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

Discreet as a footman, quiet as a nun and modest as a fieldmouse about its achievements, the Ledbury is the antithesis of the Gordon Ramsay/Heston Blumenthal breed of restaurant. — Independent

Do you like your kidneys? You may have to sell one of them to eat dinner at The Ledbury. Even lunch comes at a petrifying price - £75 for 4 set courses, £120 a la carte. But if we had to... — The Infatuation

"The techniques wielded are spectacular" on chef Brett Graham's "masterful" New French menu. — Zagat

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

Heston Blumenthal's "famous techniques, combined with an homage to Britain's culinary past", result in "impeccably prepared", "visually stunning", "other-worldly" creations. — Zagat

At his spot at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, Blumenthal—who made his name with the Fat Duck in Berkshire—reimagines dishes from Britain’s past, overwhelming the senses in the best... — Departures

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

Like a culinary Doctor Who, Heston Blumenthal takes you on a historical trip back through time with his first London venture. — BlackBook

Don't come expecting 'molecular gastronomy' - this is all about respect for, and a wonderful renewal of, British food, with just a little playfulness thrown in. — Michelin Guide

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

The walls, painted in a shade of detention centre white, add to the utilitarian feel of the room which was a smokehouse in the 19C. — Michelin Guide

The belief that no one eats better than farmers is confirmed by the repertoire of this bare, white, classy canteen, with its pleasant relaxed service which is far from rustic. — Gayot

This little restaurant, a stone’s throw from Smithfield’s meat market, is a Clerkenwell favourite. It offers simple but curious dishes such as Middle White belly and dandelion. — Insight Guides

The ingredients are the best, the cooking is superb, and the dish is what it says on the menu. — Frommer's

Step back in time for an elegant afternoon tea. — Not For Tourists

Housed in an exceptionally grand ’20s Wolseley car showroom on Piccadilly, The Wolseley is an experience of the Grand European tradition of all-day dining from hit restaurateurs Chris... — On the Grid

Faultless Parisian brasserie, next to the Ritz. Decór is inspired by posh 1920s Wolseley cars, with lots of shiny brass, mirrored surfaces, and black-and-white surfaces. — BlackBook

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

This erstwhile Bentley car showroom has been transformed into an opulent Viennese-style brasserie. — Lonely Planet

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

Combining traditional Indian cooking with British ingredients, and featuring a menu of cocktails infused with Asian spices, Gymkhana has been a game changer in how Indian food is perceived in the UK. — Travel + Leisure

Indian curry virtuoso Karam Sethi invokes the last days of the Raj at London's finest top-end curry emporium in Mayfair. — Fodor's

Posh four-star Indian with slightly disarming colonial flourishes. — Not For Tourists

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

This restaurant colossus offers unapologetically old-school fine dining. — Time Out

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

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

A new kitchen and the introduction of a private dinning room, the “Chef’s Library,” move this restaurant, founded in 1967, firmly into the modern era. — Travel + Leisure

Roux's mastery of technically-precise and classical French cuisine hypnotizes all-comers. — Fodor's

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

Enter the room, designed by Patrick Jouin, to find a soothing, sophisticated space with light wood panels and natural materials in varying shades of tan and cream. — Gayot

Alain Ducasse has more three Michelin starred restaurants than London does. He has three, we have two. And, er, one of those, this one, is his. — Evening Standard

Better known for its extortionate prices than michelin-starred food. — Not For Tourists

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

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

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

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

And so we come at last to the Holy Grail for which your correspondent has been searching: an exquisite tasting menu in London. — Independent

It's "well worth the fight to get a table" at chef Bruce Poole's upscale Wandsworth dining room. — Zagat

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

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

A jewel in the gastronomic wasteland of Wandsworth Common, Chez Bruce has a reputation that no amount of money or marketing skill could fix. — Independent

Like a well-cut blazer, Chez Bruce may not be especially original, but it is largely reliable. — Time Out

Superb array of fish and seafood dishes which will save you from ADD bought on by star gazing. A must see and eat. — BlackBook

"If you're in the mood for seafood" this Covent Garden eatery.... is "still the standard". — Zagat

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

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

This incredibly smart restaurant, whose pedigree stretches back to 1896, has four elegant, discreet and spacious wood-panelled rooms in which to savour the riches of the sea. — Lonely Planet

