LDNERS

It doesn’t get more romantic than this intimate French restaurant where the menu changes daily.

Romance is: dining on a floating barge in Hackney. Great food, great vibes.

See a show at Wilton's Music Hall, Europe’s oldest surviving music hall that still runs as a theatre - I love this venue so much I got married here! Tip: get there early for a pre-show pizza.

Wapping is home to my fave riverside pubs so I recommend a relaxed, cheeky pub crawl, (you can finish with snog on Tower Bridge).

What’s more romantic than a museum of shrunken heads and mummified mermaids? Order the absinthe upstairs after the museum visit!

One of the most beautiful restaurants in London, take someone here to impress!

A secret, dimly lit, intimate cocktail bar, perfect for bunkering down and getting wasted together.

Fizz, biscuits and icing with the gals sounds like my dream Galentine's.

If all goes well, head here for a greasy fry up the morning after.

Open your heart to your loved one at The Old Operating Theatre. Warning: human remains on display.

Fabulous Spanish tapas, especially seafood (chipirones!) and you can book at this branch!

My favourite Malaysian eatery in London. Get there at 11am when they open as they are popular and can sell out of dishes quite quickly.

French classics in gorgeous surroundings. The snail flatbread and steak tartare are my regular orders.

Reliably tasty Thai food, meant to be eaten shared family-style right in the centre of town. You must order their miang betel leaf bites to start.

My go-to if I need breakfast in town (get the clam rice with miso soup and the grilled mackerel on the side) or a noodle fix. All of their udon of course are delicious, as is their braised pork belly.

I love their combination of interesting, inventive cooking and delicious cocktails.

The best Thai restaurant in London, if you can get a booking!

Lovely comforting pastas, salads and main meals, just up the road from my restaurant so I come here often when I need to be close to the restaurant.

My go-to for dim sum in Chinatown. All of the staple dim sum dishes are a cut above most. You must order the spicy XO radish cake.

Their big-plate chicken with freshly pulled belt noodles cannot be beaten, provided you've asked for it to be spicy!

You probably recognise its very Instagrammable facade but the Holly Bush pub in Hampstead is more than just a pretty face. With open fires and dark wood interiors, this pub does cosy very well. The food and staff are also noteworthy and of course Hampstead is the perfect neighbourhood to enjoy an autumn wander.

If you head slightly further north of Hampstead Village, you’ll also find another cosy pub with fires; The Spaniards Inn, the perfect pit-stop after a leaf-peeping walk on Hampstead Heath.

A Soho institution, this moody restaurant is the perfect romantic date spot. The menu is British, the wine list is good and the cosy interiors lit by candlelight are sure to woo.

Ticking lots of boxes for a cosy autumn night out, the windowless interiors here are lit by candles and the music is supplied by an old school record player in the bar. Equally suited to a romantic date night or a cocktail session with friends (the menu and staff are great), Dover is the small hidden gem in Mayfair which should be on your list to visit.

The next spot on our list should go to Maggie Jones in Kensington but sadly they are closed for repairs at the moment. Thankfully, sister restaurant Poule Au Pot is on hand to fill the void. Even on a bright sunny day this is a spot guaranteed to tick all your cosy requirements. Full of dark candlelit corners and a menu of hearty warming dishes.

Our go-to place for a feast of pierogi on the edge of Hyde Park. This no-frills Polish restaurant is only a few tables big which makes it feel intimate and cosy and perfect for warming up on a cold day.

If you happen to find yourself near Bank on a dark and dreary afternoon then it’s well worth trying to snag one of the rose-hued booths at Millie’s Lounge. The Ned lobby is a huge open space (often with live music) but those comfy couches still manage to feel cosy. Especially with a pot of tea or a cocktail for company.

An open fire, beautiful interiors and good food mean this Notting Hill pub comes into its own in the autumn. The only issue is managing to get a table as The Pelican is definitely a popular place!

Hands down the best ramen I have eaten in London. There’s a finesse here that is lacking in the more established chains. The broth in the classic ramen tastes like years of hand-crafted expertise as well as being profoundly delicious.

Nothing short of elite level-snacking is to be found here. Crispy and moist Taiwanese fried chicken breast. Get the plum and numbing seasonings. Be prepared to queue!

My most frequented place since moving south of the river. Homely and comforting Vietnamese food. The Banh Khot is exceptional. Turn up without a booking and you’ll likely be told your wait time by an assertive Auntie.

Alarmingly, I’ve always found it easy to get a table here but that doesn’t correlate with the quality of food on offer. Service is always swift. The hand pulled noodles are chewy and comforting and coated in a variety of moreish sauces.

The standard to which all other restaurants serving Chinese roasted meats over rice will be held. Beautiful breath of the wok smokiness to their fried noodles too.

Kiln completely re-wired my perception of what a good restaurant experience can be. The narrow space and limited counter seating defies convention. Service is efficient but never feels rushed as the chefs confidently deliver those powerful Thai small plates.

Phil (owner) is one of the champions of underrepresented cuisines I have looked up to for some time. I love his passion and determination to thrive in a market where you might get overlooked for a plate of mass produced paella. The first time I ate a kubba with amba sauce was a revelation.

