Lavender Guest House

A rightly popular neighbourhood restaurant, this is a place you can’t help but fall in love with. Located close to Clapham Common, it’s an intimate operation where the open kitchen lets you in on the action. Kick off with a G&T made using their house distilled gin, before enjoying fine British produce crafted into deceptively complex dishes packed with bold flavours. The inventive 'sardine bolognaise dumpling', for instance, showcases consummate seasoning and meticulous attention to detail in every element. The smooth service team bring welcome personality to proceedings.

He may be one of the most famous chefs on the planet, but Gordon Ramsay still remains fiercely committed to maintaining the highest standards at his elegant yet relaxed flagship restaurant. The team here interpret Ramsay’s style impeccably across a choice of menus: the set 'Prestige' selection; the 'Carte Blanche' surprise menu; and the à la carte, where you will find signature dishes like the lobster ravioli and the roast veal sweetbread. The latter is a perfect embodiment of the kitchen's perfectly judged contrasts of flavour and texture, with a pleasing lightness of touch.

Restaurants offering a standard of cooking this high for over 20 years are few and far between, and the numerous regulars of this smart, friendly neighbourhood spot are a testament to its perennial popularity. The reasonably priced menu features traditional, carefully prepared dishes that showcase quality seasonal produce. The wine list is skilfully chosen and features some well-priced rare wines, with an interesting selection by the glass, while a corkage option allows guests to bring a bottle from their own cellar.

The Harwood Arms is a pub at heart, so bar snacks are a must: munch on homemade crisps or a venison Scotch egg while you peruse the menu with a pint. The cooking at this pub may be highly accomplished, but it still does what pub food does best: leaves you feeling eminently satisfied. The menu is British to the core and the owners supply much of the expertly cooked deer and game. Well-balanced dishes burst with flavour and allow each main ingredient to shine by keeping things simple.

With its thick cream carpets, neo-classical mouldings, mahogany tables and velvet upholstery, there’s a plush feel to this elegant restaurant from the renowned Clare Smyth. Her signature purity and precision are on display across a menu of refined and reinvented traditional British and French dishes. ‘Fish and chips’ is in fact Dover sole filled with lobster mousse, while the sherry trifle is a sweet, simple hit of nostalgia. As a side, choose from a wide selection of classic potato recipes, be it boulangère, dauphinoise or hasselback. A chic, cosy private dining room in the basement is perfec

Elystan Street is a neighbourhood restaurant, but as that neighbourhood is Chelsea, you can expect to find elegance and style in spades. It’s a collaboration between Philip Howard and Rebecca Mascarenhas, and with its huge windows, well-judged lighting and friendly service, it's an equally charming spot for a light lunch or an intimate dinner. The cooking comes with well-defined flavours and a lightness of touch, exuding a pared-back, unfussy style that suits the frequent Mediterranean influences. Barbecued octopus with aioli, crispy chickpeas and tardivo is a prime example.

Andrew Wong’s inspiration comes from across all of the Chinese provinces; join him for a three-hour culinary voyage around the country with the ‘Collections of China’ evening menu, where he presents his own unique interpretations of regional dishes, which demonstrate extraordinary sophistication, creativity and depth of flavour. Start with a drink downstairs in the Forbidden City, or come at lunch for outstanding dim sum – they even have a dim sum tasting menu. Clued-up service adds to the overall experience and dishes are explained with obvious pride.