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Restaurants in Aldgate

• Bevis Marks The Restaurant

  Bevis Marks The Restaurant is the new face of kosher cooking in the City of London, a stylish contemporary kosher restaurant adjacent to the eponymous synagogue.

  Bevis Marks, Aldgate, Central London - Cuisine: Traditional Jewish

• Haz Restaurant

  City workers descend on Haz, a swish Turkish restaurant opposite Cutler Gardens for its authentic food and boisterous animated atmosphere.

  9 Cutler Street, Aldgate, Central London - Cuisine: Turkish

• Kasturi

  Tucked away in the depths of Aldgate's cityscapes, Kasturi Indian Restaurant is a particular favourite with the suited brigade at lunchtime, and it puts on a stylish show with its modern design and Art Deco flourishes.

  57 Aldgate High Street, Aldgate, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill

  A new collaboration between Marco Pierre White and his old chum James Robertson, the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill in Aldgate comes in on the back of Lanes - a buzzy lunchtime destination and after-work crowd-puller, as well as a destination dining room.

  109 - 117 Middlesex Street, Aldgate, Central London - Cuisine: British

Restaurants in Aldwych

• Axis at One Aldwych

  The Axis Restaurant has its own entrance on Aldwych and is located in the basement at One Aldwych, a double-height space that was recently redesigned as part of a radical refurbishment programme, and it now boasts walls covered in mint-green, leather armchairs, and a row of 92 slender birch trunks finished with nickel as a backdrop.

  1 Aldwych, Aldwych, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Homage Grand Salon, The Waldorf Hilton

  The brainchild of flamboyant hospitality entrepreneur Roy Ackerman, Homage is an ambitious addition to the gold-star Waldorf Hilton (which celebrated its centenary in 2008).

  22 Aldwych, Aldwych, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Indigo Restaurant, One Aldwych

  The sister restaurant to Axis, Indigo Restaurant is a more casual but equally stylish spot on the mezzanine at One Aldwych, overlooking the buzz of the slick Lobby Bar of this ultra-chic contemporary hotel in the heart of Covent Garden.

  1 Aldwych, Aldwych, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Tom’s Kitchen

  Situated in the heart of Somerset House WC2R, located off the Strand, Tom's Kitchen Somerset House brasserie opened its doors on the 1st September 2010.

  Somerset House, Aldwych, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

Restaurants in Barbican

• Alba

  Taking its name from Alba's highly prized white truffles, this family-run Italian is discreetly tucked away in a back street almost within earshot of the Barbican (special set menus are tailored for the culture vultures).

  107 Whitecross Street, Barbican, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Le Cafe du Marche

  One small step from the City of London to the French countryside with rustic exposed brick walls, wooden floors, wicker chairs, authentic brasserie ambiance and background jazz music you're inside Le cafe du Marche.

  Charterhouse Mews, Barbican, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Morgan M

  Morgan Meunier's highly acclaimed Morgan M restaurant has relocated his Islington enterprise to the Barbican, opposite Smithfield Market. 'Only when a guest is touched by the spirit of my dishes have I succeeded,' claims chef Morgan Meunier, the man behind this aspiring restaurant where the cooking here has succeeded in making waves and garnering numerous accolades.

  50 Long Lane, Barbican, Central London - Cuisine: Modern French

• Searcy's Restaurant & Lounge Bar

  An ideal destination for culture vultures visiting the Barbican (look for the pre- and post-performance deals), Searcy's Restaurant & Bar has been given a facelift, and it now wows old-stagers and first-timers with its stunning new design.

  The Barbican Centre, Level 2, Barbican, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

Restaurants in Blackfriars

• Hilliard

  'The platonic ideal of a workers' caff, for City types and legal eagles,' observed one Guardian reviewer about this self-appointed 'gastrocafé' on a quiet road between Blackfriars and Temple.

  26A Tudor Street, Blackfriars, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Shaws Booksellers

  Shaws Booksellers is a gastro pub with character in the heart of London's financial district. Its location makes it handy for those working in the area, or, with its close proximity to St Pauls Catherdral, the Tate Modern, the Millenium Bridge and the Museum of London, a great stop off or evening out for visitors wanting to try some quality British pub food.

  31 - 34 St Andrew Hill, Blackfriars, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

Restaurants in Bloomsbury

• Abeno

  No-frills Japanese home cooking within walking distance of the British Museum is just the ticket – especially if you're weary after delving into the mysteries of the Land of the Rising Sun.

  47 Museum Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Japanese

• Busaba Eathai

  Set up by crown prince of oriental restaurants in London, Alan Yau's Busaba Eathai mini-chain has proved to be a huge hit with its authentic canteen-style Thai food.

  22 Store Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Thai

• Cigala

  Cigala is a wonderful Spanish restaurant on the relatively quiet and charming Lamb's Conduit Street, a popular area for small eateries and wine bars in residential Bloomsbury.

  54 Lambs Conduit Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish

• Creation Restaurant, Radisson Edwardian Kenilworth Hotel

  The Creation Restaurant is set in the Radisson Edwardian Kenilworth Hotel, located in a prime site a stone's throw from the British Museum and within easy reach of the West End shops, this luxurious modern hotel is a sleek retreat suffused with rich colours, fine artwork and designer furniture.

  97 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Lady Ottoline

  Scott Hunter and Maria Larsen, owners of the successful Princess of Shoreditch have opened their second venture, the Lady Ottoline in Bloomsbury.

  11a Northington Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Landseer British Kitchen, The Bloomsbury Hotel

  The Landseer British Kitchen is a modern informal restaurant set in The Bloomsbury Hotel on Great Russell Street. This majestic neo-Georgian building was designed by celebrated British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens during the 1930s and it has been sympathetically transformed into a deluxe hotel within easy reach of Covent Garden and the West End.

  16 - 22 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Malabar Junction

  The discreet Tardis-like frontage of Malabar Junction gives little idea of the stately delights inside this authentic Indian restaurant on Great Russell Street.

  107 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Oscar Bar & Restaurant, Charlotte Street Hotel

  The Oscar Restaurant and Bar is set in the elegant Charlotte Street Hotel, deep in media-land just north of Soho, this cool hotel has been cleverly designed with echoes of the 'Bloomsbury Group' in mind and lots of vivid original art by local artists of the period.

  15 Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel, Bloomsbury Street Bar and Restaurant

  Set amid fashionable Georgian squares and imposing university buildings close to the British Museum, the Bloomsbury Street Hotel offers top-flight West End facilities and easy access to London's tourist attractions.

