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.

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.

Albertine wine bar, Shepherds Bush

Perfect lighting at The Albertine wine bar (photo courtesy of Ming Tang-Evans)

I found the Albertine wine bar one nippy evening when I was searching for somewhere for a drink and a bite to eat before a gig nearby. It was the glowing reviews on the fantastic Qype app that encouraged me to step into what did indeed look like a very enchanting wine bar from the outside. 

It was everything I could have hoped for - low lighting, candles aplenty, wooden tables and a great wine and food menu.

It was the perfect start to a special evening, which somehow descended into drinking a pint of wine from a plastic glass (don't ask, it made sense at the time...!). I'm only sad that I'm rarely in this part of town, so I haven't been back since.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - candlelit tables just do it for me, and it was also lovely and warm.

Secret rating: 6/10 - think it's quite popular with BBC employees, as their office is just down the road, but they'll be gone in the not too distant future when they move to their new offices.

Best bits: The neighbourhood vibe and great sharing platters.

Worst bits: Not many small tables, so smaller groups may have to share a larger one with strangers (but this is a very minor criticism, it's actually quite nice being squished in, adds to the atmosphere).

The Scarsdale Tavern, Kensington

Take off your hat and relax at the Scarsdale

Nestled on a corner of one of London's loveliest (private) squares, The Scarsdale Tavern is a picture perfect Fuller's pub, so much so that it featured on their 2010 TV adverts. Apparently it was also the local pub in the 1970s series The Professionals.

Despite its star-studded credentials, and being located just off Kensington High Street, the Scarsdale still manages to retain a kind of country pub atmosphere.

There's a little restaurant section at the back which is nice for a special occasion, but I'd recommend finding yourself your own softly lit corner in the main area and trying out some of their better-value bar food.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - fireplaces, candles and table lamps dotted all over the place. This is one seriously pretty pub.
Secret rating: 7/10 - feels like a world away from Kensington High Street, located on a leafy road which would certainly impress any visitors to London.
Best bits: You're unlikely to find a more attractive pub, both inside and outside.
Worst bits: Its terrace out the front - which blooms spectacularly in the summer - can get a little packed on sunny evenings.

The Nags Head, Knightsbridge

Note the hung up coats...!

Don't let the posh postcode (or lack of apostrophe) put you off, The Nags Head is a gem and is probably the one pub in the world that I fantasise about being my local. Sadly - unless my Lottery plan sees the light of day - I'll just have to make do with seeking it out every few months.

It is officially the cosiest pub I've ever been to. There, I said it. Roaring fireplaces? CHECK. Nooks and crannies? CHECK. Random paraphernalia filling every available square inch on the walls? CHECK.

Online reviews of the pub appear to be fiercely divided, especially when it comes to the food and service, but you can probably tell I'm firmly in the 'love' camp. If you're expecting fancy cuisine or a chair that doesn't wobble then this place isn't for you, but if you want to warm your cockles in a proper London free house, then look no further.

Cosy rating: 10/10 - just step inside and you'll see what I mean.
Secret rating: 7/10 - A gorgeous mews location. I've been there twice and both times got a seat with no problem, but never tried it on a Friday or Saturday night.
Best bit: The the first time I went there I witnessed an actual pub singalong, like off the telly. No piano, but led by a dapper-looking chap in his 70s who was very nifty with a pair of drumsticks and any surface he could find. Including our heads.
Worst bit: The pub has two strict rules. 1: You have to hang your coat up on one of the dozens of hooks dotted around. 2: Mobile phones are most definitely not allowed. I find these rules only add to the character, but I guess others might not agree.