9 Islington Green, London N1 2XH

Originally launched by Corbin and King, this is a revived Islington grand cafe which now offers a menu that's more of a traditional French brasserie. It's one of the largest restaurants in Angel and there's a very handy bar in here too.

115 Hemingford Rd, London, N1 1BZ

The Tamil Prince is a pub in Islington's Barnsbury area that has a big focus on South Asian cuisine. It's named after the chef, Prince Durairaj and the cooking has specific references to the cuisine of his home state of Tamil Nadu

37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR

At Roka it's all about the robata grill. Start with sushi or sashimi and work your way up through dishes like black cod to various yakitori sticks.

Fifth floor, 240 Regent Street, London W1B 3BR

This is the Japanese part of the Aqua complex at Regent Street, featuring a sushi bar and sumibiyaki charcoal grill as well as a terrace that looks down over Regent Street.

Old Barrack Yard, Belgravia, London SW1X 7NP

Right next door to The Berkeley is The Maybourne Group's all-suite hotel, The Emory. Their signature restaurant is another team-up with chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten (who's also at The Connaught) for a restaurant that combines the best of his ABC restaurants in America, including his renowned pea hummus.

4 Harriet Street, London SW1X 9JR

This high-end Italian restaurant has an impressive background, coming from the Antinori family, one of the most famous winemakers in Italy. The restaurant is focused on Tuscan cuisine, so as well as pasta, carpaccio and other dishes, you'll also find huge Florentine T Bones here. The design is a highlight, with a much more homely feel than typically upscale Italians, so it has a much more cosy vibe.

Arch 208, 18 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD

Aji Akokomi, the man behind Fitzrovia's Akoko, is behind Akara in Borough Yards—a West African restaurant where the menu centres around crispy akara fritters with diverse fillings. The drinks list also showcases West African-inspired cocktails (as well as an impressive scotch bonnet cordial) and it's all set within repurposed railway arches, with an impressive mezzanine private dining space too. Definitely order the akaras, but make sure to take in some of the excellent larger plates too.

12 Upper St Martins Lane, London WC2H 9FB

This is the original Dishoom, the self-styled Bombay cafe that propelled them to success (albeit now twice the size it was when it originally opened). Like all Dishoom restaurants, you'll find their excellent small plates, inspired by Indian street food, with certain specials like the bacon naans and the house black daal not to be missed. Also note that this Dishoom has one of their longest queues in the evening.

12-14 Basil Street, London SW3 1AJ

While it has a name that comes with perhaps unfortunate connotations in the UK, this high-end Japanese restaurant, which comes via the Middle East, has managed to find quite a following here. It mixes Japanese dining with a clubby feel, but there's also notable skill showing through in a menu that certainly has the odd nod to Nobu. They're also blessed with a rooftop area overlooking Knightsbridge.

The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL

Cedric Grolet is often described as the best pastry chef in the world and this is his London outpost (the first outside France). Here he's in charge of the main pattisserie at The Berkeley hotel where you can both have his pastries in the cafe or sit at the pattiserie counter for a cake and pastry tasting experience like no other.

4 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9FA

This is from the same people as the original Le Bab - but it's a restaurant of two halves. Upstairs you'll find their next-level kebabs which are inspired by and are paying homage to great kebab houses. And downstairs is the hidden counter dining restaurant Kebab queen. This is a different beast altogether, offering a kebab tasting menu like no other.

6 Park Street, London SE1 9AB

Kolae comes from Som Saa's Mark Dobbie and Andy Oliver in Borough Market and showcases a modern Thai grill concept. The three-story restaurant has a menu which features Southern Thailand-inspired dishes, like their Kolae chicken bamboo skewers, and it's well worth checking out the cocktail section and the well-thought-out wine list.

15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QG

Ave Mario is from the people behind Gloria and Circolo Poplare, and once again it's another hit for them. Expect no holds barred on the design and BIG food, like the enormous ice cream cake that they wheel about the room. Specialities here include a caviar section, massive cocktails and a veal milanese that's twice as big as your head. 

