Joanna's

In-the-know South Londoners have been prepared to queue for a seat at Joanna’s since 1978, long before this was standard practice among the capital’s trendier restaurants. Now they’ve introduced a booking system, there’s no excuse not to try it.

Founders John and Christina Ellner still own this Crystal Palace institution, although these days their son William leads the operation, and the atmosphere embodies that particular charm which is unique to family-run restaurants.

Dark wooden panelling, whitewashed brick walls and a well-stocked wooden bar bring to mind an old-school Manhattan vibe. The menu is always bang up to date with contemporary London’s cosmopolitan tastes.

The menu is modern British and alongside blushing flat iron steaks and towering burgers you’ll also find mussels in fragrant Malaysian curry sauce, tuna expertly seared in sesame oil and summery tagliarini with freshly picked Devonshire crab.