BELGO CENTRAAL£

An award-winning Belgian restaurant specialising in beer, moules and frites. Pots of steaming mussels and huge portions of fries with mayo are served alongside national favourites such as wild boar sausages with Belgian mash. Watch out for unusual flavoured Belgian schnapps; the waiters, dressed as monks, serve over 100 varieties of beer, including wheat, fruit and wine brews. Great food, great fun.

50 Earlham Street, WC2
Tube: Covent Garden Tel: 020 7813 2233

LES SANS CULOTTES£

This traditional-style brasserie boasts a tempting array of authentic French dishes with ingredients sourced from different regions of France. The unique on-site Microbrewery, in the designated bar area, produces 4 popular beers; Steinbach, Continental, La Rousse and La Brune. The restaurant is open Mon-Thurs from 11.45-23.00, on Fri & Sat from 11.45-23.30 and on Sun from 17.00-22.30.

27-29 Endell Street, WC2
Tube: Covent Garden Tel: 020 7379 8500

BHATTI RESTAURANT£

This delightful restaurant is situated in an historic 17th-century building in Covent Garden's theatreland. This modern day eatery, decorated in shades of red, blue and yellow, serves Cuisine Gourmande. Selections include a house special set meal or three thalis all under £15.25. Delicious seafood dishes include succulent jumbo prawns marinated overnight and cooked in a traditional clay oven. Bring this ad in for a free glass of wine or beer with your meal.

37 Great Queen Street, WC2
Tube: Covent Garden Tel: 020 7831 0817

ONE-SEVEN-NINE££

This spacious, glass-fronted, ground floor restaurant seats 100 people, with a separate bar for pre-meal drinks. The food is modern French with European influences. Try Crab Risotto with Plum Tomato Sorbet and choose from 250 wines! Downstairs, the stylish lounge bar with its retro-look leather armchairs offers exotic cocktails and light meals.

179 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2
Tube: Leicester Square Tel: 020 7836 3111

Piccadilly & Mayfair

VEERASWAMY££ 

Winner of Time Out's Best Indian Restaurant Award, Veeraswamy, Britain's oldest Indian restaurant, features a contemporary design and brings authentic Indian food to the West End with recipes from private homes in both south and north India. Special value offers include lunch and pre/post-theatre menus at just £12.50 for 2 courses and the Sunday lunch at £15 for 3 courses.

Mezzanine Floor, Victory House,
99 Regent Street, W1
Tube: Piccadilly Circus Tel: 020 7734 1401

BUTLERS££

Chef Stephen Hendersen creates some of the best modern British cuisine in London, using only the freshest ingredients which he sources daily from London's food markets. The traditional Afternoon Tea is another highlight, served daily in the lovely conservatory. The restaurant also offers a fine Sunday lunch: Roast Rib of Beef carved expertly from the trolley. Set menu lunches and dinners are very good value.

The Chesterfield Mayfair,
Charles Street, W1
Tube: Green Park Tel: 020 7491 2622

TEXAS EMBASSY CANTINA£

The original Texas Embassy stood close to this site, 150 years ago. Today you'll find no finer Tex-Mex cuisine outside of Texas. Portions are generous. Service is keen. The steaks are out of this world and the Margaritas, frozen or on the rocks, keep 'em coming back. The weekend starts here and Friday nights are packed. Come on down and join the fun.

1 Cockspur Street,
off Trafalgar Square, SW1
Tube: Piccadilly Circus Tel: 020 7925 0077

1837 AT BROWNS£££

This award-winning restaurant offers exquisite Haute Cuisine food and wines at refreshingly reasonable prices. The d'cor may be in keeping with the restaurant's lofty heritage but the atmosphere is informal and friendly. Executive Chef Andrew Turner has created a series of menus to tempt all discerning palates, including a Grazing Menu of 7, 8 or 9 courses. Wines are carefully selected to complement each course.

Brown's Hotel, Albemarle Street, W1
Tube: Green Park Tel: 020 7408 1837

AL DUCA££

Tucked away in a discreet side-street near Piccadilly Circus, this smart restaurant offers a glorious taste of modern Italian cuisine, courtesy of chef Michele Franzin. The colourful contemporary interior has been designed by D'dA Design who have mixed a traditional Italian colourway of terracotta, olive and stone with bright mosaic tiling and American oak timber to create an informal, light setting.