  9 - 13 Bloomsbury Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Salaam Namaste

  Tucked away from the bustle of the City in the more rarefied atmosphere of Bloomsbury, Salaam Namaste is a charming little restaurant serving vibrant Indian cuisine.

  68 Millman Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• The Balfour

  Part of the Brunswick Centre development nestling between Coram's Fields and Russell Square, Balfour is that refreshing rarity in the West End - a genuine, independently run Italian restaurant dealing in honest seasonal food at far-from-rip off prices.

  75-77 Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• The Blue Door Bistro, The Montague on the Gardens

  The Blue Door Bistro is set in the Montague a luxurious Bloomsbury townhouse overlooking the private gardens of the Bedford Estate, this swanky boutique hotel is within easy reach of the British Museum and Covent Garden.

  15 Montague Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• The Court Restaurant

  To celebrate the millennium, the hidden courtyard at the heart of the historic British Museum was transformed into the Great Court, a two-acre public square enclosed by a spectacular glass roof.

  The British Museum, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: International

• The Norfolk Arms

  A serious gastro-transformation has taken place at the once-dilapidated Norfolk Arms, although its new owners have wisely preserved the building's original Victorian tiled frontage, plasterwork ceilings and Corinthian pillars.

  28 Leigh Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Trattoria Verdi

  Trattoria Verdi has been serving up traditional Italian food to an appreciative crowd since 1964 and it remains a great favourite with local business people and the throngs of tourists who regularly descend on Bloomsbury's hotel quarter.

  110 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Wagamama

  'Positive eating for positive living' is the message behind this group of Japanese noodle bars. Wagamama is now an international brand peddling the idea of lifestyle nutrition, with branches throughout London and the UK as well as franchises abroad.

  4a Streatham Street, Bloomsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Japanese

Restaurants in City

• 1 Lombard Street Brasserie

  A casual alternative to the fine dining experience in the main restaurant, the massive and cacophonous Brasserie stands in front of the former banking hall, where the magnificent domed skylights by Pietro Agostini allow natural light to flood in.

  1 Lombard Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern Eclectic

• Northbank

  Northbank with a splendid location at the foot of the Millennium Bridge, looking across the Thames from the City to Tate Modern and The Globe, is one of the assets of this newcomer (on the site of the defunct Just The Bridge).

  Millennium Bridge, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Pinchito Tapas

  Set up as an offshoot of Pintxo People in Brighton (now closed), this pint-sized hangout close to Old Street called Pinchito Tapas is essentially the ground-floor bar of old PP teleported to London EC1 - and it does the business.

  32 Featherstone Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish

• Soseki Restaurant

  Discreetly located in the shadow of The Gherkin tower, Soseki is a new venture from Caroline Bennett, founder of the groundbreaking Moshi Moshi sushi chain.

  1F Plaza, City, Central London - Cuisine: Japanese

• 1 Lombard Street Restaurant

  Opposite the Bank of England, 1 Lombard Street occupies a listed banking hall with spectacular Georgian trappings and a theme that has been inspired by and modelled on Titian's 'Rape of Europa'.

  1 Lombard Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• 1901 Restaurant

  The takeover of the Great Eastern Hotel by ANdAZ is finally complete with the re-opening of the opulent 1901 restaurant once known as Aurora.

  ANdAZ London, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Addendum Restaurant, Apex City of London Hotel

  The Addendum restaurant is located in the Apex Apex City of London Hotel a bright and prestigious new landmark close to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, within striking distance of the City's financial heartland.

  1 Seething Lane, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Barcelona Tapas Bar y Restaurante

  One of a quartet of highly popular tapas bars, the Bow Lane branch of Barcelona is an animated, family-friendly destination on two levels, with evocative Gaudi flourishes (including a crazy mosaic lizard over the Cava bar) adding a sunny edge to proceedings.

  13 Well Court, City, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish/Tapas

• Barcelona Tapas Bar y Restaurante

  Founded by Martin and David Dalmau in 1991, Barcelona began as a bargain basement on Bell Lane before moving to its current location.

  Beaufort House, City, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish/Tapas

• Barcelona Tapas Bar y Restaurante

  This branch of the Barcelona mini-chain is a well-liked, family-friendly destination done out in evocative Spanish style, with Gaudi flourishes (including a crazy mosaic lizard over the bar) adding a sunny edge to proceedings.

  24 Lime Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish/Tapas

• Boisdale of Bishopsgate

  Great for City lunches, Boisdale of Bishopsgate is a smart, clubby restaurant just opposite Liverpool Street station. The red brick and part-panelled interior offers cosy booth seating and well-spaced tables downstairs, with a traditional oyster bar for more informal dining on the ground floor.

  Swedeland Court, City, Central London - Cuisine: Scottish

• Bolton's

  A City Italian of the old school, in the business of providing lunches during the working week. The surroundings may seem conservative and the menu is hardly cutting-edge stuff, but it's sedately comfortable, service does its job and the place has its share of loyal devotees.

  Bolton House, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Bonds

  A Victorian banking hall in the financial heart of the City is the setting for Threadneedles, a 70-room boutique hotel with Bonds, a fine restaurant sporting an apt monetary moniker since it is just a few hundred yards from the Bank of England and The Royal Exchange.

  Threadneedles, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Brasserie Blanc

  Brasserie Blanc situated in the redevelopment of the former Stock Exchange on Threadneedle Street is the first addition to the chain of Raymond Blanc brasseries in the City of London.

  60 Threadneedle Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern French

• Bread Street Kitchen

  Bread Street Kitchen at the One New Change shopping and eating destination near St Paul's, is Gordon Ramsey's latest venture.

  10 Bread Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Café Below

  Café Below occupies the Norman crypt below Christopher Wren's famous St Mary-le-Bow edifice - famous for its Bow Bells. It's an ancient and highly atmospheric setting for honest vegetarian food without ethical compromises - and there's the bonus of eating outside, with tables arrayed on Bow Churchyard in good weather (one of the best kept al fresco secrets in the City).

  St Mary le Bow Church, City, Central London - Cuisine: Vegetarian

• Caravaggio

  Opened in style by the late, great Luciano Pavarotti, Caravaggio occupies an extravagantly redesigned former bank on Leadenhall Street, close to Lloyd's.

  107 - 112 Leadenhall Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Carnevale Restaurant

  Hidden away on the fringes of the City, Carnevale is a charming find for vegetarians and carnivores alike. This friendly little restaurant served an imaginative Mediterranean-inspired menu, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available.

