The top five restaurants in London for Mother’s Day

We all know there is never a bad time to call your mother but there is a bad time to call up restaurants for Mother’s Day to reserve a spot for you and your mum – it is now! Visit any of the restaurants on Sunday to make up for all the times you did not call, like you said you would.

NAC in Mayfair

North Audley Café, or NAC, is the ideal spot for a cosy but elegant Mayfair meal. Impress your mum with this darling nouveau-French bistro with its powerhouse of simple but refreshing dishes. They have plenty of small plates to share: flamed aubergine with miso paste, charred sweet potato dowsed in crème fraiche or crushed burrata are all popular items of the compact menu. Their mains include an impressive selection that is a mix between classical and trendy like the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, along with zingers like Cauliflower Steak, Truffle Burger or Veal Schnitzel. If all else fails, treat your mum to a classic New York strip with NAC’s sauce au poivre. She deserves it!

To book a table at NAC, 41 North Audley Street Mayfair London W1K 6ZP, call 020 7493 3443 or visit here.

Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant in Piccadilly

There is nothing quite like a spread of a luxurious afternoon tea in the heart of Piccadilly to celebrate occasions, especially those that involve your mum! The menu changes to accommodate the seasonal British best but their sliders are a great accompaniment to an exhaustive list of cocktails and wines. They also serve a considerable selection of tea offered in floral china along with desserts that range from sophisticated to whimsical. The restaurant has a lofty feel, with different sections decorated in trademark eclectic patterns and is a great spot for a bit of weekend celebrity spotting. Do not forget to order a basket of freshly baked scones to go with the tea and gossip.

To book a table at Ham Yard Restaurant and Bar, 1 Ham Yard Soho London W1D 7DT, call 020 3642 2000 or visit here.

Hoppers in Soho

Hoppers can probably be identified by snaking queues outside this Soho gem. Their brightly spiced cuisine, inspired by Sri Lankan and South Indian flavours, is served family style with steamy dosas (rice pancakes) or hoppers (fermented rice and coconut pancake with egg in the middle) to soak up the curry. They have a limited menu but somehow accommodate even the most sceptical of eaters with their coconut milk-laced curries. Their hot butter devilled shrimps are worth the wait alone. They also boast an excellent chicken or pork kari. Queue or use Qudini, a virtual queue system to hold your place while you grab a drink at Soho’s many, many watering holes.

To visit Hoppers, 49 Frith Street London W1D 4SG, email info@hopperslondon.com or for additional details on their special Mother’s Day event visit here.

Polpo at Ape and Bird in Covent Garden

It is virtually impossible to not come across a pub within every few feet on London’s many streets. Everyone has their neighbourhood favourite – possibly even where they know your name – but this Mother’s Day, treat her to Polpo at Ape and Bird, which has all the makings of a pub with slightly sophisticated fare. The Polpo team serve up their renowned small plates to share, some coming from their Forno Bravo Pizza. Top up mum’s glass of Prosecco as you choose between the Bianca Pizzette and Spicy Pork and Fennel Meatballs, but get both instead.

To book a table at Polpo at Ape and Bird, 142 Shaftesbury Avenue Covent Garden London WC2H 8HJ, call 020 7836 3119 or visit here.

WastED London at Selfridges

WastED is the latest tenant to take over the rooftop on the iconic Selfridges building. Celebrated environmentally conscious chef Dan Barber’s pop-up is designed to awe the conscientious diner with impressive efforts to join London’s growing food waste movement. With a daily rotation of guest chefs including some of Britain’s most talented – Jame Lowe, Jason Atherton, Nuno Mendes, Isaac McHale – the menu will reflect daily additions, prepared fresh and sourced locally. They also have Ian Griffiths of Mr Lyan fame to whisk cheeky cocktails and Henrietta Lovell of Rare Tea Company to provide a sweet end to a memorable meal. The pop-up claims to border on the edge of traditional British food and something edgier to shock and delight their diners.

To book a table at WastED, 400 Oxford St London W1A 1AB, UK, visit their website here.

Do not worry if you find these restaurants completely booked through online portals. Call them anyway, have them put you on a waiting list and cross your fingers – maybe for a spring of flowers for mum, too.

Roshni Vatnani