April 20 (Bloomberg) -- London is one of the world’s greatest cities for dining out, and can be one of the most expensive. Here’s a range of places to try, from a reasonably priced pub owned by Chef Gordon Ramsay to the finest French cuisine of Marcus Wareing.

1. L’Anima: 1 Snowden St., EC2A 2DQ London. Information: +44-20- 7422-7000; http://www.lanima.co.uk

What: Modern Italian restaurant and bar.

Why: Chef Francesco Mazzei uses great ingredients for his authentic southern Italian dishes, only possibly lighter than when mama made them. This new venue quickly found favor with diners and critics when it opened in 2008.

Where: On the edge of the City financial district.

When: Evenings are particularly popular, when the lively bar may be filled with City drinkers.

Bar: This is one of the attractions. There are large cream leather sofas where you can enjoy cocktails, plus pizzas and snacks from a separate menu.

Private Room: Yes, for up to 14 people. It’s luxurious, with a large marble table and Philippe Starck chairs.

2. Corrigan’s Mayfair: 28 Upper Grosvenor St., W1K 7EH London. Information: +44-20-7499-9943; http://www.corrigansmayfair.com

What: Traditional British restaurant.

Why: The Irish chef Richard Corrigan is known as a master of hospitality and his new restaurant has a warm, clubby feel. The prices are reasonable and the seasonal menu is strong on game.

Where: Just off Park Lane.

When: Particularly good for dinner and drinks.

Bar: Yes, for up to 20 people, with its own menu.

Private Room: Yes, with seating for up to 30 guests. There’s also a smaller club room beside the kitchen.

3. Le Gavroche: 43 Upper Brook St., W1K 7QR London. Information: +44-20-7408-0881; http://www.le-gavroche.co.uk

What: Formal French restaurant.

Why: Has been serving gourmet French food for more than three decades and is known for flawless service to match the fine food of Michel Roux Jr.

Where: In the heart of Mayfair, close to the U.S. Embassy.

When: There’s a great value set lunch for 50 pounds, including wine, though you may need to book weeks ahead.

Bar: Lovely, but only for diners.

Private Room: No.

4. The Greenhouse: 27A Hay’s Mews, W1J 5NY London. Information: +44-20-7499-3331; http://www.greenhouserestaurant.co.uk

What: Modern French restaurant.

Why: Excellent cooking and the most impressive wine list in the U.K. make this discreet Mayfair restaurant popular with the business crowd.

Where: Quiet mews close to Berkeley Square.

When: Lunch or dinner. The tables are well-spaced, so privacy isn’t a problem.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes, for up to 10 guests.

5. Hakkasan: 8 Hanway Place, W1T 1HD London. Information: +44- 20-7927-7000; http:/hakkasan.com

What: Modern Chinese restaurant/bar.

Why: The most fashionable and influential Chinese restaurant in the U.K., if not Europe. Hakkasan serves delicious dishes in a beautiful room that looks like a 1930s Shanghai nightclub.

Where: Just off Oxford Street.

When: Best for dinner, though the bar can get noisy so specify if you need a quiet table and you will be offered seats in the Ling Ling dining area, off the main room.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: No.

6. Hibiscus: 29 Maddox St., W1S 2PA London. Information: +44-20- 7629-2999; http://www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

What: Modern French gourmet restaurant.

Why: Claude Bosi is beloved by London foodies. His dishes, such as suckling pig with sea urchin, kohlrabi and fondant sweet potato are individual and intriguing. Of course, you might not like them. There’s no comfort food on the menu.

Where: Close to the stores of Regent Street and Mayfair.

When: Fine for lunch or dinner. There’s a private room downstairs for 18-30, or the restaurant is good for smaller groups.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes, for up to 18 diners or 30 standing.

7. Kenza: 10 Devonshire St., EC2M 4YP London. Information: +44- 20-7929-5533; http://www.kenza-restaurant.com

What: Middle Eastern restaurant.

Why: It’s a fun venue with good food -- such as phyllo pastry filled with chicken, lemon and ginger -- and professional service. Late-night belly dancers add spice.

Where: Next to Liverpool Street station, in the City.

When: There are set lunches but evenings are the time when Kenza comes alive. It’s a place to celebrate.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: Yes. One room for up to 50 people, and the other 15. The cocktail lounge can accommodate up to 60.

8. Launceston Place: 1a Launceston Place, W8 5RL London. Information: +44-20-7937-6912; http://www.launcestonplace- restaurant.co.uk

What: Modern European.

Why: One of the late Princess Diana’s favorite restaurants looks charming after a facelift. New chef Tristan Welch (ex- Petrus) creates beautiful dishes of delicious food.

Where: Quintessential Kensington.

When: Fine for formal meals or relaxing with friends. Also perfect for romantic dining.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes, seats up to 10 people.

9. The Ledbury: 127 Ledbury Rd., W11 2AQ London. Information: +44-20-7792-9090; http://www.theledbury.com

What: Modern European restaurant.

Why: It’s rare to find food of this quality in west London, an area better known for its fashion than its food. Chef Brett Graham is one to watch, with inventive dishes such as loin of roe deer with caramelized root vegetables, pear and licorice.

Where: In a residential area on the edge of Notting Hill.

When: Evenings are best. Try for a table outside.

Bar: No.

