Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in London.
Restaurants
Great Queen Street
London certainly isn’t short of restaurants serving upmarket versions of traditional British cuisine, but not all are as atmospheric and affordable as Great Queen Street. Its pub-like dining room – all wooden tables and dark-red walls – is the ideal space in which to enjoy sturdy classics such as steak pie, hare and foie gras pasty, and cuttlefish with butter beans. Delicious.
32 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AA
(+44 (0)20 7242 0622)
J Sheekey
This place on St Martins Court is renowned for its fantastic fish and seafood, with classic plateaux de fruits de mer, lobster, and potted shrimp, all served up in this glamorously old-fashioned but more youthful version of the Ivy.
28–32 St Martin's Court, London WC2 4AL
(+44 (0)20 7240 2565)
Automat
If you're in the mood for modern-day American, this curved wooden dining room in Mayfair is a great brasserie setting for: breakfast (buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup; ham muffins), weekend brunch (eggs over easy with home fries and bacon), lunch (macaroni & cheese; soft-shell crab), or dinner (rack of lamb, rib eye steak and so on). Have a nice day!
33 Dover Street, London W1S 4NF
(+44 (0)20 7499 3033)
Electric Brasserie
This fashionable all-day brasserie next to the Electric Cinema on the Portobello Road has great grill food and cocktails in buzzy surroundings. Book a table for before/after a Saturday night at the movies (see www.electriccinema.co.uk for listings); the cinema has plush leather seats, footstools and – perfect for Mr & Mrs Smiths – two-seater sofas at the back…
191 Portobello Road, London W11 2ED
(+44 (0)20 7908 9696)
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
The multi-Michelin-starred maestro made his long-awaited London debut here: there’s a choice of casual dining on the ground floor, or a grander approach upstairs. The truffle mash is to die for.
13–15 West Street, London WC2H 9NQ
(+44 (0)20 7010 8600)
Les Trois Garçons
Make a trip to this Shoreditch eatery for the eccentric interiors and classic French cuisine.
1 Club Row, London E1 6JX
(+44 (0)20 7613 1924)
St Alban
This hot trendsetter from the team behind the Wolseley works a modern Mediterranean theme (the Puglian olives are the juiciest in London).
Rex House, 4-12 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4PE
(+44 (0)20 7499 8558)
Mocotó
Head to this super-trendy gourmet Brazilian bar and restaurant, where beautiful people sip caipirinha cocktails upstairs, then fuel up on nuevo latino fare; we love the the moreish monkfish moqueca.
145 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7PA
(+44 (0)20 7225 2300)
Roast
This light, bright restaurant does exactly what it says on the tin, creating wonderful things in the oven using the best of British organic fare, sourced from Borough Market downstairs.
Floral Hall, Stoney Street, London SE1 1TL
(+44 (0)20 7940 1300)
Mint Leaf Lounge
Part snazzy bar, part restaurant serving thrillingly contemporary, tapas-esque Indian cuisine, Mint Leaf occupies what used to be a bank, (hence the dramatic dimensions inside), but is now a City-slick shrine to cocktail wizardry and culinary fireworks.
Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HB
(020 7600 0992)
Veeraswamy
If you feel like some flavours from India, this London institution is the oldest Indian eatery in the capital, but it couldn’t feel more contemporary after its very modern makeover. The entrance is on Swallow Street.
Victory House, 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS
(+44 (0)20 7734 1401)
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Fantastic for a traditional British experience, with just the right sprinkling of pomp. Slurp oysters or enjoy fishy classics at the marble-topped champagne bar on the ground floor (with pianists tickling the ivories frm Wednesday to Saturday evenings); or head upstairs to the more formal Grill restaurant. Irish wonder-chef Richard Corrigan draws on his childhood in County Meath to inform fantastically to-the-point food (www.bentleys.org).
11–15 Swallow Street, London W1B 4DG
(+44 (0)20 7734 4756)
Indian Zing
This place isn't your common or garden modern take on a posh curry house – it's where you take your tastebuds for a night out they'll each remember. For the full whirlwind-spice-tour, order a thali followed by one of their lick-your-lips-delicious Anglo-Asian desserts.
236 King Street, London W6 ORF
(+44 (0)20 8748 8989)
The Ivy
Brush shoulders with showbiz legends gossiping over classic British dishes, among oak panelling and stained glass.
1–5 West Street, London WC2H 9NQ
(+44 (0)20 7836 4751)
Mirabelle
This is a longtime London favourite: an elegant stop for great French food turned out by chef Marco Pierre White's top-notch kitchen brigade.
56 Curzon Street, London W1J 8PA
(+44 (0)20 7499 4636)
The Wolseley
In a former car showroom on Piccadilly, this handsome and well-respected restaurant serves superb European brasserie food all day long.
160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
(+44 (0)20 7499 6996)
Hakkasan
We adore the Modern Asian food at Hakkasan: it has to be the sexiest Chinese restaurant ever designed, and it was the first ever to be awarded a Michelin star. Its basement entrance belies a glamorous interior, complete with a Christian Liaigre-designed bar and staff uniforms created by Hussein Chalayan. Don't expect it to be cheap, though…
8 Hanway Place, London W1T 1HD
(+44 (0)20 7927 7000)
Hawksmoor
Butter-soft steaks and superb service make this East End steakhouse a must-visit for anyone who likes their meat rare and their drinks plentiful. It’s well worth venturing into the East End for.
157 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ
(+44 (0)20 7247 7392)
Cafés
Yauatcha
The French fancies are works of art and there are more than 150 types of tea with which to wash them down at this slick Chinese teahouse, handily located between Carnaby Street and Soho. The dim sum are pretty extraordinary, too (if a little pricey compared to China Town's offerings).
