(1 Lombard Street, Bank in London, United Kingdom)

The grade II listed 1 Lombard Street is a stunning setting in the heart of the City featuring modern... European food. A neo-classical interior of domed skylights by Pietro Agostini and plush curving banquettes. The (mainly) corporate clientele appreciate the refined, animated atmosphere. Feeling a little fatigued in the morning? Treat yourself to a big breakfast basking under the natural light of the dome. A full a la carte menu and seasonal specialities are available for lunch and dinner. Otherwise, there's a tapas and bar snack menu to choose from. Great cocktails, fine wines and superb service to boot. Please note - in the evenings the largest table size is 6 diners. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 10pmClosed Sat and Sun Friday evening live jazz pianist. [moreless]

(1 Blossom Street in London, United Kingdom)

A contemporary style city restaurant, 1 Blossom Street has a sleek, sophisticated feel which suits b...usiness lunches, after work dinners and weekend meals with friends. Wooden floors, modern paintings and splashes of colour give a design led look while the atmosphere is relaxed and buzzy, while well spaced seating provides a discreet setting for those more intimate meals. Only the very best ingredients are used to provide an imaginative and individual Italian dishes which at the same time retain the delicious qualities of classical cuisine. Lunch can be served in 1 Blossom Street’s tropical paradise private patio, making it a glorious summertime escape from the office. Please note - tables will be held for a maximum of 15 minutes. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12pm - 2:30pm & 6pm - 9pm [moreless]

(40 Liverpool Street in London, United Kingdom)

1901 @ Andaz is, as you'd expect, a real experience - a feast both for your eyes and your taste-buds.... You enter the restaurant to see a beautiful mosaic floor, stately pillars and a spectacular stain-glassed dome in the ceiling. The food is equally impressive, with a menu full of all sorts of delicious dishes. Head Chef Dominic Teague came to 1901 in July 2006 from L’Escargot and describes his food as elegant simplicity with clean presentation, all produced with the highest quality well sourced ingredients. We were particularly impressed with the Roast Chalan duck with braised baby beetroot, potato and apricot terrine, which was quite possibly the best duck we have ever tasted. Please note - lunchtimes book up very quickly at this restaurant. Try and book at least 1 week in advance.A credit card is required to reserve a table of five people or more, if there is availability - this is simply to secure your booking, absolutely no money will be charged to the card except in the case of late cancellations. A fee of £30 per person will be charged for a cancellation within 24 hours or a no show.Last orders for food is 9:45pm every day. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 7am - 10am, 12pm - 2:30pm & 6:30pm - 10pm [moreless]

(26 Smithfield Street in London, United Kingdom)

26 Smithfield restaurant overlooking London’s historic and happening Smithfield Market has an honest..., wholesome approach to food, a refreshing experience in the relentless City. With a champagne bar, very cool main bar, first floor dining room and al fresco terrace, 26 Smithfield always has a space and ambience to suit your mood. The main dish here is whole rotisserie chicken served family-style, though the comfort-food menu makes terrific use of Smithfield’s best meats and fresh fish too. The décor is laid-back smart, with leather seating, plain wooden tables and floors, and Indian fabrics for splashes of colour. Classic and mad cocktails and live music completes the scene. Please note - this restaurant only accepts bookings of 15 diners or more in the evenings.A credit card is required to reserve a table, if there is availability - this is simply to secure your booking, absolutely no money will be charged to the card except in the case of late cancellations.Please note - this venue does not serve food on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Opening hours: Mon - Thurs11am - 11pmFri11am - 12am Sat & Sun closed 26 Smithfield has open mic nights every Wednesday. [moreless]

(Barbican Centre, Silk Street in London, United Kingdom)

The Barbican is home to the London Symphony Orchestra, great art galleries, several cinemas, two the...atres, and a concert hall seating over 2000 culture vultures. When hunger makes a song and dance, they make their way to the first floor Balcony Bistro, a modern waiter service operation with a bar. The look is contemporary – lots of light, pale wood, funky chandeliers, little decoration. Very Scandinavian. A mid-priced menu offers simple European dishes cooked using the freshest ingredients. Nothing too heavy. Good selection of side orders. A large outside seating area overlooking the Barbican lake is one of a handful of City al fresco dining spots. Please note for all bookings of 6 or more credit cards details are required. This is simply to reserve your booking no money will be taken off the card unless there is a late cancellation. Late cancellation (of 24 hrs or less) and no-shows will be charged £10 per person Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 8.30pm, Sat 5.00pm - 8.30pm, Sun 12pm - 7.30pm [moreless]

(30 Throgmorton St in London, United Kingdom)

