With the weather we've been having, I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny afternoon than out on the Thames. I recently tried the City Cruises lunch cruise, and it made for a really relaxed way to enjoy the capital.

Instead of squeezing into a busy restaurant, you're served lunch as you sail past some of London's most iconic landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. I had the thyme, rosemary and lemon-roasted chicken, served with a creamy leek, tarragon and mushroom sauce, dauphinoise potatoes and seasonal vegetables, followed by the rose water and strawberry cheesecake with berry coulis.

For me, though, it's all about the setting. Sitting on the river with a drink in hand, soaking up the sunshine and watching London drift by feels like a real treat. If you're looking for a summer activity that's a little different, I'd definitely recommend it. It's an easy way to escape the crowds for a couple of hours while seeing the city from a completely different perspective.

Cruises run Monday-Sunday, and almost every day of the year. To book, visit cityexperiences.com.

Reviewed by: Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor

One of London's best nights out will always be at The Piano Works. With two locations in Farringdon and Covent Garden, the live music venue never fails to deliver on feel-good vibes, crowd-pleasing cocktails, and non-stop hit after hit. To celebrate the summer, the team at HELLO! enjoyed a work social at the Farringdon venue, but it would also work perfectly for hen dos, birthday parties, leaving dos, and the like.

The main event is the live music, which changes throughout the evening. When we arrived at 6 pm, it was still fairly quiet with two pianists performing, but a couple of hours later, the place was buzzing, entertained by a full band. By the end of the night, the dance floor was truly packed, proving just how popular the venue remains.

It strikes the perfect balance: those who can't stand karaoke or are too shy to perform in front of a crowd can quietly nod along with the professionals or simply sit back and enjoy the live music. While the karaoke kings and queens among us will be in their element, singing along but actually, and more importantly, letting the professionals do their thing and own the stage.

The talent is simply astounding. Anyone and everyone can put in a song request and minutes later, the Piano Works musicians play it to the whole venue, sometimes after having just learnt it on the spot. From power ballads to cheesy pop, musical hits to alternative rock and punk, the roster of musicians has it covered so there really is something for everyone.

It's the ultimate night out for a group of friends or a boozy date, and there are plenty of offers throughout the week to entice, from generous Happy Hour on Wednesdays through to Saturdays, and two-hour bottomless brunches to kick-start the weekend. Go on, book it – you won't regret it.

To book, visit www.pianoworks.bar

Reviewed by: Team HELLO!

This August Bank Holiday, Battersea Park is hosting a four-day celebration of live music in one of London's loveliest green (or, at the moment, somewhat arid!) spaces right by the river. 

Kicking things off on Friday August 28 is the Sounds of South Africa concert which brings Jeremy Loops and the London African Gospel Choir to the stage. Saturday night is the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra who will be turning up the volume for Pop Symphonic, featuring toe-tapping hits by Britney Spears, Beyoncé, ABBA and many more. 

''m most excited for Sunday's Movies & Musicals extravaganza promising silver screen and West End hits from shows including Hamilton and Les Mis - with a firework finale! 

Monday night rounds off the long weekend with Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra playing alongside The Amy Winehouse Band, Toby Lee, Ineza and Jazz Dynamos. There are premium seats by the stage, or pack a picnic and bring a blanket. Tickets are currently still available across the whole weekend.

The terrace at Greco-Roman restaurant Bacchanalia, located in the heart of exclusive Mayfair, might be home to some of the best people watching in London - and some of its most delicious cocktails. 

Bacchanalia has become synonymous for its ornate, opulent interiors, inspired by its classical theme - think Damian Hirst sculptures curling across the ceiling and elaborately tiled bathrooms - and the same elaborate mindset is evident in its menu. 

My friend and I toasted to the eclipse when we visited recently, picking from a selection that includes Grape Expectations (Absolut Elyx vodka, grape, fig leaf and Fever-Tree soda water), Not A Paloma (Código 1530 Rosa tequila, strawberry and mastiha) and A Walk in the Park ( Monkey 47 gin, shiso, fennel and tonic). 

The menu features all your favourite flavours of the Mediterranean; we began with a zesty tuna tartare with creamy avocado, moreish bits of fried squid with black garlic aioli and a baked feta I'll be coming back for in colder climes; the cheese, which arrived lasagne-like in an iron-cast tray, dipped with honey and was spiked with chilli.