4-5 Duke of York Street, W1
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Tel: 020 7839 3090

EL PIRATA£

London's finest classic Spanish tapas bar and restaurant. According to two leading restaurant critics: "El Pirata offers me everything I look for in a restaurant. Fine food, excellent choice, comfortable surroundings, marvellous service and a bill at the end that doesn't give me indigestion!" ..."A feast of tasty dishes. Starting with cold tapas, huge prawns, juicy chorizo and ham, seafood and Russian salad. Then an array of hot tapas dishes which kept coming. Mmmm!"

5-6 Down Street, W1
Tube: Green Park Tel: 020 7491 3810/ 7409 1315

TRUC VERT££

An innovative combination of restaurant, deli and cafŽ, with all food produced on the premises using only the finest ingredients and a daily changing menu to eat in or take home. Named after a beach on the south- west coast of France and designed in the style of fishermen's huts, the food here is fresh, honest fare with an emphasis on taste. Open from 07.30 for the freshest breakfast in town! Bring this ad for a free glass of wine with your meal from midday onwards.

42 North Audley Street, W1
Tube: Bond Street Tel: 020 7491 9988

SUMOSAN£££

Sumosan, in the heart of Mayfair, is a sleekly minimalist affair. Muted cream & beige tones set off high-shine tables and an attention-grabbing blind constructed from hundreds of pieces of coloured glass. Top-notch sushi and sashimi are the name of the game here. A grey and aubergine basement bar, complete with Star Trek entry door, offers the chance to nibble on 'Japanese tapas' and post-prandial diversion with flavoured sakes.

26 Albemarle Street, W1
Tube: Green Park Tel: 020 7495 5999

around town

GIRAFFE£

Live, love, eat... Morning, noon and night. Giraffe offers great breakfasts as well as a selection of global food. Dishes of the day enhance an already tempting menu of noodles, grills and other wonderful dishes from around the world. Great desserts such as warm upside down apple and pecan crumble and yummy truffle chocolate cake make a wonderful way to finish a meal. Fresh juices and wines are served by the glass. Service is friendly.

46 Rosslyn Hill, NW3 (& branches)
Tube: Hampstead
Tel: 020 7435 0343

ORIGINASIA££

The logo adorning OriginAsia's entrance, 'Blissfully Indian', certainly lives up to its promise. The chain's award-winning flagship restaurant in Richmond is boldly modern and markedly stylish. Chef Shameen Ahmed won Chef of the Year in his native South India; his expertise shows in dishes influenced by many regions across India and rarely seen on UK menus. Open seven days a week.

100 Kew Road, Surrey, TW9
(& branch)
Tube: Richmond
Tel: 020 8948 0509

YO! SUSHI£

A London institution, this Kaiten (revolving) sushi bar offers its trendy clientele the full package. Check out the talking robots, attendant call and auto-waiter and try Soho's best-quality sushi. A full range of hot foods from tempura to teriyaki, a good proportion of vegetarian plates and freshly prepared desserts - over 150 dishes rotate through the week. YO! Below is a lifestyle bar with self-serve beer on tap at every table, singing bar staff and more.

52 Poland Street, W1 (& branches)
Tube: Oxford Circus Tel: 020 7287 0443

MASALA ZONE£

Masala Zone serves real Indian food at unreal prices (£9-12 per head). It is a fun, casual restaurant in the heart of Soho. Enjoy authentic Indian street food, curries, noodles and thalis, served the traditional way Indian families eat. Time Out said, "If you know and like real Indian food you are in for a treat. If you don't you are in for a treat anyway.... Soho's best Indian, no contest". Open all week for lunch and dinner. No reservations. Islington branch now open.

9 Marshall Street, W1 (& branches)
Tube: Oxford Circus Tel: 020 7287 9966

DELHI BRASSERIE££

Crisp service and talented cooking make for enjoyable meals at these award-winning modern Indian restaurants. Accomplished use of herbs and spices produces a variety of interesting flavours. The menu includes many familiar favourites based on lamb, chicken and prawns, as well as some unusual items, such as quails marinated in yoghurt or chargrilled trout.

