Every October, the Frieze contemporary art fair comes to The Regent’s Park in Central London, bringing thousands to the capital to browse, admire, and, if you’re able, purchase art from the world’s most exciting living artists. Handily, the central location is ideal for discovering the city’s best restaurants offering art on a plate. So if you’re wondering where to eat near Frieze, take a look at our guide to the best restaurants within a mile or so of the event.
Photo by Linda Nylind. Courtesy Frieze/Linda Nylind
Café Deco
‘Casual’ is the first impression on entering chef Anna Tobias’ dinky restaurant in Bloomsbury. Once the first dish arrives, however, you’ll realise that this is some of the most accomplished modern European cooking in the city and all the talking is done on the plate. The chalkboard menu changes daily, and if the October weather is kind, you can enjoy your meal al fresco, a pleasure in this storied part of London.
Carousel
Carousel in Fitzrovia is so-called because of its rotating line-up of guest chefs, which has included the likes of Jeremy Chan, Fadi Kattan and Pam Brunton among hundreds of others over the years. Unfortunately, there is no guest chef planned during Frieze 2025, but you can always find something delicious at Carousel’s wine bar, which offers seasonal small plates and minimal intervention wines, with a prix fixe available at lunchtime.
Cinder
With locations in Belsize Park and, nearest to Frieze, St John’s Wood, chef Jake Finn’s live fire bistro is an understated delight. Expect smoky flavours and rich umami throughout, with vegetables becoming almost operatic in flavour after the application of flame. The cinder block salmon served with pickled cucumbers and shallot has become the restaurant’s signature and rightly so, but the spicy crab doughnut with a prawn glaze and kombu is one of London’s best and most decadent dishes.
Chishuru
Chef Joke Bakare’s modern West African restaurant started life as a pop-up at Brixton market before the move to foodie Fitzrovia. There’s advanced technique underpinning everything at Chishuru, with dishes such as a stunning hot pepper soup, jollof and delicious hogget with green pepper and irú stew. Michelin agrees, awarding it a star in 2024. With a reasonable set lunch menu available, it’s one of London’s most affordable Michelin-star restaurants.
Kol
Chef Santiago Lastra’s Kol was the first Mexican restaurant in the UK to win a Michelin star, which it retains, and set the bar for ‘fun dining’ in the capital – relaxed service and a rambunctious atmosphere, but food with fine-dining chops and high-quality ingredients. Lastra elevates the cuisine of his homeland with famous dishes such as a langoustine taco and tamales. Head to the mezcaleria downstairs for a pre- or post-dinner drink and art chat.
Kudu
After a move to Marylebone after over seven years in Peckham, South London, chef Patrick Williams and Amy Corbin’s South African-inspired Kudu is now just a short hop for Frieze-goers. Kudu always excelled at food that seemed almost too good for a neighbourhood restaurant; now it’s swapped to a neighbourhood of bigger hitters. Expect smoky meat, fish and vegetables on the braai, and bread with a choice of melted butters that is unmissable
Roketsu
The art set naturally loves Japanese food. Luckily, one of London’s best Japanese restaurants is a short hop away in Marylebone. Roketsu serves traditional kaiseki, the multi-course, seasonal Japanese meal that inspired the tasting menu. Kaiseki is all about the quality of the produce and purity of flavour, with minimal fat and seasoning, so expect dishes that gently hold your hand rather than shouting in your face, like Cornish crab chawanmushi and lobster tempura.
Sabor
Nieves Barragán Mohacho’s first restaurant, on Heddon Street, in the heart of the West End, is a triumph in every sense. A seat at the bar on the ground floor, with more of a tapas vibe, is coveted, though this is pan-Spanish cooking at Michelin-star level, but the upstairs El Asador is just as buzzy and the place for big hunks of protein, like whole suckling pig and octopus. Wherever you’re seated, you’re guaranteed a good time.
