OpenTable Introduces Its First Restaurant Awards, Honouring London's Top Restaurants

OpenTable United Kingdom England

The awards recognise top London restaurants across three categories:* OpenTable Icons, Restaurateurs' Choice and People's Choice -

OpenTable Icons***: celebrating the culinary landmarks shaping London's dining culture, hand-selected by critics and industry experts appointed by OpenTable who live and breathe the city's food scene.Restaurateurs' Choice: an insider's accolade, voted for by the people who truly understand what it takes to work the pass. This is peer-to-peer recognition for the restaurants that industry insiders respect most.People's Choice: the voice of the diner. Celebrating the restaurants that help define London's dining culture, from beloved neighbourhood gems to the hottest new openings. These are the winners chosen by the people who keep the city's dining rooms humming.

As London's hospitality industry continues to set global standards, 69% of diners believe the city has some of the best restaurants in the world, a view shared by 82% of hospitality professionals.** Among UK diners, 42% say the very best restaurants in London are located in Central, underlining the capital's position at the heart of the country's dining scene.**

"The dining landscape in London continues to set the bar for creativity, resilience and hospitality. OpenTable's inaugural Restaurant Awards recognises the spots that truly move the dial - the places shaping culture, setting standards and standing the test of time", said Laure Bornet, Senior Vice President of International Growth at OpenTable. "We're proud to shine a spotlight on dining excellence and drive real impact, with 63% of UK diners saying they would be more likely to book a restaurant they haven't visited yet if it has an award.*"

What it takes to be an Icon

New consumer research** shows that iconic status begins with the fundamentals: 69% of UK diners cite food quality and consistency as the leading factor, followed by service and hospitality (46%).** Memory also matters, with 34% strongly associating iconic restaurants with dishes they remember years later.** Diners are willing to invest in the experience: 69% would pay more to visit an iconic restaurant (spending £46 extra on average), and two thirds (66%) would book at least four weeks ahead, increasing to 73% among Gen Z.**

Winners of the prestigious OpenTable Icons Award are chosen by an OpenTable-appointed industry panel from across the industry via a qualitative assessment of a pre-determined shortlist.* OpenTable Icons will have a designation within the platform for diners to discover the of-the–moment restaurant. The judges include Adam Hyman, Owner of CODE Hospitality and The Good Food Guide; Ben Benton and Freddy Clode, Hosts of The Go-To Food Podcast; Ben Lippett, Cook and Food Writer; Jenny Lau, Writer and Community Chef; Jimi Famurewa, Food Writer, Restaurant Critic and Broadcaster; Lorraine Copes, Founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality and Seema Pankhania, Food Content Creator and Author.

Voting for the People's Choice and Restaurateurs' Choice awards is now open at https://www.opentable.co.uk/awards-london. Each voter will have a chance to win one of ten £250 gift cards, five gift cards available for People's Choice voters and five gift cards available for Restaurateurs' Choice voters.

Voting closes on Monday, 23 March 2026, with all winners, including OpenTable Icons, being publicly announced at the inaugural ceremony at Landing Forty Two in London on Monday, 27 April 2026.

The shortlists* for the Restaurateurs' and People's Choice Awards are as follows. Visit here to vote now and discover more.

Restaurateurs' Choice Shortlist

?  Impact Award

BubalaGauthier SohoLove ShackRestaurant St. BartsThe Water House Project

?  Innovation Award

CornusCounter 71Frog by Adam HandlingRestaurant 1890 by Gordon RamsayThree Sheets

?  Restaurant Design Award

Berners TavernNoisy OysterPoon's at Somerset HouseSenza FondoTOWN

?  Everyday Hero Award

Abby Lee, Head Chef & Founder, MAMBOWBek Narzi, Co-Owner & Operations Director, Pachamama GroupDavid Moore, Owner, Pied à TerreFlorence Mae Maglanoc, Executive Chef & Owner, DoniaIsabel da Silva, Co-Founder, Volta Do Mar

?  Up & Coming Award

Dara Klein, Head Chef & Founder, Tiella Trattoria & BarEvan Moore, Head Chef, Labombe by TrivetLuke Ahearne, Chef & Co-Founder, Motorino  Nathaniel Mortley, Head Chef & Founder, 2210 by NattyCanCookNaz Hassan, Head Chef, Lupa

People's Choice Shortlist

?  Bucket List Award

Clos MaggioreKai MayfairSavoy Grill - Gordon RamsayThe LedburyThe Wolseley

?  Gastropub of the Year Award

Harwood ArmsThe Fox & PheasantThe Lore of the LandThe ParakeetThe Plimsoll

?  Neighbourhood Gem Award

Frederick'sFrench SocietySt. JOHN SmithfieldSune RestaurantThe Mayfair Chippy

?  Opening of the Year Award

Bonheur by Matt AbéCorenucopia by Clare SmythHawksmoor St PancrasSingburiTempo

?  Standout Service Award

CORE by Clare SmythHumble ChickenPortland RestaurantRita'sTrinity

NOTES TO EDITORS

*Restaurant Shortlist Methodologies: https://www.opentable.co.uk/c/awards-london/terms/ 

**Consumer Research Methodology: An online survey was conducted by Ripple Research among 2,326 UK diners, with a minimum quota for 1000 London diners, and 250 hospitality professionals (front of house, back of house and management). Fieldwork was carried out between January 22nd, 2026, and January 28, 2026. All data was collected in accordance with MRS (Market Research Society) and ESOMAR guidelines, ensuring ethical standards and robust data quality.

***OpenTable Icon Methodology: The "Icon" designation and associated restaurant nominations are determined by an OpenTable-appointed industry panel via a qualitative assessment of a pre-determined shortlist. This shortlist is generated through a combination of data-informed insights (diner reviews, ratings, and platform signals) and expert input from local specialists. This process represents a subjective assessment rather than an objective ranking or exhaustive list. Eligibility is merit-based and requires no purchase or commercial participation, and payment to OpenTable does not influence the likelihood of nomination or selection. All selections are discretionary, final, and binding.

About OpenTable:

OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), helps more than 60,000 restaurants worldwide fill 1.9 billion seats a year. OpenTable's world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion. 

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