Trader Vic's at the London Hilton

Tiki bars are enjoying a revival but the Hilton’s hula hut has been floating many folks’ canoes for decades – a kitsch beach shack in rattan & cane, with plinky-plonky background muzak & lethal rum cocktails served in tiki carved mugs the size of a small lagoon. Food takes a backseat, the international menu offering up beef fillet with bearnaise sauce alongside Singapore noodles. The most successful dishes are the smaller plates, so opt for tempura, calamari & chicken skewers from the selection of finger food. Staff in Aloha dresses are smiley, & although Trailer H & Mahiki do tiki better, we still have a soft spot for this fantasy-island basement.