Nice restaurant recommendations for a birthday meal in central London

[LilyLiveredLovely]

DH had a big birthday coming up and we are celebrating with a trip into London and a show etc.

Can anyone recommend a nice place to eat? We are staying in Marylebone but happy to take a tube and make an evening of it. We like all sorts of food but would love to find a little hidden gem, somewhere with really lovely surroundings and great food, don’t mind cuisine!

SO many

but you really need to give an idea of budget!!

Oh sorry! Mid- range I guess. Probably £150-200 for 2 of us?!

What kind of food do you like? Rules in Maiden Lane is traditional British food or there's Trishna on Blandford Street in Marylebone which is Indian (& Gymkhana's second restaurant).

Vasco and Piero- amazing Italian

That’ll be tight for three courses and wine in Marylebone for dinner

unless… you do one of the amazing lunch offers the high end restaurants do

would work well with theatre timing too

Kudu in Marylebone is great

What month is it? Bit further away, but do-able, is Bleeding Heart in Farringdon - little tables out in the cobblestone yard

Cicoria, Angela Hartnett's restaurant on the fifth floor of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. You don't have to be going to the opera. There is also terrace with views across London.

For something 'different', Sarastro.

I like Il Gattopardo in Mayfair. Bleeding Heart is very nice too but as pp said its in Farringdon. Andrew Edmunds (British European) in Soho is nice too. Rules is also nice, a British institution. There was a great Peruvian place sort of near Bond Street I liked but looks like it’s closed down!

Bentley's just off Regents Street, if you like fish.

Ohhhhh, Andrew Edmunds is a brilliant shout! One of a kind, OP.

We went there for our anniversary last year, after seeing recommendations on here. It was just lovely - white tablecloths, relaxed and unpretentious, cozy neighbourhood bistro feel. Food was really fantastic too. Highly recommend

I loved it. Been twice now.

Portland and 64 Goodge street are lovely michelin star restaurants within your budget. Relaxed vibe (as far as fine dining goes) and delicious food.

I’ve been eyeing up the reopened simpsons on the strand or romanos above it. The reviews are good.

Love Rita's and Mountain, both in Soho

If you’re in Marylebone you can walk to anywhere in Soho/Mayfair easily. Mayfair obvs v expensive

My friend went to the reopened simpsons recently and said it was very nice.

Thanks all. Not looking for Michelin star, just good food in really nice surroundings! not fussed on cuisine!

Will look into all of these suggestions.

Just been to Decimo at the top of The Standard hotel opposite St Pancras. Great cocktails and interesting non typical Mexican food. Decor is 70s in a brilliant way and buzzy in a lovely way for a Tuesday night

Anchor and Hope on The Cut (Southwark St) is nice, down to earth amazing quality food. Maybe not special decor but they don't need any of that jazz as the food is what it's all about here.

Blue and black or the archduke both Waterloo if you like steak. They often have live music, jazz.

Tourist trap given location

Oh, I absolutely LOVE Rules - the food is great, but the service really elevates it!

It is but if you book you’ll get a table and it’s not that bad. I’ve not noticed too many tourists in either restaurant to be fair.