London restaurants best for... Impressing visitors

This is the latest restaurant from Richard Caring's Caprice Group, who are also behind the Ivy. It's an upmarket seafood restaurant (with grilled meats too) in Mayfair with a vibe to have much in common with the original Ivy, right down to the use of known artists to decorate the place.

The Hart Brothers (also behind Quo Vadis and Fino) are opening a second venue of Barrafina, the Soho tapas restaurant. While much on the menu will be familiar to diners at their current restaurant with a menu made up of classic and contemporary tapas, chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho is planning some entirely new dishes. Those dishes will probably be inspired by the Josper oven that's being installed here.

One of Mayfair St James’ finest dining establishments has had a refresh – except this is far more than a new lick of paint. Quaglino’s, the iconic restaurant and late-night venue, has undergone a full-scale renovation under the direction of D&D London and Russell Sage studios.

Spring is Skye Gyngell's first solo venture, who had such a big success at Petersham Nurseries. She has set up shop in the "new" wing of Somerset House which hasn't been open to the public for 150 years and serving fair like Grilled langoustine with seaweed butter and Roasted turbot with porcini and bone marrow.

This restaurant is from Karam Sethi, the chef behind Michelin starred Trishna and he's taking the concept of colonial gymkhana clubs as a running theme, serving modern Indian food combined with British ingredients, with a focus on the tandoor oven and sigri charcoal grill.

James Lowe's restaurant at the Tea Building in Shoreditch proved that a restaurant in Shoreditch could gain a Michelin star. After previous success at the Ten Bells, this all-day restaurant showcases his food with a regularly changing menu. They also have lots of special guests popping in from time to time. And they aim to serve a damn fine coffee throughout the day too.

Simon Rogan, also behind L'Enclume and Roganic, has taken over the main restaurant at Claridge's and completely revamped it while offering the same food that is so hugely popular at L'Enclume.

Bob Bob Ricard remains one of our personal faves in town. Whether it's the fantastically blingy design, the rich food with just a hint of Russian in there, the "press for champagne" button or... No, hang on, it's definitely for the Champagne button...

Blumenthal's first London restaurant has 140 covers, serving lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. Ashley Palmer-Watts who's been at the Fat Duck for nine years is head chef. Promised by Blumenthal to be an "upmarket bistro" featuring "historic British-influenced dishes" there will also be the chance to book private dining rooms to enjoy your own feast in the style of Heston's Channel 4 shows.

This is the main restaurant at the London Edition and Jason Atherton is in charge of things. Expect a more upmarket affair to some of Atherton's other spots and a frankly jaw-dropping room too.

Jason Atherton has opened his first solo venture in this former Mayfair pub. He's keeping the idea of small dishes and promises 'fine dining with a twist'. The 60 cover restaurant has have two private dining rooms, a large bar where a tapas-style menu will be served, a gin trolley and a dessert bar.

One of the best restaurants in town and one of the few to make it into the World's 50 Best list, The Clove Club is fast becoming a London institution. Head into the main restaurant for a regularly changing set menu which is at the heart of things here - or to the bar for cocktails and nibbles.

This restaurant Fitzrovia comes from Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, a team that used to work at Ottolenghi and Nopi. The restaurant specialises in Middle Eastern cuisine and it's rated by many as one of the best restaurants in the area, and has a sister restaurant too - Honey & Smoke.

He's worked with the likes of Rene Redzepi at Noma, and previously with Tom Aikens, Adam Byatt and Thomas Keller. Now Tom Sellers is has launched his own restaurant in London called Story. Expect "humble ingredients but throws them together in a creative, inspired way" including beef dripping candles that you can eat.

One of London's oldest restaurant, there has been a Rules serving food in and around this part of Covent Garden since 1798. Here is where you come if you're after history and classic British dishes, served well.

This is the fourth restaurant from the steakhouse boys, but this time it also has a strong focus on fish which will be cooked on a charcoal grill and is being overseen by fish maestro Mitch Tonks. It's a big old room too, seating up to 235.

Probably Islington's most famous 9and hard to get into) restaurant, this Italian affair sees Jordan Frieda, formerly front-of-house at The River Cafe teaming up with chef Tim Siadatan - one of the original trainees at Fifteen. Expect superlative Italian cuisine. And if you're having trouble getting into Padella, from the same team, then booking a table here will help you avoid that queue.

Daniel Boulud is one of the top chefs in Manhattan, where his restaurant Daniel was recently awarded three Michelin stars. This is his first opening in London - in the same hotel as Heston, no less. Bar Boulud, which also has a New York outpost, is a bistro and wine bar, has 165 seats and includes a charcuterie bar.

Fergus Henderson's renowned restaurant, many critcs' favourite in London, with its specialisation in "nose to tail" eating is a must visit for anyone looking for the very best in modern British cooking.