How to find restaurants in London

The standard of London's restaurants has increased vastly since the city's restaurant revolution of the 1990s, according to Peter Harden, co-editor of restaurant guide Harden's. Standards are even comparable to those of New York City, which has some of the finest eateries in the world. As of 2010, London had 39 one-star and seven two-star Michelin restaurants. Some eateries offer traditional British food. Others offer cuisine from around the world, reflecting London’s ethnically diverse population.

• 1

  Decide what kind of food you want. London restaurants offer dishes from all over the world. You might have a taste for an African dish or you might fancy food from Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Europe, the Middle East, North America, South America or South-East Asia. Also consider what area of London you want to eat out in and how much you want to spend. The suggested tip is around 12.5 per cent of the final bill. It is increasingly common for the tip to be added to the final bill.

• 2

  Search for a restaurant on the Internet. Websites such as Top Table, Square Meal and London Eating allow you to search by cuisine, price and location. These sites have special offers for discounted meals. You can also book your table on them.

• 3

  Read restaurant reviews. Time Out and Zagat provide independent reviews and recommendations that are very reliable. You can buy Time Out and Zagat guides in book stores as well as access them online.

• 4

  After you have decided, make a reservation. You can book some restaurants online via the restaurant comparison sites. Or find the telephone number of the restaurant on its website and call them directly. Check if the restaurant has a dress code.