SquareMeal

“L’Enclume needs no introduction! I’m lucky to have eaten here a few times, and it always feels fresh and trendsetting. The produce - a lot grown at their own farm - is second to none and treated so gently - you can tell how much effort it takes to do what they do. Their crockery is always perfect which really adds to the whole experience.” — Stuart Ralston

“‘One of my favourite cuisines is Thai food. The Thai food here packs some heat. It has great authentic flavours with creative dishes you don't see in normal Thai restaurants. You can get a tower of beer on the table to help lower the heat. The vibe is bright and fun and it also opens late.’” — James Knappett

“Rochelle Canteen is another obvious one to go on the list. The setting is so beautiful, the food is really great and the folk are grand. It’s just a wonderful place.” — Jeremy Lee

“Ikoyi and Jeremy Chan will always be the first restaurant and chef that come to mind when anyone asks me where to eat in London.” — Max Coen

“I've been going for years and have loved watching it evolve into the institution it has become.” — Mike Davies

“I love Merlin’s approach to food, he really does preach that farm-to-table ethos. It’s kind of frustrating because his food looks incredibly simple, but you know that it’s not! I’ve met him a couple of times and I like how he is and how he creates. Whenever I’m looking for inspiration I’m definitely on his Instagram having a wee sift through! Everything he does looks so elegant and simple, it delivers every time.” — Roberta Hall-McCarron

“Eating at Prado feels like coming home to me - Jose, the owner, is an old friend and we worked together for 10 years. The produce used is incredible and really showcases Portugal, hence why it feels so familiar to me. The food here is fiercely local and sourced ethically, with a strong emphasis on the 'farm to table' concept, highlighting seasonal and local market produce. Since its opening in 2017, Prado has remained one of the most relevant restaurants in Lisbon.” — Nuno Mendes

“An absolute fave of mine! Love the vibe, the old pews and Victorian crockery, but I love Shaun’s (Quality Chop House head chef Shaun Searley) food as well. Shaun came and cooked here for our guest chefs series, and we had such a good time. Quality Chop isn’t complicated, it’s all about flavour; there’s work involved and he’s very precise but everything is about the produce - he buys the best of the best and doesn’t do anything ridiculous to it. When I was cooking at 180 The Strand I squeezed in a little dinner at the Quality Chop afterwards!” — Roberta Hall-McCarron

“My wife and I both have a soft spot for Japanese food and culture. We travelled the country on our honeymoon and fell so deeply in love with it that she even started attending Japanese lessons when we returned home to the UK. Eating at Endo's place is the closest thing to the incredible omakase restaurants across Tokyo. And it's much closer than the 13+ hour flight back to Japan.” — Chet Sharma

“This is a new restaurant in Lisbon - and a very special one. Renowned chef João Rodrigues (of the Michelin-starred Feitoria) has opened a new casual spot that celebrates Portuguese produce in a fun and unconventional way. Loud and hearty, it offers a menu of small plates filled with unfussy, delicious dishes like carabineiro with fried egg and fries or an open omelet with shrimp. It's a re-imagined Lisbon restaurant from the '80s with the most incredible food and ingredients - simple yet sublime.” — Nuno Mendes

“Located on Columbia Road, Brawn is the perfect neighbourhood restaurant. I first visited when my daughter was she was as little as one and I've had many meals here since. The cooking is faultless with impeccable sourcing and ingredients. This is a place where you can really taste seasons on plate - the menu changes regularly, and it’s different every time. Pasta dishes are a highlight.” — Nuno Mendes

“The salt and pepper squid alongside a bowl of wontons in broth is an unbeatable combination.” — Max Coen

“Dapur has incredible Malaysian flavours - every now and again I need my full Malaysian hit.” — Ramael Scully

“My most exciting Chinese restaurant of the year – the menu by ex Hakkasan chef Tong Chee Hwee is a dream. The location opposite Trafalgar Square may not be an obvious choice for a high-end restaurant, but once inside, the decor, the drinks and food offering and quality of cooking more than makes up for it.” — Vivek Singh

“The tandoori masala lamb chops, the lamb shank rogan josh and the chicken butter masala are all 10/10 dishes in my opinion.” — Rob Chambers

“Chef Vasco Coelho Santos’s studio Euskalduna started out as a workshop in central Porto, which has evolved into a test kitchen, and then into a restaurant. The cuisine is international, with a focus on creativity: there is no menu to select from. Rather, Chef Vasco offers a tasty and succinct 10-dish tasting menu - ten moments to enjoy, from starters to desserts. With only 20 seats, loud music, and staff wearing football shirts, everyone is young but very professional. Vasco plays with Portuguese traditional dishes and the flavours he encountered during his time in San Sebastián, London, and Italy.” — Nuno Mendes

