A quick eight-minute walk from Covent Garden lands you right in the heart of Old Compton Street, one of Soho’s liveliest thoroughfares. Here you'll find Swift’s stylish upstairs bar. Cheers with some pre-dinner delights such as Rhubarb Sours and Mandarin Bellinis. Later, the speakeasy-style basement bar swings into life, with live music and a cocktail menu dedicated to famous faces — try the gin-infused Imperial Gimlet created in honor of the late Queen Mother.

Diners at Brasserie Zedel, a short stroll from tourist hub Piccadilly Circus, are transported to 1930s Paris as soon as they enter the dining room of this Soho institution. Authentic art deco interiors make this beautiful brasserie — which also boasts a cocktail bar, cabaret show and Parisian-style cafe — a wonderful place to people-watch as you sip your way through a tantalizing wine list and sample delectable French cuisine.

Now a firm Soho favorite after opening in 2015, Cutter & Squidge has amassed legions of fans with its signature home-baked biskies (cookies filled with frosting), melt-in-the-mouth brownies and lavishly topped cupcakes. Good news for those with dietary restrictions: They have great vegan and gluten-free options too! For a real treat, book afternoon tea in the Potion Room downstairs, where tiered sandwiches, scones and pretty patisseries are served up in a wizarding world-inspired classroom.

Tucked inside Hilton London Bankside, in a building that once housed a Victorian essence factory, The Distillery majors on flavor-packed drinks using homemade aromatics, infusions and bitters — all served up in an ambient Thameside setting. Leather Chesterfield sofas in chocolate brown, an alfresco terrace and a mirrored bar stocked with over 100 gins make it hard to stay for just one tipple.

A chance to dine inside one of the English capital’s most iconic buildings, this fine-dining experience lives up to every glowing restaurant review. Ride the elevator to the eighth floor, where executive head chef Jeremy Bloor creates dishes from locally sourced UK ingredients. Reserve a window table and experience a panoramic view featuring St Paul’s Cathedral, shimmering skyscrapers and the always-busy River Thames.

Just east of the South Bank lies historic Borough Market, where English foodie trends often take off. At pink-hued dessert bar Humble Crumble, you’ll find a 21st-century spin on a classic English pudding. Build your own artisanal hot fruit crumble (British Bramley apples are a favorite) with inventive toppings including blow-torched marshmallow and edible glitter.

Few central London watering holes can match Mr Fogg’s Residence for eccentricity. This Mayfair bar is inspired by fictional explorer Phileas. J. Fogg, and its extraordinary Victorian-style interior features curios from around the world. The theatrical cocktails served up are as adventurous as Mr Fogg’s imagined travels, often including rare ingredients and name-checking famous cities such as the Bay View, (San Francisco) and the Liberty and Truth (New York).

This contemporary North Indian eatery creates South Asian comfort food with street-food flair ideal for sharing (think chaats and grills). Delicate dishes marry seasonal British ingredients with Indian culinary heritage, drawing from Chef-Patron Chet Sharma's years spent cooking and sourcing for some of the most esteemed Michelin-starred U.K. restaurants. Bask in the ambiance of the warm-hued dining room as you dine on entrees like Cornish lobster tikka.

If only ice cream will do for dessert, then make it artisanal Italian gelato and sorbet that’s scooped up in a converted church in the heart of Mayfair. Badiani, which began on the streets of Florence, boasts specialties including pinguinos (gelato on a stick) and gelato cookies. Or keep it straightforward and go for a four-ingredient buontalenti, a deliciously simple vanilla ice cream.