Harry Weller

Scott's is a London classic we'll never forgo. This cushy, old-fashioned spot is by far and away one of our favourite fish restaurant in London. Order the sole and book well in advance.

This 220,000-work collection captures the essence of British society. There is a vibrant painting of Zadie Smith by Toyin Ojih Odutola as well as oils of Shakespeare and Lord Byron, and the annual Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait exhibition is always a joy. For anyone passing, it’s worth stopping just to look at the bronze doors scribbled with the faces of 45 women by Tracey Emin.

This Art Deco brasserie is somewhere to arrive before your buddy and absorb the atmosphere, which is buzzing by 8am on weekdays. Staff in waistcoats are warm and welcoming (for those with a booking), armed with a choice of freshly pressed newspapers. And there’s bound to be someone of note peeking out from behind a copy of the FT. Bright, buttery scrambled eggs are wrapped in a twist of smoked salmon and the kedgeree remains a classic. Still the most fabulous place for breakfast in Mayfair.

Run by the UK’s most stylish gallerist, Jay Jopling, this is Europe’s largest commercial gallery space. And despite being a little way off any obvious London art trails, the shows are always worth the detour. It’s a prestigious solo showroom – in part because of how much space there is to play with – so exhibitions here tend to host big names: Antony Gormley, Anselm Kiefer and Tracey Emin. The Mason’s Yard outpost, in a former electricity substation in St James, is also worth a nose if you’re in the area.

When chef Matthew Ryle arrived on Duke Street in 2021 his contemporary French menu was a runaway success. At lunch the lofty space is full of art dealers negotiating over Comté gougères and plates of rotisserie chicken. Don't skip pudding, which arrives in trolley form: a stack of drawers neatly filled with madeleines, macarons and mousses. Its easy-going sibling in Borough Yards is another good lunchtime spot for croque monsieur flatbreads and French onion soup.

Classic British grub is served under the gaze of Lucian Freud’s Self Portrait, alongside a seasonal roster of golden-framed oils and contemporary works curated by Hauser & Wirth gallery. Mount St Restaurant is open for all servings, though its morning menu is worth a shout-out. Asparagus is seared as a side for dippy eggs, local honey is stirred through creamy porridge (a dram of whisky an optional extra) and the open-faced omelette Arnold Bennett is served with an indulgent glazed, golden top – best paired with the signature breakfast martini.