London restaurants by area

• 1). Head to Edgware Road if you're after Lebanese food.
  
  
• 2). Go to North London, in particular areas around Turnpike Lane, Finsbury Park and Manor House for Turkish or Cypriot food.
  
  
• 3). Take the tube to Liverpool Street and wander down Brick Lane to witness the numerous touts that stand outside curry houses beckoning you to go in. However be aware that you're likely to get a more authentic experience if you venture further east to East Ham, or west towards Slough.
  
  
• 4). Catch the rail to Stamford Hill, London's orthodox Jewish area which is replete with Jewish eateries and bakeries.
  
  
• 5). Venture to Chinatown, near Soho and Leicester Square for dim sum and other Asian delights.
  
  

Avoid tourist traps

• 1). Avoid areas that are very popular with tourists, i.e. Leicester Square, or around the London Eye. Restaurants in areas like these are either standard Burger King/Pizza Hut fare or are otherwise overpriced and poor quality.
  
  
• 2). Don't rely solely on guidebooks to find the best restaurants. While there may be some nuggets of wisdom there, don't turn down the opportunity to eat somewhere new just because it's not in a guidebook.
  
  
• 3). Go for a walk down London's back streets and alleyways and read the menus on display, you may happen upon a new place no one has heard of before.
  
  

Cheap eats

• 1). Look on websites such as Toptable which offer discounts and special offers on set meals at many London restaurants. You might be able to get 50% off your meal at a certain time of day.
  
  
• 2). Check lunchtime menus for special deals, which are often cheaper than dinner menus.
  
  
• 3). Pick up London papers such as the Metro and Evening Standard which sometimes have vouchers for discounted meals.