  135 Whitecross Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Vegetarian

• Catch & Champagne Bar

  Following the takeover of the old Great Eastern Hotel by the Hyatt Group and its re-launch as ANdAZ London, what was the Fishmarket restaurant is now called Catch - although its business is much as before.

  ANdAZ London, City, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

• Chamberlain's Restaurant

  Chamberlain's Restaurant provides one of the finest fish dining experiences in London. The atmosphere is relaxed with bright contemporary surroundings and there are several environments to choose from, the Basement, Ground and First Floor and an alfresco terrace area.

  23-25 Leadenhall Market, City, Central London - Cuisine: Fish

• Cinnamon Kitchen

  Following the success of Westminster fine-dining big-hitter The Cinnamon Club, its owners have launched The Cinnamon Kitchen a hip new venue to bring some of its magic to the City.

  9 Devonshire Square, City, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Coq d'Argent

  Coq d'Argent is famed for its matchless, top-of-the-world roof garden, which has glorious panoramic views over the Square Mile and the City skyline, this outpost of the Conran restaurant empire (now D&D London) is a great favourite with the suited brigade.

  1 Poultry, City, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Devonshire Terrace

  Devonshire Terrace is a new venture from the team behind the renowned Admiral Codrington gastropub in Chelsea, this gargantuan 250-seater restaurant occupies a vast six-storey atrium near Liverpool Street station and spreads itself over four private dining rooms (each with its own balcony), as well as a bar and restaurant.

  Building 9, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Eastway

  Serving the needs of the breakfast brigade, business lunchers and after-work drinkers, Eastway (formerly Terminus Bar & Grill) hums from morning to night with its procession of breakfasts, brunch, afternoon teas and full meals.

  ANdAZ London, City, Central London - Cuisine: International

• Eyre Brothers

  David and Richard Eyre's eponymous restaurant grew out of their experience as founding fathers of the Eagle gastropub in Farringdon - although the Leonard Street premises is a much more grown-up, full-dress affair.

  70 Leonard Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish

• Gatti's

  Reassuringly old-fashioned, Gatti's on Finsbury Avenue nevertheless puts on an urbane, sophisticated face for City lunchers and those wanting something more intimate in the evening.

  1 Finsbury Avenue, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• George

  Part of the former Great Eastern Hotel complex (recently taken over by Hyatt Hotels as part of the ANdAZ brand), George is a traditional City boozer, a classic example of the repro 'Tudorbethan' style, with its oak-panelled walls and panelled ceilings; it's also one of the most glorious examples of architect Colonel R.

  ANdAZ London, City, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Goodman

  Just around the corner from the Bank of England on Old Jewry, Goodman specialises in steak and their chefs source the best beef from both sides of the Atlantic from USDA 'Prime' corn-fed herds to grass-fed Scottish beef, grain-fed Irish Angus and rare breed Belted Galloway from Devon to present a uniquely British interpretation of a New York grill.

  11 Old Jewry, City, Central London - Cuisine: Steak House

• Green Door Bar & Grill

  Occupying the site of the one-time Lay & Wheeler Wine Bar, the Green Door has rapidly set itself up as one of the prime destinations for bullish American food and grills in the neighbourhood around Bank.

  33 Cornhill, City, Central London - Cuisine: American

• Harry's Bar

  Tucked away in cobbled Abchurch Yard, Harry's Bar has been a fixture of Central London's dining scene for more than 20 years.

  5 Abchurch Yard, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Hawksmoor Guildhall

  Will Beckett and Huw Gott have opened their third critically acclaimed steakhouse restaurant Hawksmoor Guildhall in the heart of the city.

  10-12 Basinghall, City, Central London - Cuisine: Steak House

• Haz

  An up-and-coming destination for the City crowd, this new branch of Haz is gaining a name for its authentic Turkish food and boisterous animated atmosphere.

  6 Mincing Lane, City, Central London - Cuisine: Turkish

• High Timber

  High Timber is the only restaurant in the City of London with tables on the banks of the Thames, it is situated 100 yards from the north side of the Millennium Bridge, a brief walk from St Paul's Cathedral and the London Stock Exchange.

  8 High Timber Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Steak House

• Hokkien Chan

  Formerly Sri Siam City, Hokkien Chan a contemporary oriental eating house now has a new name, a new look and new menus.

  85 London Wall, City, Central London - Cuisine: Pan Asian

• Imperial City

  A stunning location in the 400-year-old vaults of the Royal Exchange building is just one reason why Imperial City is a premier destination for functions, weddings and corporate events: it can seat up to 200 people in grand, highly atmospheric surroundings.

  Royal Exchange Building, City, Central London - Cuisine: Chinese

• Kenza Restaurant & Lounge

  Kenza Restaurant & Lounge, 'full of Eastern promise' just about sums this newcomer in Devonshire Square and younger sister of Levant and Pasha.

  10 Devonshire Square, City, Central London - Cuisine: Middle Eastern

• L'Anima

  Francesco Mazzei has moved on from duties as the driving culinary force behind trendy St Alban to open his own swanky restaurant L'Anima in the borderlands between Shoreditch and the City.

  1 Snowden Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte

  in 1959, Paul Gineste de Saurs purchased an Italian restaurant called Le Relais de Venise in Paris with the aim of promoting his family's wines.

  5 Throgmorton Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Luc's Brasserie

  In a cosy first floor setting overlooking the wrought-iron splendour of Leadenhall Market, Luc's Brasserie is a welcoming Gallic haunt in the heart of slick east London.

  17 - 22 Leadenhall Market, City, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Malmaison

  Once a residence for nurses from St Bartholomew's Hospital, the London branch of the Malmaison hotel chain is an architecturally stunning building hidden away in a quiet cobbled courtyard off Charterhouse Square.

  18 - 21 Charterhouse Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Manicomio

  Following the success of their Chelsea restaurant, Manicomio's owners recently planted their feet in the City, and opened this outlet in a three-storey, Norman Foster-designed edifice in a side street near St Paul's cathedral.

  6 Gutter Lane, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Mint Leaf Lounge

  The Mint Leaf Lounge occupies a converted banking hall in the heart of the City, this is the livewire offshoot of the highly rated Mint Leaf in Haymarket.

  Angel Court, City, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Miyako

  Ultra-slick, with its floor-to-ceiling wood panels and chic table settings, Miyako represents Japan in the swish ANdAZ complex (formerly the Great Eastern Hotel, now re-branded by Hyatt Hotels).

  ANdAZ London, City, Central London - Cuisine: Japanese

• Moshi Moshi

  When Moshi Moshi opened high above Liverpool Street station in 1994, it was the first restaurant in the UK to serve authentic sushi from a conveyor belt or 'kaiten'.