“This place always reminds me of my time living in San Sebastian. Nieves and José are masters of creating delicious food, as well as a warm and inviting space that always makes me want to come back.” — Chet Sharma

“Max cooked here before they opened Cafe Cecilia I think! They were our first Quo Vadis and Friends dinner post-COVID, so it was all very special and quite a deep bond was created there. It’s a beautiful place and a magnificent room, the light is really extraordinary. The food is great and they have a lovely crew. That’s a great favourite as well. They’re a classic example of somewhere you have to book - you’ve got to be on your mettle! If you haven’t booked by at least the Wednesday before you’re dead in the water.” — Jeremy Lee

“Easily some of the best cooking in London with a constantly evolving, exciting wine list representing low intervention producers.” — Mike Davies

“It’s my favourite pintxos bar in San Sebastian.” — Jun Tanaka

“I’m a huge fan of this restaurant. I dine here more often than any other restaurant.” — Jun Tanaka

“AGORA in Borough Market is a new discovery that I stumbled upon in May. The food is simply outstanding, and it’s hands down the best Greek cuisine I’ve had outside of Greece. The menu is surprisingly affordable, meaning you get to try as many dishes as possible. My favourites include the skewers and hummus with flatbreads and broken crisps; the salads were also great. A must-visit spot in Borough Market, I’ll be returning time and time again.” — Alex Dilling

“We go here quite a lot because it’s handy - if you want something a bit more casual, you know what you’re getting at Hawksmoor. It’s super consistent, which is really difficult to do on the scale that they do it on. If you just want a nice steak and some tasty sides, that’s the go to. And we can take the baby because it’s a big open room, noisy, if she’s screaming her head off no-one cares too much! The staff are incredibly well-trained as well.” — Roberta Hall-McCarron

“I think Anna (Tobias, Cafe Deco’s head chef) does wonderful things very quietly and brilliantly in a gentle way, which is a reflection of her. She cut her teeth with me at the Blueprint Cafe many years ago, and then we lucked out that she could help us out at Quo Vadis before she opened Cafe Deco. She left quite a void when she left, she was brilliant. It was great for her because she could really flex her muscles and make bread, and the most amazing pastries! So many delicious things. I have a lot of love for that one.” — Jeremy Lee

“Fun and fabulous. Simply the best lobster pasta in town with a wonderful range of seasonal small plates as well as exceptional pasta dishes.” — Amy Poon

“Pascal and Laura Wiedemann own and run this gem of a restaurant in Summertown, Oxford. The food is real classic French to the highest standard. There is nothing on this menu that I could not eat every day. The wine list is excellent with a specials board of wines by the glass with some real bargains!” — Theo Randall

“You can’t go wrong with tacos and cocktails! The cocktails here are banging.” — Ramael Scully

“I think Mark (Donald) is cooking the best food in Scotland. He’s exciting to watch, and he’s very driven as well - we’re only going to see more from him. We went and ate at Glenturret and had a wonderful meal. I remember eating his food at Number One as well - it’s fun, tasty, interesting. They don’t do overnight stays but you can stay nearby - Gleneagles is only ten minutes up the road so you could stay there!” — Roberta Hall-McCarron

“Cynthia Shanmugalingam’s Sri Lankan restaurant in Borough Market may have taken a while to come to fruition but it’s been well worth the wait. Deep flavours, great buzz, and exciting counter dining, it’s seriously good. The pineapple red curry is a must order if it’s on the frequently changing menu. I’m rarely one to visit a restaurant twice, however I have already been to Rambutan three times this year.” — Vivek Singh

“Maybe my favourite place in the world.” — Mike Davies

“Facing heaven is one of my top places to go in London. It’s really quirky, full of character and I always have a great meal there.” — Tom Cenci

“I was pregnant when we ate here, and it was still one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in a restaurant. I hadn’t really experienced that level of flawless service and storytelling in food before. The food is so on-point but the experience was still friendly and relaxed, for me that ticks all the boxes. And it was absolutely delicious. Rafael is a fantastic chef and Charlie is brilliant at running the whole show.” — Roberta Hall-McCarron

“This place always makes my list of favourite restaurants.” — Jun Tanaka

“Casse-Croûte transports me straight to France with its authentic bistro food and charming atmosphere. This little spot is a slice of Paris right in London. The dishes are classic French. You’ll find me sitting at the bar enjoying charcuterie and a beer along with the classics. Every meal here is a nostalgic trip to the French countryside, a favourite of mine whenever I crave a taste of France.” — Alex Dilling

“Andrew Edmunds in Soho is a hidden gem. There’s no sign for the restaurant, so you need to be in the know to find it, which I love. It’s the kind of place where you can truly relax, with an ever-changing daily menu. They have an exceptional wine selection, where you can find some real treasures. It’s a perfect spot for lunch with friends or alone. The charm and consistently delicious food make it a regular haunt for me when I want something casual yet memorable.” — Alex Dilling

