London has no shortage of rooftops, but only a rare few can truly take your breath away not just with the city views but with the luxurious ambiance once you step inside. This Friday, West London gets its turn. CÉ LA VI – the world-renowned restaurant that’s crowned skylines from Singapore to Tokyo – is opening at Paddington Square. Perched across the 17th and 18th floors of Renzo Piano’s striking glass tower, it offers panoramic views stretching across the capital.

About CÉ LA VI

If you’ve travelled through Asia, chances are you’ve come across CÉ LA VI. In Singapore, it’s been part of the Marina Bay Sands skyline since 2010. It is as instantly recognisable as the infinity pool just a few steps away (really!).

Over the years, it’s become the place both tourists and locals head to for big nights out and luxury dining. The Singaporean setting specifically offers a multi-level experience with a SkyBar, Club Lounge, and rooftop restaurant. And, of course, breathtaking views of the city skyline. In 2025, it celebrated its 15th year with a full refresh, and it’s still to this day one of the city’s most popular rooftops.

From there, CÉ LA VI expanded to other cities. In 2019, Taipei welcomed its own 48-floor sky-high outpost at Breeze NanShan, where wraparound views make you feel like you’re dining among the clouds.

A few months later, Tokyo followed with a two-floor venue at Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, featuring open-air terraces overlooking the iconic Tokyo Tower. Early 2020 saw Dubai join the roster. The Dubai location is perched atop Address Sky View with a pool deck and sweeping vistas of the Burj Khalifa.

London is the first European city to join the line-up. Yet, across every CÉ LA VI location, three elements remain constant: breathtaking skyline views, Asian-inspired menus, and a vibrant, luxurious nightlife.

The restaurant, bar and lounge at CÉ LA VI London

CÉ LA VI London spreads up to two floors. On the 17th floor, the main restaurant, bar, and lounge form a single, open space filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows.

The central bar serves cocktails inspired by Asian flavours, including a Shiso Margarita and a chilli Paloma Caliente. It also offers rare wines and seasonal sakes, carefully selected by Savvas Symeonidis, one of the few officially recognised Sake Samurai in the world.

The 18th floor has a private dining room that accommodates 14 guests, offering the same uninterrupted views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. Next to it, a lounge bar hosts live DJs and curated performances, bringing the energy and entertainment that CÉ LA VI is known for.

So, what’s on the menu?

Entertainment is at the heart of CÉ LA VI, but that doesn’t mean that the food is overlooked. In fact, all courses carry the same sense of theatre and refinement.

The restaurant is led by Executive Chef Monchai Ling, who has led some of the world’s most renowned establishments. His CV includes Hakkasan, the internationally acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant known for its modern Cantonese cuisine. There’s also Raffles Singapore, the legendary luxury hotel celebrated for its fine dining and exceptional hospitality.

The menu at CÉ LA VI is a celebration of modern Asian flavours, focusing on fresh, high-quality ingredients. Sushi, sashimi, and tartares showcase the finest raw fish. Meanwhile, small plates like wagyu gyoza, braised beef bao buns, and shrimp tempura are perfect for sharing.

Starters and mains

Starters take familiar favourites and give them a modern twist. Think crab and lobster tacos finished with gochujang mayo, braised beef bao buns glazed with galbi, and shrimp tempura with mango mayo. Mains bring the most drama to the table, with dishes such as:

• Miso Chilean sea bass with green Szechuan chilli sauce
• Crispy red snapper with curry sauce and sweet potato
• Wagyu tenderloin with kombu butter
• Slow-braised short rib wraps with house kimchi
• Grilled octopus with spicy yellow pepper sauce, green apple, and gochujang glaze

Vegetarian options

While a modern Asian restaurant naturally leans heavily on seafood, vegetarians are still well catered for. The vegetarian dishes feel just as indulgent and luxurious as the rest of the menu. They include a black truffle “sushi rice” risotto with butternut squash and parmesan mousse, a cauliflower steak with mint and capsicum relish, and udon noodles with confit egg and mushrooms. There are also some other vegetarian options for starters and sushi as well as, naturally, desserts.

Over to dessert

Some restaurants have five-page menus for starters, mains, and sharers, while the dessert menu is so tiny you need a magnifying glass to see it. CÉ LA VI, however, knows how to finish the night in style – with an impressive selection of over 10 desserts. Each dessert is as playful as it is indulgent, celebrating traditional Asian flavours. Just a few highlights include:

• Matcha Flowing Cheesecake with Thai ice cream
• Kurogoma Churros with black sesame and miso caramel
• Pineapple Crème Brûlée with pineapple compote and coconut
• Mango Basil Tart with almond frangipane, mango mousse, basil compote, and coconut-basil sorbet

If you’re in a large group and can’t decide what to order (which is understandable given the tempting options) you can always go for the CÉ LA VI Dessert Platter, which features all the signature desserts for sharing.

Is CÉ LA VI London worth a visit?

CÉ LA VI is the kind of place that makes a night out feel truly special. The cocktails are inventive and inspired, perfect for sipping while taking in the views, and the food is a treat for anyone who enjoys Asian cuisine and loves trying new flavours. Even if you’re not there for dinner, the energy of the space – vibrant nightlife, live entertainment, and a truly elegant, opulent setting – makes it worth a visit on its own.

CÉ LA VI London opens on Friday 12 September 2025. It’s spread across the top two floors of 1 Paddington Square, London W2 1DL, and open daily from 12pm to 12am.

Reservations are now live at www.ldn.celavi.com, and you’ll find updates on Instagram at @celavi.london

See also our review of the Pot Luck Club in London, the launch of Shanghai Me, and a rooftop rosé for the summer.