  Unit 24, City, Central London - Cuisine: Japanese

• Pacific Oriental

  The move from Bishopsgate to Threadneedle Street for Pacific Oriental has done nothing to diminish the potent appeal of this vast Pan-Asian restaurant, which now ranks as one of the top restaurants of its kind in London.

  52 Threadneedle Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Pan Asian

• Prism Restaurant & Bar

  Prism Restaurant & Bar is the City restaurant outpost of Harvey Nichols's occupying the former London home of the Bank of New York on Leadenhall Street, a cavernous hall complete with massive Corinthian columns.

  147 Leadenhall Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Rajasthan

  A culinary taste of Mogul India is served by the chefs of Rajasthan where diners can enjoy a fantastic meal in an untraditional but beautiful restaurant.

  49 Monument Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Ravello

  Established in 1970, family-run Ravello has become a mainstay on the City dining scene, serving traditional Italian cuisine in evocative and intimate surroundings.

  46 - 48 Old Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Restaurant Sauterelle

  Part of the gastro-complex centred on The Royal Exchange, Restaurant Sauterelle occupies the mezzanine floor overlooking the bustling courtyard and The Grand Café & Bar.

  The Royal Exchange, City, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Rhodes Twenty Four

  Pass the security check-in and take the lift to the twenty-fourth floor of the old NatWest building (now Tower 42) if you want to sample Gary Rhodes' Michelin-starred cooking.

  Tower 42, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Royal Exchange Grand Café & Bar

  One of the City's great landmarks, originally built in 1565, the amazingly beautiful Royal Exchange (now a shopping mall) must rank as one of the most elegant spaces of its kind in the capital.

  The Courtyard, City, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

• Sway

  Eating, drinking and dancing hold the stage at Sway, a bar/club/restaurant in the upwardly mobile reaches of Holborn. The Grill Menu has an international flavour, kicking off with Thai fishcakes, duck spring rolls and deep-fried goats' cheese with red onion jam before progressing to char-grilled tuna niçoise, blackened Cajun chicken Caesar salad and roast rump of lamb with sweet garlic mash and crispy leeks.

  61 - 65 Great Queen Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Sweetings

  If you're searching for the best fish and seafood in the heart of the city, you'll be hard pushed to find a better place to go than Sweetings.

  39 Queen Victoria Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

• Taberna Etrusca

  An attractive courtyard makes this long-running City Italian Taberna Etrusca a favourite when the sun shines and tables here are at a premium.

  9 - 11 Bow Churchyard, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Terranostra

  Just a shout from the Old Bailey and a bell's toll from St Paul's Cathedral, Terranostra brings a taste of rustic Sardinia to the legal heart of the City.

  27 Old Bailey, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Thai Thai

  Situated just 300 metres from Old Street Underground station, Thai Thai has quickly become a firm favourite amongst Central London's curry connoisseurs.

  110 Old Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: Thai

• The Don

  The Don hides in a courtyard off St Swithin's Lane and once did duty as the HQ for Sandemans - hence the name, the caped silhouette on the hanging sign and the incomparable drinks list.

  The Courtyard, City, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• The Gaucho Grill City

  If you are in the mood for a really first class steak then head towards a Gaucho Grill; Gaucho, being a South American cowboy.

  1 Bell In Yard, City, Central London - Cuisine: South American

• The Hat and Tun

  This entrenched City boozer in the heart of Hatton Garden's jewellery quarter is the seventh member of Tom & Ed Martin's ever-growing pub stable.

  3 Hatton Wall, City, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• The Mercer Restaurant & Bar

  What was the wild and wacky Ballroom Bar on Threadneedle Street has been transformed into The Mercer Restaurant & Bar, a swish-looking destination for local City and media types, who pack the place for power lunches, post-work cocktails and evening get-togethers.

  34 Threadneedle Street, City, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Tiffinbites

  The St Paul's branch of Tiffinbites and Tiffinbites believe the only true way to eat Indian cuisine is to eat it the correct way - the way it has been prepared and served for centuries.

  23 Russia Row, City, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Vanilla Black

  Having outgrown his pint-sized premises in York, Andrew Dargue decided to bring his innovative take on veggie food to the capital and set up shop with Vanilla Black, a bigger, flashier space in lawyerland close to the Royal Courts of Justice.

  17 - 18 Tooks Court, City, Central London - Cuisine: Vegetarian

• Vertigo 42

  The prospect of sipping Champagne and grazing on seafood at 590 feet above pavement level is the reason why crowds ascend to the upper reaches of Tower 42 (the tallest building in the City of London).

  Tower 42, City, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

• Zuccato City

  Step into the world of 1950s Milan when you walk through the door of this Italian restaurant on Bow Lane, Zuccato City, part of the Etrusca Group's 'café urbano' approach to eating out.

  41 Bow Lane, City, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

Restaurants in Clerkenwell

• Coach and Horses

  The Coach and Horses Clerkenwell is set behind the Guardian building surrounded by defunct warehouses, this re-styled Victorian watering hole (circa 1855) now plies its trade as a fully-fledged London gastro-pub – the witty sign depicting mice and a pumpkin suggests that something unusual is going on here.

  26 - 28 Ray Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Bistrot Bruno Loubet

  Bistrot Bruno Loubet, near Farringdon tube station in Clerkenwell, heralds Bruno Loubet's return to the City of London at The Zetter Hotel, showcasing his distinctive modern bistrot cuisine.

  The Zetter Hotel, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Chiswell Street Dining Rooms

  The Chiswell Street Dining Rooms located on the corner of Milton Street and Chiswell Street is the latest edition to Tom and Ed Martin's expanding gastro pub empire.

  56 Chiswell Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Cicada

  Cicada the original Will Ricker hangout in Clerkenwell is something of a veteran of the Pan Asian/fusion scene, and has been thrilling visitors to this bar/restaurant for more than a decade.

  132 - 136 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Pan Asian

• Cottons

  Like its flagship elder brother in Primrose Hill, this branch of Cottons pleases the punters with its animated tropical vibes and punchy Caribbean food.

  70 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Caribbean

• Gulshan Tandoori

  Run by the same family for more than two decades, this is just the kind of old-school Indian that makes you yearn for Madras and masala.

  15 - 17 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Medcalf

  Alan Medcalf opened his butchers shop in Clerkenwell in 1912 and became renowned for his top-quality Angus beef, pike, wild salmon and game - the old sign ('40 MEDCALF 40') remains and this reborn venue Medcalf Bar & restaurant, revels in its laid-back 'shabby chic' furnishings and bubbly youthful vibes.

