Wheelchair Friendly Restaurants

Spitalfields is where it all started for Hawksmoor founders Will Beckett and Huw Gott in 2006 and while their newer restaurants became ever-more glamorous, this blueprint was still recognisably a City steakhouse. A recent refurb has brought it into line with its glossy siblings with acres of green leather and an all-round sheen, but what still sets Hawksmoor apart from the competition it spawned is the hubbub of happy diners anticipating some of the best steak in London, smoky from the chargrill and imbued with more character than the cast list of Game of Thrones. Non-carnivores should investigate such fresh-tasting treats as a mound of white crab meat piled on to thin crumpets, or three breadcrumb-scattered scallops served in the shell with a white port and garlic sauce. There’s no denying that Hawksmoor is expensive, but portions are so big that a steak and a couple of sides (treacle-sweet bacon, squeaky spring greens) should hit the spot for most appetites – though who could resist the lure of peanut butter shortbread topped with a smooth scoop of salted-caramel ice cream and concealing a well of syrupy sauce?

It’s hard to talk about Min Jiang without mentioning the view: 10 floors up on the fringes of Hyde Park, it’s a mesmerising prospect. Now fast approaching its 10th birthday, this venue has become one of London’s slickest operators, a top-end Chinese decked out with mirrored panels, oriental screens and classical pottery, dealing in scrubbed-up but authentic Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine. The star of the show – and one of our guiltiest treats in the capital – is the Beijing duck, presented in three servings. No doctor is going to recommend the crispy skin dipped in fine sugar but, boy, is it good – likewise the traditional pancake wraps, lettuce parcels and alternatives such as salted vegetable soup with duck and tofu. Elsewhere, baskets of steamed dim sum are a beauty to behold, while rib-eye in a sticky black pepper sauce is sweet and soothing. To drink, put your trust in the sommelier’s pick from an Old World-leaning wine list.

This D&D London-owned, Conran-era classic has celebrated its 21st birthday with a gentle refurbishment that has effectively kept the grey-toned colour scheme the same as before. It remains one of the most elegant dining rooms in London, especially pretty at lunchtime when light floods through the arched windows overlooking St Marylebone churchyard, and in summer when the rooftop terrace is one of the capital’s best-kept secrets. Chef-patron Igor Tymchyshyn has worked here since 2008 and hasn’t ever deviated from the restaurant’s modern French template. Starters of perky cured mackerel with cucumber and horseradish or a really excellent Dorset crab with mango and wasabi might be followed by a signature tournedos Rossini with almost as much foie gras as steak. A trolley whiffy with 30 well-kept cheeses has always been what the place is most famous for – as too a 22-page wine list with some big names among the two dozen by the glass, with fine wine prices slashed on Mondays. Service is as formal as the business-friendly setting of well-spaced, white-clothed tables demands, without losing sight of friendliness. A set menu (£39) with four choices per course avoids the stiff cost of the à la carte (£59), while the tiny bar is a rare for the area cocktail spot.

Challenging preconceptions of the Mexican dining experience, Cantina Laredo tosses aside chilli-laden, sombrero-clad stereotypes and puts the food centre stage. Well-informed staff pay tribute to the care taken in the kitchen and the menu points out that the spicy mole sauce has over 16 ingredients, while guacamole is made to order at the table. Starters of tiger prawns wrapped in bacon with sweet potato sauce or sticky honey-basted ribs delight, but that mole sauce is strangely tame and promises of spice on the menu can at times prove to be empty. Tremendous drinks are where the kicks come from: the quality of the Tequila used in the superlative Margaritas is apparent and the chilli-laced hot chocolates are creamy and addictive. These flairs of energy fight against the strangely muted character of the whole outfit, which is still less cantina, more hotel breakfast buffet in appearance. With plenty of passion and commitment evident from front of house through to the kitchen, a more generous seasoning of fun could only make the whole experience more appetising.

Parlour palms, a glassy corner site & the chain’s trademark peppermint colour scheme add cheer to this smart Jamies outlet, which is dominated by a long bar complete with a cosy, burgundy-hued alcove at the far end. The brasserie-style menu makes it a popular lunchtime venue: share a mezze platter, try a sweet chilli chicken salad, or opt for a rib-eye or sirloin steak served with a portobello mushroom, grilled tomato & skin-on fries. The easy-to-follow, branded wine list comes with useful tasting notes & bags of choice, including a few ‘off-piste’ varietals such as Viognier & Chenin Blanc at affordable prices. The ace up this Jamies’ sleeve, however, is the 100-capacity private bar & function room, complete with a dancefloor. ‘Great for business lunches & after-work get-togethers’, says a fan.

