4 Suffolk Pl, London SW1Y 4HX

For maximalists rather than minimalists this Italian restaurant took over a former bank just off Pall Mall, so expect acres of marble and gilt. In addition to the restaurant and bar, there’s also a walk-in wine cellar, whisky room and private dining room - it’s definitely a dress-up place for a special occasion.

1 Norris St, London SW1Y 4RJ

Finding well-priced restaurant options in St James can be a bit tricky but this Italian pizzeria is always a good bet. The USP here is that they use Mediterranean seawater in the pizza dough - that may sound gimmicky but the proof is in the eating and the pizzas are really good.

160 Picadilly, London W1J 9EB

Situated in a former car showroom, this Viennese style cafe is now a bona fide celebrity magnet where financiers rub shoulders with stars of the stage and screen. Breakfast is probably the hottest ticket here but they also do a very nice afternoon tea too.

36 Broadgate Circle, London EC2M 2QS

Spanish chef José Pizarro expanded beyond Bermondsey Street for the first time to this City outpost (his third restaurant in what is now a burgeoning empire). There’s a big focus on grilled meats, such as the famed Presa Ibérico, as well as all things tapas.

73 St. James's Street, London SW1A 1PH

This longstanding restaurant moved from its original Chelsea location to St James in 2015. Here in its new home, it attracts a regular clientele of VIPs. The menu roams every region of India’s culinary landscape from Tandoori Sea Bass Amritsari to Goa Green Chicken Curry.

9-10 Waterloo Pl, St. James's, London SW1Y 4BE

The London outpost of one of Asia’s most Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant groups, Imperial Treasure is perhaps best known for its Peking Duck although its dim sum selection is also very refined. Here in London, you’ll find it in a Grade II listed building which suitably matches the high-end food.

8 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5NG

Described by top chef Pierre Koffmann as “a restaurant of low-key excellence, serving some of the best food in the city” Wild Honey St James has seen chef Anthony Demetre turn this hotel restaurant into a genuine gastronomic destination. There’s a particularly good value set lunch option but if you can stay for longer, do order whatever seasonal iteration of the crisp Sutton Hoo chicken with pasta is on the menu.

1 Carlton St, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QQ

This corner restaurant on St James’s Market is a lovely bright spot to enjoy high-end Scandi cooking. The smorgasbord selection is genuinely inventive - think roasted sweetbreads with lingonberry chutney or a langoustine bao with cabbage slaw - and if you’re here for dinner, you should have a little trawl through their Aquavit spirit selection from Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Pancras Rd, London N1C 4TB

Formerly Plum + Spilt Milk, this restaurant and bar on the first floor of the Great Northern Hotel has been completely made over. It now combines the best of French and British influences in its menu and the cross-Channel sourced cheese trolley is a must.

12 Lewis Cubitt Walk, London N1C 4DY

This impressive arts venue, a sibling establishment to The Bridge Theatre, features a cafe and bar run by St John that’s open to all. Enjoy freshly made madeleines and top wines in its modernist setting.

120 Cromer St, London WC1H 8BS

Located inside the YMCA yoga centre, Thenga Café is quirky and inviting, offering a purely vegan menu with European and Indian influences due to the chef's travels and Bengali heritage. The daily set meals are one of London's most affordable eats.

1 York Way, London N1C 4AS

Very much doing exactly what it promises, Beer & Burger Store combines a huge range of craft beers with smashed-patty burgers that are among the best in London. Be sure to get some dipping gravy for your burgers too.

279 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8QF

They describe themselves as a "rustic French bakery" selling some of the very best French loaves in the King's Cross area. Also, it’s ideal if you need an impressive cake to mark a special occasion and we are addicted to their Croque Monsieur.

Unit A Gasholder 10, 1 Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4BY

Idris Elba has his very own wine bar in Coal Drops Yard. Wine tasting is available plus a well-thought-out selection of champagne, cocktails and wines by the glass. It’s a sophisticated spot and you never know which A-lister you might bump into!

King's Cross Station London N1C 4AH

Parcel Yard is an all-day Fullers pub inside the station, with a seasonal menu inspired by the best of British. Think dishes like lamb’s liver with bubble & squeak and red wine gravy and they also have a great kids menu. It's perfect for a quick drink before you grab a train.

 65 Shepherd's Bush Green, London W12 8QE

Originally a pop-up at another Hoxton, Chet's is the permanent restaurant at the Hoxton Shepherd's Bush. Created by LA chef Kris Yenbamroong it mashes up Thai and American influences into the menu.

