Belgravia, International Restaurant Guide

Occupying a prime site with a large pavement terrace in an ever-plusher corner of Belgravia, this old-fashioned stalwart (est 1982) had its heyday in the era of ‘The Sloane Ranger Handbook’ (published in the same year). Even if some reports consider the experience “overpriced” and say “and service would be easy to improve” – our poll still rates its international assortment of dishes decently (although, there are some less favourable experiences reported elsewhere online).

“Costa del Belgravia anyone? On a sunny day, you’re entirely justified eating in your sunnies” in this “roof-top bar/restaurant” with a retractable glass ceiling on top of the landmark Pantechnicon building. But while all agree on the merits of the stunning location, views on the food range from “great” via “fairly standard” to frankly “awful”: at the very least, it is inconsistent.

2021 Review: Opened in November 2018 on the site that long ago was the nightclub Pacha, this 400-cover food hall hosts eleven vendors, plus three bars and a coffee stop. “Variety is the key to its strength” and – as at many similar venues – “much of the food is better-than-OK but some is not excellent”. A West End branch is opening in late-2019; Fulham was the first, in the atmospheric former ticketing hall of the tube station. Top Tip – “very family friendly and you’re spoilt for choice”.