Restaurants

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Central
Busaba Eathai
London’s favourite chain of Thai eateries will be serving hangover-busting spicy food at its chic communal tables. Feeling the need for something healthy? The chilli-laden tofu with spinach and soybeans is comforting as well as nutritious.
Busaba Eathai, 22 Store St, WC1E 7DF (7299 7900).

Inn the Park
With two tempting set menus (priced at £27.50 and £35) and a stunning lakeside setting at the heart of St James’s Park, this attractive restaurant is a great spot to welcome the new year. It will be serving the best of British grub from noon until 6pm.
Inn the Park, St James’s Park, SW1A 2BJ (7451 9999/www.innthepark.com).

Oxo Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie
Making excellent use of its riverside position, this eighth-floor eatery’s stunning views are complemented by friendly staff and inventive, if pricey, nosh.
Oxo Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie, Eighth floor, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, SE1 9PH (7803 3888/ www.harveynichols.com).

Riverside Terrace
When the weather’s bright, the café in the Royal Festival Hall makes an excellent pitstop during a walk along the Thames. Alternatively, head to the Concrete Bar next to the Hayward Gallery for great coffee, cocktails and cakes.
Riverside Terrace, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (www.southbankcentre.co.uk).
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St Pancras Grand
With an à la carte menu that includes oysters, smoked and potted foods and a caviar and cold-meat counter, the beautifully decorated St Pancras Grand caters to both the plush and the prudent.
St Pancras Grand, Upper Concourse, St Pancras International Station, Euston Rd, NW1 2QP (7870 9900/www.stpancrasgrand.com).

The Zetter
Using fresh, seasonal ingredients and mostly Mediterranean recipes, the open kitchen of this vibrant hotel bar and brasserie serves inventive dishes with flair.
The Zetter, St John’s Square, 86-88 Clerkenwell Rd, EC1M 5RJ (7324 4455/www.thezetter.com).

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North
Charles Lamb
New Year’s Day will be just like a Sunday at the popular Charles Lamb pub. It may be Thursday, but a traditional roast is available from noon for £12 a head.
Charles Lamb,16 Elia St, N1 8DE (7837 5040/www.thecharleslambpub.com).

Little Bay
Kilburn, like the other branches in this value-for-money chain, will be serving a special five-course set menu on New Year’s Day (costing £26.95 per head, except Farringdon where it will be £29). The restaurants will be open from noon until 6 or 7pm.
Little Bay, 228 Belsize Rd, NW6 4BT (7373 4699/www.little-bay.co.uk). See website for branches.

Singapore Garden
GREAT FOR GROUPS
If you’ve had it with Christmas puddings, turkeys and hams, this luxuriously decorated restaurant has a sizeable list of Singaporean and Malaysian specialties, with set party and lunch menus.
Singapore Garden, 83a Fairfax Rd, NW6 4DY (7624 8233/www.singapore garden.co.uk)

The Vine
The menu at this laidback, friendly gastropub has strong Italian influences and takes in everything from wood-fired oven pizza and king prawn risotto to chargrilled rib-eye steak and goat’s cheese soufflé.
The Vine, 86 Highgate Rd, NW5 1PB (7209 0038/www.thevinelondon.co.uk).

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South
Broome and Delancey
GREAT FOR FAMILIES
This New York-style brasserie is open from 9am for a recovery brunch and 6-10.30pm for dinner. Typical dishes include French onion-and-cider soup, roast partridge, côte de boeuf for two and candied fruit parfait with fig-and-mulled-wine sauce. There’s also a kids’ menu and baby changing facilities.
Broome and Delancey, 135-37 Battersea Rise, SW11 1HG (7228 9400/www.broomeanddelancey.com).

Dragon Castle
Wowing critics and customers alike, in spite of its unpromising Walworth Road location, Dragon Castle serves delicious Cantonese dishes in a smart setting.
Dragon Castle, 114 Walworth Rd, SE17 1JL (7277 3388/www.dragoncastle.eu).

Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, most branches of this first-rate chain will be open from noon, dishing up Greek, Thai and Jamaican-themed burgers alongside simple classics (blue cheese, chilli).
Gourmet Burger Kitchen, 44 Northcote Rd, SW11 1NZ (7228 3309/www.gbkinfo.com).

Imperial War Museum Café
FAMILY DAY OUT
The Imperial War Museum’s charmingly retro café menu features wholesome stews and pies of which gran would definitely approve. The museum’s open 10am-6pm and current exhibitions include For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond.
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Rd, SE1 6HZ (7416 5320/www.iwm.org.uk).

Tas
Reliably good Turkish food served promptly in a clean and simple setting. A leisurely spread of meze supplemented with a few kebabs will satisfy vegetarians and meat lovers who want to dine together.
Tas, 33 The Cut, SE1 8LF (7928 2111/www.tasrestaurant.com).

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East
Bar Kick
Three football tables are on hand to help you get the year off to a competitive start and, when you’re hungry, traditional Italian recipes are used to good effect.
Bar Kick, 127 Shoreditch High St, E1 6JE (7739 8700/www.cafekick.co.uk).

Empress of India
The usual Sunday roast menu will be on offer at this British restaurant-cum-pub.
Empress of India, 130 Lauriston Rd, E9 7LH (020 8533 5123/www.theempressofindia.com).

Gun
This 200-year-old riverside pub is open from 11.30am for brunch and at 6pm for a roast dinner that will set you back around £60.
Gun, 27 Coldharbour, Isle of Dogs, E14 9NS (7515 5222/www.thegundocklands.com).

Royal China
Open from noon, this Cantonese restaurant has an impressive riverside setting.
Royal China, 30 Westferry Circus, E14 8RR (7719 0888).

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West
The Lawn
With garden views and easy access to the adjacent park, this makes a great place to eat after a bracing walk. Open 9am-4pm.
The Lawn, Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA (7610 7160/www.thelawnrestaurant.com).

High Road Brasserie
Open 10am-5pm, this fabulously designed restaurant combines killer cocktails and no-nonsense brasserie food.
High Road Brasserie, 162-166 Chiswick High Rd,W4 1PR (8742 7474/www.highroadhouse.co.uk).

Noura
Sumptuous Lebanese cooking in comfy surrounds. The kofte and meze classics are usually spot-on.
Noura, 12 William St, SW1X 9HL (7235 5900/www.noura.co.uk).

Sagar
Among the dosas and thalis you’ll find unusual traditional recipes from Udupi in Karnataka. Prices are keen, too.
Sagar, 157 King St, W6 9JT (8741 8563).

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