Food and drink in London

Did you know that today, with the exception of Paris, no other city has as many stars in the Guide Rouge than London – a full 35 of them? Book early! And why not have lunch instead of dinner, unless you want your bill to rocket sky high.

Here are just some of our favourites:

 

Gordon Ramsay at Claridge´s. the master chef’s latest restaurant. Value-for-money lunches. 1 Brook Street. 020-7499 0099.

Hakkasan. Raises Cantonese cooking to new levels. 8 Hanway Street. 020-7907 1888.

Nobu. So full of celebs that you almost forget the exciting dishes: Japan meets South America. 19 Old Park Lane. 020-7447 4747.

The Savoy Grill. Impeccable service. Views of the River Thames. 020-7592 1600.

Orrery. Possibly the loveliest of all Sir Terence Conran’s restaurants. 55 Marylebone High Street. 020-7616 8000.

Soho is London’s traditional hub for food for all tastes and all budgets. Here you can even find London’s very own Chinatown, with several of the best Chinese restaurants in the capital, such as Yautcha, with one star, and Fung Shing. Brick Lane in east London was formerly known as Banglatown because of all its restaurants serving food from Bangladesh. In Southall in west London, the centre of London’s Sikh district, there are lots of restaurants serving Punjabi specialities. Stoke Newington is known for its Turkish restaurants and delicacies, whilst Edgware Road is the place for those who like Lebanese and North African dishes. In New Malden you will find a number of Korean restaurants. And you’ll find Portuguese food where most of the Portuguese like to head for, down in Vauxhall.

Chelsea, Fulham & Kensington:

Aquasia. Asia meets Europe. Exciting flavours and aromas. Conrad London Hotel, Chelsea Harbour.
Brasserie St Quentin. 90-year, charming French brasserie. 243 Brompton Road.
Bluebird. New English cuisine with a view over King’s Road. 350 King's Road.
Chutney Mary. Specialities from six regions of India. 535 King's Road.

City/East:
Caravaggio. Modern Italian dishes in an old bank. 107-112 Leadenhall Street.
Coq d'Argent. Conran restaurant with garden and beautiful views.

Fifteen. Naked Chef Jamie Oliver’s much-talked-about restaurant which recruited youngsters who had “lost their way" to serve and prepare the dishes. 15 Westland Place.
Les Trois Garcons. London’s craziest setting. Good French food. 1 Club Row.
Miyabi. Sushi, sashimi and tempura in the delightful Great Eastern Hotel. Liverpool Street.
The Real Greek. Genuine Greek dishes. 14-15 Hoxton Market.

High Street Kensington:
Sticky Fingers. Rolling Stones guitarist Bill Wyman’s restaurants with proper burgers and pork ribs. 1 a Phillmore Gardens.
Wodka. Blini, smoked duck, vodka and scrummy crepes. 12 St Albans Grove.
 
Knightsbridge:
Zia Teresa. Superb Italian food near Harrods. 6 Hans Road.
 
Paddington:
Levantine. Meze and other Lebanese specialities. 26 London Street.
 
Piccadilly:
Benihana. Japanese Teppanyaki classics with a large cooking show. 37 Sackville Street.