Karpo bar, King's Cross

23-27 Euston Road, NW1 2SD

Karpo bar is a relative newcomer to the King's Cross area, and if my first visit was anything to go by it has yet to draw in the crowds who will undoubtedly flock here in the future.

This underground bar is divided into two parts - the main bar area is all sleek, candlelit and luxurious, and the other space is down a step and is a separate area filled with little leather booths and cheerful photos of local people covering every inch of the walls, which is a nice touch. You can reserve this separate part of the bar for free during the week for gatherings and dos.

Above the bar on the ground floor is an excellent restaurant by the same name (in fact, both the bar and the restaurant are part of the Megaro hotel located in the same building). The food is a little on the pricey side, but it's a great spot for lunch, and their cakes - available to takeaway - are delicious and extremely reasonably priced. A special shout-out to their carrot cake - officially the best one I've ever tasted.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - not for rustic charm, but if you're looking for a dimly-lit atmospheric bar with a delicious dash of sophisticated opulence, then this is the place for you.
Secret rating: 8/10 - a hidden gem for the time being, but it's right opposite King's Cross Station on Euston Road (you can't miss it - the building with the bright mural façade, next to Barclays), and I can't imagine it will remain undiscovered for much longer.
Best bits: A great range of cocktails at around the £8 mark - not bad at all. They also have an entire menu dedicated to absinthe, if you're that way inclined!
Worst bits: They'll add 10% to your bill for table service, which of course isn't unusual.

Tapster, near St James's Park

3 Brewers Green, Buckingham Gate SW1H 0RH

Like many of the other Davy's wine bars in London (and more to feature on this blog soon), Tapster manages to feel rustic and warm despite being located underneath a rather unattractive office block.

This modest underground establishment isn't going to win any awards for uniqueness, but it is a reliable little drinking hole, with lots of little tables, some closed-off private dining areas and a wide range of wines to choose from.

I really like the Davy's chain, and like all of the Davy's bars I've visited so far, Tapster is a great place to kick back and relax after a long day.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - candles, roses, bare bricks and a very nice vibe.
Secret rating: 8/10 - I expect office workers in the area have this gem to themselves on most nights.
Best bits: If you have a Taste Card you get 50% off food for two people Monday - Friday.
Worst bits: A disappointingly small dessert menu.

Joe Allen, Covent Garden

13 Exeter Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7DT

Who said big places can't be cosy? Well, perhaps no one did, but I'm certainly asserting the opposite with Joe Allen. It's a humongous, cavernous restaurant located entirely underground, and is one of those places you can always rely on for a happy, no-nonsense meal.

You enter via a conspicuous doorway on Exeter Street, and be prepared for a pleasant surprise once you've descended the staircase, for it really is much larger than you might have imagined.

With theatre posters covering every inch of the walls, you cannot escape the fact that you're in the heart of London's West End, and it's the perfect venue for a date.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - nicely lit, and despite the large space it still manages to feel intimate.
Secret rating: 8/10 - The first time I went there I was gobsmacked that I'd never heard of it before - definitely one of London's best kept secrets.
Best bits: A big range of set menu offers, so it won't break the bank.
Worst bits: Service is super speedy and efficient - great for a pre-theatre bite to eat, but not ideal if you're looking for a place to linger.

Image courtesy of J Mark Dodds.

The Tiroler Hut, Bayswater

27 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London, W2 4UA

Oh my, The Tiroler Hut is SUCH a random place. Located entirely underground, this Austrian-themed restaurant is, well, just a bit bonkers really, with waiters and waitresses decked out in traditional outfits and red and white checked material as far as the eye can see.

It's chirpy and welcoming in here, and you can pop in for a huge beer or a Jägerbomb at the bar, or make a night of it and devour some 'Gulasch' or 'Wienerschitzel' in the restaurant, followed by a yummy pastry. But whatever you do, you'll have a blast.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - Very low beamed ceilings - it is a cellar after all - and the walls are plastered with photos of celebrity visitors.
Secret rating: 5/10 - Tourists love it, so do book if you want to stay and eat. That said, the tourists do appear to be confused by the theme - I overheard a table of New Zealanders trying to decide between American and Russian...
Best bits: Hearty Austrian food and live music most nights - although I have yet to witness this I've heard rumours that it involves a cowbell.
Worst bits: The prices. Be warned, it's a fiver for a Dortmunder beer in here (or at least it was for us), and that wasn't even one of their renowned massive steins. Though, to be fair, it was a delicious pint, served in an ice-cold frosted glass tankard.

Chimes restaurant, Pimlico

26 Churton Street, Pimlico, SW1V 2LP

Ding dong! Chimes is a no frills British eatery, specialising in all things pie and cider-related. It's located in the bustling heart of Pimlico which in itself is well worth visiting for lots of nice pubs (special shout-out to the fa-beer-lous Cask), a food market during the day and some cute independent shops (including some rather awesome charity ones).

On the Chimes menu you'll find lots of British classics, so this is a good option for any international visitors. We went here with some cider-loving friends who were staying in London and had a great night guzzling the fizzy stuff and chomping on meat and potato-based dishes.

