The City

More French perfection from the Peter Prescott and Terence Conran partnership. There's a charcuterie counter, sushi bar, members club and private rooms. Head chef David Burke comes via Bibendum and Pont de la Tour. Oh, and Samuel Pepys was born here.

If location is all, then this river-facing restaurant has won the lottery. Making the most of its river frontage, High Timber is a high-end steak restaurant for city boys with a serious wine list, courtesy of owners Gary and Kathy Jordan who own the Jordan vineyard in Stellenbosch.

The City base for Vivek Singh's Cinnamon group of restaurants has been a staple of Devonshire Square for over a decade. They're serving up modern Indian cooking and there's a decent sized bar here too.

Barny Stoppard (son of playwright Tom) is deadly serious when it comes to fast food - food here is locally sourced and fresh rather than frozen. Burgers, sandwiches and salads go down well with credit-crunched bankers and there's a local delivery service.

The original Hawksmoor, and for many the best. Known as the group that transformed steaks in British restaurants forever for the better, this is a perfect place to come to for a meat-fest. And expect some cracking cocktails too - head to the bar downstairs for those and extra snacks not on the main menu.

Run by chef Pascal Aussignac, this Smithfield restaurant has been around for a couple of decades - an impressive feat in London - and has held a Michelin star for many of those years. So it's very much a London institution. The menu focuses on Gascon cuisine, so yes there is foie gras.