London Restaurants - Soho, Fitzrovia, Covent Garden

41 Beak Street, London

Small bites are big news as this Venetian bacaro demonstrates. The head chef here is Tom Olroyd, who was previously at Bocca di Lupo, London's last big Italian opening. Packed from pretty much the minute it opened, the tapas-style menu is clearly a hit with Londoners.

1 Green's Court, London W1F 0HA

195 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PS

27 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JS

95-97 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LF

This is the first outing for a new chain of resturants in a combo deal by Jamie Barber of Marylebone's Villandry and Ed Standring of Relish Restaurants. There are plans to add a further six of these around London in the next year or so.

5 Macclesfield Street, London W1D 6AY

There's always room in a Londoner's heart for a joint serving ethnic food at competitive prices, slap bang in the middle of town, with barely an ounce of energy given over to customer goodwill. Surly or even aggressive service in the case of Soho veteran Wong Kei, can be forgiven if the food is good, and it is at Rasa Sayang.

135 Wardour Street, London W1F 0UT

Milanese baker Rocco Princi's empire is all about the bread - so the focaccia pizza slices are always a good bet as are the pastries here.

93 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4PY

46 Broadwick Street, London W1F 7AF

It began as a deli in Exmouth Market, progressed to a tapas bar in Borough Market, and now Brindisa has taken its impeccably sourced Spanish fare to become a fully-fledged restauraunt just off Berwick Street Market - is there a theme here?

8 Hanway Place, London W1T 1HD

The original Hakkasan is tucked down a tiny alleyway just off Tottenham Court Road. Step inside though and you're transported to a Chinese den of black laquer and gold. Awarded a Michelin star two years after opening, it's retained it every year since.

66 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HG

12 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0HX

25 Ganton Street, London W1F 9BP