We tried the best dishes at Taste of London + Test Driving Zylia's Greek/Cypriot affair, London's best martinis, a new Mayfair garden restaurant & more...

EDITOR'S LETTER

With perfect timing for the glorious weather we're enjoying, Taste of London is back in Regent's Park. We spent yesterday judging this year's best dishes and our guide on what you should go for if you're heading that way is already up.

If you haven't got any annual leave pending, today's Test Drive of the lovely taverna Zylia shows that it's perfectly possible to feel like you're in Greece or Cyprus without stepping out of central London. And there are more Med vibes on the way as we bring you the scoop on what The Beaumont is planning next.

Catherine, Editor - Hot Dinners

HOT RIGHT NOW

The best dishes to try at Taste of London 2026 this week

This is our fifth year of judging the Best in Taste prize for Taste of London in Regent's Park. Last night we tasted 24 of the dishes on offer (yes, we did need a lie down after) to come up with this year's winners. Based on that, here's what we think are the top 10 must-have dishes at this year's event...

Check off this list

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THE WATER'S LOVELY

London has a new Champagne-inspired infinity pool experience

In partnership with Champagne Taittinger, Pan Pacific London’s infinity pool has been reimagined this summer as a Reims-inspired retreat, inspired by the Maison’s home in Champagne and bringing a taste of French elegance to the heart of the City.

Spa guests can enjoy elevated poolside service with flutes of chilled Champagne served from a dedicated roaming Taittinger trolley and an exclusive menu of luxury wellbeing treatments, all perfectly paired with a complimentary glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve.

Find out more

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Pearl will be The Beaumont's new restaurant, taking over Mayfair's Brown Hart Gardens

Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen is behind the hotel's brand new restaurant, which is part of the transformation of this Mayfair garden space.

Here's what's we know

KID in Soho sees ex-Mangal II chef Sertaç Dirik teaming up with OMA restaurateur David Carter

Mark this one down as one of autumn's hottest new openings.

A giant Jason Momoa Mimosa is being served up in London for the week of the Supergirl premiere

When only an entire bottle of Champagne in your mimosa will do.

Chinatown's viral mango sticky rice spot Imm-Aroy is expanding to Bloomsbury

The viral sensation hits Bloomsbury with its own standalone restaurant.

Lewisham's Model Market is coming back, with German Kraft Brewery in charge

It's been five years, but Lewisham's finest is finally coming back.

Mr Fogg's Market Tavern takes over The Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden, adding a Guinness Saloon

There will even be an ongoing counter showing how many pints of Guinness they've sold.

TEST DRIVE

Test Driving Zylia, where Greek and Cypriot cuisine come together

It's opened as part of Arcade Covent Garden, but Zylia is a separate mixed Greek and Cypriot taverna, co-run by an ex-Kiln head chef who also happens to be a co-owner of Singburi. We went down to see what it brings to the growing Greek (and Cypriot) scenes in London. 

Here's what it's like at Zylia

STIRRED NOT SHAKEN

Where to drink the best martinis in London

While we don't really need an excuse to order a martini, this Friday happens to be National Martini Day. So if that's got you in the mood for one, this is where you can find London's best.

Martini bar crawl

SPOTTED SOMETHING?

Noticed something restaurant or bar-related that we should know about?

Spotted a new restaurant about to open in your neighbourhood? Seen a celebrity dining out in London? Heard a piece of hospitality gossip you feel we ought to know about? Unburden yourself and tell us all about it.

Share the news...

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