London

Try a dinner of mackerel with smoked eel, mustard and shiso, or foie gras terrine with apples in sake, followed by sea bass with confit squid, buckwheat and nasturtium. — Gayot

The Ledbury is a superbly run restaurant that should glide through the gathering storm. — The Guardian

Australian-born Brett Graham has now earned two Michelin stars at this sophisticated neighborhood restaurant. — Frommer's

Two Michelin stars and swooningly elegant, Brett Graham’s artful French restaurant attracts well-heeled diners in jeans with designer jackets. — Lonely Planet

Few haute establishments have the hospitable hum of the Ledbury. — Time Out

Blumenthal looks back over centuries of British cookery with a menu that includes everything from 15th-century meat fruit to 17th-century powdered duck breast. — Travel + Leisure

Here is the missing link between the labour-intensive complexity of contemporary haute cuisine, and the produce-led simplicity of modern British pioneers. — Independent

Head chef Ashley-Palmer Watts, protégé of Heston Blumenthal, ensures that Dinner is one of London’s most sought-after destinations. — Time Out

For a country with a less than stellar reputation for the quality of its food, we need reminding sometimes about the glories of our own culinary heritage. — Michelin Guide

This new restaurant from one of the world's great chefs, Heston Blumenthal of the Fat Duck in Bray, was one of London's most eagerly expected openings. — Frommer's

St John’s cooking is famously full-on, but also sophisticated, concocting flavours that are delicate as well as rich. — Time Out

They call it "Nose-to-Tail Eating," and you'll be amazed at the number of obscure cuts that can crop up between those too extremes and end up on your plate. — Concierge

Don’t miss the signature roast bone-marrow salad with parsley and follow it with one of the tasty daily specials. — Lonely Planet

Foodies travel the globe for pioneering chef Fergus Henderson's ultra-British nose-to-tail cooking. — Fodor's

This place is ALL about the offal. — Not For Tourists

"Gifted" chef Michel Roux Jr. presents a "culinary extravaganza" of "beautifully presented" French "classics" at this "sophisticated", "expensive" Mayfair dining room. — Zagat

This winning, fine-dining establishment from the Roux family has staked its claim on the world culinary map ever since it opened in 1967: In fact, the spot was the very first restaurant... — Departures

Known as much for its illustrious history – Ava Gardner and Charlie Chaplin were regulars – as its delectable, classic French cuisine. — BlackBook

Brothers Michel and Albert Roux have been synonymous with fine dining in Britain for decades, and the Gavroche is their flagship London restaurant. — DK Eyewitness

A little indulgence never did anyone any harm and Le Gavroche is all about indulgence. — Michelin Guide

A gorgeous, Art Deco mini-palace, slightly crowded but wonderfully intimate, like the state room of an ocean-going liner. — Independent

It was sadly neglected for years, but since 1998, under the same owners as Le Caprice, its wonderful Victorian interior is again thronged with Theaterland crowds. — DK Eyewitness

Tucked into a small alleyway off St. Martin's Lane, J. Sheekey has long been a Theatreland favorite for both the famous (Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh) and the not-so-famous. — Frommer's

There are four or five tables but you're much better off sitting at the bar as you can chat with the chaps behind it and, if you're on the far side, watch the chefs in action. — Michelin Guide

A grande dame of the London dining scene – established in 1896 in the heart of theatreland – this lovely old seafood restaurant is a glittering, special occasion kind of place. — Rough Guide

Stop any stylish Londoner on the street to ask for their favorite upscale breakfast spot and 9 out of 10 will send you to this grand café-restaurant on Piccadilly, across from The Ritz... — Condé Nast Traveler

A self-proclaimed ‘café-restaurant in the grand European tradition’, the Wolseley combines London heritage and Viennese grandeur. — Time Out

With its vaulted ceilings and pillars, polished marble, huge chandeliers, and Art Deco interior, the Wolseley looks like a grand Viennese cafe. — Frommer's

The menu is varied, influenced by Europe so you can go from herrings with potato and dill to coq au vin, from Wiener Schnitzel to roast haddock, cockles and Jersey royal potatoes. — Gayot

The kitchen caters to all appetites, occasions, and emergencies, serving everything from breakfast—which has become particularly popular recently—to patisseries to bar snacks....Tables are kept aside for walk-ins, but expect lines during peak hours. — Concierge

"Top class in every respect". — Zagat

Ducasse's proxy, Jocelyn Herland, produces dishes that are genuinely beautiful to the eye, but less ­memorable to the tastebud than that triple-star rating might suggest. — The Guardian

The celebrated chef's Mayfair Park restaurant has earned three Michelin Stars since opening in 2008. The contemporary dining room has a neutral creamy palette and high ceilings. — Travel + Leisure