Our mains focused on chargrilled meats; rib eye steak, sliced into tender chunks, and lamb chops with smoked aubergine, a red pepper relish and more feta, accompanied by a rich, plump tomato salad and crispy Greek fried potatoes showered in truffle mayo and parmesan. 

Our puddings were perfect: my friend's 'lemon pie' soft serve was studded with meringue and passion fruit, while my Basque cheesecake came with a fragrant serving of fig, ginger and fig leaf ice cream. 

To book, visit bacchanalia.co.uk

Reviewed by: Miranda Thompson, Features Editor

Nestled in the heart of Soho, Kumori is London's newest dining destination, bringing the flavours of Japan to the capital with a distinctly modern edge. The intimate handroll bar pairs design-led interiors with an immersive dining experience, where every seat is positioned at the counter so guests can watch the chefs expertly slice fresh fish and flame-sear salmon right before their eyes. Lined with vinyl records and complete with its own carefully curated soundtrack, the space feels as thoughtfully crafted as the menu itself. Trust me, this is Soho's latest buzzy hotspot.

Even the menu is interactive. Guests are handed a paper menu and a pencil to tick off their chosen dishes, adding a playful touch to the dining experience. You can opt for a set of three, four or five hand rolls, with each one made to order before your eyes. My standout favourites were the burnt salmon, which boasted a delicious smoky depth, the spicy tuna, where gentle heat was balanced by creamy avocado, and the yellowtail kosho, a fresh, vibrant option with a subtle citrus kick.

The menu also features a selection of light bites, and the tuna crispy rice is a must-order. The crisp, golden exterior provides the perfect contrast to the rich tuna topping. From the raw selection, the yellowtail yuzu truffle was another highlight. The distinctive earthiness of the truffle complemented the delicate taste of fish.

To end on a lighter note, the matcha mochi provides the perfect finale – a creamy, subtly sweet dessert that completes the meal. Alongside the food, the service is impeccable, with every detail feeling thoughtfully considered. The drinks menu is equally impressive, featuring an excellent selection of wines and cocktails, alongside more unexpected offerings such as matcha-infused beverages.

To book, visit kumorirestaurant.com

Reviewed by: Maria Sarabi, Writer

There is no shortage of fantastic Indian restaurants in the city, but one of south London's best offerings comes in the form of Babur. For those not in the know, the 2 AA Rosette-awarded restaurant is a Forest Hill institution and for the past four decades, has been delivering incredible Indian fare to locals and visitors from further afield.

I've been to Babur a few times, but what I love most is the constantly evolving menus and means for celebration they always seem to have going. The latest occasion it's marking is Babur's 41^st birthday, in collaboration with another south London landmark, the beloved Horniman Museum and Gardens down the road which this year is celebrating its 125^th anniversary.

Inspired by the herbs, botanicals, and sustainable planting found in the Horniman gardens, Babur has created a new Together in Bloom menu. Available until 20 September as both a tasting menu and à la carte offering, the new menu is fresh, innovative, and exceptionally well presented. Babur is working towards earning its first Michelin star and given the quality and presentation of the food, I hope its dreams are realised soon.

We sampled the six-course anniversary tasting menu, which I highly recommend. It showcases the best of the modern Indian menu, with those botanical touches, and takes away any decision-making. Highlights include the charcoal-grilled pandan chicken tikka, and the spiced lamb neck served on a vibrant beetroot yoghurt and a blue cheese and rosemary naan. The naan may sound unconventional, but it's just one example of Babur's ingenuity. The larger dish of sea bream served atop a potato and fennel patty, with a green mango and coconut sauce, was another showstopper.

The tasting menu is priced at £62.50, but Babur is currently offering a £10 discount, or a generous 41% discount if ordering at least two courses and a beverage from the à la carte. Which leads me to mention the cocktails – a refreshing and inventive selection of botanical-inspired drinks awaits you.