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA

Taking over The Mandarin Oriental's lower ground floor, this Japanese izakaya is a warren of opulently designed dining rooms and cocktail bars. Expect to try a range of top-drawer sushi and Japanese dishes with the focus firmly on the cocktail list.

36 Snowsfields, Bermondsey, London SE1 3SU

Trivet is a joint collaboration between chef Jonny Lake and master sommelier Isa Bal, both alumni of Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck. Here you can expect an informal take on fine dining with a truly epic wine list that covers the globe. The attached wine bar also serves the restaurant menu and it's open on Mondays (when the restaurant is closed) as Labombe serving special wines by the glass.

Arch 35b, Flat Iron Square, Union Street, London SE1 1TD

The people behind Bar Douro have used their Portuguese ancestry to bring the authentic tasted of Portugal to London. But it's not just about the food, there's an extensive selection of Portuguese wine too, all in a counter dining setting.

The Ivy, 1-5 West Street, London WC2H 9NQ

One of London's great, classic restaurants, the Ivy had a major revamp not too long ago. The changes brought in a new central bar area with plenty of counter dining spaces. The menu has a mix of classic Ivy dishes like the Shepherd's Pie and more contemporary fare.

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.

6 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TQ

Probably the London restaurant that's done more for this city's passion for pasta than any other opening, Padella comes from the Trullo stable and serves up freshly-made-each-day pasta. The only downside is the queue or waiting time for a table. Prepare to be patient.

109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ

London's OG department store rooftop space, the fifth floor at Harvey Nichols is an incredibly handy place to swing by for food as it comprises six restaurants and bars in one space. Underneath the glass roof and leading out to a lovely terrace is the Fifth Floor Cafe but you'll also find a branch of Burger & Lobster up here along with Zelman Meats, Madhu's Brasserie and two more bars.

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.

104 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3UB

José Pizarro has a small but select group of restaurants in London - this is his diminutive sherry and tapas joint. The menu changes daily and consists of simple sharing plates such as Razor Clams 'a la plancha' and the best Jamon Iberico. The decor mirrors the style and feel of Barcelona's Boqueria market.

85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB

Ollie Dabbous' Mayfair restaurant is a three-storey affair. The main restaurant used to be divided in two - but now serves the same menu throughout, including classics like his warm acorn cake. The cocktail bar, in the basement is well worth a visit and they're also known for great breakfasts.

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.

194 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ

Further along the same street as his popular tapas bar José, this is Jose Pizarro's more formal Spanish restaurant (in that you can book a table here). Expect bigger dishes with an emphasis on sharing and it's notably good forlarger groups.

87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL

Harrods Dining Hall introduced four new restaurants to overhaul the offering. Options include Sushi by Masa, featuring three-Michelin-starred Chef Masayoshi Takayama's creations. Kinoya Ramen, by Chef Neha Mishra, makes its UK debut with diverse ramen broths and izakaya dishes. Assembly Mezze & Skewers, by Greek Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis, offers mezze delights. Kerridge's Fish and Chips does just that, while Pasta Evangelists by Chef Giancarlo Perbellini elevates the pasta experience. Finally, The Grill, Harrods' own-label restaurant, showcases dry-aged beef.

12 Stoney St, Borough Market, London SE1 9AD

Elliot's has become a staple of Borough Market, sourcing its produce from the market for an ever-changing small-plates menu, with plenty of use of their wood-fired grill. A wine bar as much as a restaurant, it's one of the best places in the area to try natural wine, which the team has a real passion for.

88 St John Street, London EC1M 4EH

This Michelin-starred Clerkenwell restaurant is owned by Daniel Willis and Johnny Smith (ex-Clove Club). It's an Italian restaurant using British produce which is split between a more casual cafe at the front and formal dining in the restaurant at the back. It's also blessed with a beautiful courtyard.

10 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD

Rambutan is a Sri Lankan restaurant from chef, restaurateur and author Cynthia Shanmugalingam. The restaurant takes influence from both her family's cooking as well as her travels across Sri Lanka.