Please note, this restaurant is currently undergoing refurbishment and will open later in 2008.In th...e midst of London’s buzzing financial district, Bankside EC2 is a welcome relief from office life. Casual and laid back, this is a larger version of the hugely successful South Bank venture. With the same formula of relaxed atmosphere and hearty British food, Bankside EC2 boasts a lively atmosphere as well suited to a business lunch as post work dinner and drinks. The stylish marble topped bar is the place to grab a cocktail then it’s on to the sleek and comfortable dining room to enjoy affordable British food at its very best – think Shepherd’s Pie or Fish and Chips with good ol’ mushy peas. Please be aware that breakfast bookings are only for parties of 10 or more.Also, on Thursday and Friday evenings the last available booking time is 7:30pm A credit card is required to secure a reservation for groups of 6 persons or more, if there is availability - this is simply to secure your booking, absolutely no money will be charged to the card except in the case of late cancellations. Late cancellations (within 24 hours of the reservation) and no-shows will incur a charge of £10 per person. Please note bookings for breakfast are only for bookings of 10 or more. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 10pm At Bankside there are buttons on the table to summon your server [moreless]

(67 Queen Street, Mansion House in London, United Kingdom)

East Central’s Bar Bourse is anything but a typical City bar. No, this is a place which boasts char...acter and charm rather than the usual faceless gathering place. Set in a charming imposing building on Queen Street, Bourse boasts an unusual and attractive Byzantine themed interior which has earned it a reputation as the Rolls Royce of City bars. The comfortable boldly striped banquettes coupled with a well stocked bar, buzzing atmosphere and professional staff make Bar Bourse not only a great drinking space but the perfect place to dine as well – modern European cuisine is simple but delicious. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11:30am - 3pm for lunch.Open until 11pm for drinks and bar snacks onlyClosed weekends and all Bank Holidays Bar Bourse is situated just off Cannon Street, the site of the London Stone. [moreless]

(24 Lime Street in London, United Kingdom)

Barcelona V is fifth in a chain of popular Spanish restaurants founded by father and son team, Marti...n and David Dalmau. The group’s tag line is ‘the authentic taste of Spain in London’ – which happily seems to be the case. This City venture is a brightly-painted basement room on Lime Street near Leadenhall Market and Lloyds of London. Orange wall edges are decorated with colourful, swirling mosaic tile work featuring the trademark lizard. Feast on an aromatic wealth of mouthwatering tapas – tender beef meat balls, Mediterranean prawns, deep-fried baby calamares, paella, patatas bravas – they’re all on the menu. Plenty of vegetarian dishes. Excellent home made crema Catalana, and a fantastic selection of Spanish wines listed by denominación de origen. Real Spanish vibe. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11am - 11pm [moreless]

(15 St Botolph Street, (Entrance at 1 Middlesex Street) in London, United Kingdom)

This gorgeous, vivacious restaurant is a City favourite, and not just among worker bees yearning to ...buzz away to the Spanish sunshine. There's fun in the air - the splendid yellows, reds and blues of the decor, the vivid flavours on the plates, the unusual and intriguing wine list, and the jostling sociability of the smart waitstaff all add up to a hugely enjoyable mix. This branch of Barcelona takes advantage of its site in a shiny office block to let the huge plate glass windows shed sunlight on all within. The ground floor offers both bar and table service, and is a terrific place to meet up at lunch or after work and sample some of the excellent - and rare - Spanish wines and bubblies. The mezzanine level is guarded by a Gaudi-inspired mosaic lizard and decorated with flamenco and toreador costumes. You can stick to your favourites from the menu, like chorizo, patatas bravas, and paella, or you can close your eyes and point and be delighted by the culinary adventure. You may discover rare Iberian ham or broad bean stew with black pudding. Save room for the excellent cheeses. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11am - 11pm [moreless]

(13 Well Court (Off Bow Lane) in London, United Kingdom)

Spanish passion is everywhere in the Barcelona, from the vivid colours, to the intense flavours, to... the attention to detail, to the happy hubbub of diners and drinkers giving themselves over to pleasure. There's a mad mosaic Gaudi-esque lizard over the Cava Bar, a terrific meeting and drinking space that features a winning selection of Spanish bubblies (nb: Happy Hour isn't called Hora Loca for nothing). Then the same sort of wandering mosaic path guides you downstairs to the large, cheerful dining room. Choose a zillion tapas and share them with mates, or pick carefully and respect Dr Atkins - either way you'll find dishes skillfully prepared and with a touch of sunny inspiration that will set your palate aglow. Try favourites like chorizo or paella or go for rarer Iberian ham or broad bean stew with black pudding. Wash it all down with lovely sangria or one of the brilliant wines from the all-Spanish list. Disco Thursday and Friday evenings. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11am - 11pm [moreless]