Canary Wharf Skyline Retreat

In contrast to the grandeur of its location inside the Town Hall Hotel, there's a modern, understatedly stylish look to Da Terra. You start with drinks and snacks in the elegant lounge, soundtracked by the comforting rhythms of bossa nova, before heading to the dining room – where the tables by the open kitchen offer a view of the impressive Molteni stove. Chef Rafael Cagali draws on his Brazilian and Italian heritage in skilfully crafted, highly original dishes bursting with colour. His signature reinvented version of the Brazilian 'moqueca' fish stew is bound to be a highlight.

Launched by the team behind Fallow, this vast restaurant can house up to 500 diners in the heart of Canary Wharf, all while being run with impressive slickness. Guests are spread across several dining rooms, some with counter seating, plus a lovely wrap-around terrace that boasts commanding views of South Dock. The wide-ranging menu offers something for everyone, including playful takes on British classics like maitake Cornish pasty or market fish served with parsley liquor, that's reminiscent of an East End pie and mash.

An unpretentious Italian restaurant in one of the converted Shad Thames warehouses; the unfussy service suits the style of the place. The seasonally influenced menu uses British produce, with the in-house pasta a particular highlight; dishes are relatively simple but flavours are bold and prices, appealing.

There’s always a certain joyfulness to family owned and run restaurants – and Miga is truly a family affair, with dad running things in the open kitchen and the younger generation looking after guests in the bright, airy room. If you want to find out more about them, check out the family history as described on the wall outside. ‘A modern take on Korean cuisine’ is their tagline and this is borne out by fresh-tasting dishes like delicious soy-braised short ribs – already a fans’ favourite – and spicy noodles with crispy beef jeon. The generous prices, especially at lunch, allow for enthusiasti

Rafael Cagali, chef-owner of Da Terra, named his second restaurant, located in the Town Hall Hotel, after Brazilian jazz singer Elis Regina. The bright and lively 12-tabled room on the first floor reflects Rafael’s Italian and Brazilian heritage, so expect to see sharing dishes like 'bolinhos de bacalhau' vie with panzanella salad, and picanha skewer with crab linguini.

After a succession of pop-ups, friends Zac and Freddie found a permanent home at this rustic restaurant where bright prints enliven exposed concrete walls and the mix-and-match wooden tables fit the informal vibe. The overtly seasonal menu changes daily, but you can expect interesting and full-flavoured dishes such as grilled Bobby beans with piperade, smoked almonds and cherries, in which the flavours and textures all work together beautifully. In a fun twist on the traditional, they serve a roast dinner on Mondays. The genial service team run things well.

Few restaurants in London can claim to have a better location than this. For over 30 years, Le Pont de la Tour has been wowing diners with its jaw-dropping views of Tower Bridge, best appreciated from the terrace on a warm summer's day. The restaurant itself, as the name suggests, is thoroughly French at heart: expect confidently executed classics from ratatouille Niçoise to a benchmark crème brûlée. The carefully chosen wine list offers a broad, interesting selection of both classic and esoteric choices.