The carefree, nautical side of D&D London’s Old Bengal Warehouse revamp, Fish Market has quickly earned the trust of City folk keen for a quick bite and a glass of wine. The decor is perfectly pitched with its aquamarine ceiling, bright tones, white brickwork and marble bar, and there’s fine-weather alfresco seating, too. Food-wise, a selection of crustacea (sold by the half-pint) is a good place to start, followed perhaps by smoked-haddock Scotch eggs or Ortiz anchovies with shallots. More substantial fare might include baked fillet of bream with artichoke, pancetta and cockle butter or “the best” fish and chips, while the 80-strong wine list majors on fresh, zingy whites, with the odd show-stopping white Burgundy thrown in. “Very attentive” staff, “spot-on” cocktails, and a two-course set lunch for £16.50 make Fish Market quite a catch.

From turf to surf: the forecast at Will Beckett and Huw Gott's sexy deco den is meaty with a chance of seafood. The Hawksmoor signature of excellent British beef with boldly indulgent sauces and sides (Stilton hollandaise, macaroni cheese, grilled bone marrow) is still in evidence, but at Air Street, the price-by-weight beef is supplemented by a seafood selection devised in cahoots with restaurateur (and fish fanatic) Mitch Tonks. Expect anything from char-grilled Dartmouth lobster and turbot to steaks priced per 100g – although readers insist it's still "a treat place". Desserts such as a 'Crunchy bar' and strawberry and lime pavlova don't take themselves too seriously – an ethos that also applies to drinks in the "delicious" art deco-styled bar. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, a happy ambience and a wine list full of possibilities combine to ensure that Hawksmoor is "totally worth it".

Elegantly tricked out in shades of cardamom, pepper and pimento, this distinguished Grade II-listed edifice was originally an East India Company spice repository. Open for lunch, for sundowners and for bar food, its cocktails might make more of the warehouse's past – not that we're complaining about well-balanced signature mixes such as Aurora (a Diplomatico white rum, Chambord and rose sour) or A Plume of Smoke (a mezcal, pineapple and bitter chocolate pick-me-up). We also approve of the prices: £24, for example, secures a respectable Gascon rosé, ideal for balmy evenings under parasols in a smart walled courtyard. Not surprisingly, spices make a big contribution when it comes to moreish bar snacks such as lamb croquettes with curry sauce, salt-and-pepper squid with aïoli, vegetable samosas with raita or juicy organic Black Angus burgers with blue cheese and black pudding.

A second home for local celebs and self-made women, who come here to discuss business and affairs of the heart over eggs Benedict and Caesar salad, the café attached to D&D London’s Bluebird gastrodome has become something of an institution hereabouts. The bright, airy dining room combines primary colours with a mishmash of chairs and modish lights, plus oddball displays of ornamental plates, while the menu offers solid all-round appeal. Apart from eggs every which way, breakfast promises sticky patisserie, things on toast and bowls of house granola, with savouries talking centre stage from midday onwards: look for charcuterie plates, fish-finger rolls, char-grilled burgers and big helpings of shepherd’s pie or pasta, followed by rice pudding, knickerbocker glory and ice creams for those with a sweet tooth. To sip, order a glass of bubbly, a bellini or a citron pressé.

The legendary Savoy Grill has hosted a long list of famous diners since it opened in 1889, including Oscar Wilde, Charlie Chaplin and Frank Sinatra. You'll feel like an A-lister too, seated in the plush dining room beneath glittering chandeliers: "I love the experience whenever I go here," declares one devotee. Now a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, the menu pays its dues to the Savoy's culinary heritage, featuring omelette Arnold Bennett and peach Melba (both created here), as well as French staples that would be familiar to the hotel's first chef, Escoffier. But the main event is the "wonderful meat": generous grills and chops, with classic sauces such as marrowbone and shallot, feature alongside braises, roasts and pies, plus daily treats from the trolley – Wednesday is our favourite day for lunch, when beef Wellington is the star of the show. A traditional wine list lends support, while polished staff include "a helpful and knowledgeable sommelier". In short, the Savoy Grill delivers.

