Period Apartment near River Thames

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.

The jewel in Chiswick’s culinary crown remains as popular as ever, thanks to its local feel, relaxed atmosphere and, most importantly, its skilled and generous cooking. Largely British ingredients are combined with influences from France and occasionally the wider Mediterranean. So you can expect carefully prepared dishes like corn-fed chicken with potato galettes, celeriac purée and wild garlic salsa verde, where the flavours are as assured as they are satisfying. Bright and delightful on a summer’s day and cosy and warm in winter, this is a restaurant for all seasons and all occasions.

Relaxed and free from pomposity, there is a lovely neighbourhood feel to this restaurant that provides both great cooking and a warm welcome. The versatility of the place knows no bounds, as it’s as suited to a romantic dinner as it is to a quick lunch while out shopping or when celebrating with friends. The reliably enjoyable dishes are based on classical combinations and often have a Mediterranean inflection – such as carpaccio of scallops or grilled octopus with smoked paprika aioli. A good value set menu is available alongside the à la carte, but must be booked in advance.

It’s not just supporters of Fulham FC that should welcome this sparkling brasserie situated within one of the stands at their Craven Cottage stadium. Part of the wider Fulham Pier development, the terrace has Thames views and there’s a subtle glitz to the design thanks to mirrored walls and Murano chandeliers. The extensive menu ranges from simple omelettes to large sharing plates such as whole butterflied sea bass, while the kitchen excels with classic dishes like pie and mash. Whatever you choose, the cooking uses quality produce that brings plenty of flavour.

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.

This restaurant is temporarily closed following a fire.The former BBC TV Centre may be an unlikely setting for a restaurant, but it's a match made in sushi heaven for this flagship venture from Yokohama-born Endo Kazutoshi. The experienced, well-travelled chef is a real showman, explaining each finely crafted, subtly flavoured element of the omakase menu in an engaging, charming way. Ingredients are either imported from Japan, such as rice from Yamagata, or are the best that Europe has to offer, like monkfish from Brixham and tuna from Spain.

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.