(18 Via Garibaldi in Rome, Italy)

In the 17th century, the Antica Pesa was an inn serving the peasants who came to deliver grain to th...e Vatican’s customs office. In the 19th, the bocce champions of Trastevere challenged each other in the in the court at the rear. Now the Antica Pesa is one of the best restaurants in Rome, and the old bocce court is a charming garden where a well-dressed, well-heeled and well-known clientele revels on summer evenings. Everyone from Hollywood stars to high government officials has dined here, including many Trastevere-inspired artists from the mid-twentieth century, whose paintings and sculpture are on display. The menu is a combination of regional traditional and innovative Italian under the direction of Simon Panella. Dishes change with the seasons and on a daily basis, and include steamed shrimp with zucchini blossoms, ravioli stuffed with white truffles, thyme-crusted lamb, and basil sorbet with caramelized apples. Enjoy the international wine list and the buzz in the air. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 7:30pm - 11:30pm Sun: closed all day [moreless]

(8 Bugenhagenstrasse in Hamburg, Germany)

Hamburg’s beautiful Park Hyatt hotel, close to the Alster and within easy reach of the mainline rail...way station and sights including the Thalia Theatre and Town Hall, is home to Apples. The beautifully elegant restaurant, as perfectly simple as its namesake, offers clean lines, earthy colours and a lively atmosphere. A superb place at which to enjoy lunch with colleagues, a celebratory dinner or an evening drink with friends. Serving regional cuisine cooked on a wood stove or lava grill, the theatre kitchen is in full view of guests, adding an element of drama which makes dinner at Apples a real event. Cancellations must be made at least 24hrs before the reservation takes place. The table is kept only 15 minutes Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12pm - 3pm and 6pm - 11pm Next door you will find the ‘floating’ Apples bar. [moreless]

(58 Watergate street in Chester, United Kingdom)

Aqua-Vitus restaurant in Chester is the nearest you can come to a charming, European-style bistro wi...thout getting your passport out. Birgitta and Graham Burling (he’s the chef) have conjured up an intimate and romantic yet casual establishment, from the curving front awning to the two-level dining rooms with their golden walls, exposed brick, brass chandeliers, skylight and white table linens. The eclectic French menu with its touches of Swedish cuisine is one to satisfy gourmets, using fresh, seasonal produce. Dishes change constantly, but the very traditional Swedish herrings three ways with a shot of Aquavit are always on. Not an Aqua-Vitus signature dish, says Graham, just a bit of fun. Nice Business Lunch menu. Please note this restaurant does not take lunchtime bookings through Toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 2:45pm & 6pm - 10pm [moreless]

(Spanish Arch in Galway, Ireland)

Ard Bia at Nimmo’s enjoys one of Galway’s most romantic locations in a gorgeous upstairs room with l...ovely views of the river, hard by the Spanish Steps, a Galway landmark, and a downstairs cafe serving more casual fare. The seasonally-changing Irish/Moroccan/North African eclectic menu blows you away with dishes like the Gubeen antipasto dish. Decor has strong elements of chic modern styling made fabulous with original artworks and vibrant colours. Ard Bia’s commitment to live and modern art makes it a happening place, though if you just want to come for the great food and service and see why the group won Restaurant of the Year from Food & Wine Magazine, no one will mind. Opening hours: Fri & Sat: 6pm - 10:30pm [moreless]

(237 Madison Ave. in Manhattan, United States)

When Phillipe Starck is involved, you know a space will be hip, theatrical, glamorous, quirky and a ...load of fun, and that describes Asia de Cuba at Morgans to a T. The centrepiece is a white-curtained room with 50-foot long communal alabaster table and 25-foot hologram of a mountain scene with waterfall. There are also cosy banquettes, fireplaces, and more buzz than a logging camp. The exotic menu is East-meets-Latin America and dishes are designed and presented for sharing. Signature dishes include Tunapica, a tuna tartare picadillo style with spanish olives, blackcurrants, almonds, coconut in soy lime vinaigrette on wonton crisps, and crispy calamari salad with chayote, palm hearts, banana, cashews, chicory and radicchio in sesame orange dressing. Chic, stylish party crowd peoples this restaurant that has the indefinable 'it' in spades.Booking Tip: Please try to make your New York booking at least 48 hours in advance. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Please be aware that this restaurant requires the name of the hotel you are staying at or a New York number to confirm your booking.Bookings can only be made at this restaurant a maximum of 2 months in advance of the date that you wish to dine.Please be also aware that there may be a time limit on your table of 90 minutes or more depending on table size. A credit card is required for bookings of 8 or more people. Absolutely nothing will be charged to your card unless in the event of late cancellations less than 24 hours in advance of the booking. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12:00pm - 3:00pm Sun - Wed 5:30pm -11:00pm Thu - Sat 5:30pm-12:00am [moreless]