  40 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• North Road

  North Road restaurant located on the site previously occupied by the Clerkenwell Dining Room on St John Street is the second venture by chef patron Christoffer Hruskova, who also owns the popular Fig Bistro in Barnsbury.

  69 - 73 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Passage Cafe

  Aclaimed for its high quality Gallic food, Passage Cafe is a charming Parisian bistro quietly tucked away only five minutes from Barbican and Farringdon Underground stations in the City of London.

  12 Jerusalem Passage, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Pho

  Juliette Nelson and Stephen Wall got hooked on 'pho' during a trip to Vietnam, so they decided to drop out of their careers in marketing and set up a neighbourhood café-cum-takeaway in London devoted to this archetypal national dish.

  86 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Vietnamese

• Portal Restaurant

  The Portal Restaurant and Bar takes its name from the renowned Quinta do Portal in northern Portugal, this Clerkenwell restaurant is the brainchild of veteran restaurateur Antonio Correia.

  88 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Portuguese

• St John

  St John, situated in a former Georgian townhouse and smokehouse around the corner from London's main meat trading market, Smithfield, is a robust and inventive restaurant that is perhaps not for the faint hearted.

  26 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Strada

  Like other branches of the ever-expanding Strada chain, this venue is famed for its feel-good atmosphere and chic, cosmopolitan style.

  8-10 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• The Ambassador

  Clive Greenhalgh - one-time front-of-house supremo at The Brackenbury - has gone back to his roots by opening this 'local no-frills restaurant' on the site of the defunct Exmouth Grill.

  55 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• The Easton

  Aussie boys Jeremy 'Zim' Sutton and Andrew Veevers have done great things at this reborn Clerkenwell boozer. You'd never guess that the old place had a seriously dodgy reputation as a strip joint and gangsters' hangout: these days it is all clean and tidy, with pretty retro wallpaper, chunky tables, lots of light and space and a general mood of easy-going bonhomie.

  22 Easton Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• The Green

  The Green is a charming three-storey bar and restaurant popular among the residents of Clerkenwell. Whilst the second floor offers a full modern European menu, the simple bar below is a pleasure to spend an evening in, perhaps listening to one of the regular live music acts and sampling the extensive Tapas menu.

  29 Clerkenwell Green, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• The Hat and Feathers Bar & Restaurant

  You will find the aptly named Hat and Feathers Bar & Restaurant standing proud in the old hat-making neighbourhood of Clerkenwell, this fine Victorian pus is reaping the benefits of a thorough and painstaking makeover.

  2 Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• The Larder

  The Larder restaurant on St John Street is located in premises that were originally built for Clerkenwell grocers Lovell & Christmas in 1897, an historic building that is still in the business of supplying comestibles.

  91 - 93 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• The Modern Pantry

  Anne Hansen hit the headlines as the joint founder of The Providores (with fellow Kiwi Peter Gordon), and now she has opened her own gaffe The Modern Pantry - with backing from D&D London (formerly Conran restaurants).

  47 - 48 St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Eclectic

• The Peasant

  One of the first gastropubs in London to make a name for itself, this red-brick Victorian hostelry stands on a corner site.

  240 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Mediterranean

• The Well

  Named after the Clerkenwell district in which it is situated, The Well is a highly popular neighbourhood gastro pub with high ceilings, big windows and tables out on the pavement.

  180 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Vinoteca

  'Vinoteca marks a return of the wine bar to fashionable London,' observed Decanter magazine about this terrific, 'gleefully informal' venue in the heart of foodie Smithfield.

  7 St John Street, Clerkenwell, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

Restaurants in Covent Garden

• Bedford & Strand

  Hidden away in a basement on the corner of Bedford Street and the Strand (hence the name), this popular rendezvous combines a retro 'wine room' and bar with a bistro and deli counter.

  1a Bedford Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Anglo French

• L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

  Crowned 'chef of the century' in his home country, Joël Robuchon is the latest big name to join the French invasion of London with L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in the heart of Covent Garden.

  13 - 15 West Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern French

• Abeno Too

  The younger sibling of Abeno is a discreet little place just off Charing Cross Road near Leicester Square tube station.

  17-18 Great Newport Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Japanese

• Asia de Cuba

  Asia de Cuba is where Asian and Cuban/Caribbean cuisine come together in an ultra modern restaurant at St Martin's Lane Hotel in Covent GardenStart the evening by choosing from the huge selection of cocktails.

  St Martin's Lane Hotel, Covent garden, Central London - Cuisine: Asian

• Belgo Centraal

  Belgo still lays claim to being top dog in the capital when it comes to mussels, frites and Belgian beers, although it offers much more than buckets of bivalves - the Covent Garden branch (Centraal) is an atmospheric basement, fronted by waiters dressed up like Trappist monks; take your pick from the Bier Hall with its refectory tables or the main restaurant, which sports more intimate booths.

  50 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Belgian

• Boulevard Brasserie

  Boulevard Brasserie, a bastion of the Covent Garden restaurant scene since 1991 and owner Ian Shaw's private and public passion, this independent brasserie just keeps on rolling.

  40 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Café des Amis

  For more than 30 years, Cafe des Amis has been a fixture of the Covent Garden theatreland scene and is perfectly placed down an alleyway behind the Royal Opera House.

  11 - 14 Hanover Place, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Carluccio's

  Antonio Carluccio's new Covent Garden flagship venue occupies an imposing 1860s building on Garrick Street that was once an auction house but now houses a café, deli and private dining facilities spread over two floors.

  2a Garrick Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Christopher's

  Christopher's has been established in this majestic Grade II-listed building between Covent Garden and The Strand since 1991. Behind the glorious Victorian façade, you will find an ultra-cool Martini Bar with groovy globe lights, arty wallpaper and a premium drinks list, plus a menu of light brasserie-style dishes ranging from corn cakes with guacamole to Philadelphia steak sandwiches.

  18 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: American

• Clos Maggiore

  'Clos Maggiore is the most romantic restaurant I've ever been to,' enthused one UK Restaurant Guide user after visiting this alluring place less than a minute's walk from the buzz of Covent Garden's Piazza.

  33 King Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Mediterranean

• da Polpo

  Situated in the heart of Covent Garden is da Polpo the third restaurant from Russell Norman and Richard Beatty. This trendy eatery is styled on a Venetian wine bar, and like its siblings features a tin ceiling from New York, bare light filaments, antique maps from Venice and old chemistry lab benches serve as tables with church pews and Dutch school chairs.

