Alta, London

Celebrated table

Alta

Discover Alta, a readers recommend live-fire restaurant in London serving shared Spanish plates and grilled cuts.

The story

Alta Brings Navarra-Inspired Spanish Cooking to London's Carnaby Street

Live-fire traditions and kitchen style

Alta introduces a Navarra-inspired approach to contemporary Spanish cooking at a lively corner of Carnaby Street. The open kitchen centres on a charcoal grill, where chefs apply direct flame to seasonal British produce. This method bridges heritage techniques with local harvests, earning a spot on the 2026 Good Food Guide Readers Recommend list. Diners frequently return for the shared platters designed around this hearthside workflow.

Grilled cuts, shared plates and the wine wall

The menu organises food into a loose procession of small plates and larger grill-based dishes meant for the table. Premium British cuts anchor the main offerings, including 35-day-aged bone in sirloin alongside substantial pork and lamb chops. Beverage service operates around a continuously rotating wall of wines, sherries, and cocktails kept on tap. This flexible structure keeps the Spanish culinary tradition accessible for both quick lunches and extended dinners.

Warm wood, low light and atmosphere

The ground floor dining space uses timber finishes and subdued lighting to soften the surrounding Carnaby Street noise. Guests can choose between standard tables near the active grill or counter seating along the perimeter. A lower level named Bar Alta extends the evening programme with pre-dinner drinks or post-meal conversations. The layout supports a relaxed Spanish dining rhythm that suits both solo visitors and larger parties.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
The Good Food Guide
Readers Recommend

Ambience

A glimpse inside

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Readers Recommend
Cuisines Spanish
Services Outdoor Seating, Private Chef, Private Parties, Table Service

History

On the record

2026
The Good Food Guide — Readers Recommend

A Basque-leaning, fire-kissed refuge from the commotion that is Carnaby Street, Alta cocoons with warm wood and low light yet with just enough bustle to remind you you’re still in Soho. The menu puts a contemporary Iberian imprint on premium British ingredients via a loose procession of snacks and small plates, with the larger and pricier grill-based dishes – 35-day-aged bone-in sirloin, pork or lamb chop – designed for sharing. Seated next to the open kitchen and grill, we had envisaged food with a rougher, rustic edge but everything we ate was elegant and masterful – among the best iterations of Spanish-inflected cooking we’ve seen, in fact. And it’s it's also one of those rare places that works equally well for a casual walk-in (counter or outdoor terrace) or a booked table with a group of friends. Whatever you do, don’t miss the smoked Cheddar doughnuts and make the most of the extensive wall of wines, sherries and cocktails.

Established

Location

Find us

9 Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, Soho, W1B 5PW
London, United Kingdom
020 4628 0116
hello@alta-restaurant.com
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Map showing Alta