London

Central

Boxwood Café

Bar Shu
Spicy Sichuan fare hits the spot on New Year's Day. A must-visit.
Bar Shu, 28 Frith St, W1D 5LF (020 7287 6688) Piccadilly Circus tube. Open 12noon-11pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60.

Belgo Centraal
Dine on Belgian-style dishes and drink the hugely varied selection of Belgian beers in this casual but lively Covent Garden brasserie.
Belgo Centraal, 50 Earlham St, WC2H 9LJ (020 7813 2233) Covent Garden tube. Open 12noon-4pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £50.

Boxwood Café
Start 2008 at Gordon Ramsay's most wallet-friendly restaurant, serving the expletive-happy chef's trademark combination of familiar British ingredients with hints of the Mediterranean.
Boxwood Café, The Berkeley, SW1X 7RL (020 7235 1010) Knightsbridge tube. Open 12noon-3pm, 6-11pm. Three-course set lunch £50 per head. Meal for two with wine and service: around £120.

Brown's Hotel
The Grill offers old-fashioned fine dining, and the legendary tea room will be open too.
The Grill, Brown's Hotel, Albemarle St, W1S 4BP (020 7493 6020) Green Park tube. Open 7am-10.30am, 12noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. Afternoon tea served 3-6pm. Meal in The Grill for two with wine and service: around £150.

Feature continues

Busaba Eathai
All three branches of this Thai restaurant chain will be open, at varying times.
Busaba Eathai, 22 Store St, WC1E 7DF (020 7299 7900) Goodge St or Tottenham Court Rd tube. Open 5-11pm; 106-110 Wardour St, W1F 0TR (020 7255 8686) Piccadilly Circus tube. Open 5-11pm; 8-13 Bird St, W1U 1BU (020 7518 5050) Bond St tube. Open 2-10pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £45.

The Capital

The Capital
Enjoy elegant luxury at this hotel restaurant, which serves faultless French favourites.
The Capital, 22-24 Basil St, SW3 1AT (020 7591 1202) Knightsbridge tube. Open 12noon-2.30pm, 6.45-10.30pm. Dinner for two with wine and service: around £140.

China Tang
Have a Chinese banquet in lavish Shanghai art-deco surroundings.
China Tang, The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, W1A 2HJ (020 7629 9988) Green Park tube. Open 11.30am-3.30pm, 5.30-11.30pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £120.

Cookbook Café
Celebrate the New Year in style with a buffet lunch for £44 inclusive of Bloody Marys and champagne.
Cookbook Café, 1 Hamilton Place, Park Lane (020 7318 8563) Green Park tube. Open 6.30-10.30; lunch 12noon to 4pm. Lunch for two with drinks and service: around £90.

The Garden Café
Follow a walk in Regent's Park with a meal or snack at this cool '60s-styled eatery.
The Garden Café, Inner Circle, Regent's Park, NW1 4NU (020 7935 5729) Regent's Park tube. Open 9am-5pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £45.

Galvin at Windows

Galvin at Windows
For £58 per person (and £29 for children under 12), you can feast on a three-course lunch menu consisting of lobster bisque, braised halibut and warm cinnamon doughnuts. Balloons and crackers included for that one last hedonistic celebration.
Galvin at Windows, 28th floor, London Hilton, Park Lane, W1K 1BE (020 7208 4021).

Haozhan
Modern-looking Chinatown newcomer with a globally ranging menu.
Haozhan, 8 Gerard St, W1D 5PJ (020 7434 3838) Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open 12noon-11.30pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £70.

Kettners
Good-quality, thin-crust pizzas and other Italian treats in retro Edwardian surroundings in the heart of Soho.
Kettners, 21 Romilly St, W1D 5HP (020 7734 6112) Leicester Square tube. Open 12noon-12midnight. Meal for two with wine and service: around £50.

Maroush III
Luscious Lebanese fare in a buzzing restaurant.
Maroush III, 38 Beauchamp Place, SW3 1NU (020 7581 5434) Knightsbridge tube. Open 12noon-3am. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £90.

Maze

Maze
A clear head will be needed to choose from the tapas-style dishes (six or so is the norm), and the standard is impeccably high.
Maze,13-15 Grosvenor Sq, W1K 6JP (020 7107 0000) Bond St tube. Open 12noon-5pm, 6pm-12midnight. Meal for two with wine and service: around £120.

1997
Soak up the alcohol with tasty fare at this eccentrically decorated Chinese diner.
1997, 19 Wardour St, W1D 6PN (020 7734 2868) Leicester Square tube. Open 12noon-4am. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £35.

Noura Central
Lebanese flavours in glamorous surrounds.
Noura Central, 122 Jermyn St, SW1Y 4UJ (020 7839 2020) Piccadilly Circus tube. Open 12noon-12midnight. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £70.

