Apres-Theater Dining--For years, lower-priced menus and a lack of late-night eateries convinced most theatergoers to dine before the show. But recently, the city has begun to accommodate those who prefer dining after the theater. Quaglino's is a vast establishment that stays open until midnight or 1am. If a hamburger or steak will do, head for the Hard Rock Cafe, or if you crave pizza, go to Pizzeria Condotti.

At the heart of Piccadilly Circus, the Atlantic Bar & Grill offers its modern British cuisine until 3am. Nearby, you can make it to Circus before the last orders go in at midnight or order from the bar menu until 1:30am. Balans, which caters to a gay crowd, serves until the wee hours. In Soho, Mezzo seats 750 so you're also guaranteed a table. It stays open to either 1am or 3am, depending on the day.

- Some Dining Notes
Hours--Restaurants in London keep varied hours, but in general, lunch is offered from noon to 2pm and dinner from 7:30 to 9:30pm, although more restaurants are staying open later. Sunday is the usual closing day for restaurants, but there are exceptions. (Many also close for a few days around Christmas, so call ahead during the holidays.) We've listed serving hours in the descriptions.

Reservations--Nearly all places, except pubs, cafeterias, and fast-food joints, prefer or require reservations. Almost invariably, you get a better table if you book in advance. For a few of the famous places, you might need to reserve weeks in advance, even before leaving home. (Reservations should always be confirmed when you land in London.) However, if you haven't made reservations, even at a "reservations required" restaurant, it's worth trying to walk in to the restaurant if you are in the area. If they do have room, you won't be turned down.

Taxes & Tipping--All restaurants and cafes are required to display the prices of their food and drink in a place visible from outside. Charges for service, as well as any minimums or cover charges, must also be made clear. The prices shown must include 17.5% VAT. Most restaurants add a 10% to 15% service charge to your bill, but check to make sure. If nothing has been added, leave a 10% to 15% tip. It is not considered rude to tip, so feel free to leave something extra if service was good.

A Note About Prices--When restaurants are classified as Moderate or Inexpensive, most main courses are at the lower end of the price scale. That doesn't mean that the chefs don't prepare some expensive dishes. Often they do, especially if they offer shellfish. But if you avoid the highest-priced dishes, you can dine moderately or inexpensively in our selections.