This is French haute cuisine, but with a nod towards London's more relaxed style. — Frommer's

Alain Ducasse is one of France's greatest post-war chefs and his London team display a confidence in their ability and maturity in their attitude that does justice to his reputation. — Michelin Guide

Foodies flock to this much "hyped" Fitzrovia venue to "savour smart, ingenious combinations" of "cutting-edge" Modern European cuisine. — Zagat

The fish course featured the most traditional dish, slow-cooked salmon in a lightly foamed white wine sauce spiked with buttermilk – not unusual in conception, but just right in all its detail. — The Guardian

Dabbous sports industrial decor of exposed pipes and brick walls, wood and metal, and no-frills table settings. — Gayot

A white-hot table, Dabbous (the S is silent) shines through arty, crisp dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. — Frommer's

One of London’s hottest restaurants, serving light modern cuisine in a warmly distressed space. — Rough Guide

Sethi lays on a splendid spread of modern Indian dishes based on regional masalas and marinades. — Time Out

Essentially this is tandoori lamb of the sort done so well at the Pakistani grill house Tayyabs in Whitechapel for a third of the price. — The Guardian

Go colonial at this smart Mayfair Indian restaurant that takes the British Raj style as inspiration. — Gayot

If you enjoyed Trishna then you'll love Karam Sethi's Gymkhana - that's if you can get a table. — Michelin Guide

Chicken butter masala had a brilliantly smoked quality – the result, apparently, of charcoaling tomatoes in the tandoor before putting them in the sauce. — Independent

The rustic facade, beside leafy Wandsworth Common, belies a crisp modern interior; the wine list is an all-star cast, the food sublime. — Lonely Planet

Flavoursome and uncomplicated food, sprightly service, sensible prices and an easy-going atmosphere. — Michelin Guide

This restaurant on the edge of Wandsworth Common changes little, but why should it when Chez Bruce enjoys such well deserved success?. — Gayot

The menu is modern British, and after 10 years here, Bruce has got it right. Lots of emphasis on offal, so not a vege- tarian paradise but otherwise a very good restaurant, indeed. — DK Eyewitness

Deeply flavorsome French and Mediterrean cuisine, faultless service, a winning wine list, and a glossy neighborhood vibe make for one of London's all-time favorite destination restaurants. — Fodor's

Laid-back restaurant serving Moorish cuisine, where lamb is charcoal grilled, tuna is wind-dried, monkfish wood-roasted, and manzanilla sherry partners prawns and garlic. — Insight Guides

Moro is proof that a restaurant does not need to be a new hot thing to be worth visiting time and time again. — Travel + Leisure

The much-lauded Moro has been the place to go for its passionate exploration of Moorish cuisine ever since husband-and-wife team Sam and Sam Clark opened for business in 1997. — Concierge

Lovely, warmly decorated restaurant that’s a place of pilgrimage for disciples of Sam and Sam Clark’s Moorish/ Iberian/Middle Eastern cuisine. — Rough Guide

This coming together of Spanish and North African food gastronomically echoes Cordoba's cathedral built inside a great mosque. — Gayot

Relaxed brasserie run by award-winning chef Tom Aikens. — Insight Guides

Tom's Place, it struck me as we took in a room that is half affectionate pastiche of a 50s seaside chippie and half American diner, is the exact inverse of that lyrical character. — The Guardian

Celebrity chef Tom Aikens’ restaurant serves excellent food (including award-winning breakfasts and pancakes). — Lonely Planet

Crush-worthy (maybe just us?) Tom Aiken's British brasserie masterpiece. — Not For Tourists

Chef Tom Aikens'€™ restaurant is thoroughly attractive and offers all-day dining to everyone --- especially families. — Gayot

This "super sexy" Cantonese with locations in Fitzrovia and Mayfair marries "to-die-for", "innovative" cuisine with a "vibrant", "clublike atmosphere". — Zagat

A very expensive modern Chinese restaurant, but one that has had no problems filling its tables from day one. — DK Eyewitness

Very swanky, atmospheric designer restaurant with a long, fashionably crammed cocktail bar attached. — Rough Guide

This is less a copy, more a sister to the original Hakkasan; a sister who's just as fun and glamorous but simply lives in a far nicer part of town. — Michelin Guide

The first Chinese restaurant awarded a Michelin star, this upscale eatery is now an international chain with outposts in New York, Miami, Mumbai, and the Middle East. — Travel + Leisure

London’s oldest restaurant, here since 1798, has retained its fascinating historic decor, and its standards: it remains a temple of fine British cooking. — DK Eyewitness

Rules, London's oldest restaurant, is old-school, funny, and a must for visitors. — Condé Nast Traveler