It might feel like being trapped inside a panda’s lunchbox, but beyond the swathes of cypress and bamboo there’s plenty to divert customers at “trendy” Sake No Hana. Perennially popular, it offers a vast menu that straddles the Japanese canon (and beyond), combined with a “superb atmosphere” and just enough pizzazz to make it all feel special at the price. The repertoire repays close attention. Start, perhaps, with colourful seared sushi or the umami riot of seared rib-eye beef with sesame dressing, before moving on to iron-pot rice topped with truffle and wild mushrooms or mirin-marinated black cod with yuzu, chilli and miso. A menu of this magnitude might expose weaknesses in lesser kitchens, but here the chefs are obviously well-drilled – especially when it comes to intricate desserts such as matcha pannacotta with mango sorbet. Saké classes, whisky and chocolate flights and a boozy Saturday lunch all help to maintain interest. “Excellent, as ever”, confirms one regular.

‘Manhattan meets Mayfair’ is how Avenue’s owners describe its 2014 makeover, which sees blonde woods, taupe and teal leather warming up a previously stark space. The glamorous long bar and lounge suggests Upper East Side – a grown-up port of call offering craft beers, wines from a Coravin preservation system and cocktails created by iconic bartenders, past and present. Dip into New York’s archive for Bronx twist (a Tequila martini drunk by Broadway babes at the Waldorf Astoria) or Old Cuban – a noughties Champagne mojito from Pegu Club’s Audrey Saunders. Elsewhere, sidecar, Dottore (an apricot take on Salvatore Calabrese’s modern breakfast martini) and various creations such as white lady by legend Harry Craddock (late of The Savoy) are fine British heritage calls. To eat, nibble on devilled eggs, sliders, BBQ pork and corn muffins, pretzels with hot sauce or watermelon rind with pickle.

Owners Huw Gott and Will Beckett play knowingly to the City crowd at this branch of their beefy Hawksmoor chain. Dark panelling, acres of parquet and a distinct lack of embellishment conjure up an old-fashioned chophouse vibe, though service is satisfyingly modern – ensuring “no fuss or disappointments”. “Fantastic” breakfasts are done with a level of commitment that makes booking advisable for sharing platters of bacon chop, sausages, black pudding and trimmings or cornflake milkshakes with an optional slug of bourbon. At lunch and dinner, flawless British steaks (“always cooked to perfection”) are further enhanced by the likes of anchovy hollandaise, buttered sprout tops or beef-dripping chips. On either side, there might be roast scallops with white port and garlic, plus desserts such as a chocolate and honeycomb ‘Crunchy Bar’. Dive into the cocktail list and you’ll know all about Hawksmoor’s good, strong spirits, while a short bar menu caters to time-pressed carnivores.

Dreamt up by two brothers who found fame in Paris during the 80s, the Noura chain has several outlets in the capital, including this impressive flagship in Belgravia– a two-tiered eatery comprising a casual brasserie and a more classy restaurant. The massive menu is built for sharing and covers all bases from hot and cold mezze to intensely succulent slabs of roasted or grilled meat (the mixed shawarma offers a bit of everything) and some terrific veggie choices ranging from meatless moussaka to bamieh (okra cooked with tomato and coriander). For afters, Lebanese-inspired ice creams, baklava or aish el saraya (a richly caramelised bread pudding with clotted cream) should fit the bill. A wallet-friendly lunch menu (£22.50) feeds the business crowd, while black-tied service keeps things slick and professional.

“The best steak in London, by a mile”, declares one reader, and we have to agree. The beefy Hawksmoor chain somehow manages to get everything right, from its glorious 35-day-aged steaks supplied by The Ginger Pig to its creative cocktails – all presented by staff with a genuine passion for service. It's easy to understand why there are now six branches in the capital (and another in Manchester), though this atmospheric site in the old barrel-vaulted Watney Combe Brewery is one of our favourites. Start with Old Spot belly ribs or sweetly caramelised roast scallops with white port and garlic, before taking your pick of the beefy cuts chalked up by weight on blackboards. Perfectly crisp triple-cooked chips, gut-busting macaroni cheese or grilled bone marrow make happy companions, but we urge saving some space for the addictive salted caramel Rolos too. The comfortable bar deals in burgers and lobster rolls as well as brilliant drinks, though between the hours of 3pm and 5pm Monday-Friday, you can dine from the full a la carte menu when booking in advance. Sunday lunch sees roast rump of Longhorn beef with all the trimmings for Sunday lunch. “Great for big groups and for couples”, notes one fan.

