Best Knightsbridge restaurants: where to eat in the elegant London district

Looking for Knightsbridge restaurants? Check out where to eat and drink in this elegant London district, then find more recommendations for where to eat and drink in Chelsea, our favourite restaurants in Soho and discover more of our London restaurant reviews.

Our pick of the best restaurants in Knightsbridge

Dinings SW3 – for contemporary Japanese izakaya and sushi

A grade-II listed building tucked away on a quiet street in Knightsbridge is where tiny Marylebone restaurant Dinings opened its second home in 2017. Subtle touches include warm towels and edamame beans brought to the table shortly after being seated. Order a cocktail while you peruse the menu of sashimi, sushi and modern Japanese tapas that has evolved from traditional Japanese Izakaya cuisine. Yuzu and sansho pepper lift the refreshing paloma, while Roku gin and cherry infused vermouth add richness to a classic negroni. Or, try Dinings’ own-label sake from Konotomo, a family-run brewery in Japan.

Start with the impressive sashimi platter; a heavy stone box filled with ice piled high with tiny, perfectly constructed mouthfuls, such as mosaic salmon wrapped in crunchy kohlrabi, sea bass carpaccio and hay-smoked toro (fatty tuna). The gentle smoky flavour is achieved with a Josper grill, using charcoals that reach 480C, which also help to create other robata-style dishes on the menu, such as tender chicken teriyaki skewers and scallops with punchy and refreshing wasabi salsa. Handmade udon noodles are elegantly presented in the restaurant's umami-rich susuru broth for a soothing warmer in the colder months. Expect to leave feeling somewhere between happily zen and really special from the attentive Japanese hospitality (and we recommend a jar of chef Masaki Sugisaki’s crunchy chilli oil in hand...). diningssw3.co.uk

Vatavaran – for Indian flavours with a modern twist

Inspired by the Indian Himalayas, the latest restaurant from Rohit Ghai, takes its name from the Sanskrit translation of atmosphere. Spread across four floors in the heart of Knightsbridge, each has its own vibe: Brook and Ridge are buzzy and casual, while Meadow and Shikhar (meaning peak) create more of a special occasion ambience.

As with Rohit’s other venues, Manthan and Kutir, the food combines classic Indian flavours with a modern twist. Start with the indori poha chaat – plump dumplings with tamarind and pressed rice – a satisfying explosion of crunch, tang and spice; and ghati masala prawns, fried in crispy batter and dressed with peanuts and sesame.

Come with a crowd for the mains – they’re spectacular. Lamb shank biriyani arrives with a pastry lid which is cracked open at the table, before the soft meat is shredded from the bone. Butter chicken is among the best we’ve ever tried (in a fiercely competitive field): succulent chicken thigh meat in a smoky-sweet, vine tomato sauce. Neelgiri lobster is exceptional, served in a fresh coriander sauce with the tail shell decorating the plate. To drink, try Nisha, a refreshing gin with cucumber and elderflower, then finish with Lava, a chocolate and cardamom kulfi with meringue. vatavaran.uk

Sachi at The Pantechnicon

This atmospheric Japanese restaurant lies on the lower ground floor of destination design, shopping and eating complex, The Pantechnicon. While just a few moments from busy Knightsbridge, its dim lighting, Japanese garden decor and hidden booths make it feel like another world. The menu features regional Japanese dishes using the best British ingredients, such as Scottish scallops and lobster and Cornish monkfish, many cooked over fire on the robata grill. Among favourites such as sashimi, nigiri and maki rolls, agedashi tofu, tempura and a magnificent nasu (miso aubergine), discover some unique dishes such as seabass with lava salt and seabuckthorn, butinako – a rich pork belly braised in barley miso – shortrib with fermented mushroom and black garlic, and luxurious wagyu with beetroot and miso. The sommelier will guide you through each course, explaining the source and complexities of each saki as you go. Finish your meal with a sakura cocktail (gin, vermouth and peach) in Sakaya, the tiny whisky bar. pantechnicon.com/sachi

The Rosebery Lounge at Mandarin Oriental – for Asian-inspired afternoon tea

Afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is taken in The Rosebery Lounge, a grand yet unstuffy dining room with high ceilings and a small, stylish bar offering a selection of wines and spirits, including Chêne Bleu Domaine De la Verrière rosé, Goose Island IPA and Hendrick’s gin. Speckled antique mirrors and contemporary abstract art line the walls, and individual metal coat stands (tree-like) are brought to intimate, low, dark-wood tables. Elegant chandeliers and large windows facing onto Knightsbridge high street make the lounge bright, and a rose and ginger scent infuses throughout the room.

We were greeted by a friendly and informative waiter who explained the options available: beer afternoon tea, teamaster’s choice, sake afternoon tea, mini afternoon tea (for children under 12) or traditional champagne afternoon tea. We opted for the latter, which came with R de Ruinart rosé champagne and R de Ruinart white champagne, both smooth, chilled and crisp, the rosé leaving slight floral notes after each sip. mandarinoriental.com

Tom Brown at The Capital – for elevated seafood dishes

Tom Brown made a name for himself at his fish restaurant, Cornerstone, in Hackney Wick, where he quickly gained a Michelin star. The chef has since travelled west, bringing his seafood skills to The Capital Hotel’s ivy-clad red brick building in the heart of Knightsbridge. Pass through the reception for a punchy After Dark cocktail at the moon-themed bar – an elegant cocoon of deep blue. Continue to the main restaurant, elegantly embellished with white tablecloths, statement chandeliers and constellation-themed hand-painted ceiling reflected in mirrored cornicing.

