Cocoon - 65 Regent Street, Corner of Air St, London, W1B 4EA

Award-winning Cocoon, in Piccadilly, lives up to its name with an ultra-cosy, though stylish, award-winning setting, inspired by the food halls of Asia. It comprises six interlinking ‘cocoons’.The mouthwatering sushi and pan-Asian dishes blend fragrant Japanese, Chinese and Thai spices and are placed at the centre of the table for everyone to share. As well as the restaurant there are two bars. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings the restaurant metamorphisises into a late night lounge with DJs to satisfy your musical palate. For more information on Cocoon please visit www.cocoon-restaurants.com

Pasha - Gloucester Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 4PP

The richly decorated interior complete with flower strewn marble fountain, mosaics and piles of heavily embroidered cushions contribute to the authentic ambiance of this south Kensington restaurant. The candle lit alcoves and low Moroccan music add to the exotic but relaxed mood at Pasha. The striking interior is a suitable backdrop to some of the best North African cooking you’ll find anywhere in the world. The menus has the classic cous cous dishes and slow cooked tagines plus some new takes on North African Maghrebi cuisine. For more information on Pasha please visit www.pasha-restaurant.co.uk

Zuma - 5 Raphael Street, SW7 1DL

Zuma is an achingly trendy Japanese restaurant - the place has become famous for Russell Crowe's fracas there and the constant influx of bright young things. There is a prominent, open kitchen surrounded by a bar like seating area so you can watch the chefs at work, great for both lone diners and those with a keen interest in food. The choices on offer, which is of excellent quality and originality, range from a whole host of varied sushi dishes to black cod and chicken wings with salt and lime. Everything is freshly prepared and presentation is paramount to ensure that it looks every bit as good as it tastes. For more information on Zuma please visit www.zumarestaurant.com

Benares - 12A Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6BS

Atul Kochhar is at the vanguard of the new Indian cuisine. Forget sludgy sauces poured over unrecognizable meat – at this Mayfair Indian restaurant you’ll find interesting fresh flavours and subtle spices. British and European ingredients are cleverly mixed with classic Indian items and given an exciting new twist. The décor at Benares is equally striking from its long granite bar to the elegantly lit dining room and pond with floating lilies. A sense of Zen-like calm pervades the restaurant, providing a perfect contrast to the striking flavours and ingredients of the food.
For more information on Benares please visit www.benaresrestaurant.com

Le Gavroche - 43 Upper Brook Street, Marble Arch, London, W1K 7QR

How's this for a compliment: 'If head chef Jason Atherton were Michelangelo, his food would be the Sistine Chapel'? So writes one ardent admirer & there's been plenty of other praise for what's the most cutting-edge food in Gordon Ramsay's restaurant group - & arguably London - right now. Diners can't seem to get enough of Atherton's mini dishes, four to eight of which make up a meal. Highlights include wood-roasted pumpkin risotto with aged parmesan & wild mushrooms; sea trout with confit lime, peas, caper & raisin puree; & beef with foie gras, parsley, snail & garlic aligot de marinette (cheesy potato puree).