Refurbished in 2015, Aqua's upmarket Spanish eatery is predictably sleek and glamorous, although the food is sufficiently accomplished to hold its own. Low-lit black tables are arranged beneath an arched, copper-clad ceiling, while the menu of show-stopping tapas ranges from ultra-traditional pan con tomate and patatas bravas to glazed veal cheek with pickled mushrooms or poached cod fillet atop fennel purée. Respect for ingredients and presentation is evident throughout, from melting black-ink seafood croquetas presented in mussel shells to deep-pink raw tuna rolls, stuffed with a confit tomato and almonds, then studded with pomegranate (a riot of colour and texture). There are also larger plates of grilled octopus or perhaps Ibérico secreto pork, but our advice is to stick with the smaller, more adventurous tapas. Big bills come as standard, but the striking black-and-gold bar provides a more wallet-friendly alternative with its evening snack menu, array of cocktails and a terrace overlooking Regent Street.

This casual brunch and lunch spot capitalises on its location in prime office-worker territory by serving a crowd-pleasing menu in a bustling, bright open-plan dining room. The Table started as a staff canteen, but after a decade, it keeps with the times by balancing mountainous burgers and all-day brunch choices with healthier ‘small plates’. Indulge in a well-priced classic cocktail before tackling snacks of confit pig’s cheek rillettes or polenta chips, then dive into ‘the stack’, a towering tribute to breakfast consisting of toasted bagel, chorizo, smoked ham hock, baked beans and poached eggs. We also enjoyed a refreshing plate of beetroot, blood orange and horseradish yoghurt, while spiced cauliflower with harissa was a steal at £5. Finish with blueberry and double-cream waffles and be thankful they’re available through the day. Pricing is in keeping with the area, and staff offer a friendly welcome. Bread arrives by bike from Bermondsey’s Little Bread Pedlar bakery, and herbs are plucked nearby in association with homeless charity St Mungo’s – you’ll leave The Table happy to have contributed to the local community.

Tucked away in a secluded part of Mayfair, popular Italian restaurant Babbo has returned to London following a brief hiatus in which it was replaced by a branch of Judy Joo’s Jinjuu. The smart dining room is now decked out in neutral tones, but vibrant murals on the walls help to keep things lively.

From a menu of Italian classics, split into the traditional antipasti, secondi and contorni, you can kick off with the likes of fritto misto and burrata. From the mains, diners can opt for risotto cacio e pepe, or salt-baked whole sea bass, served with steamed spinach. Desserts include tiramisu and mango and passionfruit cheesecake, while the cocktail list features the likes of the Godfather, which blends Scotch, whisky and almond liqueur.

From the moment you arrive for drinks on the gorgeous roof terrace, it’s clear that Michelin-starred Angler knows how to host its diners. Given that it’s located on the seventh floor of the South Place Hotel, superb views come as standard – thanks to a giant sloping window that looks out onto the busy street below. “Great seafood in a calming atmosphere” sums it up, with comfy striped chairs, light colours and an impressive foliage-motif mirror running along on wall of the opulent dining room. The kitchen matches the sophisticated vibe with a menu of precision-tuned contemporary dishes ranging from roast octopus with taramasalata, chipirones and spicy salsa verde to light-textured John Dory accompanied by coco beans, bacon and sardines. Meat eaters might go for smoked chicken wings with chanterelles followed by a tasting of Iberian pork, while dessert could bring a rich, warm chocolate cake with banana-milk ice cream and crunchy peanut butter. Service is impeccable, and a devoted sommelier is on hand to pair each course with wines from the varied list. Pricey, but highly recommended.

Traditional Turkish food meets slick contemporary design at Haz (and its sister venue Hazev in Canary Wharf). There’s nothing quite like a table groaning with tabbouleh, hummus, crisp filo-pastry parcels, colourful octopus salad and imam bayildi laced with golden olive oil to get a business lunch off to a good start, with mains of lamb kofte or chicken shish from the charcoal grill to seal the deal. Haz’s comprehensive menu also goes beyond the ocakbasi staples by supplementing its wide selection of mezze, grills and kebabs with tagines, slow-cooked veggie stews, seafood, pasta and even no-frills steak and chips. To drink, Turkish wines, Efes beer and raki keep things geographically on-point. There are keenly priced set deals and party menus to suit all sizes, while the venues themselves are flexible glass-fronted spaces filled with light and finished with warm materials.

Over forty years after opening its doors, Maxwell’s now offers a wide-ranging stateside menu of buffalo chicken wings, huge Caesar salads, New England crab cakes, club sandwiches, sizzling fajitas and hickory-smoked ribs, as well as signature burgers and steaks – plus a raft of calorific desserts including chocolate brownies and apple pie. There are breakfasts, ‘Sunday best’ specials, keenly priced theatre deals and kids’ menus, too – all in tune with the venue’s upbeat, chatty, feel-good vibe. Maxwell’s also hits the button with its buzzy bar, where hip bartenders dispense vintage cocktails alongside global wines, US craft beers and more besides.

