Toklas

Toklas London sits just off the Strand, a chic, light-washed canteen and terrace carved into the modernist 180 The Strand complex—an address synonymous with the city’s creative vanguard. Owned by the team behind Frieze, Toklas blends contemporary art and Mediterranean restraint into a singular point of view. Think Wolfgang Tillmans on the walls, Ragna Bley’s color play, Thames glimpses from a coveted terrace seat, and a menu that prizes seasonal clarity over theatrics—an elevated, fashion-forward expression of London fine dining without the starch.

The Story & Heritage
Conceived by the Frieze founders, Toklas channels the sensibility of an art-world salon: rigorous taste, effortless cool, and a devotion to craft. Named in subtle homage to Alice B. Toklas, it embraces a European café ethos refined for London. The kitchen’s philosophy is elemental—flavor-forward dishes that celebrate producers and peak-season sourcing—while the room doubles as a living gallery, with rotating works and archival posters anchoring its identity. While not a Michelin star restaurant in London, Toklas has garnered acclaim from critics and design lovers alike for its distinctive blend of culture, cuisine, and community. It continues to evolve as a destination for creatives and discerning diners seeking refinement without pretense.

The Cuisine & Menu
Toklas’s Mediterranean menu is crisp and unfussy, built around market produce, immaculate seafood, and precise seasoning. Expect a focused à la carte that changes with the day’s catch and the market haul, alongside a smart prix fixe at lunch. Signatures include vibrant tomato bruschetta with fragrant olive oil, grilled octopus with chickpeas and lemon, and Dover sole with fennel and anchovy—clean, saline, unforgettable. Handmade pasta and charcoal-grilled fish feature prominently, with vegetables given equal star billing. The sourcing leans local and sustainable, with specialty producers across the UK and Europe. Dietary accommodations are thoughtfully handled, with vegetarian options and simple substitutions possible. Pricing is positioned squarely in fine dining, with the accessibility of a contemporary brasserie.

Experience & Atmosphere
The interior channels brutalist elegance: poured concrete, warm timber, graphic art, and that long, convivial bar backed by four decades of posters. Service is polished yet personable—knowledgeable, unhurried, and guided by a team that knows how to read the room. The wine program favors European terroirs and low-intervention producers, with a savvy sommelier team steering pairings from saline whites to mature reds. A spacious terrace—one of central London’s most desirable—offers an urban garden feel with glimpses of the Thames. Smart-casual dress suits the mood; reservations are recommended, especially for prime terrace seating and weekends. Private dining is available for intimate art-tinged gatherings.

Closing & Call-to-Action
Choose Toklas London for a cultured, modern take on Mediterranean cuisine framed by contemporary art and superb hospitality. Book two to three weeks ahead for terrace dining or peak evening slots; midweek lunches offer easier access. For a quintessential experience, request the terrace at sunset and let the sommelier craft a seafood-led pairing—Toklas at its most alluring.