Guilford House Hotel

There’s something about Luca that makes it feel like a proper grown-up restaurant, largely because the relaxed clientele just know they’re going to be well looked after. What brings them all here is the expertly rendered Italian food, which is satisfyingly robust yet effortlessly easy to eat. The pasta course will certainly be a highlight – whether that’s cappelletti of salt-baked potato or tortelli of pumpkin with ricotta – but the other dishes, featuring such quality ingredients as Orkney scallops or Hereford beef, won’t ever disappoint. For great value, choose the Express Lunch menu served

There are a lot of courses on James Knappett's creative surprise menu, but you'll be glad of it once you've tried such superb cooking. You’ll start in the lounge with drinks and accomplished canapés that set the tone for the evening, before being guided to your seat at the beautiful kitchen counter – where you can watch the chefs finish dishes close-up. Outstanding British produce is at the heart of the experience, with the seafood often proving a highlight, whether it's soft and smoky eel or fresh squid enhanced by a creamy lobster sauce.

There’s no standing on ceremony here at St. JOHN; indeed, very little ceremony at all, and that makes eating here such a joyful experience. As one of the foremost proponents of nose-to-tail cooking, this is the place to try new things, whether that’s bone marrow or ox liver. Seasonality is at its core and nothing sums up the philosophy more than the potatoes and greens: they're always on the menu but the varieties and types change regularly. There are also dishes for two, as well as magnums of wine for real trenchermen. Do order the warm madeleines for the journey home.

While Chef Angelo Sato's Japanese heritage provides the basis for this modern, upbeat izakaya, his creative streak ensures the captivating tasting menu takes on a style all its own. Clever flavour and temperature combinations feature throughout, as do the kitchen's immense precision and technical skill. The shokupan bread serving is a real event, packed with originality and showcasing a range of delicious accompaniments. The theatrical counter set-up adds to the great atmosphere, whilst sake 'journeys' are encouraged to add to the experience.

The Nordic-style décor, warm colour palette and picture windows overlooking the church cloisters create a handsome and comfortable environment for this relaxed restaurant, especially when you add in the gorgeous handmade crockery and confident, affable service. The well-balanced set menus provide an immeasurably satisfying experience, focusing on prime seasonal produce in contemporary dishes that may be quite delicate in their appearance, but deliver plenty of wonderful flavours. Ingredient provenance is key, with the chefs showing off the best of British.

Jun Tanaka’s restaurant may be centrally located on Charlotte Street, with its plethora of dining options, but this feels very much like a neighbourhood spot. Two floors of closely set tables and a relaxed, informal atmosphere help to create the feel of a lively bistro de-luxe. The menu is designed for sharing, although it can easily be enjoyed solo too. There's a discernible Mediterranean influence to the cooking, with the likes of sea bream carpaccio and wild garlic risotto on the menu.

Over the decades, few parts of London have seen more restaurants come and go than Charlotte Street, but one constant over that period has been David Moore’s Pied à Terre. Reinventions have kept things fresh over time, be that a new colour scheme or the embracing of plant-based cooking with a serious vegan offering. The classically based dishes are seasonal and colourful, showing off top-notch ingredients in harmonious combinations, such as Welsh lamb with basil, anchovy, girolles and a top-drawer red wine reduction with red currants.