA
Silva
The newest jewel on Bruton Place’s culinary crown, Silva brings something truly special to the area. With a touch of elegance that can’t be captured by photography alone (trust me, I’ve tried), Silva’s elevated Mediterranean cooking and sumptuous atmosphere make for a perfect date night spot. The star of the show here is their steamed halibut, served with leek fondue and a seaweed beurre blanc, which melts in the mouth, though vegetarians and meat lovers both have plenty to delight in. In fact, the sourdough–presented with a please-can-I-buy-a-stick black garlic butter–is worth a visit alone. Understated but unforgettable, the menu leans seasonal, so expect to find a few surprises alongside their staples, too.
26-28 Bruton Pl, London W1J 6NG
Bao City
For those craving something casual but undeniably satisfying, Bao City–the company’s restaurant and karaoke flagship–is a revelation. No surprise: it’s all about its namesake, with a selection of bold, punchy meats and veggies wrapped up in impossibly fluffy bao buns. The classic pork bao remains a crowd-pleaser, but don’t overlook the fried chicken version, marinated in soy milk and topped with golden kimchi, hot sauce and a spicy mayo that’s just the right side of indulgent. I’d also advocate you make room for their Taiwanese sausage and Pao Tsai pickles, even if you don’t think you want them, and thank me later.
2-8 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
Andrew Wong at The Donovan Bar
Ring the alarm: this is your last chance to catch Andrew Wong’s residency at The Donovan Bar. Known for his double-Michelin-starred reinterpretation of Chinese cuisine, Wong has reinterpreted a tiny tasting menu that’s both refined and perfect for pairing with the bar’s famed tipples. Highlights include the chicken Char Siu with liquorice and dehydrated raspberry, the prawn cocktail (of all things!) which arrives on the table time a tiny piece of culinary art, and The Green Light (Altamura, Acqua Blanca, matcha, sherry, and lacto-fermented cucumber).
33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP
*The amount of times I had to stop myself from writing ‘must-ribbit’, I cannot tell you…
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