  6 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Detroit

  An enduring slice of buzzy old Covent Garden, this cavernous bar has been delivering the goods for the best part of a decade and shows no signs of waning.

  35 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Dial Bar & Restaurant, Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel

  The Dial Restaurant and bar is located in the Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel (formerly the Mountbatten) and stands right at the apex of Seven Dials in Covent Garden.

  20 Mercer Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Contemporary British

• Dishoom

  Dishoom is an all day dining concept inspired by the Bombay cafes that were opened by Persian immigrants, in what is now known as Mumbai.

  St. Martin's Courtyard, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Food for Thought

  When it opened almost three decades ago, this cramped bohemian café was in the vanguard of London's vegetarian crusade and has been doing great business ever since.

  31 Neal Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Vegetarian

• Giovanni's

  Those in the know reckon that Giovanni's is something of a rarity in theatreland - a genuine, family-run Italian restaurant of the old school that perfectly suited to a business lunch, a romantic dinner or a quick meal before of after the show.

  10 Goodwin's Court, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Great Queen Street

  The assembled team sheet for this bright Covent Garden newcomer reads like a London gastropub first XI: there's Tom Norrington-Davies from the Eagle, Trish Hilferty (ex-the Fox), Robert Shaw and Jonathon Jones (Anchor & Hope) plus Mike Belben on the bench.

  32 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Harlequin Restaurant, Kingsway Hall Hotel

  The Harlequin at the elegant Kingsway Hall Hotel in Covent Garden is a stylish venue that, unlike typical hotel restaurants, is refreshingly relaxed.

  66 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Hawksmoor Seven Dials

  Following the success of their Spitafields restaurant, Hawksmoor Seven Dials has opened in Covent Garden located in the old Watney-Combe brewery.

  11 Langley Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Steak House

• Incognico

  The name Incognico is a punning reference to the legendary Nico Ladenis, who was originally involved in this Covent Garden restaurant and although he is long gone, Incognico lives on and its location deep in theatreland close to Cambridge Circus - guarantees full houses before and after the show.

  117 Shaftesbury Avenue, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• J Sheekey

  Joseph Sheekey set up his self-named restaurant in 1896, in a back alley just off Charing Cross Road. Since then, the place has become synonymous with seafood, and is now riding on a fashionable high as part of the group that also owns the ultra-fashionable Ivy and Le Caprice.

  28 - 32 St Martin's Court, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

• Le Deuxième

  Fully air-conditioned, Le Deuxieme is the sister restaurant to Le Cafe du Jardin and is also located in the trendy Covent Garden hotspot.

  65a Long Acre, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• Les Deux Salons

  Les Deux Salons is a spacious two-floor operation, hence the name, located in a convenient spot for theatreland on William IV Street in Covent Garden.

  40 – 42 William IV Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Livebait

  Situated in Covent Garden, the aptly named Livebait offers a taste of the sea in London's famous flower market. With its excellent fresh seafood, vibrant atmosphere, and convenient position in the heart of London's theatre district, Livebait is the perfect choice for a pre-theatre meal.

  21 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

• Mela

  Right in the heart of theatreland (with handy menus for show-goers), Mela is a long-serving stalwart of the Covent Garden Indian scene.

  152-156 Shaftesbury Avenue, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Mon Plaisir

  Francophiles should not be disappointed with the very, very French Mon Plaisir, with its large tricolour flapping proudly outside, this institution on Monmouth Street near Covent Garden could easily fool you for being the French Embassy.

  21 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Moti Mahal

  The first London venture for the famous, Delhi-based Moti Mahal group occupies a prime site in Covent Garden's theatreland and puts on quite a show of its own, with chefs doing their stuff in the glassed-in kitchen.

  45 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Navajo Joe

  This adventurous experience attracts a wide interesting clientele, which reflects the essence Navajo Joe in Covent Garden. Joe's Bar in the basement offers a lively blend of music, food and drink, complete with dance area and DJs on Weds-Sat nights.

  34 King Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Fusion

• Opera Tavern

  The husband and wife team, Simon and Sanja Morris-Mullins behind the successful Salt Yard and Dehesa tapas bar and restaurants have opened up a third venture called Opera Tavern, located in the heart of theatreland opposite the Drury Lane Theatre.

  23 Catherine Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish

• Orso

  Orso Italian Restaurant is open from noon until midnight and is buzzing all the time being particularly popular with the Covent Garden pre and after theatre crowds.

  27 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Palm Court Brasserie

  The Palm Court Brasserie is right in the hub of the Covent Garden restaurant scene, this bright brasserie is a useful pit stop among the shops and sightseeing attractions.

  39 King Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: European

• Rules

  Established in 1798 and – reputedly – London's oldest surviving restaurant, Rules flies the flag for British food in a remarkably evocative dining room that is both lively yet comfortably familiar.

  35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Shanghai Blues

  An austere carved stone arch marks the entrance to Shanghai Blues a Chinese restaurant in the old St Giles Library on High Holborn.

  193 - 197 High Holborn, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Chinese

• Sitaaray

  Bollywood meets biryani at Sitaaray a lavish two-storey venue in the heart of Covent Garden's theatreland, which celebrates the virtues and chutzpah of two of India's star turns - cinema and cuisine.

  167 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Sofra

  Fresh and colourful Turkish home cooking with an eclectic mix of Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern and even Oriental styles, using a wealth of aromatic vegetables and a distinctive selection of herbs and spices.

  36 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Turkish

• St John Hotel

  The St John Hotel in Covent Garden opened in Spring 2011, formerly Manzi's famous seafood restaurant the site has become the latest outpost of Fergus Henderson's 'Nose-to-tail eating' or rather 'From table to bed'.

  1 Leicester Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Tamarai

  Combining an art gallery, lazy lounge, post-11pm bar and contemporary restaurant, Tamarai on Drury Lane is a high-groove Pan Asian Covent Garden hot spot from the team behind Chor Bizarre.

  167 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Pan Asian

• Tandoori Nights

  Tandoori Nights is part of a long-established group of Indian restaurants with branches across London and in the Home Counties, this venue is right in the hub of the restaurant action around Covent Garden.

  35 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Thai Pin

  A tiny theatreland bolthole for fans of easy-going Thai food, this pint-sized restaurant continues to please the showtime crowds and others with its good-value cooking.

  7 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Thai

• The Angel and Crown

  The Angel and Crown in Covent Garden is the latest venture from Tom and Ed Martin of the highly successful ETM Group, their first gastropub in the West End of London.

