Restaurant File: Southwest London

This Notting Hill destination has all the trappings of a standard fancy European bistro, but the food is anything but standard. Helmed by young Aussie native Brett Graham, he earned the place a Michelin star just nine months after opening. He specializes in French cuisine that's always sublime. The roast halibut is mouth-watering, but if you're up for an epic night out, you'll want to order the tasting menu. The service is charming and efficient, making it a good pick for a romantic dinner, or an al fresco summer spot with friends. The leafy terrace here is among my favorite outdoor spots in London.

When this Parisian favorite came to Knightsbridge—Harrods, to be exact—the city went ga-ga for Gallic. To this day, the macaroons, which are offered in colors that could inspire the Crayola company, unfailingly draw crowds. There are delightful breakfasts on offer too in this French tearoom-style dining room. It's a great shopping stop. I bring a box of multi-colored goodies to nearly every dinner party.

At last! Somewhere in London to get a giant bowl of fresh and healthy soup. I could eat here almost every day in the winter. It's incredibly warm and cozy under the heat lamps. Contrary to what you may guess, the name of this restaurant translates as "Happy Buddha," and indeed joy is dispensed in each dish of crunchy steamed spring rolls, noodle salad and pho. Plus it's one of the best deals in London with lunches fetching a mere £6. Meals are prepared at a vibrant station set up on an outdoor patio street-cart style. Keep toasty under the heat lamps in the off-season as you slurp from a bowl of soup loaded with vibrant herbs and chilies that's guaranteed to warm you on the inside.

Chances are if you've been to Riccardo's once, you'll go back again. Most nights, it's full of regulars, and it's hard not to become immediately enchanted by this Italian spot, one of my favorites. Go (and go back again) for the buzzy yet warm neighborhood atmosphere and authentic home-style cuisine. Expect to find small plates of big flavors, such as succulent chili and garlic pan-fried prawns and delicious grilled mushroom-topped polenta. The menu offers allergy-sufferers a welcome relief, with its wheat-free pasta options, which are tasty rather than tough.

Fish'n'chip shacks are a dime a dozen in London, but American-style diners are another story. Thank goodness for Lucky Seven. I adore the buttermilk pancakes with butter and maple syrup. This plate satisfies even the most severe Sunday morning craving outside the US. (And it definitely warrants tossing the diet to the wayside for the weekend and reserving a morning for a long, leisurely, lazy brunch.) They serve excellent milkshakes and burgers too. Head next door to the Mexican bar for a variety of tequila-based cocktails in the evening. I love this spot for a low-key night out with friends, or after a day's shopping at Portobello. It's modest in size, so getting there early is a good idea.

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Chelsea, a high-ceilinged yet cosy, chic/casual retreat in winter and a lovely and bright place to dine in summer. London style meets Parisian charm at this fab brasserie which always makes me feel like I'm in a bistro on the Rive Gauche—an almost theatrical setting of duck egg-blue banquettes, crimson dining chairs, sparkling pink chandeliers, wood floors, and an open grill where the Provencal-inspired food is prepared. Don't miss the best chunky chips in London: classic French fries cooked in goose fat—yum. Tip: reserve table 11, a six-person sunny corner for Sunday lunch with friends. The upstairs Salon offers more casual dining—tartes, baguettes and Croque Monsieur—plus first Monday every month Jazz Soirees with some of the UK's best musicians and singers. Funky cocktails, an extensive French wine list.

 

Hearty traditional northern Indian fare meets subdued glamour at this understated South London stalwart. Tuxedo-ed waiters breeze in and out of the dining room, delivering Noor Jahan's specialities, which never fail to impress even the most jaded palates. Their naan bread is easily a standard bearer outside of the subcontinent. In a city with no shortage of curry houses, this a real stand-out. It's popular with celebrities and locals alike.

