City AM crowns the capital’s best at Toast the City Awards 2025
London’s Square Mile played host to a celebration of culinary and cultural excellence last night at City AM’s inaugural Toast the City Awards 2025.
Supported by five Business Improvement Districts, the Eastern City, Culture Mile BID, Aldgate Connect, Cheapside and Fleet Street Quarter, Toast the City awards was the first ever ceremony celebrating Square Mile culture. It highlighted some of London’s most innovative restaurants, bars and cultural projects.
Event sponsors included AON and nationwide drinks distributor Matthew Clark with brands such as Menabrea lager, Woodford Reserve whiskey, Gin Mare, Fitz English sparkling wine and Quinta da Pedra Alta wines.
The judging panel included restaurateurs, editors, influencers and hospitality leaders, from Michelin-starred chefs to wine columnists.
Held at The Steel Yard, the event gathered nominees, judges and guests in a venue known for its industrial atmosphere and restored Victorian arches.
Over 30,000 readers cast their votes after a shortlist was unveiled in September, with the winners revealed live during the evening’s proceedings.
Finalists were announced in early autumn following a nomination period from May to July and winners were decided through a mix of public votes and judging panel deliberation.
The event concluded with one voter winning lunch for four at the City Restaurant of the Year.
Here are all the shortlisted nominees from this year’s Toast the City awards, and the winners from each category are highlighted in bold.
City AM’s Toast the City Awards winners
Best Restaurant
Bob Bob Ricard City
Luma Omakase
Ibai
Angler South Place Hotel
Club Gascon
Hispania
Brigadiers
Sweetings
COYA City
Leydi at Hyde Hotel
Galvin La Chappelle – Winner
Cinnamon City
Best Breakfast
The Wolseley City – Winner
Millie’s Lounge (The Ned)
1 Lombard Street
Fortnum and Mason Bar & Restaurant
Where’s Fred’s
Yolk
Birley Sandwiches
Nora’s Cafe
Smithfield Cafe
Piccolo Bar
Best Bar
Wagtail
City Social
Fortnum & Mason’s Bar
The Libertine
The Nickel Bar (The Ned)
Devonshire Terrace
Jin Bo Law Skybar
Humble Grape – Winner
El Vino Fleet Street
Fox Wine Wines
Best Boozer
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
The Rising Sun – Winner
Ye Olde Watling
The Golden Fleece
The Jamaica Wine House
Bunch of Grapes
The Crutched Friar
Hoop & Grapes
Aldgate Tap
Old Dr Butler’s Head
Best Cultural Experience
Barbican Theatre
Barbican Conservatory
Wilton’s Music Hall
Whitechapel Gallery
St Dunstan in the West
Sculpture in the City
The Monument
St Paul’s Cathedral – Winner
Best Family Experience
Dr Johnson’s House
Puttshack (Bank)
St Paul’s Cathedral
F1 Arcade
The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience – Winner
Guildhall Art Gallery & Roman Amphitheatre
Sculpture in the City
Sky Garden
Best Hidden Gem
Bridewell Theatre – Winner
Black Lacquer
Middle Temple Gardens
St Bartholomew the Great Church
The Gilt of Cain public art at Fen Court
Discount Suit Company
Satyrio
Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral
Best Roof Terrace
Madison
Coq d’Argent – Winner
The Culpeper
Jin Bo Law Skybar
Wagtail London
Savage Garden
Angler
Sabine Rooftop
Best Sandwich
Banh Mi Keu Deli City
Halfcup
Sandwich Sandwich
Porterford Butchers
Birleys
Dilieto
Piccolo Bar – Winner
Dauns
Best Team Experience
F1 Arcade – Winner
The Pasta Academy by Pasta Evangelists
Clays
Axeperience Axe Throwing
Boom Battle Bar Aldgate
Tee Box, Leadenhall
Lucky Voice
The Bowls Club
Best Green Space
Finsbury Circus Gardens – Winner
Postman’s Park
Festival Gardens
Devonshire Square
St Andrew’s Church Holborn Gardens
Inner Temple Gardens
St Dunstan off Great Tower Street
Seething Lane Gardens
Best Fitness Experience
Third Space City – Winner
BXR
Barry’s Bootcamp
Psycle
Foundry Gym Aldgate
City Bouldering
Best Late Night Venue
Duck & Waffle – Winner
Coq d’Argent
Barbican Club Nights
Polo Bar
Black Lacquer
The Steel Yard
Best Overnight Stay
The Ned
Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge – Winner
Pan Pacific London
South Place Hotel
Tower Suites by Blue Orchid
Hyde London City
Best Members Experience
The Ned – Winner
The Walbrook Club
Eight Club Bank
Eight Club Moorgate
Ten Trinity Square
Bluebird Club
Best Coffee
Senzo City
ZeroToOne Coffee
Rosslyn Coffee
Coffee Curators
Flow Coffee, Blackfriars
The Crypt Cafe, St Paul’s Cathedral
Lazy Coffee – Winner
Roasting Plant Coffee City
Best Casual Dining
Barbie Green
Banh Mi Keu Deli City
Paternoster Chophouse
14 Hills
The Jugged Hare – Winner
BAO City
Xian BianBiang Noodles
Love Dumplings Legend
“These awards show what a force the Square Mile has become in the world of hospitality and placemaking,” said Head Judge Steve Dinneen, City AM’s Life&Style editor. “I’m not sure the event could have happened ten tears ago but it was brilliant to see so many creative and driven people in the room. We think Toast the City will become an important date in the City’s annual calendar and I can’t wait to see who gets nominated next year!”
“The quality of entrants was incredible,” said judge Martin Williams, CEO of restaurant group Evolv. “Each category was packed with businesses that showed real drive, determination and creativity. There were some tough decisions to make as a judge and I was of course delighted to see Coq d’Argent take home an award for Best Roof Terrace.”
Fellow judge Yasmin Jaunbocus said: “These awards show how much the City has changed over the last decade. It was so hard to pick a winner – every shortlisted business had a real argument for being the best. Massive congratulations to Galvin La Chapelle for taking home the Best Restaurant award and The Jugged Hare for winning Best Casual Dining.”
Libby Brodie and Matthew Jukes