Great for: fancy tea and daring dim sum near Carnaby Street
15–17 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DL
(+44 (0)20 7494 8888)
Flat White Espresso Bar
Trust us, we've done our research, and this place makes some of the best coffee in London. Pop into the busy NZ-run café for a cup of some superior coffee (they source their beans and brews from cult coffee roaster Monmouth Coffee Company) to break up a shopping spree on Carnaby Street, or before you hit the bars in Soho.
17 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1F 0PT
(+44 (0)20 7734 0370)
Daylesford Organic at Clifton Nurseries
Ah, how we love Daylesford Organic. Pop in here for a healthy, hearty, wholesome, happy-making lunch (the café is licensed so you could have a cheeky glass of something organic) and pick up freshly baked bread, biodynamic juices and guilt-free goodies galore. Visit the website for other London outlets, including Pimlico and Sloane Square (www.daylesfordorganic.com).
5a Clifton Villas, London W9
(+44 (0)20 7266 1932)
The Rooftop Restaurant
Head for this relaxed rooftop café atop the fantastic Alfies Antique Market in Marylebone for a hangover-busting full English breakfast or alfresco afternoon tea – or both, with a little shopping in between.
Alfies Antique Market, 13–25 Church Street, London NW8 8DT
(+44 (0)20 7723 6066)
Court Cafés
When you’ve had enough of the Ancient Greeks or the Imperial Romans, get your strength back and plan your afternoon city campaign with a coffee and a cake – you can admire/abhor Sir Norman Foster’s controversial Great Court extension at the same time.
British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
(+44 (0)20 7323 8990)
Inn the Park
Nibble freshly made sandwiches and wolf buttermilk scones as you watch the swans and the pelicans do their thing in the oldest Royal Park in London.
St James’s Park, London SW1A 2BJ
(+44 (0)20 7451 9999)
Meals at Heal’s
If browsing before brunch is your bag, this Hansel and Gretel house on the first floor of interiors and homeware magnet Heal's serves up a great line in crumpets, eggy soldiers and dolly-daydream fairy cakes.
First Floor, Heal's, 196 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7LQ
(+44 (0)20 7580 2522)
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
You want hand-cut chips with your 100 per cent Scottish beefburger? You got it. Imaginative combos are served here, with portions so huge, you can make one last all day. For branches, see www.gbkinfo.com.
15 Frith Street, London W1D 4RF
(+44 (0)20 7494 9531)
Rock and Sole Plaice
Rock on down for the best fish ’ n’ chips in town; your underwater/underground-produce combo is served with piles of buttered white bread for DIY butty building.
47 Endell Street, London WC2H 9AJ
(+44 (0)20 7836 3785)
Café 2
Art and tarts abound in this second-floor café in Tate Modern. The views over the river are impressive and it’s a convivial place to slurp a smoothie or indulge in a knickerbocker glory. There’s also the Espresso Bar on the fourth floor and a restaurant on the seventh.
Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
(+44 (0)20 7887 8888)
Bar Italia
This Soho institution has been frothing cappuccinos for night owls and early birds for more than 50 years. Sit at one of the tables outside and watch the world go by.
22 Frith Street, London W1D 4RF
(+44 (0)20 7437 4520)
Bars and clubs
Ronnie Scott’s
The legendary jazz club may be a lot less smoke-fugged and dog-eared since its recent makeover, but it is still the official home of the down and dirty late-night supper-club jamming session. Take in a live act while you dine – booking essential.
Great for: Live jazz
47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT
(+44 (0)20 7439 0747)
Cargo
This lively, unpretentious Shoreditch venue offers live acts, world music, cutting-edge DJs, a friendly bar and tapas at its in-club street food café (brilliant when you feel peckish mid-boogie). Check www.cargo-london.com for events listings.
83 Rivington Street, Kingsland Viaduct, London EC2A 3AY
Aura
This louche and lively Mayfair venue – an exclusive members' club, kitchen and bar open Tuesdays to Sundays – serves Pacific Rim for dinner, then transforms into a club where Europe's party folk flash their cash.
48–49 St James's Street, London SW1A 1JT
+44 (0)20 7499 9999
The Pigalle Club
You want to see some burlesque? Shimmy on down to this ‘supper club’ for the retro-swanky cabaret and live acts.
215 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HN
(+44 (0)20 7734 8142)
Loungelover
Pop into this stylishly designed Shoreditch bar for cocktails and a bite to eat. Booking advisable.
1 Whitby Street, London E1 6JU
(+44 (0)20 7012 1234)
Shochu Lounge
If you fancy cutting-edge cocktails with Far Eastern promise, head to this stylish bar in London’s Noho on Charlotte Street, tucked away under Roka restaurant.
37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
(+44 (0)20 7580 6464)
Annex 3
So eccentric is this kitschly camp West End lounge bar that even the cocktails come in goldfish bowls.
6 Little Portland Street, London W1W 7JE
(+44 (0)20 7631 0700)
Pubs
The Narrow
Set beside the Thames in a grade-II listed dockmaster’s house, Gordon Ramsay’s newest and most laid-back gaff takes his food in the gastropub direction (much as Heston Blumenthal has with his inn opposite the Fat Duck at Bray). Dishes include braised Gloucester Old Spot pig’s cheeks with bashed ’neeps, and Monkfish and chips with marrowfat peas; there are real ales on tap, too.
Great for: Superstar gastropub food
44 Narrow Street, London E14 8DP
(+44 (0)20 7592 7950)