Balls Brothers Carey Lane is a timeless wine bar and restaurant in the City, close to St Paul’s Cathedral and Cheapside, with a calm and comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner serving classic British dishes and is available for private hire in the evenings. The bar menu, available for lunch and dinner with hot and cold choices, complements the restaurant. Tables can be reserved in the bar, as well as areas for larger gatherings. Wine producer dinners and tastings are regularly held during the evenings. Balls Brothers is a renowned chain of fifteen wine bars and restaurants. The focus of Balls Brothers is maintaining a high standard of service. The bars deliver freshly prepared, fine tasting food to their customers all day and have an extensive wine list, featuring only the wines selected by the principal wine buyer and proprietor, Richard Balls.

Established in 1967, the bustling Taberna Etrusca is a slice of Italy in the classic trattoria style. Beamed ceilings, tiled floors and white walls covered with Ferrari posters evoke rustic Tuscany in the main restaurant, while a peaceful courtyard give summer respite from the City hubbub. Food is uncomplicated and full-flavoured, with signature dishes such as Spaghetti Enzo, slices of fillet steak with garlic, chilli and fresh tomato in spaghetti.
The Thai Square group of restaurants has made another addition in London’s Mansion House. This part of the East End can now indulge in delicious Thai cuisine that uses authentic Thai ingredients flown in daily from Thailand. The interior is atmospheric and classy, using traditional Thai colours, alongside ornate carvings and a rather swish bar. The food is for Thai fans of every level; novices might like to try a pad Thai or green curry, while more experienced diner could opt for gang phed phed yang or Massumun curry. A three-course meal costs around £31 pre person.
Tucked away in a tiny courtyard at the heart of the City of London, in the historic Sanderman Port Cellars, The Don is an elegant retreat with superb modern art throughout. Famous for its service and style, as well as its stunning wine list, The Don has won a Wine Spectator Award every year since 2000. Listed in the Hardens, Square Meal and Good Food Guides, The Don is recommended for its modern, quality Gallic cuisine accompanied by London’s largest selection of ports and sherries. Bright and spacious, the restaurant’s interior is highlighted by its stunning double height wine tower and seven large windows that open up on to the small courtyard. For a truly historic atmosphere, you can also wine and dine in the bistro, previously a wine cellar where Port and sherry were bottled for over 200 years. The cosy dining area has retained the authentic thick-vaulted brick walls and ceiling from this era, and along with its small bar, the bistro is an excellent destination for a relaxed lunch or supper with friends and colleagues.
Zuccato City is a stylish homage to Fellini’s Italy, with a sleek monochrome interior and leather booths which feel worlds away from its urban setting amongst the terraces of Bow Lane. Grab a morning pastry and espresso or an apéritif at the ground floor bar, or tuck into authentic pizza and pasta from the menu of contemporary Italian dishes in the restaurant downstairs. Courtyard dining.