The 27 Best Restaurants in London

"On a weekend night, there’s always a crowd of hopefuls hanging around outside this popular Shoreditch spot looking to bag a last-minute table. And it’s easy to see why: music blasts out the door, cocktails fly from the big central bar, and the menu of Thai street food is so spicy that everyone is slightly giddy. This is food made for drinking and drinks made for eating: cocktails are strong and fruity and beers similarly refreshing—if you're making a night of it, be brave and order the Tray of Joy, a selection of six liquor shots from around the world. The food will take you on a journey, from fragrant light green mango and papaya salad and raw mackerel with herbs to stacks of friend chicken that come with finger bowls and crab dishes that require you to get your hands dirty." - Elizabeth Winding, Sonya Barber