41 S Audley St, London W1K 2PS

Socca is a French bistro from Claude Bosi (best known for his two-Michelin-starred restaurant at Bibendum) and Samyukta Nair (Koyn, MiMi MeiFair and Jamavar). Their joint restaurant takes inspiration from the French Riviera - it's a culinary love story to the food you'll find in the coastal towns of Marseilles, Cannes and Nice. The room looks spectacular too.

1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ

This restaurant covers the rooftop of the art’otel that's directly opposite Battersea Power Station, giving it unrivalled views of one of London's most iconic buildings. That's backed up by food from acclaimed chef Henrique Sá Pessoa (with Michelin stars to his name) who has produced a menu featuring contemporary Portuguese dishes using the best British, Spanish and Portuguese produce.

Unit 3, 10 Jamestown Rd, London NW1 7BY

Kosovan-born Nazmi Dervishaj is behind this popular Mediterranean bar and cafe which serves up a winning menu of Mediterranean-led dishes. Their weekend brunch is a big hit and cocktails are also worth a try - the list has both vegan and non-alcoholic options available, which is a nice inclusive touch.

12 Fortess Rd, London NW5 2EU

This cosy little restaurant with pared-back interiors serves traditional Ethiopian food. The Queen of Sheba's speciality is stewed meat dishes and injera, spongy Ethiopian flatbread, as well as the traditional coffee ritual, where it's served slowly and heartily strong.

85 Willes Rd, London NW5 3DN

Dishing up traditional Vietnamese food in an intimate and simple restaurant, Pho Ta's menu includes the likes of bun cha, pork belly in a meaty broth, along with summer rolls and meat grilled over charcoal. It doesn't serve alcohol but runs a bring-your-own option.

135 Fortess Rd, London NW5 2HR

As the name suggests, the restaurant is a meeting of east and west, in a relaxed neighbourhood restaurant near Tufnell Park. But more specifically, the menu focuses on bringing together the owner's two favourite cuisines: Indian and Italian. Think masala margarita pizza, butter chicken arancini and saag paneer truffle tagliatelle.

52a Prince of Wales Rd, London NW5 3LN

The Fields Beneath cafe is about three things, coffee, wine and food and it focuses on doing them all really well. The food offering has been vegan since 2018, and it's as local and seasonal as possible, the wine is natural and there's always a single-origin coffee on filter.

343 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2TJ

Two brothers run Babuji, which is named after their father who loved Bengali, Mumbai and Pakistan street food. The menu is a homage to the street food of countries across South Asia, from the likes of aloo tikki chaat to Bengali prawn curry.

91 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY

A Filipino concept from the Maginhawa group, this one is based on street ice cream sellers who help people keep cool in the humidity of the Philippines. They're always brightly coloured and popular flavours include ube, a purple yam. Think pandesal ice cream sandwiches and shaved ice drinks with layers of sweet toppings.

259 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2JT

This is the latest iteration from the family, which spans over a 100-year history of Jewish bakery tradition and is now run by Aaron, the great-grandson of founder Wolf Kossoff, a Jewish refugee from Kyiv. Aaron has worked at Honey & Co. and was also head baker at Ottolenghi when he was just 27. Now he's brought his skills home to produce excellent bread, pastries and baked goods under his family name.

285-287 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2JS

Known for its simple but tasty Turkish meat and doner kebabs in even simpler surroundings, E Mono has been highly praised by The Times' food critic, Giles Coren, for years. The flatbreads are made on-site, and the chicken shawarma is free-range. There's seating inside to dine in, as well as its popular takeaway service.

114A, 116 Fortess Rd, London NW5 2HL

French restaurant and bar, Authentique draws its offering inspiration from 12 French-speaking regions, such as Jura and Savoie (between Switzerland and Burgundy) which rotate monthly. There's a huge array of interesting wines served by the glass, while the well-stocked wine shop has around 700 wines and 75 beers.

167 Junction Rd, Archway, London N19 5PZ

Norman's looks like it’s been here forever, but actually sprung to life in 2020 and is a modern take on a proper British caff (not a café). It keeps the humble tradition alive with the likes of hearty English fry ups, and dishes from sausage, beans and chips (not French fries) to cottage pie, and syrup sponge and custard – simple, but done really, really well.

83 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY

This neighbourhood Filipino bakery is another outpost from the Maginhawa group which owns Bintang and Ramo. Here, it's all about sweet and savoury baked goods, including Japanese-inspired fluffy sando sandwiches filled with corned beef hash or panko chicken and mushroom, through to breakfast Filipino milk buns with beef sausage, egg, cheese and tomato compote.