Not hungry? Then grab a seat in the bar area and sample a yummy cider or a glass of wine. Or both, whatever floats your boat!

Cosy rating: 6/10 - a very simple and wooden affair. It's crying out for a few candles, though.
Secret rating: 8/10 - very quiet on a Saturday night, perhaps worryingly so.
Best bits: TasteCard holders will be pleased to know that you get 50% off here, as long as you pre-book over the phone.
Worst bits: Emphasis on 'no frills'. The pies are delicious, but I wish they were shortcrust pastry pies, rather than having a 'lid' of puff pastry on top of a ceramic dish. But that's just my preference.

Photo courtesy of divedart.

Le Garrick restaurant, Covent Garden

10-12 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9BH

This restaurant is soooo cosy. Occupying a prime corner in Covent Garden, Le Garrick looks tiny from the outside with just a few tables squeezed into the ground floor dining area. Here you can sit, eat, drink and watch the world go by.

But it's downstairs where things get pretty special for we connoisseurs of cosiness, with bare bricks and intimate wooden tables, it really oozes glowy warmth.

The owners of Le Garrick - who have been at the helm for just over a year - actually met each other in this very restaurant when she was the manager and he was a regular customer. How lovely!

Cosy rating: 9/10 - candles everywhere, little alcoves in the basement - definitely a fabulous place to go for a date.
Secret rating: 6/10 - certainly not off the beaten track, this one, but underground feels like a world away.
Best bits: They currently accept TasteCard if there are just two of you dining, enabling you to get two meals for the price of one - very reasonable indeed.
Worst bits: Hmm, are there any? I guess without the discount it's not exactly cheap, but they offer set menus at certain times of day.

Whits restaurant, Kensington

21 Abingdon Road, Kensington, W8 6AH

Looking for a really special place for a spot of romance or a celebration? Whits in Kensington could be perfect. This friendly neighbourhood restaurant is run by the husband and wife team of Steve and Eva - Eva takes care of the diners while Steve runs the kitchen.

Food-wise, you can choose from a good but not overwhelming range of French classics and European cuisine with a modern twist. Their dessert trios are also splendid. They do things really, really well here.

You'll always get a warm welcome at Whits, and I can honestly say that the fillet steak selected by my mum during our visit was the best cut of beef I'd ever tasted.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - it's a naturally bright space but once night falls outside the candles help to create a lovely atmosphere.
Secret rating: 4/10 - Whits is the 11th most highly recommended London restaurant on Tripadvisor, so do book.
Best bits: Eva truly has a magic touch when it comes to greeting diners and making them feel at home.
Worst bits: The prices mean that you're unlikely to pop here for a quick bite to eat on a regular basis, but it's definitely one to keep up your sleeve when you want to splash out.

Swan & Edgar, Marylebone

43 Linhope Street, Marylebone, NW1 6HL

Is it a pub? Is it a restaurant? Is it a library? Who knows, but Swan & Edgar is an absolute gem and fellow book lovers will salivate over this little place before you've even stepped through the door - just look at the frontage above!

I discovered S&E one sunny afternoon while my friend and I had some time to kill before catching a train from Marylebone. Determined to take her somewhere fabulous I whipped out the Qype app (they're not paying me, honest!) and up it popped in the middle of a residential road. Perfect.

Now I didn't sample the food on my visit, and it seems to have not gone down especially well with the critics, but I had a marvellous time sat outside on a sunny afternoon with a big glass of rose wine, gossiping with my friend. Inside is so small, but with books piled high all around you, pretty candles and friendly staff, it felt like I was inside a good novel that I didn't want to put down.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - candlelit at night with books piled high in the little room upstairs, which also has a fireplace for keeping the cold at bay.
Secret rating: 7/10 - I can't imagine you'd walk down this street, unless you were lucky enough to live there.
Best bits: Check out the scrabble tiled floor in the loos.
Worst bits: Ever so small, so do call ahead if you're making a special trip here.

Le Mercury, Islington

Fireplace AND candles. Result!

Le Mercury never fails to disappoint. An intimate and friendly bistro-style eatery spread over three creaky floors, each room is lit solely (or thereabouts) by candles, and its warm and relaxed glow is a welcome relief from hustle and bustle of Upper Street.

The menu is fairly small, but there is always a decent-enough selection of hearty meat and seafood dishes, and mopping up every last tasty morsel with bread is definitely the order of the day here.

The last time I went there I left with a full tummy, a slight slur thanks to copious amounts of wine and bubbles, and a big smile on my face as every single member of staff thanked each and every one of us on our way out.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - for such a prominent location I really respect they way they've kept things simple and low-key - it would be so easy for them to go down the fine-dining route.

Secret rating: 3/10 - I can't deny it, this is a popular haunt and right on the main road, so do book before you rock up.

Best bits: The value - all starters £3.95, all mains £8.45, all desserts £2.95. Go crazy!

Worst bits: On a busy night it can get rather noisy if they've got some bigger parties dining.