To book, visit babur.info

Reviewed by: Ainhoa Barcelona, Royal Managing Editor

One of the best things about London is the diversity on show when it comes to food options. Whether you're looking for Italian, Mediterranean or Asian, there are plenty of places to look at, and I've certainly found my go-to spot when it comes to Cantonese food: Mama Li in Canary Wharf. While Mama Li has been established in London for a while, with branches in Tower Hill and London Wall, there is a new venue in Canary Wharf, and I was lucky enough to head down there.

What struck me the most was the intimate setting, with the small space really allowing conversation with your friends to flow easily, as opposed to sitting a fair distance away. The other thing that struck me was the menu. While I typically head for the noodles whenever I have Cantonese food, I decided to change things up this time, and I was so glad that I did. The salt and pepper pork was seasoned to perfection, and I've never had a meal where every single bite brings in a rush of flavour. This paired perfectly with the jasmine rice and spring rolls that accompanied it. Despite appearing small, trust me, these portions really do fill you up, and I ended up leaving with the spring rolls in a bag for another day.

Another highlight of Mama Li's menu are the drinks. If you love tea, then you're in for a treat thanks to several tea-themed cocktails. However, for me, the highlight was the non-alcoholic milk tea, which is a speciality in Hong Kong. I have never had a cup of tea like this, it felt smooth and instantly cool, and while I wouldn't normally think to drink tea with a meat-based meal, the pair fit perfectly together.

Thanks to it being a brisk 10-minute walk from Canary Wharf underground station, less if you're on the Elizabeth Line, and its prime location by the Blackwall Basin, allowing for chilled walks after a delicious meal, I know that this place will be added straight to my regulars list.

For more information, book here.

Reviewed by: Matthew Moore, Senior Evening Writer

I’d never actually visited Gordon Ramsay’s impressive Savoy Grill, so hearing about its new Savoy Starlets Saturday lunch was more than enough to tempt me to finally step inside.

Set within the iconic Savoy Hotel in central London, the restaurant is every bit as glamorous as you’d expect. Chandeliers, rich red interiors and gleaming gold details create a wonderfully old-school sense of occasion, while the room itself is steeped in history. We were even seated towards the back in what is known as ‘Winston Churchill’s seat’, where the former Prime Minister was once a regular.

The new Saturday menu takes inspiration from the favourite dishes of Hollywood’s leading ladies, so naturally, we couldn’t resist ordering a few plates to share.The standout for me was the Hasselback Potatoes, topped with crème fraîche, chives and Oscietra caviar - a playful nod to Elizabeth Taylor’s famous love of caviar. Indulgent and beautifully presented, they were certainly not your usual brunch side.

The Angus Beef Sliders, inspired by Grace Kelly, were another highlight, with juicy beef, lettuce and tomato tucked into a soft brioche bun. But the real star of the show for me was the Steak & Eggs. As Savoy Grill is famed for its beef, we simply couldn’t pass up the chance to try it. The rump cap, served with fried eggs and home fries, was the ultimate Saturday lunch indulgence and easily one of my favourite dishes of the meal.

Dessert was where the old Hollywood glamour really came to life. Marilyn Monroe’s Chocolate Fudge Sundae, complete with brownie, vanilla soft scoop and fudge sauce, was wonderfully nostalgic, but the French Toast with maple syrup, berries and cinnamon butter may have stolen the show.

For a Saturday lunch with a generous serving of history, glamour and a little celebrity sparkle, Savoy Starlets is a rather fabulous way to spend an afternoon.

To book, visit: gordonramsayrestaurants

Reviewed by: Lauren Connolly, Digital Design Lead

From husband-and-wife duo, Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, this deli by day, dining room by night brings a vibrant taste of the Middle East to London – a must-visit for a relaxed bite with friends. 

With its warm cream-and-orange palette, wooden furniture, and candlelit tables, the space creates an intimate, laid-back atmosphere – a welcome respite from the bustling streets of central London. 

The menu, designed for sharing, is perfectly curated to complement their extensive wine list, which was put together with the expertise of Keeling Andrew. We opted for the Adega de Penalva Branco from Dão, Portugal – an impeccable pairing for our meal. 

We began with a creamy bowl of baba ganoush, beautifully balanced by zingy pomegranate seeds, served alongside crispy seeded lavoush. I couldn't resist ordering the Moroccan sourdough - and this warm and fluffy delight certainly didn't disappoint. 

