256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2EN

The Parakeet is a pub run by the people behind Camden's Blues Kitchen, having taken over what was The Oxford pub. It remains part pub, part restaurant with the latter run by chef Ben Allen. The menu changes regularly and there's an emphasis on cooking over fire.

55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX

The great fact to bandy about Wiltons is that it’s older than the United States of America (the restaurant first opened 280 years ago). Looking good for its age, this is a place to perch up at the counter for oysters or find a booth at the back for luxe but traditional treats like Lobster Thermidor or an epic mixed grill.

70 Leonard St, London EC2A 4QX

Zapote is a modern Mexican restaurant in the heart of Shoreditch with an ex-Aqua Nueva chef in the kitchen. All their tortillas are made in-house daily and the menu features a mix of the traditional and modern, with tacos and quesadillas sitting alongside dishes like their coal-roasted sweet potato. There is a big bar here too, so it's very handy for some of their cocktails and snacks.

Unit 3, 1 Finsbury Ave, London EC2M 2PF

Travel to Portugal without leaving the City of London by perching at the counter by the open kitchen of the City outlet of Bar Douro. Here you can enjoy petiscos, such as salt-cod fritters and smoked sausage croquetas, while admiring the azulejos that adorn the walls.

Unit 114 Lower, Stable St, London N1C 4DR

If you value a menu that cuts straight to the chase, this no-nonsense Japanese canteen is the place serving up three varieties of curry and rice and nothing else.

4 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7XN

This family-run Dalston ocakbasi was transformed into one of London's most exciting restaurants when ownership passed to the original owners' sons. Now you can expect thrilling modern Turkish food through an East London lens.

10 Basinghall St, London EC2V 5BQ

Renowned for their steaks, excellent wine list and service, Hawksmoor is a reassuring choice, and their Guildhall branch is particularly suited to the business crowd, with breakfast meetings well-catered for. There’s a 22-person private dining room, complete with audio-visual equipment, for presentations with exceptional catering.

11 White’s Row, London E1 7NF

Opened in 2015 and since expanded to restaurants in Soho and Tower Bridge, this original Gunpowder serves Indian small plates with an inventive twist. The dishes are inspired by those that the team grew up with and the Kashmiri lamb chops are a must.

48 Gresham St, London EC2V 7AY

Cabotte is a restaurant founded by two Master Sommeliers. So while the menu is classic French, really the key thing here is the wine list that accompanies it. A good place for bringing any really keen wine drinkers you want to impress.

13 Philpot Lane, London EC3M 1DE

Set in an atmospheric basement of a Grade-II-listed building, the City outlet of Blacklock, a chophouse renowned for the quality of its grass-fed meat, is where carnivores can indulge in the likes of smoked maple-glazed bacon chops or even pig’s head on toast.

Royal London House, 10th Floor Montcalm, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX

On the edge of Finsbury Square, this has a view overlooking the square - albeit mainly from the terrace and bar at the front of the hotel - with some excellent views from the private terraces one floor down, which are highly covetable. In winter, there are bookable igloos too while the menu is a modern European affair.

1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ

This elegant French restaurant offers slick rooftop dining that’s popular with the working-lunch set, and is especially busy in summer for its garden with sublime views. There are set menus, including one featuring the ‘classiques’, such as escargots de Bourgogne.

Unit 2, 30 Angel Ct, Throgmorton St, London EC2R 7HJ

At Temper, it’s all about the heat, with your barbecue coming from a huge central firepit. Alongside steak, you can also enjoy the likes of wood-roasted sea bass or cheeseburger tacos, as well as a cocktail list that's heavy on mezcal and gin creations.

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.

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.