Shoreditch, Clerkenwell

92–94 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3EA

The Quality Chop House, which has been open since 1869, is still enjoying success under its current owners Will Lander and Daniel Morgenthau. Menus are created in the morning based on what's been delivered. Come to the restaurant for the very best of British cooking and don't forget to have the legendary confit potatoes. Quality Wines is their corner cafe/restaurant with a separate but equally great menu.

26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY

Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver's renowned restaurant has for decades been many critics' favourite place in London. This is their flagship restaurant and its focus on "nose to tail" eating makes it a must-visit for anyone looking for the very best in modern British cooking. The bar here is also very good, so even if you're not dining, stopping by for a glass of one of the St John wines and a snack is highly recommended.

152 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AT

This Ukrainian restaurant in Shoreditch takes Southern Ukraine as its inspiration and is led by restaurateurs who have multiple restaurants in that country. Expect a modern take on the cuisine, with dishes like mushrooms on a grapevine twig and with portions on the generous side. Look out for the hidden garden at the back, a great place to be during the warmer months.

1 Club Row, London E1 6JX

This is the restaurant above The Knave of Clubs pub and while it's run by the same people, it's a very different beast. Trying to bring over a bit of NYC vibe to London, it's also been referred to as The Devonshire of East London. Vibe-wise, it's certainly similar (getting a table can be tricky) while the food from Patrick Powell features some excellent dishes like his moules frites and schitzel with gorgonzola. Very usefully, there's a "walk-in places available" light if you're passing by and fancy some snacks and one of their excellent martinis.