When I travel, I’m most interested in restaurants with a strong sense of place. For years, London was lauded mainly for those serving foreign cuisines, but now the city has numerous fine options for high-end British food as well. I focused chiefly on the latter — plus one or two new hot spots popular with locals. At all of the restaurants below, I never felt that I could be anywhere but London.

Aqua Shard

In a soaring space on the 31st floor of The Shard, London’s tallest building, this romantic restaurant has panoramic views of the City’s skyline and the Thames (request a window seat when you make your reservation). I had a delicious dinner of Colchester rock oyster gratin with crunchy samphire, and perfectly cooked fillet of Hereford beef. Tables in the cocktail bar have even better views than those in the restaurant.

Aqua Shard
31 St. Thomas Street. Tel. (44) 20-3011-1256