London restaurants best for... No reservations

After beginning life in a shipping container as one of the first restaurants in Pop Brixton, Kricket has come far. Inspired by Indian cuisine, they offer an ever-changing menu of Indian small plates. And they feature what may be one of our favourite snacks in town, the samphire pakora dish.

Probably the London restaurant that's done more for this city's passion for pasta than any other recent opening, Padella comes from the Trullo stable and serves up freshly-made-each-day pasta. The only downside is the permanent queue.

Coming from the Sethi siblings, best known for Gymkhana but also behind Bao, Lyle's and more, this is inspired by roadside shacks (boutiques) of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. These shacks focus on hoppers and dosas which is with Hoppers. It's a popular no-reservations spot, so be prepared for a wait at peak times - but it's worth it and very affordable.

One of the most successful example of street food vendors going permanent, this is one of the toughest places to grab a seat at in Soho. But when you do, the steamed milk buns that are at the heart of the menu make it all worthwhile.

Blacklock's main speciality is chops - beef, pork and lamb and all at pretty good value. You'll want to go all-in with the chops dripping onto flatbread, but keep an eye out for some great meats on the specials board. With most cocktails costing just £5 a good time is guaranteed.

One thing you know you're going to get at any branch of Barrafina is great food. The counter seats might be gone minutes after service opens, but that only proves that the early bird catches the milk fed kidneys.

Originally created by Neil Rankin this bar/restaurant serves egg dishes every which way it can (but not desserts). Expect burgers, hash, tacos and more.

This popular street food spot has a permanent home with short ribs, wagyu brisket, tacos, smoked mac n' cheese and more on the menu. Plus there's another bar downstairs, 46 and Mercy, serving cocktails.

Not content with a gradual takeover of London with Burger and Lobster, Goodman restaurants have launched Smack lobster deli which will concentrate on a range of lobster rolls as well as whole prepared lobsters.

Kanada-Ya comes from Yukuhashi, Japan where it was set up by Kanada Kazuhiro in 2009 to produce a new style of ramen and it has a popular outpost in Hong Kong too. This is the first in Europe.

A pioneer of regional Thai food in London, The Begging Bowl couples ingredients sourced from Bangkok with meat and fish from local suppliers. They press their own coconut cream and make their own bitters and infused spirits. The Kaffir Sour, made with their own kaffir lime-infused gin, is sublime and goes perfectly with their excellent Northern charcoal grilled sausage.

Koya Soho may only seats 25 people but it has a huge reputation that belies its size. Expect some of the best Japanese udon noodles in town here - and there's a great breakfast if you're after a top way to start the day.

Former Head Chef of critics' fave The Wapping Project, Cameron Emirali, teamed up with Luke Wilson for this restaurant in Soho which has become a perennial Soho favourite. Expect a daily-changing menu that will concentrate on seasonality and fresh ingredients. And on top of that, a particularly good wine list too.

This venture from Soho House has opened beneath the Pizza East Kentish Town and focuses solely on selling rotisserie chicken using their bespoke technique.

The successful Goodge Street Spanish restaurant (and winner of Time Out's best Spanish restaurant in 2010) Barrica has expanded to the other side of Oxford Street. Expect a fully fledged tapas bar - all stools and standing space only with no bookings being taken.

James Knappett and his wife Sandia Chang turned out to be a formidable double act when they opened a restaurant of two halves. This is the hot-dog half at the front of the restaurant, serving up gourmet hot dogs alongside grower champagnes and other sparkling wines.

They expanded from a pop-up, roaming outlet to become one of the biggest burger restaurants in London. Their first restaurant was in W1 and has now been replaced with this even bigger venue. There are burgers, hot dogs, lethal cocktails and - most useful - a very late licence.

The folks behind Goodman are on a mission to offer Londoners the kind of Lobster experience you get on the east coast of America. They hope to offer the cheapest lobster in the UK, thanks to their tank which can take a tonne of lobster at a time.

The famed Aussie chef moved to London a while back and has since been looking for a place to open here. He's settled on a property in Westbourne Grove, looking to run a casual all-day dining space. Expect a similar set-up to his restaurant in Sydney, but with a stronger focus on Asian cuisine.

Staffed by folk who previously worked at Hix in Clerkenwell, expect a small menu featuring the group's favourite dishes from around the world, created with seasonal British ingredients. Plus there's "bring your own vynyl" approach which lets you play your own tunes on the turntable.

Russell Norman's Polpo was a hit the minute it opened its doors. This smaller successor is billed as 'a sort-of speakeasy with food; like a machine-age downtown NYC Italian diner' and seats just 30 people. It's a particularly good spot to hit up for late night dining.

José Pizarro has a small but select group of restaurants in London - this is his diminutive sherry and tapas joint. The menu changes daily and consists of simple sharing plates such as Razor Clams 'a la plancha' and the best Jamon Iberico. The decor mirrors the style and feel of Barcelona's Boqueria market.