London Restaurants - Mayfair, Belgravia

27 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NQ

This restaurant is headed up by chef Larry Jayasekara, previously head chef at Petrus. It's set in an absolutely beautiful space, adorned with artwork throughout. It's a fine dining affair with much of the produce coming from the Rowler Estate in Northamptonshire. Expect intense attention to detail in the cooking and make sure to try one of their pies if they're on the menu. Also note, the same team is behind The Rex Delicatessen across the road, which is well worth a look.

38 Groom Place, Belgravia, London SW1X 7BA

This sees Tom Aikens running a much more intimate restaurant than he's previously been known for. Counter dining is the order of the day, so you can see the chefs properly in action. The menu is based around Aikens' life and experience. Expect a lot of attention to detail in the presentation.

231 Ebury Street, London SW1W 8UT

This longstanding French restaurant is a Belgravia institution, offering up a bit of rustic charm in the area for more than 50 years. A French bistro, it's a local favourite that goes big on classics like beef bourguignon, coq au vin and steak frites and has an excellent terrace for the summer months.

Royal Academy, Burlington Gardens, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD

José Pizarro is one of the best Spanish chefs in London today. Here, he's taken over two of the restaurants in the Royal Academy - their main restaurant in the Dorfman Senate Rooms and the Poster Bar downstairs. He's produced another excellent menu of tapas which will suit anyone after they've had a dose of culture at the RA.

Four seasons, Hamilton Pl, London W1J 7DR

This sees top French chef Yannick Alleno (who has many Michelin stars to his name) in charge of the main restaurant and bar at The Four Seasons on Park Lane. This iteration of the restaurant has a huge counter dining space where you can see the chefs putting the finishing touches to Alleno's haute cuisine up close. The bar space also features a separate menu of sushi and more snacks.

85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB

Josh Angus is the head chef at this Mayfair restaurant which is a three-storey affair. The main restaurant used to be divided in two - but now serves the same menu throughout, including classics like the must-have warm acorn cake. The cocktail bar, in the basement, is well worth a visit, while the restaurant is also known for being a popular power breakfast spot.

Flemings Mayfair, 7-12 Half Moon St, 7-12 Half Moon St, London W1J 7BH

The main restaurant inside the Flemings Mayfair hotel, Ormer is now run by Executive Chef Sofian Msetfi (previously at Adare Manor and The Hand and Flowers). It uses seasonal produce from the UK and also has its own kitchen garden in Essex. That's all used in a solely tasting menu experience (and they have vegetarian and vegan options too).

12 New Burlington Street, London W1S 3BH

This tiny restaurant - just nine people up at the dining counter and six in a private dining room - became a hit in London. The main chef returned to Tokyo, leaving his sushi apprentice turned head chef Marty Lau in charge. It's received recent notoriety for being one of Ed Sheeran's favourite restaurants in London.

6 Clarges Street, London W1J 8AE

This Mayfair restaurant is inspired by the legacy of the late and hugely influential French chef Joel Robuchon. Originally called Le Comptoir, it was renamed in honour of the chef's most famous restaurant. It takes influence from both Western and Eastern cooking, but if his famously buttery pommes puree are on the menu, they're not to be missed.

20 Arlington St, St. James's, London SW1A 1RJ

Taking over the site that was once Le Caprice, Jeremy King's Arlington is Le Caprice 2.0 in all but name. It's the restaurant that launched King's career and it launched his own restaurant group too. Expect a look that harkens back to the classic Le Caprice but shiny and up to date as well as some of the classic dishes from the original, like the iced berries in white chocolate sauce. It's a great place for a star-spot too.

45 Park Ln, London W1K 1PN

Already enjoying two Michelin stars at his Tokyo restaurant, chef Shinji Kanesaka created a stir with the opening of this incredibly luxe omakase restaurant at 45 Park Lane, not least because the set menu was a startling £420. Given that he's one of the finest traditional Edomae sushi masters in Japan that price probably isn't surprising. With just 13 seats the diners are getting an incredibly intimate experience here.

The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ

Brooklands is the rooftop restaurant at The Peninsula London run by the larger-than-life French chef Claude Bosi. The restaurant boasts a showstopper room with a Concorde replica on the ceiling, while the food aims for a journey across the British Isles using sustainably sourced ingredients. There's also a large terrace and an equally impressive cocktail bar with views across London.

2 St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4RP

Chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft met in the kitchens of Dinner by Heston and then teamed up with James Robson to come up with Fallow. They run big on sustainability, so they use interesting cuts and everything is super seasonal and focuses mainly on British and Irish produce. Fallow’s commitment to sustainability and seasonality extends to even growing its own mushrooms in-house - how’s that for food miles?

27 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4HZ

This high-end Itlaian restaurant comes from the same people behind Coya, Amazonico and Bar des Pres. It's taken southern Italy as the inspiration in a restaurant that's made of a warren of rooms and bars. The room with the retractable glass roof will be a hit on warm days, while their veal tomahawk Milanese is a must.