  58 St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• The Delaunay

  The Delaunay is the latest venture from famed duo Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, set behind an imposing entrance on the corner of historic Drury Lane and the Aldwych.

  55 Aldwych, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• The Forge

  The Forge, formerly the Garrick Street home of L'Estimanet, a converted Victorian church opposite the Garrick Club is the latest addition to a mini-group that also includes Covent Garden fixtures Le Café du Jardin and Le Deuxième.

  14 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• The Giaconda Dining Room

  The old Gioconda Cafe on Denmark Street was an archetype of 'Tin Pan Alley' hip during the 60s and 70s, a venue frequented by the likes of David Bowie, Joe Strummer and Bob Marley - to name but three musical icons who hung out there with cups of coffee and high hopes.

  9 Denmark Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• The Ivy

  'A table at The Ivy is one of the most sought after pieces of furniture in London,' wrote critic AA Gill about this famous Covent Garden restaurant.

  1 - 5 West Street, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• The Real Greek

  The most recent branch of the Real Geek mini-chain, this buzzy venue is tucked just around the corner from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden - making it an ideal spot for a bite to eat before or after the show.

  60-62 Long Acre Lane, Covent Garden, Central London - Cuisine: Greek

Restaurants in Farringdon

• 54 Restaurant

  A curious, but stylish Farringdon new boy, situated almost opposite the Guardian building on Farringdon Road, 54 Restaurant offers a hybrid mix of Malaysian and European dishes without trying to fuse the two together.

  54 Farringdon Road, Farringdon, Central London - Cuisine: Malaysian

• Hix Oyster & Chop House

  What better site for a flag-waving British restaurant than a converted sausage factory round the corner from Smithfield Market? That's exactly the spot veteran campaigner Mark Hix (formerly of Caprice Holdings) chose for his self-named and appetisingly titled Oyster & Chop House.

  36-37 Greenhill Rents, Farringdon, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Le Comptoir Gascon

  This Smithfield gem Le Comptoir Gascon started life as the bakery and deli offshoot of the nearby Michelin-starred Club Gascon, but owners Pascal Aussignac and Vincent Labeyrie recently added some seats and turned it into a quintessentially Gallic, 'urban rustic' bistro.

  61 - 63 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon, Central London - Cuisine: French

• The Eagle

  Widely regarded as the mother of all gastropubs, the Eagle is still delivering the goods to an appreciative local crowd.

  159 Farringdon Road, Farringdon, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

Restaurants in Finsbury

• Moro

  Moro was abuzz with atmosphere and packed to the rafters when The UK Restaurant Guide visited one evening to see what all the fuss was about.

  34-36 Exmouth Market, Finsbury, Central London - Cuisine: Spanish

Restaurants in Holborn

• Bleeding Heart

  Voted by "The Times" as the City's most romantic restaurant and one of the very finest French restaurants in the whole of London, The Bleeding Heart off Holborn Circus is really four venues in one: the Restaurant, Bistro, Tavern and Crypt.

  Bleeding Heart Yard, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Cigalon

  Cigalon is an elegant French restaurant located in the heart of central London serving Provencal cuisine. It is housed in a magnificent former auction house and gets it's name from the 1935 Marcel Pagnol film about local restaurant rivalry.

  115 Chancery Lane, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: French Provincial

• Hason Raja

  Named after a celebrated Bangladeshi mystical poet and playboy, Hason Raja on Southampton Row is a forward-looking restaurant done out in soothing modern style with suede Italian furniture, elegant glass wall partitions, exotic floral arrangements and - of course - the odd picture of the man himself.

  84 Southampton Row, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

• Le Bistro Savoir Faire

  Frescos and murals decorate the dining room of Le Bistro Savoir Faire on New Oxford Street, an archetypal, family-run bistro, which has been serving the West End crowds since 1995.

  42 New Oxford Street, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Pearl Restaurant and Bar

  An imposing Portland stone arch marks the entrance to Chancery Court, formerly the headquarters of Pearl Assurance, and now a cutting-edge hotel with a progressive restaurant called Pearl.

  Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: Modern French

• Terrace Restaurant & Bar

  The Terrace Restaurant & Bar is the latest venture from dynamic TV chef Patrick Williams, a contemporary pine-clad pavilion in London's oldest square, surrounded by tranquil gardens and landscaped lawns: the 'inside-outside' terrace itself comes into its own for al fresco meals and barbecues in fine weather.

  Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: Eclectic

• The Chancery

  The Chancery is discreetly hidden away on a corner site just off Chancery Lane, this imposing building has been transformed into an exclusive contemporary restaurant with mahogany floors, arches and walls hung with works by artist Stiliana Alexieva.

  9 Cursitor Street, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European

• The French Kitchen

  Located close to High Holborn tube station, The French Kitchen offers a rustic, all-day French Bistrot menu. Whether it's a quick coffee before work, a business lunch for two or a private party for up to 40 guests, it offers a welcoming environment and traditional French favourites.

  95 - 97 High Holborn, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: French (Bistro)

• The White Swan Pub & Dining Room

  The White Swan Pub and Dining Room was once known as The Mucky Duck, a City boozer just off Fleet Street has been given a serious makeover by London gastropub empire builders Tom and Ed Martin.

  108 Fetter Lane, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Vivat Bacchus

  Lovers of fine wine and fine food (especially cheese) should set a course for Vivat Bacchus an oenophile's Mecca on Farringdon Street just off Holborn Viaduct.

  47 Farringdon Street, Holborn, Central London - Cuisine: Global

Restaurants in Leicester Square

• Baozi Inn

  A cut-price, streetwise joint from the people who brought Bar Shu to Soho, the Baozi Inn has echoes of its elder sister's palate-numbing Szechuan food, but the emphasis is very different.

  25 Newport Court, Leicester Square, Central London - Cuisine: Chinese

• Leicester Square Bar & Restaurant, Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square

  The Leicester Square Bar & Restaurant is the perfect retreat from the hustle of its namesake. This is a cool and intimate space with a pleasantly relaxed vibe.

  St Martins Street, Leicester Square, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

• The Hampshire Bar and Restaurant, Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel

  The Hampshire Bar and Restaurant is set in the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel, overlooking the bright lights of Leicester Square in the heart of theatre land, this is a tranquil retreat close to the bustle of the West End.

  36 Leicester Square, Leicester Square, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

Restaurants in Ludgate Circus

• Refettorio

  Culinary supremo Giorgio Locatelli acts as star consultant to Refettorio, a fascinating up-market 'refectory', which is part of an Italian village set up within the foyer of the Crowne Plaza, not far from Blackfriars Bridge.