44 Frith Street, W1
Tube: Tottenham Court Road Tel: 020 7437 8261

NEEL AKASH£

Good, authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine at this long-established bar and restaurant in Fitzrovia. With a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, this restaurant is acclaimed for serving interesting food from various regions at reasonable prices. Vegetarians are well catered for and there are many unusual dishes on offer. Highly recommended by Time Out and Real Curry Restaurant Guide. Daily special 3-course lunch £5.50; take-away available. Fully licensed.

93 Charlotte Street, W1
Tube: Goodge Street Tel: 020 7637 0050

GARFUNKEL'S£

Twenty-two years old and still as popular as ever in the hearts of London's residents and tourists alike. This is a classic brand, known for good value, quality of service and great menu choice at all times of the day. Open for old-fashioned English breakfasts and coffee to 3 course meals with wine, Garfunkel's is part of London life, part of its history and is a must for every visitor.

1 Argyll Street, W1
Tube: Oxford Circus Tel: 020 7437 4044
www.garfunkels.co.uk

OZER££

A short stroll from bustling Oxford Street, this attractively decked-out brasserie is a pleasant place in which to sample a range of tasty mezze and other Turkish dishes. Food is bursting with flavour, vegetables come alive on your tongue and you can really taste every ingredient. Good atmosphere Ð both the restaurant and the bar are popular and pull in a lively crowd. Prices are very reasonable.

5 Langham Place, W1
Tube: Oxford Circus Tel: 020 7323 0505

Kensington Knightsbridge & Chelsea

CHUTNEY MARY£££

This truly captivating restaurant gives a taste of romantic India with a stunning contemporary setting that features the finest modern Indian craftsmanship. The varied menu of refined Indian cooking combines classic recipes with food trends in today's India, sourced from the many regions of the country. The food is complemented by an exciting wine list carefully selected to match the complex flavours of the cuisine.

535 Kings Road, SW10
Tube: Fulham Broadway Tel: 020 7351 3113

VERBANELLA£££

Established in 1966 and still run by the original owners, Verbanella has long been serving traditional - and now more modern - Italian food, with an emphasis on fish, to the local clientele and to clients from all over the world. Situated in fashionable Beauchamp Place, Verbanella attracts a large number of tourists staying in the surrounding hotels, who enjoy visiting the many shops and museums in the area. The menu contains a wide choice of dishes.

30 Beauchamp Place, SW3
Tube: Knightsbridge Tel: 020 7584 1107

HAANDI££

Unique 'North Indian Frontier Cuisine'. Haandi specialises in fine produce, cooked to order by chefs trained in the original Nairobi branch. Each masala on the extensive menu is prepared daily to complement huge prawns, succulent meats and the freshest vegetables. The glass-encased kitchen adds an extra visual dimension and the silver tableware, gold fabrics and platinum service keep Haandi sparkling.

136 Brompton Road, SW3 (rear entrance 7 Cheval Place, SW3)
Tube: Knightsbridge Tel: 020 7823 7373

THE TENTH£££

With a superb location near to Kensington Palace and Gardens featuring spectacular views over Hyde Park, this is one of London's finest restaurants. The menu features modern dishes and timeless classics merging unusual tastes in visually exciting combinations. There is a dinner dance monthly on Saturdays with the John Wilson Orchestra, evoking all the glamour of a 1950s New York nightclub.

Royal Garden Hotel,
2-24 Kensington High Street, W8
Tube: High Street Kensington Tel: 020 7361 1910

MEMORIES OF INDIA££

Located close to the Albert Hall, with a conservatory room for private parties, this restaurant delivers the best of Indian cuisine. Recommended by many top critics, including Fay Maschler. A true taste of India can be experienced, with authentic Indian and Tandoori specialities. Open seven days a week, including Bank Holidays, 12.00-23.30. Booking is advisable. Take away service also available.

18 Gloucester Road, SW7
Tube: Gloucester Road Tel: 020 7581 3734

BOMBAY BRASSERIE£££

This is one of London's best-known Indian eateries and is generally reckoned one of the best restaurants in the capital. The setting is grand and colonial, but the atmosphere remains warm and convivial with a large dining room and an airy conservatory always buzzing with chat. Frequented by celebrities. The best chefs are transported from India to cook up perfectly spiced and balanced dishes.

