Situated in the beautifully revamped Langham hotel, the David Collins designed bar is sleek, sexy and dramatic. With its 50 types of rum, Artesian is ideally placed for a post shopping cocktail or a refined haven from the frenzy of nearby Soho.

In the heart of Covent Garden, the focal point of the quaint Monmouth Street, the Max bar at the Covent Garden hotel is elegant, intimate and buzzy. Recline, soak up the British charm and feel right at home.

The Connaught hotel features two exquisite bars that are ideal for very different occasions. The warmth and intimacy of the Coburg Bar makes it a wonderful place to relax after a day at the office or shopping, while the design and the cocktails at the Connaught Bar are perfect for an upbeat glamorous evening with friends. We highly recommend one of their signature Martinis.

The Connaught hotel features two exquisite bars that are ideal for very different occasions. The warmth and intimacy of the Coburg Bar makes it a wonderful place to relax after a day at the office or shopping, while the design and the cocktails at the Connaught Bar are perfect for an upbeat glamorous evening with friends. I highly recommend one of their signature Martinis.

Visiting the chic and elegant Launceston Place is a culinary treat from ex-Petrus chef, Tristan Welch, whose menu presents haute cuisine with a British twist. Both the chef and the restaurant are increasingly rising to prominence in London, therefore expect highly accomplished refined British food. Launceston Place is well located for dinner after the concert at Royal Albert Hall.

Situated in an old butcher’s shop near Notting Hill, Hereford Road’s simple and sparse interior allows the food do the talking with its seasonal British menu that relies on high quality ingredients. Similar to St John, where the chef trained, Hereford Road has a focus on offal, but it is also well known for its simple yet accomplished fish dishes.

Regularly featured in ‘best of’ lists and highly revered throughout the world, St John is an institution on the London dining scene. Housed in a former smokehouse around the corner from Smithfield Market, St John features simple, pared down British cooking that celebrates great ingredients and uses offal and neglected cuts as part of its ‘nose to tail’ ethos.

Hix Soho is the latest venture from Mark Hix on the former Aaya site in Soho. The head chef is Kevin Gratton, formerly of Scott’s in Mayfair, who retains the quality that has become expected from Hix restaurants. The bar downstairs, serving some great cocktails, is worth a visit as well.

Magdalen features hearty British cuisine in a relaxed and unassuming setting near London Bridge. With a daily changing menu from chefs with real pedigree, the food is a class act, with friendly and professional service to match.

Widely regarded as London’s oldest restaurant, Rules still thrives in the heart of Covent Garden, thankfully not succumbing to the tourist trap. The dining room is dark and cosy, with a gentlemen’s club feel to it, but the food is the real attraction, with its focus on seasonal ingredients, with game being a notable highlight.

The Parlour offers fine cakes, sandwiches and tea in a grand setting with a cool and quirky vibe. There is a no reservation policy, but any wait will be worth it.

With a beautiful riverside setting and a large decked terrace to embrace the British summer, The Gun is one of the best dining experience in the Docklands offering a great British pub menu. In the summer, be sure to visit A Grelha at The Gun, an al fresco Portuguese BBQ of fresh fish and meats on the decked terrace.

The Princess has established itself as a top dining experience in Shoreditch, combining a gastropub, serving classic pub dishes, in the downstairs bar area, with more of a fine dining experience in the upstairs dining room. Book ahead for the fine dining, or turn up early for the walk in downstairs. The Princess has a lengthy wine list, with many by the glass and carafe options.

With pedigree such as the Pot Kiln in Berkshire and the much-lauded Ledbury in Notting Hill overseeing its re-launch, The Harwood Arms was always destined for great things, becoming the first London pub to achieve a Michelin Star in the 2010 guide. The interiors are simple and rustic, but the distinctly British cooking, including favourites such as venison scotch egg, is at the top of its game.

Re-launched in 2008 under the direction of Ben Maschler, the son of the Evening Standard’s restaurant critic, Fay, The Drapers Arms has been lovingly restored to its former glory. While the upstairs dining room can feel a little cold, downstairs it is bustling and welcoming. The Drapers Arms was awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2010 Michelin Guide.