  Crowne Plaza London - The City, Ludgate Circus, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

Restaurants in Moorgate

• Mehek

  Mehek in Moorgate offers some of the finest and most breathtaking Indian cuisine in London and while Mehek means 'fragrance', it soon becomes clear that this is the byword here: previously a traditional Indian restaurant hidden away in a discreet location, it has now transmogrified into a thoroughly modern Indian eatery offering cutting-edge cuisine and is the most popular Indian Restaurant in the City.

  45 London Wall, Moorgate, Central London - Cuisine: Indian

Restaurants in Smithfield

• Club Gascon

  Club Gascon occupies a corner plot near Smithfield Market that was once a Lyon's tea house; extravagant floral displays lend a splash of colour and a touch of drama to the small square room's marble walls and dark wooden floors.

  57 West Smithfield, Smithfield, Central London - Cuisine: French

• 26 Smithfield

  26 Smithfield has proved to be a popular destination in an area already heavily populated with bars and gastro pubs.

  26 Smithfield Street, Smithfield, Central London - Cuisine: British

• Cellar Gascon

  Cellar Gascon is next door to its auspicious big brother Club Gascon in Smithfield, this fascinating and intriguingly designed bar is the showcase for the full range of Gascon wines in London.

  59 West Smithfield, Smithfield, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Fox & Anchor

  'Hops & Chops, Cuvées and Duvets' is an apt slogan for this classily re-invented pub-with-rooms. The building itself - a listed 200-year-old porters' drop-in near Smithfield Market - has been impressively transformed, with mahogany doors, etched glass and a fine pewter bar serving as the centrepiece.

  115 Charterhouse Street, Smithfield, Central London - Cuisine: Gastro pub

• Saki Bar and Emporium

  'Saki' means 'happiness' in Japanese, and customers should certainly come away smiling after a visit to this fascinating complex opposite Smithfield market.

  4 West Smithfield, Smithfield, Central London - Cuisine: Japanese

• Smiths of Smithfield, Top Floor

  Guests could easily spend an entire day at Smiths of Smithfield, this four-floored venue located in a Grade II listed building at the epicentre of London's only functioning meat market is home to four dining options.

  67 - 77 Charterhouse Street, Smithfield, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

Restaurants in Strand

• Adam Street Restaurant

  Built in 1769 by architect Robert Adam deep in vaults beneath The Strand, this is now a discreet hideaway and private members' club – although non-members are also welcome at lunchtime (although they are expected to pay a £10 cover charge).

  9 Adam Street, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Grand Divan - Simpson's in the Strand

  Dating back to 1828, Simpson's is a fabled haunt of tourists and anyone else who wants to wallow in all things nostalgically traditional.

  100 Strand, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: Traditional British

• Paradiso E Inferno

  A beautiful family owned restaurant located in the West End of London, Paridiso E Inferno is THE place to go for a traditional Italian eating experience.

  389 The Strand, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: Italian

• Salieri Restaurant

  Anyone who has seen Amadeus may recall that Salieri was the composer who got the blame for poisoning Mozart. No such dodgy goings-on in this flamboyant Covent Garden venue, which is theatrically bedecked with mirrors, photographs and puppets.

  376 Strand, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: French

• Smollensky's

  Legendary and tireless when it comes to crowd pleasing, Smollensky's on the Strand is an energetic, fun-loving destination renowned for its family-friendly attitude.

  105 The Strand, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: International

• Terroirs Wine Bar & Restaurant

  A mightily impressive 25-page drinks booklet is a star attraction at this recently opened wine bar-cum-restaurant, which puts on a patriotic Gallic show with its predictable pictures, advertising posters, functional wooden furniture and French chansons warbling the background.

  5 William IV Street, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: French

• The Savoy Grill

  After nearly three years of extensive renovations costing £220 million, the legendary Savoy Hotel opened in October 2010. A few weeks later saw the long-awaited launch of one of London's most iconic restaurants, The Savoy Grill under the helm of Gordon Ramsay Holdings.

  The Savoy, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: Classic British

• The Terrace on the Strand, Charing Cross Hotel

  The Terrace on the Strand is situated in the exclusive Charing Cross Guoman Hotel, built in 1865 this Grade I-listed hotel 'stands as a monument to the power and confidence of the Victorian era.

  Charing Cross, Strand, Central London - Cuisine: International

Restaurants in Trafagar Square

• Massimo Restaurant & Oyster Bar

  The celebrated chef Massimo Riccioli has opened the self-named Massimo Restaurant & Oyster Bar in the luxurious Corinthia Hotel, just steps away from Trafalgar Square.

  Corinthia Hotel, Trafagar Square, Central London - Cuisine: Seafood

Restaurants in Trafalgar Square

• Albannach

  Opening Albannach, a Scottish restaurant directly opposite that most English of tourist hot-spots sounds pretty daring, but that's the deal at this flash West End venue where floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto Trafalgar Square, making the bar an unrivalled location.

  66 Trafalgar Square, Trafalgar Square, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

• Thai Square

  The flagship of the Thai Square group is in a prime spot overlooking one of London's most famous landmarks. Once an imperious embassy building it is now filled with antique Thai Buddhas, specially made terracotta friezes and stone carvings from the homeland.

  21-24 Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, Central London - Cuisine: Thai

• The National Dining Rooms

  'Food for the people' ought to be Oliver Peyton's rally call after having scored a hit with Inn the Park, he set his sights on The National Gallery opening The National Dining Rooms on the site once occupied by Crivelli's Garden.

  Sainsbury Wing, Trafalgar Square, Central London - Cuisine: British

• The Northall at the Corinthia Hotel

  The Northall restaurant in the Corinthia Hotel is situated in a prestigious location, a short stroll from Trafalgar Square. The large dining room impresses with its good looks, towering white pillars and large contemporary chandeliers, tan banquettes and armchairs set against crisp white linen laid tables and elegant arched windows look out over the Embankment and Whitehall.

  10a Northumberland Avenue, Trafalgar Square, Central London - Cuisine: British

• The Portrait Restaurant

  Famed for its awesome views of Trafalgar Square and the London skyline (ask for a window table when booking) The Portrait Restaurant is a family-friendly venue par excellence, catering for hordes of visitors, business types, tourists and art-lovers.

  National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Central London - Cuisine: Modern British

Restaurants in Victoria Embankment

• R.S. Hispaniola

  Arguably the best known of all floating restaurants, the R. S. Hispaniola has been moored alongside Victoria Embankment by Hungerford Bridge for years.

  , Victoria Embankment, Central London - Cuisine: Modern European