Best Dinner Places to Eat in Inner and Middle Temples

"For a lunch date to remember, 155 meters high at the top of the famous ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, the Sky Garden offers spectacular views of the city. But it’s the incredible tropical garden which makes this iconic London landmark a must-see. There are multiple restaurants and bars to choose from, but for informal yet stylish lunchtime dining, we highly recommend Darwin’s Brasserie to take in some of the best views of the city."

"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."

"Sushisamba is always a hit for Asian dining, with excellent food (think Japanese with a South American twist) and stellar views at its City site. Located at the famed Opera Terrace atop the historic Grade II-listed Market Building, this striking space is crowned by an Eric Parry-designed glass roof. Bold in design, the restaurant offers a host of inviting dining and drinking experiences: from the bar with its ‘living ceiling’, the exposed kitchen and high energy sushi bar, to the terrace overlooking The Piazza below, and the private dining room with its own entrance and terrace."

"It’s located on the 38th and 39thfloors of the Heron Tower, and has epic 360 views over the City. Needless to say both the interior design and views are very photogenic. SushiSamba is also one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in London."

"It may sit just two floors above flashy Sushisamba, but the vibe at Duck & Waffle is far more relaxed (although it still boasts the same enviable views). Open 24/7, Duck & Waffle deals in upmarket comfort food, which means you can enjoy the likes of bacon-wrapped dates, a warm savoury doughnut filled with ox cheek, and of course, the eponymous dish, which sees waffles topped with confit duck leg and a glossy-yolked fried egg."

"The Duck & Waffle is a bit different when it comes to dining in London since it is open 24/7. Located on the fortieth floor, this restaurant has delicious British and European cuisine served in modern surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views."

"It’s on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, making it one of the highest bars in London and Europe, for that matter."

"The recently opened Nyx hotel in Holborn has brought with it a stellar new option in London’s spa scene – and it’s offering no fewer then six spa days to cater to all your rest and relaxation needs. Go all out with the Glow with Rena experience, which includes full day use of the gym, pool, sauna, hot tub and steam room, as well as a glass of Prosecco, Caudalie facial and foot massage. Alternatively, gather your nearest and dearest for a much needed catch up with the Luxurious Group Pampering Day."

"When Mr Chow opened 51 years ago, it was a celebrity-riddled hotspot that provided a rare glimpse into Chinese cuisine for Londoners. Half a century later, it’s playing top-40 pop, filled with families of the local and wealthy, and the food is the same ur-Chinese the Rolling Stones would have eaten back in its heyday. Sometimes this is great and sometimes this is bad, but honestly?"

"One of the top 50 brunches in London, Bashment Brunch is bringing Carnival vibes to secret locations across the city. Expect the party to be in full swing, with unlimited rum punch, Carribbean eats and a soundtrack of reggae, soca and dancehall hits."

"Mini Éphémère, a lemon and yuzu meringue and cream version of the Merveilleux. Finding a delicious sweet treat for less than £2 anywhere in London is rare but finding something that will put your sweet tooth into a trance in South Kensington for £1.20 is some kind of miracle. At Aux Merveilleux de Fred, the mini versions of their namesake confections are so light – and inexpensive – that you can indulge without guilt."

"For the melt-in-the-mouth pastry experience only a true French chef such as Frédéric Vaucamps can achieve, book yourself in at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Famed for their brioches, meringues and truffles, which are must-buys, the whole menu is highly acclaimed. Do yourself a favour and get some takeaway buns to enjoy as you travel around the rest of the city – they are truly merveilleux."

"Philippe Conticini is a legend of pâtisserie and both of his eponymous Londoncafés are home to some of the finest gourmet pastries on this side of the channel. Paying a visit to Phillipe Conticini is like paying your respects to the butter gods. His Paris Brest is a thing of delicate, complicated beauty; his vanilla flan a reminder of what heights custard can achieve; and his pain au chocolat, a pastry so layered and flaky that it makes all pretenders seem a sham."

"Step into London Chinatown restaurant Plum Valley and you'll find a calm escape from city life, with a peaceful setting inspired by a Chinese garden. The menu here is a Chinese, Japanese and Thai fusion. Come for a dim sum feast and try pork buns, spring rolls and wasabi prawn dumplings."

"That fine-dining feel doesn’t come by very often – if at all – in Chinatown. However, if high-end is your vibe, Plum Valley is where you’ll find the Gerrard Street version. Slick, contemporary decor has a touch of the Hakkasans to it, all sultry wooden screens and low lighting."

"Tucked away within Harrods, dishes at this Knightsbridge restaurant aren't cheap (the signature Beijing duck is £96 for the whole or £56 for half), but we all need to spoil ourselves once in a while. And here's an uplifting surprise - excellent inflation-beating cocktails, including an exquisite lychee Chai Wu martini. Plus you can go straight from a decadent lunch to a luxury shopping spree, which might just be the perfect afternoon."

"At New Year, one of the most popular Chinese phrases is: “Zhù jíxīng gāo zhào!. ” Now most of you (hello GQ China readers) will know what that means, but for those who need a little help with your conversational Mandarin, it generally translates as: “May you come into a good fortune!. ” It’s a decent, reliable all-round expression to use, but especially pertinent if you rock up to Chai Wu on the 5th Floor at Harrods."

"Sopwell House Hotel is a grand affair, with more than 100 rooms, two restaurants, a spa and 12 acres of grounds to its name. Among all of that the best place to relax is in the cocktail lounge, where afternoon tea is served. It’s a long, breezy room that begins with a marble-topped bar and stretches all the way to a library, with little alcoves and giant sash windows along the way."

" A combination of hotel, leisure complex & conference centre, the former Georgian country home of Lord Mountbatten is just a 20-minute train ride ..." Read our full review"