London is the ideal place for food lovers. You can sample cuisine from over 70 countries or visit one of 36 Michelin-starred restaurants. Once you've found the restaurant of your choice, check the practical details and book in advance to make sure your evening goes smoothly.

Opening Hours
Lunch is normally served between 1200 and 1400 and restaurants and cafes will be at their busiest between these hours. Many restaurants serve an all-day menu particularly in central London and near major attractions.

Eating times in the evening vary. Restaurants usually open at 1800 with busiest times between 2000 and 2200, and booking is recommended particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. To make it easy for you, many of our recommended restaurants can be booked online.

After-hours dining is increasingly well catered for in the capital, particularly around Soho. Some establishments open 24 hours a day and attract a lively crowd of late-night revellers.

Pre-theatre Menus
Pre- and post-theatre menus offer a cheaper alternative to choosing à la carte from the main menu. They are widely available throughout central London particularly around The Strand and Shaftesbury Avenue.

Payment and Tips
The majority of cafes and restaurants will take major credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard and Amex. It's worth checking the credit card symbols on the door before you go in.

In general, you should leave a tip of at least 10%, unless the service was unsatisfactory. Often the bill will include a service charge of 10-15%, in which case you needn't add any further tip.

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