Let’s go on a walk.
It’ll have to be a hypothetical one, seeing as a) we’re not, currently, in the same place, and b) we’ve recently taken an incontrovertible vow of skipping.
Nevertheless, we’ll start our virtual promenade at the very bottom of Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia’s most gustatorily gifted thoroughfare, lined with the likes of Michelin-starred eating houses and convivial Peruvian pisco dens; dining counters surrounding a sizzling open kitchen and even a restaurant hidden within another restaurant.
Along the way, we’ll point out only our very favourite Charlotte Street restaurants. And if we get to the end and you haven’t seen anything you like…
…well, we’ll have to explore other avenues.
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Ampéli | £££
A glamorous Greek spot, hoping to raise the profile of Greek wine (which it does, very well). Dine on dishes like cured sardines with lemon verjus, beef short rib braised in date molasses, and loukoumades (Greek doughnuts drizzled in mountain tea syrup) prepped by a former NOPI chef – and try the wine, too. Obviously. READ MORE
Details: 18 Charlotte Street, W1T 2LZ | Open daily for lunch and dinner
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The Ninth | £££
The Ninth is in disguise.
Because while it may look like your ideal vision of a humble neighbourhood restaurant, with exposed brick walls, romance-inducing levels of lighting, burgundy leather seating and a very large bar; it’s actually a top-shelf, Michelin-starred joint run by legendary chef Jun Tanaka, who’s been rehearsing for this very moment by training at the likes of Le Gavroche and Chez Nico first. READ MORE
Details: 22 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NB | Open for lunch and dinner, Monday-Saturday
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Roka Charlotte Street | ££££
Almost everything on the menu at Roka Charlotte Street is seared on a sizzling robata grill.
Which is just as well, because it takes up about half the restaurant.
Manned by a fleet of highly-trained chefs, the open kitchen is surrounded by a horseshoe dining counter, where you can score front row seats to watch the diligent sushi preparation and theatre of the flaming grill. Plus, there’s an intimate red and gold-burnished bar downstairs dedicated to shochu. READ MORE
Details: 37 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RR | Open for lunch and dinner daily
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Kazu | £££
A little further up, you’ll find Charlotte Street’s other premier sushi spot. This one comes to you from the former head chef at the critically lauded Chisou – credentials which you’ll be able to taste in the 100 different Japanese dishes (including black cod, sashimi and chicken kara-age) he puts together here. Plus, there’s a solid sake selection for sipping al fresco afterwards. READ MORE
Details: 64 Charlotte Street, W1T 4QD | Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner
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Kitchen Table | ££££
Bubbledogs – the restaurant set on pairing Champagne with hot dogs – may have closed its doors for good. But this cloud has a sterling silver lining, because it’s given their second, secret restaurant more space to spread out. Previously hidden behind a curtain, it serves an elaborate, double Michelin-starred tasting menu from a former Ledbury chef… READ MORE
Details: 70 Charlotte Street, W1T 4QG | Sittings Wednesday-Saturday: book ahead via kitchentable@bubbledogs.co.uk
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Mere | ££££
Mere is not merely another restaurant on Charlotte Street. Instead, it’s the first solo spot by insanely talented Masterchef judge and Roux Jr. sous-chef, Monica Galetti. It’s a stylish spot, with Samoan art work on the walls and cool table lights that look like space mushrooms – matching the kind of genre-spanning combinations you’ll find on the regularly changing menu. READ MORE
Details: 74 Charlotte Street, W1T 4QJ | Open for lunch and dinner, Monday-Saturday
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And to wind up the evening…
Bourne & Hollingsworth Bar | ££
A tiny, intimate cocktail den hidden down a set of steps at the end of Charlotte Street, Bourne & Hollingsworth is one of London’s true homes of the great mixed drink. Settle into the sumptuous interiors, surrounded by huge murals of 19th century French artwork, and clink Campfire Cups (filled with orange, peach, Spanish liqueur and toasted marshmallows). READ MORE
Details: 28 Rathbone Place, W1T 1JF | Open Monday-Saturday from 5pm
Last Updated: 5th March 2020 | Main image: Ampéli
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Looking for more inspiration? See the best restaurants in Central London