West Brompton, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

For its Sloane Ranger crowd, wine merchant John Brinkley’s long-established brasserie is a “still-buzzing Chelsea legend where you can drink well at almost-retail prices”. But, while most fans feel the food is “decent” too, others say “you pay too much for what you get and folks are starting to vote with their feet”. There are spin-offs in Wandsworth Bridge Road and beside Wandsworth Common (see Brinkley’s Kitchen).

“Open 24 hours, with flexible options for breakfast” – these round-the-clock cafés are worth remembering if you’re out on the town and need to refuel. Only the SW10 original generates much in the way of feedback – “the cuisine is not fine food, but it’s a convenient option that’s good value” and “reliable”. (Aldgate also has a standalone bar with a 24-hour alcohol licence).

London’s best pub (yet again No.1 in our annual diners’ poll) “truly deserves its Michelin star and the old feel of creaky wood chairs and tables is what makes it a pub that still feels like a pub” (though space for drinkers is actually very limited). Lost deep in the backstreets near Fulham Broadway, it delivers “sublime British food at its best”, in particular “good game, especially deer”. Top Menu Tips – “amazing Sunday lunch” and “you must try the Scotch egg”.

A “charming ‘country-pub-style’ local, cutely hidden away in west Chelsea” in ‘The Billings’ close to Stamford Bridge; and which nowadays is “celeb-owned” (by singer James Blunt and his wife Sofia). “The food has always been of great quality and the fact that you can relax in the pub bit afterwards makes for a lovely lazy afternoon and evening”.