(Au Quai Gmbh, 45 B-D Große Elbstraße in Hamburg, Germany)

Au Quai Restaurant is a first-rate Hamburg harbour-front Mediterranean and seafood eatery, with view...s to match. Once upon a time a cold-storage depot, Au Quai is now a stylish foodie hot spot where head chef Danny Riewoldt consistently impresses with his creative combinations of handpicked ingredients and a pinch of genius. Menus change frequently, but firm favourites include grilled tuna with Asian vegetables, and his coveted homemade ice cream and sorbets. On a warm evening, take advantage of the panoramic terrace which directly overlooks the graceful River Elbe. Meal over, dessert wine and coffee quaffed, if you’re in the mood for more, walk into the adjoining swish Au Quai nightclub where DJs spin soulful R 'n' B. It’s all wonderfully easy. Cancellations must be made at least 24hrs before the reservation takes place. The table is kept only 15 minutes Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm Mon - Sat 6pm - 11.30pm Has a nice nightclub attached [moreless]

(245 Rue Turenne in Bordeaux, France)

Auberge’Inn restaurant a short distance from the centre of Bordeaux is one of this city’s most intri...guing restaurants. The contemporary décor in tones of aubergine and burnt orange with exposed stone walls, the charming terrace and serene ambience alone could lure the curious. But it is Julien Cruege’s truly innovative cuisine in a seasonally-changing menu that draws diners back again and again. Dishes have been known to include asparagus and peppered tomato tartare with prawns and peanut ice cream, veal piccata with balsamic carrots and reblochon gnocchi, and the playful ‘Best of MacAron’ dessert: chocolate and hazelnut hamburger, raw banana fries and Coke granita. Brilliance on a plate. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 2pm & 8pm - 10pm Sat- Sun: closed Winner of the First Prize of the Presse du Vin 2007 [moreless]

(195 Picadilly in London, United Kingdom)

Talk about a star-studded experience. The members' bar and restaurant on the second floor of 195 Pic...cadilly, the sophisticated headquarters of BAFTA, is graced daily by celebrities, great and small. And the fabulous international food is directed by a two Michelin star-carrying team of experts who source as much as they can from small suppliers, such as the freshly baked pastries and breads delivered daily from specialist Thierry Tellier at The London Bakery. Service and extras, it goes without saying, are exemplary. 195 Piccadilly continues to be one of the most popular venues in the film, television and new media industries. Please be aware this venue is for group bookings only. Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 8am - 1am Bank Holidays: Closed [moreless]

(52 Lime Street in London, United Kingdom)

Balls Brothers Lime Street in London’s Square Mile is British to its fingertips. The famous vintner...s’ restaurants are popular haunts throughout the City – this one is practically the staff canteen for the Lloyds folk across the street. The trad moss-green dining room with its starchy linens, leather upholstered chairs, antique bookcases, framed prints and sconces is very like a gentlemen’s club. And the Balls Brothers menu offers the best of Blighty’s cooking: pan-fried calves’ liver with crispy bacon and bubble and squeak, and steak and kidney pudding with wild watercress mash are signatures. Richard Balls’ wine list ranges from skint to bonus and everything’s good. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 11pm [moreless]

(8 Calle Juan Pablos in Seville, Spain)

After a relaxing meander through nearby Parque de Maria Luisa, a paradise-like half-mile of palms, o...range trees, flower beds, ponds and pavilions, Seville’s Bar Manolo Leon offers a fine Spanish meal in a charming setting. Sister restaurant to the regal Casa Manolo Leon, at the front is a large, animated bar popular after office hours with local professionals. Work your way through the crowd, however, and you might be pleasantly surprised to discover foodies from further afield gathered in Bar Manolo Leon’s cosy main restaurant, rather gracefully decorated with gilded mirrors, and Andalucian paintings, pottery and sculptures. An innovative daily menu promises fresh salads, meats, fish and Iberian specialties, best enjoyed with hunks of Bar Manolo Leon’s wonderful homemade bread. Upon arrival, please inform the restaurant that your booking was made via toptable. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 1:30pm - 5pm & 8:30pm - 12am Owner Senor Leon sometimes appears to chat with diners... [moreless]