24th October 2025
Remember, remember, the fifth of November - but also, remember SPHERE's picks of the most iconic open-fire restaurants in London...
Being British means clinging to those rare occasions when we can come together to celebrate something that happened centuries ago - even if no one quite remembers why (good thing we have a saying to make sure we do).
Bonfire night is certainly one of those traditions, so to help celebrate the occasion, we've rounded-up London’s best open-fire restaurants in London to keep the spirit alive — no sparklers necessary.
With Brat there’s no extra fuss, the grandeur is spoken for by the exquisite grilled dishes and comforting space. The menu is inviting to all foodies alike, from amateur to epicure - the dishes elevate the humble to the sublime. And certainly not a new rodeo for Tomos Parry, the renowned Welsh chef champions slow cooking and makes it difficult to understand why there would be any other way to make food.
Simplicity lays at the heart of the everything, from the stripped-down space and open kitchen to the quintessential dishes, Brat captures the quiet brilliance we often miss when chasing complexity over clarity. So, before the sky steals the show, let Tomos Parry’s Brat do the talking.
To experience one of London's best open-fire restaurants, book at bratrestaurant.co.uk
Another Notting Hill delight, Caia will be sure to set the mood for bonfire night - or perhaps make you forget about it altogether. Upstairs, the open-fire grill casts a glow over the luxe decor, while fuel is added to the fire in the basement, where DJs spin vinyl until the early hours.
Recently welcoming esteemed chef John Javier, this West London spot opens a new chapter and invites diners to experience a menu as bold and vibrant as the neighbourhood itself.
So, expect plates that impress and Rockstar Old Fashioned’s, and try to remember the fireworks because why settle when you can have the whole show?
Make a reservation at caia.london
That idea about cult leaders drawing people in with exactly what they want, and what they didn’t even know they were missing? Acme Fire Cult serves it on a platter. Smoky, indulgent dishes, from charred vegetable plates and wild mushroom dips to their signature flame-grilled meats, and elevated takes on classic cocktails, like their green margarita or fig leaf highball, make every bite and sip one worth remembering.
Acme Fire Cult offer a whole new appreciation to open-fire cooking by also informing the space to embody the same character. Rustic and immediately comforting, this Dalston spot feels like a hidden retreat. Not to mention, just a 15-minute drive away from the Alexandra Palace Fireworks, one of the city’s best bonfire night celebrations.
To get a taster of Acme Fire Cult, book at acmefirecult.com
Standing the test of capricious London restaurant culture, from the second Dorian landed in the busy streets of Notting Hill it was clear that it was here to stay. Named as one of ‘The Best Wood-Fired Cooking in London’ in the Michelin-Guide, and reaping the award of a Michelin star in less than two years of opening, this spot has certainly earned bragging rights.
The open kitchen makes you feel part of the project and the dishes are elevated takes on familiar favourites. Make sure to book in advance! This spot certainly has no problem attracting crowds.
Book at dorianrestaurant.com
Bonfire night is rooted in history, a celebration of sparks, and centuries-old ritual. In similar style, Ekstedt at the Yard is tied to its history, paying ode to ancient Swedish cooking techniques used by the indigenous Sámi people. Reimagined by chef patron, Niklas Ekstedt, dishes are grilled only exclusively by fire letting smoke and flame dictate flavour in the most elemental way.
Staying true to the spirit of the fifth of November, Ekstedt at the Yard is honouring the art of fire and flame with a one night only collaboration with Madrid’s acclaimed Smoked Room. Together, they’ll showcase the beauty of open-fire cooking through a meticulously crafted seven-course tasting menu. Find out more about the event at ekstedtattheyard.com.
Not to mention, exclusive experiences also include The Chef's Table, where seven guests witness the craft of open-fire cooking unfold and each course is part spectacle, part history lesson and entirely unforgettable.
Make a booking at Ekstedt at the Yard here.
Located in the courtyard of well-admired Five Points Brewery lays a hidden gem, From the Ashes that joins these other spots in reimagining what BBQ can be. With their signature smoky dishes, and nose-to-tail philosophy, the team proves once again that great flavour begins where the fire burns hottest.
Their meats are smoked and then grilled, following traditional Argentinian cooking techniques, meaning their dishes are tender and full-flavoured. And after serving festival-goers all summer long, the restaurant settles into the colder months with the same fiery spirit, swapping open fields for cosy corners and smoke-filled warmth. Certain to please on a night that celebrates all things flame related, this spot is exactly where your night should begin.
Enjoy a meal just as exciting as the night to come, make reservations at fromtheashesbbq.co.uk
A fan favourite of open-fire cooking, Smokestak is a place to get familiar with. Serving up BBQ plates the way we know and love, in all their grease and glory, it’s worth getting your hands messy for the beloved brisket bun or charred pork belly rib.
And just by looking at the interiors of this restaurant you can almost smell a deep rustic and smoky scent. There’s nothing more satisfying than when the place embodies the menu – just by glancing through the window we’re pretty sure you would figure out the style of dining. At the heart of their restaurant lies the smoker, sending off indulgent aromas and turning the room into a prelude to Bonfire Night itself.
Enjoy the delicacies of open-fire cooking and book at smokestak.co.uk
A restaurant named after the Spanish translation of Dovecote, (the houses built to shelter doves across the landscapes of Southern Spain and the Levant) The Palomar is as much about history as it is about cooking. With dishes inspired by the sun-soaked flavours from Southern Spain, North Africa, and the Levant, this spot will warm you up ahead of the chill of bonfire night.
Not to mention, the ingredients are locally sourced, while the bread is baked daily, and the seafood’s delivered every day from Cornish boats, ensuring that every bite is faultless and grounded. And with the space designed around the open kitchen that cooks with open-fire, you’ll be watching a spectacle before the fireworks even begin.
Immerse yourself in the experience of open-fire cooking, and make your reservation at thepalomar.co.uk
