We love an open kitchen, especially when the restaurant that houses it – in this case, a classic, wallet-busting paradise tucked away in Soho – has two Michelin stars and a penchant for theatrical service. Dining at the eponymous French chef's London outpost, you realise why sitting at the bar right in front of the kitchen for a tasting menu in a restaurant of this calibre is, by a distance, the best seat in the house.
The buzz surrounding the Palomar shows no signs of abating, and once you've been, you'll understand exactly why that is. Its dishes – which are inspired by the food of modern-day Jerusalem – are so good, you'll want to reach into the kitchen and grab them all for yourself, which is actually achievable from the much-celebrated bar where you’ll be sitting to eat. Although if you do, you'll probably be thrown out.
You can watch the chefs preparing fruits de mer and seafood so fresh it's pretty much still moving from the mezzanine marble bar at Wright Brothers Spitalfields. This is the fourth restaurant from the mini-chain, and follows its winning formula of outstanding produce, simply prepared. Try to get there for the oyster happy hour which takes place at the bar from 3-9pm.
With food prepared under the guidance of Mikael Jonsson, the gourmet offering at this Soho wine bar is just as strong as the alcoholic one. Take a seat at the counter and nibble on mushroom croquettes, crispy pig head and pickled baby artichokes.
If your usual Vauxhall experience is waiting for a connection, there's a new reason to stick around: Counter, a brasserie under the railway arches where you can take a stool at the bar and graze on classic New York cuisine. Worth missing your train for.
Like this? Click here to read Victoria Stewart's piece on bar dining in London.
