The May Fair Bar is one of those establishments that are located in a luxurious hotel. You know the type: the ones where you are never really sure if you - as a non-hotel guest - are allowed in, and you spend your entire meal sat worrying that the waiting staff is going to ask for your room number while you make your embarrassed retreat as you realise that no, they don't accept credit card for payment. Well, not to worry, for the May Fair Bar is open to the general public, as well as the patrons of The Mayfair Hotel in Mayfair, central London.

Voted as 'Best Luxury 5 Star Hotel Bar in London' by readers of both the capital's Evening Standard newspaper and London Lite, the sight of newspaper-wielding tourists and locals flooding into the May Fair Bar should reassure you that all are welcome into this sublime, sophisticated and effortlessly cool and contemporary bar and diner. Decorated with bespoke lilac seats, a sleek central fireplace, recessed windows, some fantastic artwork and an uber-cool bar, the atmosphere is one of hip style that manages to escape the diamond-encrusted claws of pretension and actually make one feel extremely welcome.

Ostensibly a chic evening cocktail bar, the May Fair Bar also serves some impressive cuisine every meal of the day. Breakfast is served every day of the week from 8am until 11am, where a range of continental and English-influenced dishes are available, while lunch is served from noon and comprises sandwiches, salads, pastas, grills, burgers and risottos. For evening, last meal orders must be placed by 9pm, and diners can choose from the a la carte menu, which changes often. Suffice to say, though, that all dishes are prepared with only the finest and freshest ingredients available.