Racine
Chic, unique and full of Gallic mystique. Modern and retro bistro classics are served by focused staff in this vibrant restaurant.
Racine, 239 Brompton Rd, SW3 2EP (020 7584 4477) South Kensington tube. Open 12noon-3.30pm, 6-10.30pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £80.

Rhodes W1
Choose from an à la carte menu or the 'Christmas special' at Gary Rhodes' brasserie.
Rhodes W1, The Cumberland, Great Cumberland Place, W1A 4RF (020 7479 3838) Marble Arch tube. Open 12noon-3pm, 5-9pm. Dinner for two with wine and service: around £100.

Tokyo Diner
Be good to yourself with a healthy dose of sushi and sashimi at this cheap and cheerful eatery.
Tokyo Diner, 2 Newport Place, WC2H 7JJ 020 (7287 8777) Leicester Square tube. Open 12noon-12midnight. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £40.

Veeraswamy
London's 'oldest Indian restaurant' looks a treat and will be serving pukka Indian food.
Veeraswamy, Mezzanine, Victory House, 9-101 Regent St, W1B 4RS (020 7734 1401) Piccadilly Circus tube. Open 12.30-2pm, 5.30-10.30pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £100.

North

Big Chill House

The Big Chill House
This club and DJ bar will be open and serving a good drinks list as usual.
The Big Chill House, 257-259 Pentonville Rd, N1 9NL (020 7427 2540) King's Cross tube/rail. Open 12noon-6pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £50.

Brew House
Breakfast or lunch at Hampstead Heath's most popular caff in the beautiful English-country-garden setting of Kenwood House.
Brew House, Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, NW3 7JR (020 8348 2528) Archway or Golders Green tube then 210 bus. Open 10am-3pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £35.

Charles Lamb
New Year's Day is a Tuesday, but this gastropub will be serving a Sunday roast from noon.
Charles Lamb, 16 Elia St, N1 8DE (020 7837 5040) Angel tube. Open 12noon-11pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £40.

Coby's Café and Flowers
Open all day, this Jewish restaurant combines a florist with highly inventive dishes.
Coby's, 115a Golders Green Rd, NW11 8HR (020 3209 5049/5054) Golders Green tube. Open 8.30am-12midnight. Meal for two with soft drinks and service: around £20.

Little Bay
Delicious European dishes at bargain prices. Go before 7pm for the cheapest meals.
Little Bay, 171 Farringdon Rd, EC1R 3AL (020 7278 1234) Farringdon tube/rail; 228 Belsize Rd, NW6 4BT (020 7372 4699) Kilburn Park tube or Kilburn High Rd rail; 228 York Rd, SW11 3SJ (020 7751 3133) Clapham Junction rail; 140 Wandsworth Bridge Rd, SW6 2UL (020 7751 3133) Parsons Green tube. All branches open 12noon-12midnight. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £40.

Prince Albert
This pub has had a gastro-makeover and now serves a Modern European menu all through the day.
Prince Albert, Royal College St, NW1 0SG (020 7485 0270) Camden tube/Camden Road rail. Open 12noon-10.30. Meal for two with wine and service: around £50.

Queen's Pub and Dining Room
Food will be served from noon until midnight at this Victorian gastropub in Crouch End.
Queen's Pub and Dining Room, 26 Broadway Parade, N8 9DE (020 8340 2031) Finsbury Park tube/rail then W3, W7 bus. Open 12noon-4pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60.

Singapore Garden
This popular restaurant has a sizeable list of Singaporean and Malaysian specialities.
Singapore Garden, 83a Fairfax Rd, NW6 4DY (020 7624 8233) Swiss Cottage tube. Open 12noon-11.30pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £80.

Woodlands
Traditional south Indian dishes will be on offer (except at the Chiswick branch).
Woodlands,102 Heath St, NW3 1DR (020 7794 3080) Hampstead tube; 77 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PS (020 7486 3862) Bond St tube; 37 Panton St, SW1Y 4EA (020 7839 7258) Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube. All branches open 12noon-3pm, 6pm to 11pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £50.

South

Cantina del Ponte

Cantina del Ponte
Thames-side Italian dishing up simple Italian food from a wood-burning oven.
Cantina del Ponte, Butler's Wharf Building, 36c Shad Thames, SE1 2YE (020 7403 5403) Tower Hill tube. Open 12noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £75.

The Depot
This riverside brasserie will be serving accomplished Modern European fare.
The Depot, Tideway Yard, Mortlake High St, SW14 8SN (020 8878 9462) Barnes, Barnes Bridge or Mortlake rail/209 bus. Open 12noon-4pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £65.

Dragon Castle
Delicious Cantonese dishes in a smart restaurant on the Walworth Road.
Dragon Castle, 114 Walworth Rd, SE17 1JL (020 7277 3388) Elephant & Castle tube/rail. Open 12noon-11pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60. Set meals from £14.80 (two courses).

Duke's Head
A grand old Victorian pub in Putney with wonderful views across the river.
Duke's Head, 8 Lower Richmond Rd, SW15 1JN (020 8788 2552) Putney Bridge tube/22, 265 bus. Open 12noon-12midnight. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £45.

