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200500600-001_11_Licensed-until-2018

Boutique hotels

Self-catering properties

London Eating, drinking and dancing

Restaurants

(+44 (0)20 7499 3033)

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 7734 4756)

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 from 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 2223)

Bocca di Lupo

This elegant trattatoria is good enough to die for (or in, if you can't resist the lure of ordering a lifetime's worth of small treats and meats). The fried soft shell crab, grilled squid and trofie with green beans and pesto are all worth putting pounds on for.

12 Archer Street, London, W1D 7BB

(+44 (0)20 7434 1500)

Cecconi's

Cecconi's claims to be the only restaurant in London that serves up Italian tapas (cichetti). Quite frankly, after nibbling the divine anchovy crostini, breaded baby mozzarella and cheese polenta with puccini, we're in no mood to quibble over their assertion. This stylish eatery is open until 1am throughout the week (12pm on Sundays), and makes a stylish kebab-and-coke alternative after a night on the tiles.

5a Burlington Garden's, London, W1S 3EP

(+44 (0)20 7908 9696)

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 7242 0622)

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 7927 7000)

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 7247 7392)

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.

157 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ

(+44 (0)20 8748 8989)

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 7240 2565)

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 7613 1924)

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 7010 8600)

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

(020 7600 0992)

Mint Leaf Lounge

Part snazzy bar, part restaurant serving 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

(+44 (0)20 7499 4636)

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 7495 7309)

Scott's

All a-gleam from a recent revamp, Scott's is the discerning seafood-fan's choice, serving up a variety of fishy delicacies, including mixed oysters with wild boar sausage, prawns with chilli and garlic butter and haddock with poached egg and mustard. By no means a one-trick pony, Scott's also has some fine meat dishes and desserts.

20 Mount Street, London, W1K 2HE

+44 (0)20 640 7330

SushiSamba

This Cetra/Ruddy-designed restaurant offers panoramic views of central London. Its colorful design, samba beats and exotic menu combine fiery Brazilian, zesty Peruvian and fresh Japanese influences. Sip sake in the autumnal-themed Tree bar, or try a cocktail; we like the Chu-Cumber, a zingy mix of gin, shochu, lime and cucumber water.

Heron Tower, 110 Bishopgate, London, EC2N 4AY

+44 (0)20 7499 8558

The Delaunay

The Wolseley’s smart sister pays homage to the grand cafés of Europe: leather banquettes, dark wood, brass fittings and a menu featuring wieners, schnitzels, croque-monsieurs and Jersey rock oysters.

55 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BB

(+44 (0)20 7833 4395)

The Fellow

A few years ago, the thought of the King’s Cross area being the sort of place you’d go out to eat would have been laughable, but the new Eurostar terminal at St Pancras has changed all that. Discerning diners (who aren’t necessarily en route to Paris) are now heading to this dark and atmospheric gastropub for quality British dishes – crab on toast, rabbit and hare terrine, and fresh fishcakes the size of hubcaps – in a cool, inn-like setting.

24 York Way, London N1 9AA

(+44 (0)20 7836 4751)

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 7499 6996)

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 7734 1401)

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

Bars

(+44 (0)20 7631 0700)

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 7499 9999

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

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

(+44 (0)20 7012 1234)

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 7439 0747)

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.

47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT

(+44 (0)20 7580 6464)

Shochu Lounge

If you fancy cutting-edge cocktails with eastern flair, 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 7734 8142)

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

Cafés

+44 (0)845 270 6996-4

Artisan du Chocolat

Not a café as such but a must-visit for chocoholics and those needing a sweet treat. If Willly Wonka had ever been given the Dolce & Gabbana treatment, his confectionery would resemble Artisan du Chocolat’s seductive sugar-hits. Their new Notting Hill chocolateria has a dazzling array of mood-enhancing nibbles; try the salted caramels, flower-flavoured chocolate or the sexily packaged Wild and Tropical bars; a veritable choc-tail of tastes. Alternatively, sip a Cacao Martini as you share a plate of chocolate tapas. Leave your dentist friends at home.

81 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4UL

(+44 (0)20 7437 4520)

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 7887 8888)

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 7323 8990)

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 7734 0370)

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 7451 9999)

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 7580 2522)

Meals at Heal’s

If browsing before brunch is your bag, this Hansel and Gretel house on the first floor of interiors and homeware store 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 7379 3516)

Monmouth Coffee Company

Caffeine addicts will get a shot of the good stuff at this artisan café. The perma-queue snaking outside the door speaks volumes, and if you like your brew, look out for the Borough Market outpost.

27 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9EU

(+44 (0)20 7836 3785)

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)207 253 5754)

St Ali

The east London outpost of a Melbourne institution, this Clerkenwell coffee house has its own roasting room, huge sacks of imported beans from all over the world and an extensive brunch menu. Try the Mexican-style corn fritters with spinach, grilled halloumi and poached eggs, French toast with vanilla mascarpone, caramelised walnuts and smoked bacon, or eggs on sourdough with thyme-roast mushrooms, grilled chorizo and black pudding. It’s also open for lunch and dinner.

27 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5RN

(+44 (0)20 7723 6066)

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 7494 8888)

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 Chinatown's offerings).

15–17 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DL