It’s hard not to feel like you’re on top of the world in Min Jiang, located on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel with one of the best views of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. This is considered London’s most authentic Chinese restaurant, and you’ll be hard pressed not to try everything on the menu. The standout dish, however, is undoubtedly the wood-fired Beijing duck carved right at the table. It’s said to be an ancient recipe, and just one bite will have you understand why it’s been passed down for generations.

Galvin at Windows is up on the 28th floor of the Hilton Hotel, serving British haute cuisine with ingredients sourced from Covent Garden Market. The award-winning gourmet restaurant offers spectacular views of the sprawling city below to enjoy with your meal. Despite its fine dining status, Galvin at Windows offers a children’s menu and friendly atmosphere great for families.

High above the Thames on the 14th floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel lies Mezemiso London, a luxurious restaurant featuring Japanese and Lebanese cuisines. The menus are separate, but ordering off both (and sharing!) is highly encouraged. With floor-to-ceiling windows, fantastic views of the city, and a large range of cocktails, Mezemiso is a truly stand-out establishment in London.

Named after the structure that was built for the 1951 Festival of Britain, Skylon is located on the 3rd floor of the Royal Festival Hall. The restaurant serves modern British fare, always featuring fresh seasonal ingredients – think classic fish and chips, mushy peas, and sticky toffee pudding galore. Weekend brunch and Sunday roast menus are available outside of the everyday courses as well. Grab cocktails from the Grand Central Bar inside the restaurant and bask in panoramic views of the Thames below.

The OXO Tower Restaurant sits atop the 8th floor of the iconic OXO Tower, alongside its more casual bar and brasserie. The garden terrace and large windows show off the illustrious city views, while a 6-course tasting menu (with vegan and vegetarian substitutions available) illustrates the delights of fine dining – complete with a wine list of over 800 sommelier-approved bottles. The restaurant is also impressively environmentally conscious, as one of the only London restaurants to have a Green Michelin Star. Make sure to book ahead of time if you plan to eat at this Art Deco landmark in the city.

Sea Containers is a modern, nautically themed establishment boasting an ingredient-led sharing menu, meaning the Mediterranean-inspired dishes are selected based on what’s in season at the moment. Dine out on the terrace, or inside where the river views are just as stunning. Make sure to check out the experimental cocktail bar while you’re there – it’s got several awards under its belt and is sure to be a treat.

Aviary Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is located on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel. Enjoy botanical cocktails on the heated terrace, or dine inside for breathtaking views of the London skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Aviary is popular for after work drinks and bottomless boozy brunches, complete with live music on the weekends.

Atop the 24th floor of Tower 42 lies City Social, a Michelin starred restaurant with modern British fare in an Art Deco style dining room. Reservations are required here, but the city views are well worth it. Check out the bar for a swanky cocktail, or opt for a recommended glass off the extensive wine list. City Social also serves up plenty of vegan and vegetarian options for those who prefer a veggie-filled meal.

High up on the 35th floor of the Shard, TĪNG bestows unbeatable 360-degree views of the city to all who dine here. The name of the restaurant is the Chinese word for “living room,” a nod to its comfortable, yet upscale lounge atmosphere. The menu is mostly European fare with East-Asian inspired flavors, and many ingredients are even sourced directly from the Borough Market nearby.

Just above the highest garden in London, Darwin Brasserie offers a double whammy of extraordinary views – lush greenery on the floor below and Thames adjacent monuments approximately 36 stories down. You’ll have to book a free ticket online if you plan to peruse the Sky Garden before you browse the seasonal menu and innovative cocktail offerings. The space is also host to live music on Friday and Saturday nights for a more spirited vibe as you dine.

If you’re hankering for authentic Italian dishes in the heart of London, look no further than Tavolino – a tourist and local favorite, featuring handmade pasta and inarguably one of the best views of Tower Bridge. There’s a large outdoor terrace perfect for the summer months, and 2 floors of indoor seating in the bright and airy dining room. Check out the aperitivo bar for pre- or post-meal cocktails, and whatever you do, don’t forgo the obligatory affogato to round out the feast.

The Ivy Tower Bridge is an Art Deco brasserie serving classic British fare just a few steps from the Thames. The restaurant offers all-day dining from breakfast to dinner, and the wide-ranging menus make it a great option for vegans and vegetarians. You can even come just for dessert and try the Insta-worthy Chocolate Bombe: hot caramel sauce poured over an orb of milk foam, vanilla ice cream, and honeycomb goodness.

While there is no shortage of authentic Indian restaurants in London, you can easily add Gunpowder to the top of the list. This cozy, home-style Indian restaurant features traditional recipes, each with its own unique twist. The menu is designed to share several tapas-style dishes among friends. The Gunpowder name references a popular spice mix used throughout many of the restaurant’s dishes. With inventive, bold flavors and family recipes passed down from generations, you’re sure to love anything off the menu at Gunpowder – the incredible city views are just welcome a bonus.