Cinder

Cinder brings a flame-kissed swagger to St Johns Wood, a contemporary neighbourhood haunt where chef-owner Jake Finn steers a fire-led Mediterranean and European kitchen. The Josper oven is the quiet star, lending char, smoke and seasonality to dishes that feel familiar yet thrillingly new.

Plates arrive with a sense of theatre and restraint. A spicy crab donut glossed with prawn glaze and kombu crack balances sweetness and heat; burnt leeks with pecorino and hazelnuts turn humble veg into something sultry. Handmade pappardelle dressed cacio e pepe-style with truffle emulsion is silk on the tongue, while cedar plank salmon, bright with pickled cucumber and shallots, nods to the grill’s elemental heart. Triple cooked potatoes dusted with black lime salt and a comforting pumpkin miso gratin complete the picture without stealing the scene.

The room hums with the glow of the open kitchen, combining relaxed ease with polished edges; outside, a heated terrace keeps conversations warm long after dusk. Tucked away, a speakeasy-style private dining room adds intrigue, while a thoughtful wine list and signature pours like the Cinder margarita and the smoked negroni keep spirits high.

Celebrated by the Good Food Guide among the 100 Best Local Restaurants, Cinder is a place to share, linger and return to. Book in, follow the ember trail, and let the flames do the flirting.