Smiths of Smithfield

This bustling warehouse conversion is packed out at every hour of the day, but still manages to find seats for everyone, and to offer quick service and consistently high standards. The noisy second-floor dining room, with its bare brick walls and comfy seats, is a classic piece of post-industrial design, while the more formal top floor enjoys panoramic views over St Paul's and the City. The ground floor has a bar and comfy sofas. It's at its best with the simplest items - burgers and pasta are the staple diet of the young banking and media types eating here, and the excellent fry-ups are a City of London staple.