British cuisine isn’t easy to pin down. It’s as much about feeling as it is about flavour. But when it’s done right, with care, curiosity and a little creativity, it’s a joy. Right now, there’s never been a better moment to taste what these islands have to offer. Across London restaurants, chefs are turning to our farms, fields and coastlines for inspiration, creating menus that feel both fresh and familiar.
DISCOVERING THE BEST BRITISH RESTAURANT & BAR IN LONDON: NESSA SOHO
THE STATE OF THE PLATE
Once the butt of a culinary joke, British food is having its moment, and rightly so. What started as a quiet revolution in kitchens has become something worth celebrating. From schools of cookery to a new wave of TV chefs and a pantry stocked with better produce, the transformation has been remarkable.
That adventurous, anything’s possible attitude has fed into the way we eat out, too. Our national menus have evolved into something elegant and unpretentious – a patchwork of influences that still feels distinctly ours.
DINING IN, THE BRITISH WAY
Take your pick. From formal dining rooms with a roast worth dressing up for, to casual neighbourhood spots with just-baked soda bread and seasonal butter. There’s room for a proper Sunday roast, a playful riff on a pub pie, or something grilled over fire and served straight-up. We’re still fond of our favourites, but today’s chefs aren’t afraid to stir things up.
If you’re on the hunt for the best British restaurant and bar in London, you’ll be looking for more than just a good plate of food. You want atmosphere. A sense of occasion (or lack thereof). A setting that works whether you’re marking a milestone or gathering just because. Whether it’s a quiet supper or a group gathering, it should feel like the kind of place you want to linger.
WHY NESSA SOHO IS THE ONE
Tucked in Soho on the corner of Brewer and Warwick Streets, Nessa is a British restaurant and bar that wears its heart on its plate. Led by Tom Cenci, our kitchen brings a contemporary touch to timeless dishes, with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients sourced right here in the UK.
We’re not about pomp. We’re about flavour. Unfussy, expressive food that draws from tradition without getting stuck in it. From modern takes on the classics to small bar snacks with a side of nostalgia, every dish is served with care and a spark of creativity. But food is just the start.
Nessa is named after Vanessa “Nessa” Bell – artist, rebel, sister of Virginia Woolf – and the space pays homage to the Nessa British Restaurant spirit she might have appreciated: a little unruly, always inviting, quietly confident. On Thursdays, that spirit lives on in our Salon of the Unruly, a weekly gathering of artists, musicians and mischief-makers, open to all and best enjoyed with a drink in hand.
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Whether it’s a breakfast meeting, a long lunch or a late dinner, we’re here for it. Tables for up to eight can be booked online, while larger groups can opt for the feasting menu, a curated spread of signatures from Tom Cenci’s kitchen.
Our bar is open all day, from morning pick-me-ups to nightcaps worth writing home about. Try the Boho Negroni, the Abstract 19, or whatever our bartenders are pouring this week. Pull up a chair at the horseshoe bar, claim a banquette, or take a seat outside and watch the Soho stories unfold.
Feeling peckish? The bar snacks are familiar favourites, reimagined — small plates, big character.
Take a look around. Make your booking today.
