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.

34 - 36 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE

Back in 1997 when Moro first opened, Exmouth Market was still a scruffy Clerkenwell street and this restaurant with its implausibly good looking bar staff and open kitchen was the second most exciting thing to happen to the area food-wise since The Eagle threw open its doors. Run by the marvellously-monikered Sam and Sam Clark, it's still turning out great food in a room that's packed every day of the week.

24 Clerkenwell Green, Farringdon, London EC1R 0NA

This restaurant has taken over an old Grade II courthouse in Clerkenwell making it one of the most beautiful dining rooms in London, particularly in the evening with its gas-powered lighting. The menu is a mix of British, French and Italian cooking.

3 Yeoman's Row, Chelsea, London SW3 2AL

Hawksmoor has grown considerably since they first started in Spitalfields - reaching here in Knightsbridge and beyond. At the subterranean Knightsbridge location, you can get all the best steaks and cocktails that they're known for - and some great seafood dishes too.

221 Well St, London E9 6RG

Shankey's is a great neighbourhood restaurant serving up a particularly interesting mix of Irish and Indian-influenced dishes and drinks. Irish-born Eoghan is the cocktail genius behind the Celtic-infused cocktail list while chef Sacha Henry is responsible for a mix of small and sharing plates of Indian food.

177 Morning Ln, London E9 6LH

Head to Morning Lane if you want to see what the lovechild of a Japanese izakaya and British seasonal restaurant looks like. With a charcoal grill being the focus of the kitchen here, there's plenty of great produce being served on sticks. Tables are communal so you'll probably leave having made new friends.

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.

159 Farringdon Rd, Farringdon, London EC1R 3AL

The Eagle in Clerkenwell is often credited as the first modern gastropub - with restaurant-quality food being served inside a pub. Many years down the line, it's still a reliable spot for a good meal, serving up a seasonal menu in a faintly ramshackle pub. The steak sandwiches are some of the best in town.

Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA

With the arrival of chef Shay Cooper, this most glamorous of hotel dining rooms now has a chef worthy of the frankly jaw-droppingly beautiful space. Since his arrival, Shay has refined the grill's menu. Expect an ultra seasonal offering focusing on the best suppliers around the British Isles with a few signature dishes like the Coronation crab salad.

32 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL

Moro has long been one of London foodie's favourite restaurants - think of this as Sam and Sam Clark's sibling tapas bar to the original - serving up super small plates with ice-cold glasses of fino.

4 Knightsbridge Green, London, UK SW1X 7QA

This is the main restaurant inside the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge. It's run by the same group that runs Scarpetta in New York (and a few more restaurants worldwide). Sette is an upscale Italian restaurant, taking in some influences (and signature dishes, like the frozen chocolate dessert) from its American cousins.

South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, London EC2M 2AF

With spectacular views from the 7th floor of the South Place Hotel, Angler presents Michelin-starred dining with a special focus on seafood. Enjoy a tasting menu, lunch or à la carte meals from the rooftop terrace, with the likes of sea bass tartare with oyster cream, green apple and shiso on offer.

Grand Union Canal, Sheldon Square, Central W2 6DS

Moored beside each other, this pair of barges on the canal at Paddington are hard to miss with their exterior painted by Sir Peter Blake. Their bottomless weekend brunches are particularly popular. For the menu, think Aussie-inspired dishes like tiramisu lamingtons and sweetcorn fritters with mashed avo. The nearby Bondi Green is also a good option from the same people.