Restaurants.

Hawksmoor

Near Arsenal

The best steak in London, full stop. Dry-aged beef in a former Conservative Club. The bone marrow starter is essential.

Singburi

Near Leyton Orient

Cult Thai BYO on Leytonstone High Road, short specials menu, fierce kitchen, queue down the street.

Dishoom

Near Arsenal

Bombay-style Irani cafe that somehow nails the atmosphere of old Mumbai. The bacon naan roll is legendary.

Brat

Near Arsenal

Basque-influenced restaurant in a former sex shop. Whole turbot grilled over charcoal, natural wine, and a buzzing room.

Medlar

Near Chelsea

Modern European on the quieter end of the King's Road. Set menu, white tablecloths, a Michelin nod.

The Sea, The Sea

Near Chelsea

Counter seafood bar on Pavilion Road serving raw plates, oysters and grilled fish straight from the chiller.

Chuku's

Near Tottenham Hotspur

The UK's first Nigerian tapas restaurant, jollof, suya and small plates designed for sharing.

The River Cafe

Near Fulham

Riverside Italian icon, wood-fired ovens, white-jacketed waiters, the cookbook that defined a generation.

The Harwood Arms

Near Fulham

London's only Michelin-starred pub, game-led British menu, hearty puddings, proper service.

The Glasshouse

Near Brentford

Michelin-starred sister to Chez Bruce by Kew Gardens station, modern European, set menus, immaculate.

Casse-Croûte

Near Millwall

Tiny French bistro on Bermondsey Street with a chalkboard menu of three starters, three mains, three puds.

Trullo

Near Arsenal

Highbury Corner Italian, handmade pasta, wood-fired grill, and a room that feels like a special occasion every night.

Moro

Near Arsenal

A Clerkenwell institution serving Moorish-influenced Spanish and North African food. Been brilliant for over 25 years.

Bao Soho

Near Arsenal

Tiny Taiwanese bun bar that started as a street food stall. The classic bao with pork belly is one bite of perfection.

Padella

Near Millwall

Fresh pasta made in front of you, served simply and perfectly. The cacio e pepe is extraordinary for the price.

Hoppers

Near Chelsea

Sri Lankan small plates from the JKS group, hoppers, kothu roti and bone-marrow varuval.

Lahore Kebab House (Tottenham)

Near Tottenham Hotspur

Pakistani grill institution on the High Road, seekh kebabs, karahi lamb and BYO.

San Marco

Near Tottenham Hotspur

Old-school Italian neighbourhood restaurant, handmade pasta, pizza from the wood oven, tiramisu by the slab.

Tayyabs

Near West Ham United

Punjabi grill institution since 1972, sizzling lamb chops, dry meat, naan bigger than your head. BYO.

Smokestak

Near West Ham United

Low-and-slow barbecue specialists, brisket bun, ribs, smoked bone-marrow on toast.

Made of Dough

Near Crystal Palace

Neapolitan pizza in a stripped-back room at the top of the triangle, leopard-spotted crusts, short list, fast service.

Mr Bao

Taiwanese bao bar, fried chicken bao, pork belly bao, ginger fried rice. Short queue, big flavour.

Koji

Near Fulham

Sleek Parsons Green Japanese, sushi counter, robata grill, omakase and serious sake.

Charlotte's W4

Near Brentford

Smart Chiswick all-day restaurant, Modern British, an outstanding wine list, neighbourhood prices for cooking like this.

L'Amorosa

Near Brentford

Hammersmith Italian from ex-River Cafe chef Andy Needham, short, focused menu, killer pasta.

Sushi Atelier (Bush)

Near Queens Park Rangers

Counter sushi from a former Nobu chef, nigiri, sashimi and seasonal omakase at neighbourhood prices.

Adams Cafe

Near Queens Park Rangers

Greasy spoon by day, Tunisian restaurant by night, tagines, couscous, BYO and a warm welcome from the family.

José

Near Millwall

Tiny Bermondsey Street tapas bar from José Pizarro, ham, sherry, plancha-cooked fish.

Yard Sale Pizza

Near Leyton Orient

East London pizza institution, 18-inch New York slices, classic pepperoni, generous toppings.

Provender Wanstead

Near Leyton Orient

French neighbourhood bistro on Wanstead High Street, three-course set menu, steak frites, proper service.

Hashi

Near AFC Wimbledon

Family-run Japanese in Raynes Park, sushi, gyoza, tonkatsu, izakaya plates done with care.

