Cantina Del Ponte

Though this lovely riverside restaurant offers all the warmth and welcome of a traditional Italian trattoria, there’s no mistaking the fact that it’s in the heart of London – thanks to a spectacular and uninterrupted view of Tower Bridge (hence the name). This unbeatable spot at Butler’s Wharf benefits from one of the best outside spaces in the city and is a people-watching paradise. The interior is just as alluring: a mural of an Italian marketplace runs the length of the dining room; while terracotta floor tiles, black and white metro wall tiles and a few well positioned paintings give it a stylish, urbane edge.