J Sheekey

J Sheekey at 28-32 St Martin's Court in Covent Garden WC2 is one of London's greatest fish restaurants. Founded in 1896 by Josef Sheekey — a fishmonger who received a licence from Lord Salisbury (the Prime Minister) to open a shellfish stall on the pavement — J Sheekey has served the theatre world of St Martin's Court for 130 years. Hardens consistently rates it among the finest restaurants in London. The menu is built around the finest British seafood: fish pie, potted shrimps, roast whole fish, Dover sole, lobster. The walls are decorated with signed photographs of actors, and on any given evening the restaurant is filled with London theatre's great names from the nearby Coliseum, the Wyndham's and the Noel Coward theatres.

Available for dine-in at 28-32 St Martin's Court, Covent Garden WC2. Phone 020 7240 2565. Book ahead.