First opened by Josef Friedman over 50 years ago, Tiroler Hut was forced to close in 2019 following the devastating effects of a fire. Three years on, the family-run restaurant has now re-opened following an extensive refurbishment. While the décor has had a refresh, much of the Tiroler Hut spirit has been retained. Superlative Austrian food and beers are accompanied by live music, with performances from the 84-year-old owner on the cow bells, accordion, and saxophone. As for the food, you can’t go wrong with the classic wiener schnitzel cloaked with a crisp, well-seasoned coating followed by a classic apfelstrudel or kaiserschmarrn, and best washed down with a foamy pint of Stiegl Goldbräu.

Walking past La Bodega Negra on Old Compton Street, you can be forgiven for thinking that the restaurant is just another Soho sex shop. Head downstairs however and you’ll be surprised to find a charming basement restaurant rather than another insensitively marketed gimmick. Here the food has a modern Mexican slant, featuring some classic Mexican dishes alongside some genuinely exciting highlights. Think pickled tomatillo with frisee leaves, chayote, walnut and cranberry; quesadillas with truffle and black mole, cheese and salsa verde; lamb barbacoa with tortillas and various salsas; or, best of all, al pastor marinated Secreto Iberico pork with salsa verde and tortillas for making tacos at the table.

An urban oasis in central London, The Garden Café is affixed to The Garden Museum at the foot of Lambeth Bridge. Natural light floods the spacious dining room and the constantly changing menu features simple, seasonal dishes that are elegantly presented and served on classic white plates, rarely featuring more than three main ingredients. These may include crispy duck and frisee salad; John Dory with white beans and roasted fennel; or braised venison mince with buttery mash and sprout tops: substance over style at its very best.

Located in the crypt of St Matthew’s Church, Gremio de Brixton is a tapas bar with gorgeous interiors. The church structure’s low slung ceilings and original brickwork work as natural partitions and when illuminated by dim candlelight, contribute to a fairly sedate atmosphere, though the restaurant does get lively as the evening goes on. Gremio de Brixton is an ideal venue for dates, but also for visiting in a group of four or more to make a considerable dent in the broad menu. You’ll almost definitely want to order both the jamón and the blue cheese croquetas; boquerones with aioli lifted by a whisper of citrus; soft Mallorcan sobrassada with crusty bread; chickpea and sweet potato buñuelos; fried aubergines with honey; and at least one of the rice dishes. Go for the arroz negre coloured with cuttlefish ink or the arroz de mariscos loaded with mussels, clams, squid and prawns. 

When looking for Caravel, aim for Studio Kitchen then head to the canal and search for a barge named ‘Poppy’. Unlike most boat and barge restaurants, Caravel is completely without gimmicks. Most dishes lean towards that unmissable British-European bistro dining, but there are enough modern flourishes to be excited about. Go with one of the inventive takes on classic cocktails, such as the rum and cola old fashioned, which tastes exactly like cola bottle sweets; followed by playful dishes such as the hero duck croquette shaped like a rubber duck; acerbic mackerel with celeriac remoulade and pickled greengages which slice through the fish’s richness; and fat potato rostis dolloped with sour cream and a generous crown of caviar. 

Parked up outside the big Tesco on Old Kent Road, The Iyanams Kitchen is so much more than just a car park burger van. Sure, burgers are served but the dishes with strong nods to Caribbean and West African cuisine are the main reason to visit. Think grilled saltfish, peppers, tisk, ackee, mango salad and barbecue dressing stuffed into a warm tortilla flatbread, generously seasoned and slow-cooked lamb chops with fried rice, and sides such as mac and cheese or jollof rice.

While Townsend isn’t necessarily as hidden as some of its fellow listees, the fact that it’s an outstanding restaurant situated in an art gallery may come as a surprise. Replacing the also lauded Whitechapel Refectory in 2020, Nick Gilkinson — formerly of the Garden Museum Cafe — and Joe Fox — formerly of Petersham Nurseries — have taken the restaurant from strength to strength in its short, pandemic-clipped life. Dishes like Red Leicester croquettes with pickled walnut ketchup; potato and crab dumplings blackened with squid ink, rife with garlic and chilli; and roast mallard with braised radicchio, spiced carrot and prunes betray the fact that this is a modern British restaurant, meaning it’s really old European with an accent.

The Londis on Fountayne Road in Stoke Newington is not just another Londis. Family-run since the late 1970s and now run by Priyesh and Alpesh Patel, it serves excellent Gujarati dishes alongside the more traditional off-license goods. The takeaway menu, announced on social media, changes regularly and may feature the likes of methi malai paneer, baingan bharta, chai-spiced tiramisu, Bombay mix made with shredded wheat, corn flakes, and Cheerios; and truly outstanding vada pav with smashed potato sandwiched by dry coconut, chilli and garlic chutney on one side of the bun and coriander and garlic chutney on the other. 

On the edge of Epping Forest, next to the Kings Oak Hotel, Oyster Shack specialises in exceptional quality seafood and shellfish. Oysters are, of course, a highlight either as they come, daubed with a little sweet-sharp vinaigrette, or deep fried and presented in the shells. Classic cold seafood options are also served alongside hot dishes such as huge tiger prawns when available, regularly changing specials which may include cod’s cheeks, monkfish or lobster tails, plus outrageous bacon rolls complete with black pudding and scallops. 

According to the restaurant’s Instagram, Denny’s is “Chislehurst‘s best kept secret since 1985”. Going by the interiors, it looks as though little has changed over the past 37 years, though there’s an element of nostalgic charm that makes visiting Denny’s feel like a special occasion. In the former waiting room of Chislehurst train station, the restaurant serves an extensive menu showcasing high quality fish and seafood that’s sourced fresh daily. Meat dishes such as chicken supreme with mushroom sauce or various steaks are available, but the fish and shellfish are the main draws. Belgian mussels are offered à la meunière, Provencal, with brie or curry sauce. Zareula is rampant with prawns, crab, mussels, clams, scallops, oysters and cod. Dover sole is simply cooked yet superlative, and reasonably priced lobster thermidor also makes a rare post-1979 appearance.