Sam(antha) and Sam Clark’s Exmouth Market restaurant and cookbook set the benchmark for a distinctly British style of Iberian-with-a-North-African-twist Mediterranean cooking. — Time Out

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

Still a frequent award winner 15 years after it launched, Moro serves Moorish cuisine, a fusion of Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan flavours. — Lonely Planet

Lovingly led for more than a decade by husband-and-wife chefs Sam and Sam Clark, the menu includes a mélange of Spanish and Moorish North African flavors. — Fodor's

"Gutsy flavours" deliver "constant surprises" at this Exmouth Market North African-Spanish hotspot. — Zagat

Tom's Kitchen is chef Tom Aiken's (with his twin brother, Robert) second place, done up like a fantasy Edwardian country-house kitchen. — Travel + Leisure

It's good that Tom Aikens has gone to all the trouble of sourcing sustainable fish, recycled take-away boxes and cornstarch cutlery for his new-wave chippy. It's great. — Independent

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

Although Tom Aikens first made his mark in haute cuisine, this brasserie is his stab at a more egalitarian style of cooking and service. — Time Out

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

Dim sum is topnotch; try Chinese chive dumplings and light, fresh prawns and scallop parcels. — Gayot

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

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

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

This is the place for a genuine taste of traditional London. — Frommer's

Rules opened its doors in 1798 and during its history has seen the great and the good, the famous and infamous and latterly, tourists in droves, pass through its doors. — Gayot

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

You "can't get more traditional" than this "right, rigorous and reliable" Covent Garden "institution" that's been serving "hearty" British "classics. — Zagat

It's hard not to talk about art, when every wall is covered with amazing – and often quite startling – pieces. — Independent

"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

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

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

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

Tapas are always better value in Spain but the quality of this food justifies the layout. Along with gambas al ajillo (prawns in garlic; £8), there are more unusual things such as tuna... — Lonely Planet

A follow-up to the wildly popular Arbutus, Wild Honey features surefire Franglais cooking: warm smoked eel with pear purée and delicious Scottish beef with baked onion. — Travel + Leisure

Ravioli of wild Italian greens with Moroccan lemon peel, followed by grilled young chicken with spring vegetable risotto... were a masterful reminder of what the kitchen is capable of. — Time Out

Try starters of Dorset crab with bittersweet Italian leaves and lychee, or smoked eel with boneless crisp chicken wings, sweetcorn and turnips. — Gayot

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

Wild Honey is an unexpected haven tucked away on a quiet side street in the bustling West End. Occupying an attractive wood-paneled room formerly used by Marco Pierre White, the... — Concierge

The quality and consistency of the food at Amaya keeps it busy, but if you haven't booked it's still worth turning up as they try to accommodate everyone. — Michelin Guide

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

“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

The creative contemporary Indian food served in this smart dining room – delicate, finely flavoured grills, prepared in front of you in the open kitchen – well deserves its Michelin star. — Rough Guide

One of Britain’s finest restaurants and London’s longest-running with three Michelin stars, this is hallowed turf for those who worship at the altar of the stove. — Lonely Planet

Dishes tantalise then delight the senses; no element of the complex assemblies seems showily redundant – even the pouring of sauces at table adds visual and aromatic impact. — Time Out

Everything is perfect from place settings to service. This place deserves all three of its Michelin stars. — DK Eyewitness

The steadfast Jean-Claude is one of London's most experienced maitre d's and has been a reassuring presence here at Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant since the day it opened. — Michelin Guide

Whatever may be happening in the fiery chef's empire elsewhere, a meal here remains one of London's great pleasures. — Frommer's

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

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

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 "high-quality", fish-focused French menu and "superb" views over Tower Bridge and the City from the riverside terrace of this "bit pricey" Butlers Wharf venue make it "a must for tourists". — Zagat

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

Club Gascon has earned a Michelin star for its degustation (read ‘fine flavours in small portions’) approach to French cuisine. Order four or five plates to make a meal. — Lonely Planet

The menu features modest-sized, beautifully presented dishes that encourage sharing rather than the conventional three-course approach. — Frommer's

"Innovative, well-presented" dishes make Pascal Aussignac's slice of Southwest France in Farringdon a "true standout". — Zagat

The chef Pascal Aussignac has created a small corner of France in Smithfield. — Gayot

The presence of the three-strong Gascon group... ensures that a small area of east-central London has a flavour of south-west France. — Time Out