Southwark, British, Traditional Restaurant Guide

A vantage point atop Borough Market, partly formed from an iron-and-glass structure that was once part of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, provides a dramatic location for this well-established fixture. When it was first opened by Indian entrepreneur Iqbal Wahhab OBE in 2005, it was ahead of its time in championing traditional British cuisine, but its performance has never been reliable, and it’s always been open to accusations that it’s “a smart place let down by casual service”, “expensive…”, “doesn’t live up to the hype”; or that there are “many better places to eat in Borough Market”. All that said, its “decor and location make it a stand-out from the usual business lunch options”; an “excellent place to host foreign clients”; and also a romantic nomination. Top Tip – top breakfasts.

“Unbelievable views” of the Thames and across to St Paul’s Cathedral are reason enough to eat at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre’s in-house restaurant. But the modern British menu is well-constructed around carefully sourced ingredients, and the Shakespeare-themed afternoon teas also go down well.

“The fry-up is genuinely exceptional – every item high-quality and perfectly cooked – and it comes smothered in Cockney charm” and a dose of carefully curated authenticity at former Smithfield trader, Terry’s operation in Borough: if you’re looking to discover that classic, red-gingham-tablecloth caff, look no further.