36 Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6DF

Paying homage to the grand brasseries of Paris and Lyon, Maison Francois quickly made a name for itself in St James when it opened in 2020. Downstairs there’s a huge wine cellar that’s a perfect private dining room and the basement bar, Frank’s, is a handy spot for a glass of wine post-work.

45 Jermyn St., London SW1 6DN

A popular St James haunt (and adjacent to Fortnums), this is always busy with a crowd that appreciates its super seasonal menu using the best of British produce. Enjoy the luxury of tableside service including a caviar trolley and the beef Wellington with sauce that’s flambeed right beside you.

150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR

One of London’s most opulent dining rooms, the food here by the well-respected executive chef John Williams MBE more than matches its surroundings. Here is a restaurant where you can expect a lot of synchronised dome lifting and exquisite service. For sheer theatricality, order the crepes Suzette, which are finished off in front of you.

4 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QU

Chef patron Ramael Scully is of Chinese, Indian, Balinese and Irish descent and these influences inspire his cooking. The restaurant is a particular lure for vegetarians who are attracted by dishes like the bbq tender-stem broccoli with salted egg yolk, onion chinkiang vinegar and wasabi pea furikake.

5 Princes St, London W1B 2LQ

Tendril had been running as a supper club and pop-up before finding its permanent home in Mayfair. Run by Rishim Sachdeva (previously at Chiltern Firehouse) , the restaurant's driving aim is to serve "mostly vegan" food (which means one or two dishes may feature cheese) with dishes based on Rishim's experience gained in both British and Indian kitchens.

Brook Street, London W1K 4HR

The main Claridge's restaurant has returned with a completely new look and a more classic menu. The restaurant has reinvented itself as a "classically inspired but contemporary British restaurant" that is shying away from celebrity chefs and concentrating on delivering a menu of elevated British and European classics. There's a small bar in here too, so if you just fancy trying some snacks, that's well worth a look.

1 Dover St, London W1S 4LD

Sheesh became a huge hit in Essex, attracting all manner of celebs from D-listers to A-listers like Russell Crowe. This sees them in much more prime territory - almost directly opposite The Ritz. Expect something of a party affair, a touch of Essex in London and a menu that does indeed feature "Sheesh" kebabs, but wagyu steaks and lobster rolls too. Don't expect it to be subtle.

55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX

The great fact to bandy about Wiltons is that it’s older than the United States of America (the restaurant first opened 280 years ago). Looking good for its age, this is a place to perch up at the counter for oysters or find a booth at the back for luxe but traditional treats like Lobster Thermidor or an epic mixed grill.

4 Suffolk Pl, London SW1Y 4HX

For maximalists rather than minimalists this Italian restaurant took over a former bank just off Pall Mall, so expect acres of marble and gilt. In addition to the restaurant and bar, there’s also a walk-in wine cellar, whisky room and private dining room - it’s definitely a dress-up place for a special occasion.

1 Norris St, London SW1Y 4RJ

Finding well-priced restaurant options in St James can be a bit tricky but this Italian pizzeria is always a good bet. The USP here is that they use Mediterranean seawater in the pizza dough - that may sound gimmicky but the proof is in the eating and the pizzas are really good.

8 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5NG

Described by top chef Pierre Koffmann as “a restaurant of low-key excellence, serving some of the best food in the city” Wild Honey St James has seen chef Anthony Demetre turn this hotel restaurant into a genuine gastronomic destination. There’s a particularly good value set lunch option but if you can stay for longer, do order whatever seasonal iteration of the crisp Sutton Hoo chicken with pasta is on the menu.

73 St. James's Street, London SW1A 1PH

This longstanding restaurant moved from its original Chelsea location to St James in 2015. Here in its new home, it attracts a regular clientele of VIPs. The menu roams every region of India’s culinary landscape from Tandoori Sea Bass Amritsari to Goa Green Chicken Curry.

160 Picadilly, London W1J 9EB

Situated in a former car showroom, this Viennese style cafe is now a bona fide celebrity magnet where financiers rub shoulders with stars of the stage and screen. Breakfast is probably the hottest ticket here but they also do a very nice afternoon tea too.

12 St George's Street, London W1S 2FB

Coming from the same group that opened Sumi and Endo at the Rotunda, this is a wood fire concept in Mayfair. The open kitchen is dominated with a huge wood grill, with the counter right in front of that being the place to be. The menu features dishes cooked over fire using a number of methods and even some of the cocktails are set on fire.

36 Albemarle St, London W1S 4JE

Chef Takuya Watanabe left Paris for London to open Taku and it's paid off in style. His Mayfair omakase restaurant has just 16 seats with chef Taku serving up a regularly changing menu based on the best produce available.

198-200 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EZ

Notto sees top chef Phil Howard opening a fresh pasta restaurant on Piccadilly. More affordable than his previous restaurants, like Elystan Street, you can expect an Italian menu (and Italian cocktails) and his own takes on pasta, created together with chef Louis Korovilas.