London Mayfair And St. James’S

Mayfair and St. James are generally pricey neighborhoods: even cute holes-in-the-wall can run a bit steep. Yet, there are a couple areas where the atmosphere is great, the prices are lower, and the crowds are larger. These include the lively courtyard of St. Christopher’s Place, the tiny Kingly Street, between Regent and Carnaby, and the tucked-away cobblestone streets of Shepherd’s Market where pubs and cute cafes coexist.

Busaba Eathai, 8-13 Bird St. (☎020 7518 8080; www.busaba.com), Oxford St. Also at 106-110 Wardour St., Soho (☎7255 8686). Incense, floating candles, and slick wood paneling make you feel like you’re dining in a Buddhist temple. Large, tightly-packed communal tables ensure a lively wait for the affordable, filling dishes. Students and locals line up for stir fry, curry, pad thai, and other wok creations (£6.20-11). Tons of vegetarian dishes. Open M-Th noon-11pm, F-Sa noon-11:30pm, Su noon-10pm
Mo Tearoom, 23 Heddon St. (☎020 7434 3999; www.momoresto.com), Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus. Based on a Moroccan souq, this restaurant-tea room-bar-bazaar is an authentic slice of Marrakesh. Carved chairs, floor cushions, low tables, and Moroccan crafts add to the ambience. Mix and match tapas-style appetizers (£7-11) including the popular harira, wood pidgeon pastilla, and mini chicken tagine. Hookah £9. Wheelchair-accessible outside seating. Come early in the evening to avoid a wait. Entrees £15-23. Open daily noon-midnight. Restaurant open M-Sa noon-2:30pm and 6:30-11:30pm, Su 6:30-11pm
L’Autre, 5B Shepherd St. in Shepherd’s Market. Hyde Park Corner or Green Park. Charming and eccentric restaurant with Mexican and Polish dishes served in a cozy Victorian dining room. Specializes in fresh, seasonal game. Try the wild boar sausage or the special beef enchiladas (both £13). Open M-F noon-3pm and 6-11pm, Sa-Su 1-11pm
Sofra, 18 Shepherd St. (☎020 7493 3320; www.sofra.co.uk), in Shepherd’s Market. Hyde Park Corner or Green Park. Also at 1 St. Christopher’s Pl. One of the area’s most popular restaurants, Sofra offers fine Turkish cuisine at reasonable prices. Nonstop hummus and bread is an added bonus. Their most popular dish: the mixed grill (minced lamb and chicken on a skewer; £15). Try the healthy menu or the crunch menu (both menus lunch £13, dinner £15). Lots of vegetarian dishes. Entrees £12-22. Open daily 8:30am-midnight
Tamarind, 20 Queen St. Green Park. A sumptuous interior and classy, modern decor come at a price, but the inspired Indian dishes are worth their weight in gold. Vegetarian dishes from £7. Meat kebabs from £16. Curries from £17. Weekday prix-fixe lunch (2 courses £15, 3 £19, tasting menu £25). Open M-F noon-2:45pm and 6-11:30pm, Sa 5-11:30pm, Su noon-2:45pm and 6-10:30pm. Reserve ahead

Specialty Shops And Cafes

Paxton & Whitfield, 93 Jermyn St. (☎ 020 7930 0259; www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk), Piccadilly Circus. Winston Churchill once observed that “a gentleman only buys his cheese at Paxton & Whitfield ...more