London's oldest restaurant boasts a fine collection of antique cartoons, drawings and paintings. Tradition continues in the menu, specialising in game from its own estate. — Michelin Guide

Established in 1798, Rules claims to be the oldest restaurant in London. It’s a place where locals like to get their fix of good old-fashioned British food. — Travel + Leisure

Come, escape the 21st century. Opened by Thomas Rule in 1798, London's oldest restaurant is, according to some, still London's most beautiful. — Fodor's

Wild Honey is all about relaxed and comfortable dining; the highly skilled cooking is a model of resourcefulness and the prices. — Michelin Guide

Wild Honey is a warm and welcoming spot to settle in for an hour or two (grab one of the cozy banquettes). Chef Anthony Demetre creates unpretentious, seasonal dishes such as beet and smoked-eel tart or pork with apple puree. — Concierge

Wild Honey receives consistently good reviews for its food and wine, stunning wood-panelled dining room and professional service. — Lonely Planet

This Michelin star's got skillz (and a damn good tête-de-veau). — Not For Tourists

Oak paneling and striking contemporary art combine to create the look of this elegant modern bistro. — DK Eyewitness

Innovative, high-end Indian restaurants abound in London, but not all cook food worth trying. Amaya, however, does, serving contemporary versions of Indian street food and smarter dishes in chic surroundings. — Concierge

“Sleek and chic”, this Belgravia “oasis” takes an “intellectual approach” to the “rich fabric of Indian cuisine”, producing “beautifully presented”, “mouth-watering” dishes “designed for... — Zagat

Run by the same owners as Chutney Mary and Verraswamy, the United Kingdom's oldest Indian restaurant, Amaya, has earned one Michelin star for its grilled kebabs and Indian-style tapas. — Travel + Leisure

Nestled in the heart of Belgravia on the absurdly charming Motcomb street, Amaya is one of our favorite spots for Indian food. — goop

Chef Karunesh Khanna not only has a Michelin star, he also specializes in tapas-style Indian food, so go in a group to share as many of the wonderful array of dishes as possible. — Frommer's

Blair & Clinton's rendezvous. Posh but gosh!. — Not For Tourists

Set within in Butler's Wharf, an old Victorian shipping warehouse, when Le Pont de la Tour first opened its doors, it quickly became something of a destination restaurant thanks to its... — Wallpaper

Once the flagship of Sir Terence Conran's dining empire, now sold to D&D London, Le Pont de la Tour is still a destination restaurant for the great and the good. — Frommer's

The long riverside dining room is elegant if a little soulless, but the setting is picture-perfect. — Time Out

The venue is elegant, with a welcome terrace for summer dining and a dining room with windows looking out on to the Thames and floodlit Tower Bridge. — Gayot

Whatever you go for, you'll find the food modern, innovative, technically impressive and well-balanced. — Michelin Guide

Discretely tucked away amid imposing Mayfair mansions and approached via a sumptious spotlit garden, this ultra-elegant ground-floor dining salon quietly screams "Stealth Wealth!". — Fodor's

You reach the restaurant through a delightful plant-filled courtyard and step into a pretty room with green and brown decor that echoes the outside. — Gayot

It takes just a couple of steps along the decked, tree-lined entrance of this Mayfair mews restaurant for a sense of oasis and calm to descend. — Time Out

Chef Arnaud Bignon is "a master of taste" declare fans of this "superb", upscale French dining room in Mayfair. — Zagat

This stylish, much-praised restaurant is almost a showcase for global fusion cooking. — DK Eyewitness

"Be prepared to go where the chef wants to take you" at Peter Gordon's no-reservations International in Marylebone. — Zagat

On the ground floor is the Tapa Room, a casual, buzzy space heaving with well-dressed locals knocking back top-quality coffees, New Zealand wines and an all-day menu of small plates. — Time Out

The food at Providores is truly original and tastes divine: the Sri Lankan spiced short ribs, Cajun pork belly with Puy lentils, beef fillet with Szechuan-pickled shiitake mushrooms. — Lonely Planet

Sip Rioja and gorge on tapas for the cognoscenti. — Not For Tourists

At Barrafina, seats at the bar put the chefs on display as they turn out mind-blowing tapas. — Departures

The new Barrafina is a fabulously good place to have a vivacious, ambrosial and, incidentally, healthy meal. — Evening Standard

Seriously, the best (and hippest) place for tapas. — Not For Tourists

Seafood is a speciality and the fish displays an exhilarating freshness; the Jabugo ham is also well worth trying. — Michelin Guide

"Stellar" Spanish nibbles, including the "freshest seafood", are prepared in front of you and served with "wines to impress" at this duo of "intimate", no-reservations tapas bars in Soho. — Zagat