London Restaurant Guide

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

In a commanding position on Worple Road, Bar 191 plies its trade in fine wines and tapas, it oozes Mediterranean ambience while a splash of art deco sets the seal on a stylish environment for a very social way of eating.

191 Worple Road, Raynes Park, South West London

Anthony Demetre and Will Smith hit the ground running when they opened Arbutus, within six months it had scooped Time Out's 'Restaurant of the Year' and 'London Newcomer of the Year' in the Good Food Guide; a Michelin star in 2007 was the icing on the cake.

63 - 64 Frith Street, Soho, West London

Ben Wright and Robin Hancock are actually brothers-in-law, but there's a great sense of family camaraderie about Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House, an enterprising set-up on fashionably foodie Borough Market.

11 Stoney Street, Borough Market, South East London

Bardolino, a new restaurant conveniently placed on Chiswick High Road is wowing diners with its authentic Italian cuisine, a delightful family venue that takes its name from a picturesque village nestled between Milan and Venice.

68 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, West London

A move across the river from Chelsea Wharf, SW10 to Battersea Imperial Wharf, SW11 has done nothing to diminish the popularity or standing of this glamorous Thai restaurant.

2 - 10 Lombard Road, Battersea, South West London

Staunchly Gallic through and through, Pascal and Christine Ardilly's discreet little restaurant L'auberge on Upper Richmond Road is just the ticket for Putney locals.

22 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, South West London

Engagingly run by husband-and-wife team Chris and Christine Benarab, Azou on Hammersmith's vibrant King Street, brightly evokes North Africa with its colourful décor and full-blooded food.

375 King Street, Hammersmith, West London

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

A long-time favourite with in-the-know Hampstead locals, Jin Kichi offers authentic, easy-to-eat Japanese food in pint-sized premises on Heath Street.

73 Heath Street, Hampstead, North West London