This was followed by a beautifully presented tuna crudo, paired with a delightful trio of grated tomato, fermented chilli, and tahini. 

We also opted for a portion of indulgent crispy potatoes topped with chive sour cream and sumac, and the standout dish of the evening, goat's cheese and peach, elevated by a sprinkling of salted almonds, honey, and tarragon – a gorgeous blend of sweet and savoury. 

We rounded off the selection with the perfectly cooked half rack of lamb, seasoned with fermented green chilli and fennel salt. This one is a must-try for any meat lover. 

While we were full to bursting at this point, our incredibly friendly and attentive servers convinced us to end our meal with Honey & Co's signature feta and honey cheesecake. Resting on a nest of shredded kataifi pastry and topped with almonds and blueberries, this indulgent delight is quite possibly the best I've ever had. I had to stop myself from licking the plate clean. 

To book, visit: https://honeyandco.co.uk

Reviewed by Nicky Morris, Acting TV and Film Editor.

The basement of a London casino has to be one of the more unusual locations for a Cantonese restaurant, but don't let the bouncers at the door put you off – this delightful eatery is one of Soho's hidden gems, and the tastiest spot for a great meal out.

This summer, Chop Chop has launched a new menu and a new look, so even if you're a devotee, there's something fresh to take in. The restaurant pays homage to the cornerstones of Cantonese cuisine, offering mouth-watering dim sum crafted by hand, homestyle dishes as well as the roast duck that the Four Seasons is best known for.

My favourites will always be the staples: egg fried rice, dumplings, sweet and sour chicken, beef in black bean sauce, and vegetables fried in garlic – the best way to consume your greens, in my humble opinion.

A menu highlight has to be the crispy duck served with spring onions, cucumber and hoisin sauce, now joined by a vegetarian 'mock duck' that caters to all requirements without losing key texture and flavour.

The new dim-sum menu includes spicy chicken siu mai and pork & shiitake mushroom dumplings, alongside an expanded selection of steamed buns filled with Chinese sausage, chicken or vegetables.

Main dishes include sautéed scallops with asparagus and braised pork with vermicelli noodles to Chop Chop’s special chicken curry; Sichuan dried chilli with diced chicken, homestyle prawn scrambled eggs and deep-fried baked spareribs.

I love the energy of this restaurant – peaceful, but always on-the-go, and the quality of the food speaks for itself. Even better, Chop Chop stays open until 4 am, so you're guaranteed a good meal at all times of day.

To book, visit hippodromecasino.com/chopchop

Reviewed by: Millie Jackson, Podcast Producer

Having done my fair share of bottomless brunches over the years, I’ve become well-versed in what it takes to make it a memorable experience. Value for money – tick; chic venue – tick; buzzy atmosphere – tick; delicious food and drink, of course – tick, tick. 

I find that having waiters refill your glass with cold bubbly often comes at the expense of a slightly less enjoyable brunch, or the music is so loud you leave at 4pm feeling like you’ve been in a nightclub for the best part of a sunny afternoon. Fortunately, Bōkan 37, based in East London, delivers on all of my check points.

Situated on the 37th floor of the Novotel Canary Wharf, the restaurant has an instant wow factor, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the capital’s impressive skyline. They are the sort of views that, in all honesty, you’d be happy just to walk in and experience, let alone sit and enjoy a delicious brunch beside.

As part of the bottomless brunch, you can choose a three-course meal for £49, with the option to add free-flowing prosecco, white, rosé, or red wine for an additional £19.

The menu includes dishes such as truffle-infused scrambled eggs with mushrooms to start, a Wagyu burger for the main course, and a chocolate Basque cheesecake with coconut sorbet to finish. I chose the melon gazpacho to start - which comes alongside a tomato bruschetta with Parma ham, followed by linguine puttanesca with basil pesto and Mozzarella di Bufala, and to finish, it had to be the homemade ice cream.

The team working that day were next level - there was no waiting for our drinks to be topped up, nor was there any feeling of being rushed in and out.

We then went up to the 38th floor to their rooftop terrace, where we enjoyed delicious cocktails in the sunshine. What a truly great way to spend a summery Saturday afternoon in London.

To book, visit bokanlondon.co.uk

Reviewed by: Katy Huke, Audience Development Manager