This popular eatery, a standout on the crowded circuit of hip but casual restaurants, is London's answer to Balthazar. The kitchen dishes out the comfort food we all instinctively crave and love in a bright, smart setting—tiled walls, sepia-toned photos, a marble bar. If anyone can give familiar home cooked favorites serious foodie street cred and integrity—not to mention glam—it's Tom Aikens, who was only 22 when he worked in the kitchen of La Tante Claire, which earned its third Michelin star during his tenure. He opened his eponymous restaurant in 2006. Don't come here for a relaxed, peaceful evening, though. It's as bustling as a train depot and the high ceilings only seem to boost the noise factor. But the popularity is well deserved, not least because Aikens puts a premium on locally sourced meats and organic produce. Among my must-orders are the seven-hour braised lamb shoulder (for two) or the macaroni and cheese and for desert, the vanilla yogurt with churros.

Spanish cuisine has undergone a serious renaiassance in the past few years. London's contribution to the resurgence takes classic rustic wholesomeness, adds an elaborate twist and serves it in a mucho sexy setting. There's little in this neighborhood—or anywhere in London, for that matter—that compares to nibbling on king-sized prawns swimming in garlic and chili as you sit amid the black and red decor. The food offers stunning surprises. Gazpacho, for instance, is thickened with meaty chunks of lobster. Check out the delicious wines from Navarra and Ribera del Duero. Book the table in front of the fireplace and bask in the sultry atmosphere. This place tends to be packed with an over-35 hip crowd.

This off-the-beaten-path place is another one of my favorites. An inconspicuous entrance leads you to a subterranean, high-ceilinged dining room. With exposed brick walls, dark leather furniture and elegant but funky drapes, it has a sophistication that appeals to the English aristocracy and hipsters alike. The French-style tapas menu is extensive, and so is the wine-by-the-glass selection. A knowledgeable staff wanders the floors to offer recommendations for perfect pairings. I'd suggest the juicy fillet steak, served with buttery wild asparagus and delectable toasted garlic purée. This restaurant is ideal for groups. Stop here to relax after a day of rigorous retail therapy on King's Road. It's just next door to Cadogan Hall, where you can find a concert happening most afternoons and evenings.

Polished and chic, this eatery in the Berkeley Hotel is yet another concept from the nearly ubiquitous Gordon Ramsay, who has developed a menu of simple British fare and bistro staples. The signature dish is the veal and foie gras burger with cos lettuce, parmesan and chips. If you have an appetite, I suggest the potted salt beef brisket with apples and horseradish and pickled cukes. It's a popular spot for media types and A-listers as well as the ladies who lunch, practically a requisite stop for the designer label set during any day-long excursion to the high-end boutiques nearby. Go for the spectacle.

This is the crown jewel of sushi restaurants in London. The zen temple-meets-sleek lounge design was done by the notable Tokyo-based firm Super Potato. There's are massive stone structures that flank the bar and an open kitchen where you can watch the cinematic action of the chefs. But beyond the captivating look and cutting-edge ambiance of the place, Zuma has everything else going for it: superb service, a convenient location and swoon-worthy cuisine. There's meticulously crafted sushi as well as more creative fare, such as seared miso-marinated foie gras with ume boshi compote and smokey cedar wood-roasted meats. During the day, tables are occupied by executive types who tend to use this place as a second office during power lunches. In the evening, the stylish set tuck into the sashimi and scrumptious dishes prepared on the steaming robata grill.

You love Nobu, Zuma and Roka, but get frustrated when you can't get in? Add Viktor to your list. It's not as sexy or scene-y as the other three, but the food is a truly sensual experience. The rich red décor, eclectic art, and wall mural create a plush and hushed environment to enjoy the traditional and contemporary Euro-Asian dishes like the scrumptious Duck Leg Sake. Don't miss the special House Salad or Spicy Soft-shelled Crab Roll. High-octane cocktails, like Russian Kiss and Last Samurai, go nicely with the cuisine. Just across the road from Mr. Chow ... delish.