Dishes are intricately presented like artwork on the plate, most notably in a sea bream tartare, delicately layered with sliced radishes and finished with slow-cooked quail’s egg in a ponzu dressing laced with jalapeño oil. To kick off, crisp lobster toast is a must, topped with tail and claw tartare, lardo and shellfish ketchup. Next comes the bread course – light, fluffy, still-warm chocopan scattered with dehydrated scallop roe, and Guinness and seaweed soda bread to slather in crab oil and cultured butter. Showstopping fish cooking continues in the mains with the likes of pan-roasted monkfish with a varietal trio of pumpkin served confit, crushed and puréed, all coated in rich lobster sauce. To finish, rich pauper treacle cake is created using left-over bread, layered with pear membrillo and a slice of Cashel Blue cheese, with a crème brûlée style pear tuile balanced on top. tombrownatthecapital.com

CLAP – for people watching

This lively Knightsbridge restaurant is the place to be if you like entertainment in the form of DJs and people-watching with dinner. An international set, familiar with its branches in Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh, laps up the bustle of the open kitchen and sushi bar, which turns out modern Japanese dishes with luxurious touches, such as truffle edamame, a surprising shiitake and sesame salad, hamachi sashimi, otoro and wagyu nigiri, black cod miso and kimchi-spiked lamb rack. Desserts are big on drama, too – the natsu platter is stacked with exotic fruit, matcha cheesecake and mochi. A rooftop bar has views over the city and fascinating light fittings that are made for Instagram. claprestaurant.com

Nanyang Blossom – for creative cooking from Southern China

Taking inspiration from the Nanyang region (Southern China, Malaysia and Indonesia), chef Daren Liew’s creates dishes as pleasing to the eye as to the taste buds. Prawn toast is reimagined using edamame to add colour and almonds for extra crunch. Two premium signatures include luxe ingredients: Deluxe Hokkien ‘stir-fry’ of wild prawns, abalone (a lightly sweet and salty delicacy) in a prawn stock with bottarga powder and egg; and Miyazaki beef with small plates including a piquant pickled okra. Sea bass is grilled with turmeric and ginger flower with blue pea rice. With clever lighting and panelled walls, the small dining room shimmers. Attentive service (and high prices) reflect its Knightsbridge location. nanyangblossom.co.uk

Osteria Romana – for authentic Roman cooking

The structure of the menu at Osteria Romana is classically Italian, divided into antipasti, pasta and soups, and main courses, plus dessert. Order all four courses for a true Italian feast, though as portions are generous (particularly the pasta), just one would do if you’re after something lighter. Prices, while not low, are still reasonable for this expensive part of London.

Dishes on offer maintain a strictly Roman focus – ingredients like salt cod, pecorino, artichokes and broad beans abound, and the menu is full of classics native to the Eternal City, from cacio e pepe and bucatini amatriciana to Roman-style tripe and oxtail stew. osteriaromana.co.uk

abc Kitchens – for global sharing dishes

Renowned New York chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has curated the concept and all-day menu at this glamorous all-suite hotel. Featuring dishes from three of his NYC restaurants, influences range from Mexico to Japan to Italy, with British ingredients playing a starring role. English peas are added to guacamole; tacos are filled with south coast battered john dory; toasts are topped with Dorset crab and wildflowers. Everything is designed to share and there are plenty of crowd pleasers like burgers; three-cheese and truffle pizza; lemony chicken and rice with a side of homemade hot sauce with crisp crackling for added crunch. There are moments of genius, too, with a hero dish of Orkney scallop tartare, served in the shell and spooned onto shiso leaves and translucent slices of kohlrabi. Puddings include a deconstructed salted caramel, peanut and popcorn sundae. Views over Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, sumptuous banquettes and joyful bursts of colour in Damien Hirst’s The Secret Gardens artworks complete the upmarket vibe. the-emory.co.uk/restaurants-bars/abc-kitchens/

The Georgian at Harrods, Knightsbridge – for elevated pies in iconic luxury surroundings

There’s a place for traditionally glamorous, formal dining and Harrods is just that. While its ground floor dining hall reflects the tastes of both global restaurant-curious Londoners and food-savvy international visitors, the fourth-floor The Georgian is a British affair. By day, afternoon tea is taken in the vast, regal, chandeliered space. At night, there are cocktails, a pianist and gloriously old-fashioned trolley service. Pies are the must-order here – chef, previously of the much-lauded The Pie Room at Rosewood London, Calum Franklin’s curation includes beef shin and squash; lobster; chicken and penny bun; plus the signature lamb – with ratatouille, anchovy tempura and sweetbread for two. Whipped potatoes with buttermilk make an indulgent side dish. Pie refuseniks can chose from mains of dover sole, cod or chicken. But first there is bread with Marmite butter, starters of crab tart or pâté en croûte. Crowd-pleasing puddings include sticky toffee, lemon tart and a trifle where layers of apple, calvados and vanilla cream are constructed tableside. harrods.com/en-gb/c/restaurants/the-georgian