We’re not exactly spoilt for choice in Brockley but we do have a very fine chippy! Fish & chip shops in London are much derided but this place on Brockley Road is more than worthy of your custom and the many plaudits it receives.

Call me biased but you’ll find some of the UK’s best BBQ in Hackney. Martin and Curtis will always have the customer experience front of mind ahead of lining their own pockets. This is why you’ll always find the best quality meats enhanced by smoke, fat and fire without breaking the bank.

I’m not big into desserts so anywhere that has me returning for ice cream has got to be special. I won’t forget the roasted pineapple soft serve. One of the finest mouthfuls I have ever had.

By Anita Le Roy. The original coffee people, before the word “hipster” made it into the urban dictionary and anyone knew what a skinny frappuccino was. Simply coffee done well.

By Hai Lin Leung. Congee sourdough! A genius baker wearing many hats – we dream the same pastry dreams.

By Guirong Wei. There aren’t many women in the Chinese restaurant scene, particularly in the kitchen. Hugely talented and flying under the radar, Guirong deserves more recognition.

By Ellen Parr. Another female chef in the Chinese kitchen space who has created a lively, fun, and honest neighborhood favourite. What she takes from the Chinese repertoire, she does with knowledge and respect.

By Claire Ptak. Everyone’s favourite chocolate birthday cake. My children weep for her Chocolate Bubble Cake.

By Joke Bakare. Michelin-quality food without the price tag and heft. An energetic, fun dining room with exceptional cooking, fascinating flavours, and much to learn and appreciate.

By Samyukta Nair and Rose Chalalai Singh. Fine food but not fine dining, with bold, confident, yet comforting dishes. Mojo-restoring.

By Chantal Coady. The one who led the charge. If it weren’t for Chantal, we’d still be gifting Terry’s Chocolate Oranges. Available at La Fromagerie, Bayley & Sage, Clarke's, D Vine Cellars as well as online.

By Lillian Luk. Cooking from the heart and the only place I know of for Shanghai Savoury mooncakes. Hand-made by order, Lillian's flakey pastry, pork-filled mooncakes are a perennial favourite.

By Sally Clarke. An oasis of calm, elegant and grown-up, well-dressed rather than dressed up. Exemplary food and service.

Orasay is pure pleasure. Jackson Boxer is the chef patron and has such talent with fish and vegetables. I love his use of ferments and Asian ingredients. The desserts are also arguably the best in London. Love this spot.

Kiln is my favourite in London. It’s a brilliant concept perfectly executed. Northern Thai and Laotian food made with sustainable British ingredients. The chef Meedu is a genius, and a very nice guy as well. The music, the performance of the line chefs, the wine… it’s spicy as hell just how I like it.

WHEN I can get a reservation Singburi is worth the trip. It’s hot and spicy, I only order off the specials menu and damnit it’s arguably the best Thai food I’ve ever had INCLUDING my trips to Thailand.

Dorian was totally unexpected. At first glance it looks like a nice modern brasserie or something however it’s far from just that. Some of the dishes are so memorable. In America we’d call them “Mount Rushmore” dishes… The liver paté, the crab crostini thing and possibly the most indulgent and delicious steak I’ve ever had.

This is the PUB! I love this place, they do seafood like no other pub I know and the seafood stew is an absolute must, a national treasure. Besides the food it’s all about the vibes, you have a lot of OG Notting Hill locals hanging out listening to reggae and ska, the bartenders know everyone, everyone seems to be in a great mood here and it’s obvious why. Long live The Cow.

This may be the most delicious pub in London. It’s understated on the outside, the owners took over an old pub kept almost all the old vibes and pour some great beers, wines and the seasonal menu is off the charts good. My favourite pub food in London.

I met the founder Joké at Its Bagels. She’s a friend of Jackson’s and our lovely PR team, and she is a literal ray of sunshine. No wonder her food is so good. I can wholeheartedly say that I’ve never had ANY food anything like the dishes that I ate at Chishuru, it’s so exciting to eat there. Dish after dish is like this new palate, it’s so expressive and full of flavor and DELICIOUS. No wonder she got a Michelin star. I am so proud of this place and of Joké.

I almost didn’t put this one down because it feels like my own secret. It’s tucked away in a random spot in West London. The place looks like it may or may not be open if not for the Greek guys hanging outside having smokes and chatting. There’s a cat, you walk into the place and you’re essentially in a kitchen. The food is absolutely delicious and authentic Greek in every way. I adore this spot.

This place is pure punk. I love it. Lee is one of those chefs who could probably be running any 3 star kitchen, but like a true rockstar and his food is all about fun and giving ZERO fucks. Blast music, feel the heat from the oven and tiny kitchen. Ask any great chef out there in London their top 5 spots and I guarantee FKABAM is on every one. Pound for pound this may be the best restaurant in London.

This one’s a great one because it’s in an area you may find yourself in wondering where to eat and drink. I sometimes make the trip strictly for the beer and spicy Chongqing noodles. Most people don’t even know it’s there, down a quiet muse street tucked away and then you have to go downstairs to get their delicious spicy dishes. I absolutely love this place and would eat here 4 times a week if I lived nearby.