“‘There are not many plant-based restaurants in the UK. Here, Kirk Haworth brings vegetable-focused dining to London with not only respect to ingredients but skilful execution that leaves omnivores not missing meat.’” — James Knappett

“I have recently rediscovered Oliveto which has moved to the former site of Olivocarne, following a kitchen fire.” — Amy Poon

“This definitely isn't an everyday place - perhaps not even an every year place - but Mark Birchall's incredible restaurant out in Lancashire is so memorable that I'd even travel north of Watford to get there!” — Chet Sharma

“I especially love the pig head croquettes and the crab cacio e pepe.” — Ramael Scully

“‘One of our favourite local pubs for food. The food is no-fuss and hits the spot of what you want from a pub with great ingredients and precise execution. There's something for everyone. Me and my kids fight over the chipolatas.’” — James Knappett

“I always have a soft spot for a bistro and this place ticks all the boxes for me; electric vibes and food rooted in true French bistro style.” — Max Coen

“I was lucky to be taken here for my birthday by my wife. The journey from the city by train up to Tarrytown was so picturesque, and seeing everything they grow on the farm is inspirational. The menu just highlighted a few key ingredients that were in season - combined with their elegant cooking style, the results are superb.” — Stuart Ralston

“Pam and Rob have created a magical dining experience with Inver.” — Jun Tanaka

“I first visited Estela in 2015, and was frankly blown away by the elegant and delicious food, and laid back but focussed service.” — Mike Davies

“I have been going here for years and it never disappoints. It is such a lovely restaurant, great food and very professional confident service. I love the open kitchen and always try to bag a table outside on a warm evening.” — Theo Randall

“If I was up at home in Scotland I’d beat a path to the Kinneuchar Inn, which I love. It’s just brilliant. That was such a genius move of James (Ferguson) and Alethea (Palmer) - they’re great pals from way back, much as we miss them here. Kinneuchar feels a lot like Rochelle Canteen but in Scotland, which I think is incredibly special and wonderful. It’s important that these things are far reaching. Much as I’m very capital-centric, it’s great to know that outside London there are more and more places with the confidence to run those sorts of menus.” — Jeremy Lee

“Smoking Goat is my second home! I often go there after service for a quick bite before I go home.” — Nieves Barragan

“His food is out of this world - you can’t go wrong with his favourite cauliflower shawarma.” — Ramael Scully

“I love the menu at Fallow, again a celebration of seasonal British produce, championing lesser-known cuts and promoting a fuller use of every bit of resource. Brimming with ideas, not shying from spice, I spent an entire afternoon eating the fish head in sriracha butter sauce and was much happier for it. Oh, and the Chelsea tart is not to be missed!” — Vivek Singh

“This one is simple but so good.” — Tom Cenci

“It serves some fantastic small plates of food, which I’ve spent many happy times grazing on, it also has a wonderful wine selection too.” — Tom Cenci

“It is truly one of the best restaurants in London, even thinking about going makes me feel excited.” — Mike Davies

“Seriously good seasonal food from one of the best chefs in the business. I have known owner, Phil Howard, for years. His cooking and flavour combination just gets better and better. The dining room is light and simple combined with great service and a really good wine list. This is a very complete restaurant.” — Theo Randall

“Assured of good service, excellent produce cooked with elegance and respect - a timeless, grown-up place.” — Amy Poon

“‘This restaurant is truly inspirational. From service to the beverage program and the food, it never ceases to inspire me. The wine list is one of the best in the country.’” — James Knappett

“‘Andrew Clarke punches hard with flavours but cooks consciously with low waste, using fermentation and by-products. The vibe is always fun, cocktails are great, and rain or shine it is a great weekend place to hangout with the family.’” — James Knappett

“No nonsense, no fuss, hits the spot every time for Cantonese roast duck and rice.” — Amy Poon

“Kiln produces dishes that never fail to blow my mind.” — Max Coen

“I usually opt for casual over fine dining on my days off; however, it was a special moment when I had the opportunity to dine at my friend Ayo's restaurant. The meal felt even more special, knowing the dedication and hard work that went into it. The decor of Akoko is warm, with rusty, desert-like hues that perfectly complement Ayo's story. One of my favourite dishes was Tatale, a Ghanaian spiced plantain pancake with goat cashew cream and caviar. Caviar is not typically associated with West African cuisine, but I loved how Ayo incorporated a familiar fine dining ingredient to introduce me to African flavours.” — Alex Dilling

“I’ve always believed Adam Handling’s cooking at the Frog (since it’s E1) days was another level in its creativity, imagination, and sustainability credentials. Always one to champion British produce with a zero-waste philosophy, Adam’s Covent Garden flagship is one of the finest dining experiences you will find in London.” — Vivek Singh