Courtfield Close, Courtfield Road, SW7
Tube: Gloucester Road Tel: 020 7370 4040

St James & Victoria

QUILON££

Quilon's modern-ethnic d'cor rests on heightened simplicity, with deep colours and an exotic mural of Indian life extending across the entire restaurant. You can expect a lot from this sister venue to the award-winning Bombay Brasserie and you won't be disappointed. The 'coastal cuisine' includes the likes of Malabar potato roast and South Canara lamb curry, with a wide spread of light fish and crustacea dishes.

41 Buckingham Gate, SW1
Tube: St James's Park Tel: 020 7821 1899
www.quilonrestaurant.com

MANGO TREE££

This friendly Bangkok-based restaurant is a refreshingly modern place to eat. The interior is amazing with a beautifully polished concrete floor, high ceiling and widely spaced tables. Order the fresh mango juice to go with the delicious offerings and the wonderful Thai Singha beer.

46 Grosvenor Place, SW1
Tube: Victoria Tel: 020 7823 1888

LAGENDA£

Tasteful and cosy restaurant serving authentic halal Malaysian and Chinese cuisine, satay, nasi lemak, chicken and fish curry, Malaysian laksa, crispy tumeric marinated fried chicken, traditional nasi goreng (Malaysian spicy fried rice with vegetables, seafood and chicken, fried egg and satay) and other popular Chinese favourites. The restaurant boasts a well-stocked cocktail bar and a weekend buffet.

Holiday Villa Hotel,
37 Leinster Gardens, W2
Tube: Bayswater Tel: 020 7258 0269

MAHAL£

Situated in the heart of Notting Hill and Bayswater, opposite the gates of Kensington Park Gardens, this restaurant undoubtedly provides the best Indian cuisine in the area. Specialities include: Hariali Tikka (Punjab), Shrimp Balchao (Goa) and Badami Murg (Parsee), to name but a few. The restaurant seats 75. It is open 7 days a week, from noon till midnight.

6 Wellington Terrace, W2 (& branch)
Tube: Notting Hill Gate/ Bayswater Tel: 020 7229 3553

MAHAL£

Vibrant colours, subtle lighting, contemporary wall paintings, imaginative menu: this really is no ordinary Indian restaurant. Situated on the cosmopolitan Edgware Road, near Marble Arch, with a sister restaurant in Notting Hill Gate, opposite Kensington Park Gardens, Mahal has been in existence since 1965, which says just about all you need to know. Traditional and more exotic dishes are both available.

138 Edgware Road, W2 (& branch)
Tube: Edgware Road/ Marble Arch Tel: 020 7723 7731

LA PORTE DES INDES££

Discover another world when you enter this breathtaking venue. Spread over two levels, the majestic waterfall and sweeping marble staircase take your breath away. Giant palm trees, exotic flowers and antiques further enhance this magical setting. This is Indian cuisine 'with a difference'. Superb daily buffet and a special Sunday brunch featuring live jazz. Closed Saturday lunch. The restaurant is available for exciting themed parties.

32 Bryanston Street, W1
Tube: Marble Arch Tel: 020 7224 0055

MIGEN£

With a menu encompassing Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean dishes, the good people running this small, friendly restaurant tucked away behind Marble Arch have covered pretty much all points East. Authenticity's the buzz-word here, no idle boast it happily turns out: the experienced kitchen (all trained in their respective native countries) supplies some beautifully prepared and presented food.

15 Seymour Place, W1
Tube: Marble Arch Tel: 020 7723 1155

SHERLOCK'S GRILL££

With Chef Stephane Franchini at the helm, the open-plan kitchen with mesquite wood-burning oven and charcoal grill serves modern British dishes and focuses on incorporating organically grown and premium free range ingredients into sophisticated yet comforting dishes. The bar offers a menu of tempting, Tapas-style snacks and lighter meals.

Sherlock Holmes Hotel,
108 Baker Street, W1
Tube: Baker Street Tel: 020 7486 6161