1 Lombard Street (we’ll let you hazard a guess at where it’s located) manages to perfectly balance tradition with modernity. Once a bank, it still carries that elegant, sophisticated exterior, but inside it’s airy, vibrant, and the complete opposite of that “waiting for Mum to finish her banking” boredom.

We kicked off with one of their ‘snacks’ (their word, not ours) — English yellow pea hummus with toasted sourdough and garlic confit. In our world, a snack is a tube of Pringles that costs under a fiver, but we’ll admit… this was easily the best “snack” we’ve ever had. Avoiding the temptation of fish and chips was hard, but we decided to push the boat out. The summer fish cake with lobster butter sauce was rich, creamy, and balanced perfectly against the bold fish flavour. You can throw in some caviar for an extra £10 if you’re feeling fancy, but we didn’t want to risk a fish overload.

After such a decadent main, we craved something light to reset the palate — and luckily the dessert menu was made for exactly that. The peach melba with raspberry mascarpone and vanilla ice cream was fresh, sweet, and the perfect ending.

Have to try: Summer fishcake with lobster butter sauce
Perfect for: Business lunch
Approx price for 2: £70-£100

Hawksmoor Guildhall is British through and through — mahogany interiors, dim lighting, the whole elevated-bougie-pub vibe. And since it’s serving up the country’s classic faves, there was only one thing for it: steak night.

We went for the rib eye with peppercorn sauce (obviously). It was sensational. We’re not going to describe what a perfect steak is — you either already know, or you need to come here and find out.

When it comes to sides, they’ve got everything you could ever dream of pairing with steak. After far too long debating, we landed on the beef dripping chips, macaroni and cheese, and, to pretend we were being healthy, spinach with lemon and garlic. The greens were nice, but let’s be honest — the mac and cheese absolutely stole the show.

Have to try: Macaroni and cheese side
Perfect for: Business lunch
Approx price for 2: £90-£120

Los Mochis hits you with vibrant, electric energy the second you walk in. It’s buzzing — people chatting, music going, waiters zipping around like it’s an Olympic sport. They were packed but somehow still managed to get our food out in record time.

First things first: order a house margarita. The menu is stacked with options, but the Mango Tree was the star — sweet with a little heat, hints of vanilla, and just ridiculously good. Unique, memorable, and an absolute must-try.

Now, food. Listen closely. The spicy salmon on crispy rice and the chipotle calamari? Non-negotiable. Perfect little small plates to get you started. But when it comes to mains, it’s all about the tacos. We’re sure they’re all winners, but the dynamite prawns had us in a chokehold — sweet, spicy, smothered in sauce yet still somehow crispy. Ugh. Take us back.

Have to try: Dynamite prawn tacos
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2:  £100-£200 (depending on how many drinks / plates)

Jang, tucked inside the Royal Exchange, is giving full-on royal vibes — burgundy carpet, a seriously eye-catching bar, and a dome-like structure that makes the space feel grand without being intimidating.

It’s a Korean and Japanese spot, and we love that they actually do both justice. None of that “mostly Japanese with one random Korean dish” nonsense. They specialise in both cuisines.

We kicked things off at the sushi bar with six pieces of their nigiri selection. Top-tier fish — it’s easy to see why people come just for that.

For mains, it had to be Korean BBQ. We were craving those spicy, smoky flavours and, let’s be real, nothing hits like a K-BBQ. We went for the spicy gochujang rack of lamb, served with this dangerously good chilli butter — we need a jar of it, like, yesterday.

Have to try: Korean BBQ
Perfect for: Special Occasions
Approx price for 2: £90-£150

We’re back on it with the steakhouses, and Blacklock City is giving more casual vibes while still keeping it refined — we are in the City, after all. The starters are a bit random, we won’t lie, with things like mushroom on toast and egg and anchovy. Nothing was really calling our name and, honestly, we were here for one thing and one thing only, so why waste time?

Quick — we’ll give you five seconds to guess what we ordered. Yep, steak. Here, they use dry-aged cuts (up to 55 days), and we went for the sirloin with a chilli hollandaise. Such a fun twist on the usual.

