Pizza East
You could head to any one of the Pizza East’s frequenting our daydreams but we choose to frequent Shoreditch High Street. Housed in the…
Wild Honey
It doesn’t look like much from outside but Wild Honey is deceptive in that way. Maybe they don’t want everyone to cotton onto what’s…
La Bodega Negra
Mexican streetfood and tequila by the bucketload. What’s not to love? This secret Soho hideaway is the perfect den for illicit trysts, dirty nights…
Bob Bob Ricard
Head to Bob Bob Ricard and feel like the pimpest Russian around. Any restaurant menu staring with gold vodka, caviar and oysters ensures a…
Shaka Zulu
Shake it up in North London and head to Shaka Zulu showing South Africa in all its glory. Bring your A-game to order the…
Roka
You’re going to have to look Soho-savvy to fit in here but don your best ‘media’ outfit and head to Roka for a seriously…
Marianne
With a Masterchef pedigree Marianne has set up a little slice of foodie heaven in the heart of Notting Hill. Having cut her teeth…
Upstairs At The Ten Bells
Hang with the cool kids in this intriguing restaurant in the heart of Spitalfields. Upstairs at The Ten Bells is where the young, inventive…
Restaurant Story
Tom Sellers continues to wow the crowds clammering to get into his ground-breaking Restaurant Story in London Bridge. The dishes are inspired by Tom’s…
Pollen Street Social
Jason Atherton – of Maze fame – opened Pollen Street Social with deserved aplomb back in 2011 and continues to impress with his simple…
Belvedere
This is a setting to write home about settled in the heart of Holland Park the Belvedere is a whole lot of special. There…
Clos Maggiore
The restaurant guide Harden’s recently named Clos Maggiore London’s ‘Most Romantic Restaurant’. The place oozes romance (we challenge anyone not to leave a little…
The Grazing Goat
Stepping into what feels like a luxury countryside retreat, the Georgian town house The Grazing Goat, offers a high calibre meal in the heart…
The Water Poet
We realise our ‘alternative’ pubs have a recurring theme of being situated in East London rather than South of the river. Good on those crazy…
The Antelope
An enduring, characterful pub in the heart of Chelsea seems unlikely. We don’t all want to drink in a Farrow & Ball showroom and…
The Alma
Not for the faint-hearted, you can smell the testosterone-fuelled, rugby-playing pheromones from a mile away The Alma. But Wandsworth residents are rather polite which…
The Builder’s Arms
Always full of eclectic types, we love the Builder’s Arms for its bountiful drinking surface area. This means that you can order your pint,…
The George & Vulture
An old man boozer within walking distance from the City. That serves pizza. And shows the rugby. What’s not to love? Teaming up with…
The Queen’s Arms
Those elusive London mews are a guaranteed hideaway for those of you desperate to escape the tourist routes and have our own British form…
The Bull’s Head
Make like Mr Toad and head for the river. Nothing beats The Bull’s Head whether its a cold, dank day or the sun is…
The Hillgate
A short walk from Notting Hill Gate lies this charming gastropub delight. With a welcoming air (we like anyone who lets a jack russell…
The Pig’s Ear
The Pig’s Ear is known for its cosy interior and seriously impressive menu that’s heavy on the game influences means you settle in with…
The Duke of Cumberland
Much as we don’t want to tell you about this gastonomic gem we can no longer keep it to ourselves. Turning up on horseback…
The Pot Kiln
If there’s no room at Heston’s you can keep driving as you’ll stumble across this great offering from passionate TV game cook Mike Robinson….
The Hinds Head
It’s worth hopping in the car to pay a visit to The Hind’s Head. This Michelin-starred pub doesn’t mean that Heston meets you at the door with…
The Harwood Arms
Combining culinary whizzkids from the Pot Kiln in Berkshire and the Ledbury was always going to produce something pretty special. Fulham residents lucked out…
The Mall Tavern
One for the boys, the Mall Tavern serves up hearty dishes so it’s always worth taking a healthy appetite or a penchance for over-eating….
