Tramshed
32 Rivington Street, EC2A 3LX
Ever wondered where to keep that cow preserved inside a giant tank that you've got casually lying around? If we were you, we'd look inside a former tram generator in East London for inspiration. Obviously.
And then, while you're at it, why not turn the space into a restaurant that serves up classics like roast chicken and chips (yum) and a huge variety of shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus steaks (double yum)? Only you can't do that because Tramshed got there first. It's a winning concept, a much-loved venue, and the food is excellent – probably because it comes from much-vaunted British chef Mark Hix.
German Gymnasium
King's Blvd, Kings Cross, London N1C 4BU
Photograph by Thomas Alexander
Occupying England's first purpose-built gymnasium, this Mittel-European brasserie has over-the-top elegance down to a T. There's marbling, gilding and plush pink accents, and the building itself is so big that it houses the restaurant, two bars and a terrace.
Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
The lamb chops at Tayyabs are the stuff of legend
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
Tayyabs – a Punjabi restaurant that’s been feeding Whitechapel locals and away day hipsters since 1972 – is not only exceptional value for money, but exceptional fun, too
The Punjabi tandoor specialist has been cooking up tandoori classics since 1972, and it's so massive that what is one site today used to be four separate food outlets.
Brasserie Zedel
20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED
If you find yourself in Covent Garden with a desire to up your weekly red meat intake, then Brasserie Zedel is a pretty great shout
If you find yourself in Covent Garden with a desire to up your weekly red meat intake, then Brasserie Zedel is a pretty great shout
If you find yourself in Covent Garden with a desire to up your weekly red meat intake, then Brasserie Zedel is a pretty great shout
If you find yourself in Covent Garden with a desire to up your weekly red meat intake, then Brasserie Zedel is a pretty great shout
If you find yourself in Covent Garden with a desire to up your weekly red meat intake, then Brasserie Zedel is a pretty great shout
If you find yourself in Covent Garden with a desire to up your weekly red meat intake, then Brasserie Zedel is a pretty great shout
Brasserie Zedel is grand. In the English sense, with gilded, marble-clad interiors, but in the French sense, too, because it's huge. Food is as French as it comes: snails; steak tartare; beef bourguignon – you'll be hard-pressed to find a classic that's not on the menu.
MASH
77 Brewer Street, W1F 9ZN
MASH is a no-holds-barred interpretation of US steak and wine culture, serving up beautiful USDA meat in an eye-wateringly huge room filled with loungey booths.