To switch things up a bit, we skipped the chips and went for the 10-hour ash-roasted sweet potato. It was decadent, smoky, and honestly, if it were a little bigger, it could be a meal in itself.. 

Have to try: 10 hour ash roasted sweet potato
Perfect for: Casual lunch / dinner
Approx price for 2: £50-£80

Brigadiers is one sexy, elevated spot with mahogany and deep burgundy tones flowing throughout. Believe it or not, it’s also a sports bar- probably the bougiest sports bar we’ve ever been to. There’s no way we’re rushing back to our local after this one.

They specialise in BBQ, so get ready for a treat. We love the irony of how sophisticated and beautiful the place is when really it’s a sports bar and grill. We kicked off with the cheese and onion bhajis – perfect drinking snacks. If you want to keep it chill, grab a beer; but if you’re feeling fancy (and you will with this place), go for the masala margarita or the lychee martini. Both absolute winners.

They put a fun twist on classic bar snacks and the Indian flavours we love. One of our faves was the BBQ butter chicken wings. These were creamy, decadent, with that smoky punch still coming through.

And if you’re craving a proper Indian meal, they’ve got you covered with classics like chicken tikka masala. Pro tip: order it with the chilli cheese naan – absolute perfection.

Have to try: BBQ butter chicken wings
Perfect for: Lunch/ dinner with friends
Approx price for 2: £70-£90

This one is definitely for you Italian lovers. Lina offers a lively, friendly atmosphere with a range of items guaranteed to satisfy every craving. 

The open kitchen at Lina Stores isn’t just for show, it’s a sensory feast! You’ll be deliciously distracted by the aromas of garlic and fresh herbs, making the wait for that perfectly fresh pasta almost unbearable (in the best way, of course!). 

Fair warning: once it lands on your table, conversation might just halt. 

Have to try: Casarecce alla Calabrese
Perfect for: Catch-up with friends, family, dating
Approx price for 2: £60-£90

The India has a calm, cosy vibe, serving the most moreish, flavoursome… wait for it… Indian food. You’re welcome for the anticipation. You’re greeted at the door by a ferocious tiger… in a frame. And that theme carries through the interiors, adding to the sense of authenticity.

For starters, we went with their Chicken 65 — highly recommended as it’s their most popular dish, and honestly, with that many options on the menu, we needed someone to make the decision for us. Think KFC popcorn chicken, but with way more flavour and 100% certainty you know exactly what meat you’re eating.

Yes, we’re basic — for mains we stuck to butter chicken. It was sweeter than usual, with subtle hints of honey, which we weren’t mad about. If you’re braver than us, try something from the chef’s specials, because they all looked incredible… but we just couldn’t give up our butter chicken. We paired it with garlic naan — basic, but extraordinary at the same time.

Have to try: Chicken 65
Perfect for: Dinner with family
Approx price for 2: £40-£80

Bolton’s transports you straight to old Italy, with stained glass windows, red-carpeted floors, and walls packed with eye-catching artwork.

We kicked things off with fried camembert, served with a sweet-tangy gooseberry jam. Whoever came up with that pairing deserves a medal — perfectly crisp outside, molten cheese inside, and the jam cutting through every bite.

For mains, the pasta craving took over, so we went for Tortelloni Piacentini — ricotta and spinach filling in silky pasta parcels. A classic. No meat, no extras, just pure, comforting perfection. Maybe a pinch of chilli flakes if you’re feeling rebellious, but honestly, it doesn’t need a thing.

Have to try: Fried camembert with gooseberry jam
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £40-£80

14 Hills might just be the most aesthetically pleasing, downright enchanting spot on this list. Think lush greenery draped everywhere, trees dotted around — basically an enchanted forest, but without the bugs, mud, or questionable camping toilets.

We kicked off with chilli-garlic marinated prawns and a tangy lemon aioli. Pair that with a cold glass of white and we already knew this place was a winner.

While their meat options are tempting, the veggie dish was calling our name — gnocchi with burrata (already sold), plant-based nduja, and artichokes. Honestly, the nduja didn’t add much, but the sundried tomato-packed pasta was already bursting with flavour, so no complaints here.

Have to try: Chilli and garlic butter prawns
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2:  £60- £100 (+ drinks)