The unveiling of the 2025 Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland at Glasgow’s renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has sent ripples of excitement through London’s vibrant culinary community. As the guide rewards excellence and innovation in dining, London’s ever-growing gastronomic scene has much to celebrate. This year’s results reveal a remarkable evolution in the city’s restaurants, with fresh contenders entering the limelight and existing establishments achieving new heights.
The most notable highlight from the new guide is the recognition of ten London restaurants that have garnered their first Michelin star. Among these, Dosa stands out, nestled in the basement of the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. Spearheaded by executive chef Jihun Kim, Dosa specializes in Korean cuisine, offering diners an truly exceptional experience at its opulent marble counter. The restaurant has rapidly established itself as a beacon of culinary artistry, setting a high standard for Korean dining in the city.
Joining Dosa in the spotlight are the likes of Oma, AngloThai, Lita, Caractère, 64 Goodge Street, Cornus, Row on 5, Plates, and Mauro Colagreco at Raffles. Particularly noteworthy is Plates, located in the trendy district of Shoreditch, which has achieved the historic milestone of becoming the UK’s first wholly vegan restaurant to receive a Michelin star. This recognition underscores a growing appreciation for plant-based culinary arts, showcasing the shift towards sustainability in high-end dining.
In addition to the new single-star recipients, this year also saw two establishments achieving the remarkable feat of being awarded two Michelin stars. The Ritz Restaurant and Humble Chicken are now members of this exclusive club. Humble Chicken, dutifully led by chef Angelo Sato, continues to innovate with a yakitori-inspired approach, transforming traditional Japanese cooking into a sophisticated experience that resonates deeply with London’s culinary aficionados. The journey from its initial concept to its current standing demonstrates the restaurant’s commitment to quality and creativity, making it a must-visit destination.
As much as the Michelin Guide celebrates accomplishments, it also serves as a stark reminder of the competitive nature of fine dining. This year, two established London restaurants, Jason Atherton’s City Social and the long-standing Chinese eatery Kai, faced the unfortunate fate of losing their Michelin stars. Moreover, three other restaurants—Cornerstone, Locanda Locatelli, and Pollen Street Social—have completely disappeared from the guide following closures.
These losses highlight the fickle reality of the culinary world, where trends are constantly changing and customer preferences can shift almost overnight. It’s a reminder that maintaining excellence is an ongoing journey, requiring both consistency and innovation.
While no London establishment reached the coveted three-star designation this year, the 2025 Michelin Guide undeniably illustrates a vibrant and dynamic dining landscape. With fresh faces and revered institutions competing at high levels, London’s culinary future looks promising. As chefs continue to push boundaries and embrace new culinary philosophies, diners can eagerly anticipate an array of exciting experiences that lie ahead in the ever-evolving world of gastronomy.