London restaurants best for... Impressing visitors
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.
68 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HP
Of all his restaurants the world over, this is Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant, based on Hospital Road. Matt Abé is the man in the kitchen here, in charge of retaining Gordon's three Michelin stars.
1 Upper James Street, Soho, London W1F 9DF
Bob Bob Ricard remains one of our personal favourite spots in town. We don't know whether it's the fantastically blingy design, the rich food with just a hint of Eastern European in there, the "press for champagne" button or... who are we kidding, it's definitely the Press For Champagne button.
35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7LB
One of London's oldest restaurants, there has been a Rules serving food in and around this part of Covent Garden since 1798. Here is where you come if you're after history and classic British dishes, served well. The upstairs cocktail bar is legendary.
10 Adelaide Street, London WC2N 4HZ
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.
16 Bury Street St James's, London SW1Y 6AJ
One of Mayfair St James’ finest dining establishments has had a refresh – except this is far more than a new lick of paint. Quaglino’s, the iconic restaurant and late-night venue, has undergone a full-scale renovation under the direction of D&D London and Russell Sage studios.
Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA
Spring is Skye Gyngell's first solo venture, who had such a big success at Petersham Nurseries. She has set up shop in the "new" wing of Somerset House which hasn't been open to the public for 150 years and serving fair like Grilled langoustine with seaweed butter and Roasted turbot with porcini and bone marrow.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Heston's only London gaff is still hugely popular. The dishes that captured everyone's attention when it opened - the Meat Fruit (chicken liver parfait shaped like a mandarin) and the Tipsy Cake are still on the menu and are must-order dishes if you haven't got round to trying them yet. Keep an eye out for A-list diners, the hotel is a well-known celebrity haunt.
201 Tooley Street, London SE1 2UE
Tom Sellers previously worked with the likes of Rene Redzepi at Noma, Adam Byatt and Thomas Keller before making his own name with the Michelin-starred Restaurant Story. It's led by a tasting menu that changes by the seasons while still keeping in a few signatures, like his beef dripping candle. After a major refurb, an entire new floor was added to the building adding a chef's table with an impressive view and terrace.
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