Best restaurants to take visitors to in central London?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I have friends coming and we are going for dinner, where should I take them? I'd like somewhere with a degree of personality. Definitely no chains.

We're not veggie/ vegan so can eat everything! Where would you go?

Depends how formal but for casual dining with "character" I'd go to Wong Kei in China Town. Foods always great and the staff are hilarious

I prefer the Joy King Lau in China Town.

Or perhaps you might like The French House in Soho.

Or Sarastros on Drury Lane.

Which bit of London are you likely to be in?

Oh, and do have a browse in the 'London' topic. Lots of good recommendations on the various threads on there

I'd go to Rupert Street, any (or all!!) of Xu or Palomar or Brindisa and have a drink at the Blue Posts on the corner.

Nopi in Soho. Great food and great toilets

Sketch is quite out there with the decor, the loos are amazing

What sort of price range?

Great toilets!?!

What makes them so memorable?

My fave loos are in Brown's, which I expect would be good for dinner but I always think if as an afternoon tea place

Was that aimed at me, Squirm? The fact they have to draw an arrow on the floor so you can find your way out of the hall of mirrors?!

I’m enjoying the loo appreciation on here.

www.bellamysrestaurant.co.uk/

If you're just in it for the loo decor, try Sarastro on Drury Lane. But don't take your granny.

www.brasseriezedel.com/

We love Bodean's, not a classy dinner lol but yum.

London's massive! Which area were you looking to go out in?

Thanks thislido Mirror maze in the loo must be interesting if you're squiffy!!

AbsentmindedWoman - any particular cuisine?

If you fancy traditional, try Rules (English, one of the oldest restaurants there is) on Maiden Lane near Covent Garden, or Boisdale (Scottish, with jazz) on Ecclestone Place near Victoria station.

(Loos unexceptional and therefore unmemorable in both)

Must google the suggestions here I'm not familiar with!

Places like Sketch (which I like) are kind of in the right ball park I think? But really open to any and all sorts of ideas.

Anywhere in zone 1 really.

I love the oxo tower. Yes it's a bit overpriced but the brasserie isn't bad and the view, occasion of it all is pretty special.

Bob bob Ricard?

Hide Restaurant in Piccadilly is superb and just won restaurant of the year.

The loos in Sketch are how I’d imagine being in a spaceship in the 60s.

For somewhere a bit off the beaten track- Bourne & Hollingsworth buildings.

What about something from the EmberYard group? The Opera Tavern is my favourite of them (think small plates, Spanish-ish). The anchor and hope by Waterloo is fabulous, or Brunswick House by Vauxhall? None of these are that posh, but a bit quirky and wonderful food.

Honey and Co in Warren St. Amazing Middle Eastern food