In London, there’s always somewhere newer, cooler. But it’s far rarer that one of these must-visit spots has real staying power. Sessions Arts Club, an elegantly dilapidated gallery meets dining space from artist Jonny Gent, is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. Reservations can be difficult to snag, so set an alarm 30 days ahead if you want to feast on magical plates of churros-like panisses doused in lemon thyme and meaty anchovies swimming in bright oil.

This has to be London’s smartest Italian restaurant – with a Michelin star to show for it. Made up of several connected dining rooms, each space feels intimate, but we love the tables on the terrace. During summer months the roof retracts for alfresco lunches, but it also feels gloriously cosy when you’re by the fire with the rain hitting the roof for the rest of the year. The service is smart, the pasta (rigatoni with sausage ragu, Agnolotti of alpine speck) is perfect, and the lemon tart is sensational. A date-night spot for when you’re pulling out all the stops.

While we don't often hang out deep underground, this cute, plant-filled basement just might change that. This Clerkenwell restaurant is perfect for brunch or a sunny Saturday afternoon spent on the terrace.