Private Room: No.

10. Locanda Locatelli: 8 Seymour St., W1H 7JZ London. Information: +44-20-7935-9088; http://www.locandalocatelli.com

What: Italian restaurant, popular with celebrities.

Why: Giorgio Locatelli is a fashionable chef who combines passion with precision in dishes such as pan-fried scallops in a saffron vinaigrette. The all-Italian wine list is a bonus.

Where: In the Hyatt Regency Hotel, near Oxford Street.

When: This venue is popular day and night.

Bar: No.

Private Room: No.

11. The Narrow: 44 Narrow St., E14 8DP London. Information: +44- 20-7592-7950; http://www.gordonramsay.com/thenarrow

What: British pub.

Why: The Narrow, which opened in 2007, was chef Gordon Ramsay’s first pub, serving traditional English dishes such as spotted dick, with British ales. The prices are low and there are great views across the Thames river.

Where: By the river, close to Canary Wharf.

When: Perfect for a summer’s evening or anytime for an informal meal. Not, perhaps, a place for quiet contemplation.

Bar: Yes. This is a pub.

Private Room: No.

12. Oxo Tower Restaurant: Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH London. Information: +44-20-7803-3888; http://www.harveynichols.com

What: Modern European restaurant.

Why: The view across the Thames to St. Paul’s is memorable, while the quality food and service are no less than you would expect from the owners, Harvey Nichols department store. Plenty of choices for vegetarians.

Where: Along the Thames from Tate Modern.

When: The outside terrace makes Oxo perfect for summer evenings.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: No.

13. Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley: Berkeley Hotel, 1 Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL London. Information: +44-20-7235-1200; http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk

What: French gourmet restaurant.

Why: This is as good as fine dining gets in London. Marcus Wareing has outgrown his mentor, Gordon Ramsay, and branched out on his own at this restaurant, which was called Petrus when Ramsay owned it. The service is outstanding.

Where: In the Berkeley Hotel, near Knightsbridge.

When: The set lunch offers value, but why not book the chef’s table, where you dine in the kitchen?

Bar: No.

Private Room: Part of the restaurant can be closed off for up to 16 guests. The chef’s table accommodates eight.

14. Maze: 10-13 Grosvenor Square, W1K 6JP London. Information: +44-20-7107-0000; http://www.gordonramsay.com/maze

What: Tapas-sized portions of French food with an Asian twist.

Where: Across Grosvenor Square from the U.S. Embassy.

Why: Chef Jason Atherton is one of the rising stars of British gastronomy and it’s easy to see why when you eat at Maze, named Britain’s best in the inaugural U.K. Top 100 Restaurant awards.

When: With so many different dishes to try, it’s best to go when you are not in a hurry and have time to sample a few matching wines.

Bar: Yes, with inventive cocktails.

Private Room: Yes, for up to 10 diners.

15. Pied a Terre: 34 Charlotte St., W1T 2NH London. Information: +44-20-7636-1178; http://www.pied-a-terre.co.uk

What: Modern European restaurant.

Why: Australian chef Shane Osborn holds two Michelin stars for his creative cooking. Dishes may include rabbit ravioli with ragout of wild mushrooms, chicken consomme and tarragon foam.

Where: In Fitzrovia, near Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street.

When: There’s a set lunch but worth spending the time enjoying the 10-course tasting menu.

Bar: Yes.

Private Room: There’s a charming room tucked away upstairs for up to 12 guests.

16. Rasoi: 10 Lincoln St., SW3 2TS London. Information: +44-20- 7225-1881; http://www.rasoirestaurant.co.uk

What: Modern Indian restaurant.

Why: London’s a wonderful city for Indian food and Rasoi serves beautiful dishes that combine Indian traditions with European influences. Asparagus, mustard and curry-leaf ice cream, with tomato-ginger juice anyone?

Where: In Chelsea, off King’s Road.

When: There’s a good value set lunch.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Two private dining rooms (for eight or 16 people) if you plan to linger.

17. Roka: 37 Charlotte St., W1T 1RR London. Information: +44-20- 7580-6464; http://www.rokarestaurant.com

What: Modern Japanese restaurant/bar.

Why: Roka serves delicious modern Japanese dishes to a media and advertising crowd. Try the wagyu sushi in mirin, ginger and soy. Roka isn’t a place for purists but it’s hip and fun.

Where: Opposite Pied a Terre on Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia.

When: In summer you can sit outside on the street, a center for media and advertising companies.

Bar: Yes, the hip Shochu Lounge is downstairs.

Private Room: No.

18. Tom Aikens: 43 Elystan St., SW3 3NT London. Information: +44-20-7584-2003; http://www.tomaikens.co.uk

What: Modern European restaurant.

Why: The food. Aikens is a wonderful chef known for complex dishes combining a variety of flavors and textures, such as a starter of curried frogs’ legs with spiced tomato salad and quail egg beignets. The wine list is also strong.

Where: Chelsea, near King’s Road.

When: The set lunch is a bargain at 29 pounds.

Bar: No.

Private Room: Yes, for six to 10 guests or you can hire the entire restaurant.

(Richard Vines is the chief food critic for Bloomberg News. Opinions expressed are his own.)

To contact the writer on the story: Richard Vines in London at rvines@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: April 19, 2009 19:00 EDT