Faanoos
Tuck into some fine Persian food – tandoors, khoresht, kebabs and the like – at this local Iranian restaurant.
Faanoos, 481 Upper Richmond Rd West, SW14 7PU (020 8878 5738) 37 and 337 bus. Open 12noon-11.30pm. Unlicensed, BYO. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £40.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen
All the many branches of this first-rate chain (including Clapham, Belsize Park, Putney, Richmond and West Hampstead) will be open.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen, 44 Northcote Rd, SW11 1NZ (020 7228 3309) Clapham Junction rail/49, 77, 345 bus. Open 12noon-10pm. Meal with drinks and service: around £35.

Masaledar
Mouthwatering East African Punjabi dishes at this hugely popular restaurant.
Masaledar, 121 Upper Tooting Rd, SW17 7TJ (020 8767 7676) Tooting Bec or Tooting Broadway tube. Open 1pm-11pm. Meal for two with soft drinks and service: around £25.

East

Hoxton Grille

The Gun
Winner of Time Out Best Gastropub 2005.
The Gun, 27 Coldharbour, Isle of Dogs, 14 9NS (020 7515 5222) Canary Wharf tube/DLR/South Quay DLR. Open 12noon-11pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60.

Hoxton Grille
This big brasserie inside a hotel will be serving simple food such as caesar salad and burgers.
Hoxton Grille, Hoxton Hotel, 81 Great Eastern St, EC2A 3HU (020 7550 1050) Old St tube/rail. Open 8.30am-10.30pm. Dinner for two with wine and service: around £90.

Istanbul Iskembecisi
To cram in an extra day's partying, try this late-night Turkish eatery that's open till late.
Istanbul Iskembecisi, 9 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 8BH (020 7254 7291) Dalston Kingsland rail. Open 12noon-5am. Meal for two with wine and service: around £35.

Royal China
Beautiful riverside Chinese restaurant.
Royal China, 30 Westferry Circus, E14 8RR (020 7719 0888) Canary Wharf tube/DLR or Westferry DLR. Open 12noon-11pm. Meal for two with wine and service: dim sum lunch around £40; dinner around £80.

The Zetter
Stylish hotel bar and restaurant, serving up imaginative Italian dishes with flair.
The Zetter, St John's Square, 86-88 Clerkenwell Rd, EC1M 5RJ (020 7324 4455) Farringdon tube/rail. Open 7.30am-10.30pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £85.

West

High Road Brasserie

Amaya
The cocktails are great, the Indian menu's light and sophisticated.
Amaya, Halkin Arcade, Motcomb St, SW1X 8TJ (020 7823 1166) Knightsbridge tube. Open 12.30pm-2.15pm, 6.30-11.15pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £100. Set lunches from £16.25 per head.

Brompton Quarter Café
Pastries and cakes, but savoury dishes too.
Brompton Quarter Café, 223-225 Brompton Rd, SW3 2EJ (020 7584 9835) Knightsbridge or South Kensington tube. Open 8am-10.30pm. Lunch for two with drinks and service: around £50.

High Road Brasserie
Head for Nick Jones' high-flying brasserie if, after the excesses of the night before, only a top-drawer brunch will do.
High Road Brasserie, 162-166 Chiswick High Rd,W4 1PR (020 8742 7474)Turnham Green tube. Open 10am-5pm. Brunch for two with drinks and service: around £40.

The Inn at Kew Gardens
Victorian pub with a great list of real ales and a colourful Modern British menu.
The Inn at Kew Gardens, 392 Sandycombe Rd, TW9 3NG (020 8940 2220) Kew Gardens tube.Open 1-6pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £45.

Lots Road Pub & Dining Room
Classy gastropub serving good food.
Lots Road Pub & Dining Room, 114 Lots Rd, SW10 ORJ (020 7352 6645) Sloane Square tube then 11, 19, 22 bus. Open 12noon-10.30pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60.

Roebuck
Part of the same group as Lots Road (see above), this Chiswick gastropub is a good bet on the High Road.
Roebuck, 122 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PU (020 8995 4392) Turnham Green tube. Open 11am -11pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £55.

Vingt-Quatre
Twenty-four-hour salads, steaks and pasta.
Vingt-Quatre, 325 Fulham Rd, SW10 9QL (020 7376 7224) South Kensington tube. Open all day. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £40.

Waterside
Perfect for brunch after a riverside stroll.
Waterside, Unit 2, Riverside Tower, Imperial Wharf, SW6 2SU (020 7371 0802) Fulham Broadway tube then 491, C3 bus. Open 12noon-6pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60.

The White Horse
Expect British fare such as hot smoked pheasant, as well as a huge variety of beers.
The White Horse, 1-3 Parsons Green, SW6 4UL (020 7736 2115) Parsons Green tube. Open 12noon-12midnight. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60.