What are the hippest London restaurants -- the ones with the coolest people, chic decor AND decent food?

The Ivy?

I went to the Ivy and it was great. No big deal, but yes, very trendy. The food is very good too. Everytime someone walks in, everyone looks up to see who it is. The interior is not that impressive. Reminded me of an American steakhouse. Make your reservations weeks in advance.

Check out a listing of the Terence Conrans restaurants. I was at one in SOHO last year (Mezzo) and after 9 there was a cover charge with dinner as their was live music and dancing. They bar was very trendy as well. The food and service was excellent. You MUST book these places in advance. Aslo if you are in early the sometimes wasnt the table back after 3 hours for a 2nd seating so ask about this. Check out Lastminute.com as they have deals for lunch dinner and can book places for you but also list some trendy restaurants/bars as well.

The Providores on Marylebone High Street (close to the Bond Street tube)has great Spanish food (no reservation tapas bar downstairs, restaurant upstairs). Very trendy but still accessible to real people.

At the moment the hippest is agood fish restaurant called J. Sheekey (book a couple of weeks in advance) Despite it beinga celeb fave, mere mortals are welcomed! <BR>Momo is a lovely Moroccan restaurant - very lively late at night. Excellent food, stunning decor.<BR>The Ivy, yes, but the booking is impossible.<BR>Nobu is more on the spendy side, but a true A-list fave -- the black cod is legendary.<BR>E&O is a lively, friendly (reasonably priced too) restaurant in Notting Hill...this is probably the most hip: a cool, mixed crowd, fab service and asian food. Oh, and the odd star too.<BR>If I was to go to one tonight, I think I'd don a scruffy-chic look and head for E&O. Enjoy!

Try Nobu, Asia de Cuba or K-Place for lunch

Another new hot spot is Hakkasan. Haven't tried it yet, but i head lunch there is great. It's also a club at night. Probably worth a shot.

I second (third?) Nobu at the Metroplitan Hotel. Expect to spend $100-$150 per person.<BR><BR>Similarly priced is Gordon Ramsey.<BR><BR>The Ivy is a London treasure – a favourite haunt of Madonna, Paltrow, Judi Dench, Andrew Lloyd Webber – anyone who's anyone basically. And surprisingly inexpensive for its reputation. But it's also the hardest place in London to book – I suggest AT LEAST 3 months in advance and be flexible on the time (you can often get a late sitting 10.30pm for instance).<BR><BR>Asia de Cuba is fun<BR><BR>Lindsay House in Soho is very cool for a romantic dinner, again book a few weeks in advance.<BR><BR>Conran restaurants are a bit old hat now.<BR><BR>Smiths of Smithfields (top floor for super posh, 2nd floor for brasserie style, first floor for cocktails and ground floor for normal bar) in Clerkenwell is a favourite with the design community that cluster in this hip part of town, and you'll rarely see a tourist.<BR><BR>There's loads more, I'll keep thinking.