Kayal

Near Sutton United

Keralan kitchen specialising in seafood, fish moilee, prawn pollichathu, malabar parotta.

Beit El Zaytoun

Near Barnet

Family-run Lebanese in Edgware, mezze, charcoal-grilled meats, fresh bread from the clay oven.

Two Brothers Fish

Near Barnet

North London fish & chip institution since 1990, line-caught cod, matzo balls, big portions.

Brindisa

Near Arsenal

Spanish tapas on Camden Passage. Jamón ibérico, padron peppers, and tortilla that tastes like Barcelona.

Aba

Near Millwall

Modern Middle Eastern in a converted warehouse on Bermondsey Street. Mezze, flatbreads, and charcoal-grilled meats.

Poppies

Near West Ham United

Proper East End chippy with a 1950s diner fit-out, jellied eels at the counter and chips wrapped in newspaper.

Joanna's

Near Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace fixture since 1978, bistro classics, white tablecloths, regulars treated like family.

Kerbisher & Malt

Near Queens Park Rangers

Modern chippy, line-caught fish, triple-cooked chips, mushy peas with mint.

Goddards at Greenwich

Near Charlton Athletic

Pie, mash and liquor shop since 1890, proper east-end pies in a tiled Greenwich room.

Craft London

Near Charlton Athletic

Stevie Parle's Greenwich Peninsula restaurant, wood-fired, fermented, smoked. Three floors, all great.

San Lorenzo Fuoriporta

Near AFC Wimbledon

Long-standing Wimbledon Italian, Sloaney clientele, classic pastas, summer terrace.

Brasserie Vacherin

Near Sutton United

Proper French brasserie on Sutton High Street, steak tartare, moules, plat du jour.

Gantala's

Near Sutton United

South Indian and Sri Lankan kitchen, dosas, idli sambar, devilled prawns. BYO.

Karma Indian

Near Barnet

Edgware regional Indian kitchen, South Indian breakfasts, Hyderabadi biryanis, dosas the length of a child.

Mangal 1 Ocakbasi

Near Arsenal

Turkish ocakbasi grill on the Holloway Road. Lamb chops, adana kebab, and bread baked fresh while you watch.

Roame

Near West Ham United

Modern British sharing plates on Morning Lane. Seasonal, unfussy, and genuinely good value for east London.

Joanna's

Neighbourhood bistro on Westow Hill with a warm room and a menu that changes with the seasons. Sunday roasts are the main event.

The Fox and Grapes

Near AFC Wimbledon

Gastropub on the edge of Wimbledon Common. Seasonal British menu, local beers, and a terrace for sunny matchdays.

Taste of Kerala

Near Leyton Orient

South Indian on the Leyton High Road. Dosas, thalis, and a karala fish curry that transports you to the Malabar coast.

The Old Brewery

Near Charlton Athletic

Restaurant inside the Old Royal Naval College courtyard, Modern British, big windows, history dripping off the walls.

The Light House

Near AFC Wimbledon

Bright, airy Modern European on Wimbledon Village's main drag, open kitchen, weekend brunch, wood-fired pizzas.

Taste of Lahore

Near West Ham United

Pakistani grill house on Woodgrange Road. Karahi, seekh kebabs, and a karak chai that will keep you awake through extra time.

Proud East

Near West Ham United

All-day dining and drinking on the canal at Hackney Wick. Big plates, natural wine, and a terrace that buzzes on matchdays.

MEATliquor

Near Arsenal

Dirty burgers, buffalo wings, and onion rings the size of your fist. Loud, dark, and unapologetic.

Thai Orchid

Near Crystal Palace

Family-run Thai on Selhurst Road. Proper heat, fresh basil, and a green curry that will clear your sinuses.

The Ivanhoe

Near Millwall

Riverside pub with a serious kitchen. British comfort food, local ales, and a beer garden looking across the Thames.

Brentham Cafe

Near Brentford

Neighbourhood cafe by the canal doing all-day brunch and proper sourdough pizzas in the evening. Unfussy and friendly.

Pizza Union

Near West Ham United

Fast-fired Roman pizza by the Olympic Park. Thin, crispy, and ready in minutes. Great for a quick pre-match bite.

Dynasty

Near Charlton Athletic

Old-school Chinese on Charlton Church Lane. Duck pancakes, sizzling platters, and a BYOB policy that keeps the bill down.