Parlour
We’re talking business when you can start with a popcorn-infused old-fashioned. Parlour holds the key to our heart with their cocktail menu but you’ll…
Queen of Hoxton
Tick your daily cultural dosage in one fail swoop by booking into the Queen of Hoxton. What with it being a gallery, club and…
The Cow
The joy of The Cow is that it does exactly what it says on the tin. Having the foresight to keep their menu short…
The Walmer Castle
Having recently been renovated from its Thai roots (nope, us neither) means this formerly confusing pub becomes an institution once again. This is the…
The Westbourne
Frequented by well-heeled West London types, luckily The Westbourne comes with a hearty dose of jovial staff and a warm welcome. Situated in the…
The Oak
Hang with the cool kids and head to this West London institution. The Oak has decor to impress with an upstairs bar perfect for…
The Ginger Dog
Who doesn’t like a trip to the seaside? The Ginger Dog is a must-see with the Gingerman group having transformed the East Sussex coastline…
The Royal Oak
The Michelin-starred Royal Oak offers one of the most beautiful settings to while away a sunny afternoon enjoying delicious British food. The Scotch egg would…
The Marksman Pub
A hop, skip and a jump from the City, the Marksman is an East End boozer offering old style charm and a warm and fuzzy…
Flat Iron Steak
No-nonsense steak is surely what every man really wants to order with this Soho restaurant fast becoming an institution (if you can get in…
Chef’s Table at the Mall Tavern
Avoid the days of toiling in fish pies instead inviting 11 of your closest friends to Notting Hill for the Chef’s Table at the…
Medlar
It is quite unbelievable that Medlar only opened in Chelsea in 2012 and was the owners’ first venture in the restaurant world. With a pedigree…
The Thomas Cubitt Pub Belgravia
Take them all upmarket and head to local Belgravia favourite, the Thomas Cubitt. Pub in Belgravia. Named after one of London’s most famous master…
East Hill
Known to be one of the best pubs in Wandsworth, the East Hill is everything a country pub should be with its leather interiors,…
The Orange
The Orange in Pimlico should be your first port of call when the parents are up in town. Set in the chocolate-box surroundings of…
Windsor Castle
This is the worst-kept secret in West London. Head to where the locals drink, as you should do in any City, and pull up…
Spuntino
Don’t be put off by the lack of website, telephone and generally far too cool for school exterior. Spuntino is the sister restaurant of…
The Pear Tree
I’m almost averse to letting you in on this little secret. The archetypal old man boozer gone posh, the Pear Tree is the kind…
L’Enclume
Simon Rogan is one of our finest wizards seen whipping up puddings that looked like dust but wowed Pru Leith on the Great British…
The Pig Hotel
The only problem I have with The Pig Hotel is that their £300 starting rate doesn’t even throw in breakfast so you’ll need to…
Red Lion Freehouse & Troutbeck Guest House
You always know the food is going to be good when the website of your destination seems to advertise an old boozer rather than…
The Gunton Arms
North Norfolk has ‘for all men’ on its label. Surely the main reason to head to The Gunton Arms is the menu all hulking…
The Wild Rabbit
Imagine Daylesford Organic doing overnight stays. Well they do. So pack your bags and head off to Lady Bamford’s vision of gastropub extraordinaire at…
The Devonshire Arms
Mention you’re going to The Devonshire Arms and you can drop in that your hosts are to be the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Add…
Punch Bowl Inn
You can leave her copy of House & Garden at home when visiting The Punch Bowl Inn. The Farrow & Ball paintwork, twin rolltop…
The Village Pub
Avoid those swanky Gloucestershire hotels with price tags to shock and head for the Village Pub in Barnsley. Foodie gems are ten-a-penny in this…
Felin Fach Griffin
The Felin Fach Griffin has opened their arms to guests for over 12 years. You have got to be doing something seriously right to…
Feathered Nest Country Inn
A Cotswold classic, The Feathered Nest Country Inn is one of our favourites. With all the appropriate labels – ‘Best Pub of the Year…
The Bull at Ditchling
The Bull at Ditchling is one to ditch the iPhone (sorry, we couldn’t resist) and settle into the leather sofa by the fire whiling…
The Scarlet Hotel
If you’re ever in doubt of where to go, we’d recommend heading to Cornwall. We’d rather spend our Summer holidays there rather than heading…
Coworth Park
Set in 240 acres of prized parkland amidst Windsor’s Great Park, Coworth Park is big and bold. Part of the Dorchester Collection it sits…
Salcombe Harbour Hotel
With sea views to chew your own arm off for and a luxury spa, Salcombe Harbour Hotel has it all. It’s a safe bet for…
The Commander
You could be lazy and take your parents to Côte. But the last time I went I had 3 children attached to my ankle…
The Avalon
The Avalon is one of those rare Clapham gems that offers a great boozer but also a rather inviting menu. Much as we love…
The Crooked Billet
The Crooked Billet is a real destination for any food lover. Henley in itself is a great little day trip, within easy reach of…
The Havelock Tavern
Good pub grub in the rather sophisticated surroundings of The Havelock Tavern has meant this down-to-earth pub in the heart of Brook Green has…
The Albion
North London knows how to do good pubs and they don’t disappoint with their much loved Albion. It’s easy to stumble upon endless watering…
Phene
The key to visiting the Phene in London’s fashionable Chelsea is to picking a midweek night and settling into the ‘urban escape’ that is…
Molé Taco Bar
Molé Taco Bar may seem like a punchy choice: tequila is not always the most sensible way to start a date. But it works for…
The Rum Kitchen
Notting Hill has a problem. It tends to shut down by 10pm leaving nights falling flat. Finally we have the Rum Kitchen. A late…
Ninety Eight Bar
Once at Nighty Eight Bar & Lounge on Curtain Road, head down the winding staircase and you’re faced with a confused hybrid of bar…
Dalston Roof Park
Dalston Roof Park is desribed as an “Urban outdoor oasis”. How very edgy. If in East London then head here for an eclectic mix…
Polpo
Going to the theatre used to mean rushed suppers choosing the simplest fare on the menu whilst counting down the minutes to curtains up….
Balthazar
Balthazar has been a New York favourite for foodies and celebs since 1997. They’ve now introduced their chic all-day brasserie experience to the heart…
Riding House Cafe
Small plate sharing menus are all the rage. The Riding House Café do this better than anyone else. Sadly service could be improved (I…
La Poule au Pot
The eponymous Chelsea landmark La Poule au Pot offers long drawn-out lunches watching the Sloanes battle their shopping bags home from their weekly shopping…
Ronnie Scotts
Ronnie Scotts is a London staple for hosting the finest jazz since 1959. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Dave Mathews or…
The Engineer
A favourite for the Primrose Hill locals, The Engineer is a hearty reliable venue for a great Sunday lunch with the parents. Open for…
The Electric
The Electric is a classic Notting Hill institution setting itself apart as the ultimate in date venues. Whether you head to the Electric Cinema…
Charlotte Street Hotel
Charlotte Street Hotel has a real charm to it offering relaxed luxury in spades. Kit Kemp decorates the Firmdale hotels with her eclectic, sumptuous fabrics…
Dean Street Townhouse
Slick and sophisticated, Dean Street Townhouse is a bar that doesn’t mess around. Cosy back into their plush armchairs with a seriously good cocktail….
