Brasserie Zedel, London

This subterranean dining hall is a complete surprise to first-time visitors, a huge cavern buried under one of the busiest junctions in the British capital.

From street level, Zedel looks like a tiny little café on a pedestrianized street by Piccadilly Circus. But descend the staircase and you will emerge into a huge dining room decked out with marble and chandeliers.

It’s got a really special feel, so it’s a good choice for birthdays and other occasions, but the food isn’t too expensive. You can get a three-course set menu for $25, or order á la carte. It’s all based on classic French dishes, so think rabbit stew, steak frites and fish soup.

The black tie-clad wait staff is friendly and efficient, which only adds to the sense you get more for your money than you would expect for the price.

You can have a three-course á la carte meal and wine for around $45 per head, a bargain right in the center of London. Other places will charge you far more and you’ll get nowhere near the same sense of occasion as you do at Brasserie Zedel, which comes highly recommended.