“I can’t contain how happy I am when I eat here,” says a fan of this Jason Atherton restaurant, which is both little and sociable – note its size, noise levels and richly convivial French-skewed dishes. The proximity of big boy Pollen Street Social across the road might cast this “refreshing small gem” in the role of plucky upstart, but Atherton’s trademark polish and “immaculate” detailing are evident throughout – from the charming well-drilled staff and design with a purpose (think French fantasy with a knowing London wink) to the finely rendered seasonal food. Just as customers must speak up rather than murmur, the kitchen revels in flavours with presence – perhaps meaty roasted ceps with garlicky smoked almond butter on toasted brioche, côte de porc or roast cod with girolles, celeriac purée and jus gras. Steaks and burgers try to steal the limelight, tarte Tatin is now the default dessert for twosomes, and cannily chosen wines neatly sidestep the obvious.

Nationwide Italian chain Zizzi is not exactly the last word in cutting-edge culinary cool, but it’s been quick off the mark to introduce some hot new trends. A range of gelati by Kitty Travers (the artisan ice-cream maker talent-spotted by St John’s Fergus Henderson) and a recently introduced menu of ‘cichetti’ (Italian-style ‘tapas’) as seen at far hipper addresses, are reasons to revisit your local branch. The rest of the menu may not wow, cautions a reader, ‘but it’s nothing to spoil your day’. Pastas are reliable, and the pizzas – some of which come as half and half variations or hybrids – help those stuck between king prawn and spicy sausage or regular pizza and calzone. Zizzi aims to please, and its comfortably rustic, flatteringly lit restaurants usually do just that.

With its riverside views of Tower Bridge and close proximity to The City, Le Pont de la Tour has won a legion of fans since it was opened by Terence Conran back in 1991. Previously known for its classic French menu featuring favourites such as crêpes Suzette, new chef Julien Imbert has taken a more modern approach that reflects his experience as head chef at Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred City Social. While the Bar & Grill offers traditional French brasserie fare, the Restaurant now serves up elaborately plated, intricate dishes that draw on international influences and tap into current food trends. Witness cured salmon with miso mayonnaise and pickled cucumber or halibut with curry velouté. Our starter of smoked and pickled baby beetroot with blackcurrant was a well-judged blend of punchy flavours, while Gloucester Old Spot pork belly was perfectly paired with a smoked apple purée. Creative desserts such as lemon curd with thyme shortbread, meringue and liquorice ice cream are a highlight, while the lengthy wine list and smart service continue to impress. The changes to the format here weren’t necessarily needed, but they are more than welcome.

“You’re treated so nicely and not rushed at all”, notes a fan of the New Street Grill – the “calm and cosy” flagship of D&D London's prestigious Old Bengal Warehouse development. Rich warm tones, soft lighting and comfy leather booths set the tone, with views over the street adding to the restaurant’s appeal. The kitchen prides itself on “great-value” Josper-grilled steaks, with knowledgeable waiters talking diners through the different cuts on offer: take your pick from, say, a 42-day dry-aged Hereford rib-eye or 40-day aged USDA Black Angus sirloin. While veggies might struggle, fish lovers have plenty of choice – dressed crab, grilled lobster and roast cod with Josper-smoked Jerusalem artichoke are all available. Seasonal desserts are also a hit – we recommend the poached pear and pecan sundae with butterscotch and cinnamon ice cream. Weekend brunch and a children’s menu get the thumbs-up, while the 500-strong wine list is sure to keep everyone happy.

Being the First Dates restaurant of choice is rather cool, but don’t let its TV fame distract you: the Paternoster Chop House really means business. Here is a kitchen that butchers all its meaty carcases in-house, so expect roast bone marrow among the starters, steak and kidney pudding “chock-full” of meat, and plenty of action from the Josper grill when it comes to Black Angus rib-eyes, Middle White pork chops and suchlike. It’s all robust stuff, but with plenty of refinement too. Elsewhere, game turns up in season and seafood gets a good outing (fish and chips and whole Dover sole, for example), while the classically minded simplicity extends to desserts of sticky toffee pudding and vanilla cheesecake. Hand-cut chips and other essential sides can bump up the bill, although the set menu is particularly good value. Paternoster’s heated covered terrace is a “lovely spot”, with a stunning backdrop courtesy of Sir Christopher Wren.