diverse metropolis with a bustling food scene, London has a lot of impressive restaurants and eateries to choose from.
From Michelin-starred eateries serving up British dishes to hidden gems offering globally influenced fare, it can sometimes be difficult to decide where to eat next.
To help you possibly narrow down your options, INSIDER asked some prominent chefs working in the US about where they would dine in London if they could only choose one place.
This chef said he chooses Dinner by Heston Blumenthal for a delicious and unique meal
The eatery also serves dessert. Yelp/Charisse S.
Chef Bogdan Danila of Bluebird NYC said Dinner is his top pick in this city. "They have the best historically British dishes in London," he told INSIDER. "Amazing experience every time."
Located in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Heston Blumenthal's restaurant is "inspired by historical British gastronomy," according to its website.
The eatery's main concept is historical dining with a modern twist and food historians have even played a role in the restaurant's recipe-development process. Plus, every dish on the menu lists a year of origin for its inspiration (there's "rice and flesh" circa 1390 and "buttered crab loaf" circa 1710, for instance).
For top-notch Indian food, this chef said Kricket is his go-to pick
There are plenty of places to find tasty Indian food in London but Chef John Currence of Big Bad Breakfast in Oxford, Mississippi, said he is especially a fan of Kricket. "Everything is a standout," said Currence of the eatery's menu.
The Soho spot (which started as a pop-up eatery housed in a shipping container) serves modern Indian recipes using British ingredients. Its menu is comprised of small plates that are ideal for sharing, which is perfect if you want to taste more than one dish.
St. John in Clerkenwell is a London staple that's not to be missed, one chef told INSIDER
The restaurant serves meat-centric dishes. TripAdvisor/MrsHBlack
"St. John is actually my favorite restaurant I've ever eaten at, not just in London," Chef Newman Miller of Star Hill Provisions at Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, told INSIDER.
St. John has been a notable feature of the London restaurant scene for 25 years and it serves meat-centric British fare. Located in a former smokehouse, St. John is known for its nose-to-tail approach to meat as well as its emphasis on seasonal ingredients.
Borough Market in Southwark is a must-visit spot for foodies, according to this chef
Chef Hana Pevny, owner and innkeeper of the Waldo Emerson Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine, said Borough Market is a great place to eat and she visits it every year.
Known for being the oldest food market in London, Borough Market has been in operation for over 1,000 years. It has dozens of vendors and food options for a variety of budgets — you can find everything from fresh produce and handcrafted confections to trendy street food.
One chef lauded Holborn Dining Room as a standout spot for traditional British fare
It has British dishes on its menu. Yelp/Holborn Dining Room
Located in the heart of London, this brasserie has a menu of European dishes, but it's distinctly British in more ways than one.
From its extensive gin bar to its dedicated Pie Room, this eatery offers a broad sampling of royal tastes, according to Chef Giovanni Rocchio of Valentino Cucina Italiana and One Door East in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"Holborn Dining Room is a must if you're looking for a fantastic beef wellington. On 'Welly Wednesday' they serve an incredibly flavorful beef wellington that melts in your mouth. It's one of my favorite dishes in London," Rocchio told INSIDER.
One chef said Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road is a must-visit place
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay has a few menus. TripAdvisor
Before he became a US reality TV star, Gordon Ramsay earned his crown as a respected restaurateur in the UK. And Kevin Adey, owner of and chef at Brooklyn's General Deb's and Michelin-starred Faro, told INSIDER that Ramsay's first solo restaurant is still one of his greatest hits.
"Gordon Ramsay has three Michelin stars," Adey said. "Aside from all the angry US hype shows, he is a master of his craft and a living bridge between old-school and modern British cuisine."
The fine-dining establishment offers a menu full of expertly crafted meat and fish dishes, vegetarian meals, and a rotating seasonal prix fixe.
For Vietnamese food, this chef said he recommends Bánh Bánh
The eatery serves a variety of dishes. TripAdvisor/John B
Jimmy Ly, owner of Madame Vo and Madame Vo BBQ in NYC said the Peckham location of Bánh Bánh is a great pick.
"[It is] a family-run Vietnamese restaurant that highlights home-style recipes with fresh ingredients and an elevated touch," Ly told INSIDER.
Its menu is made up of classic Vietnamese dishes and a cocktail selection that features house-made bitters and liqueurs.