Tramshed

32 Rivington Street, EC2A 3LX

Ever wondered where to keep that cow preserved inside a giant tank that you've got casually lying around? If we were you, we'd look inside a former tram generator in East London for inspiration. Obviously.

And then, while you're at it, why not turn the space into a restaurant that serves up classics like roast chicken and chips (yum) and a huge variety of shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus steaks (double yum)? Only you can't do that because Tramshed got there first. It's a winning concept, a much-loved venue, and the food is excellent – probably because it comes from much-vaunted British chef Mark Hix.

hixrestaurants.co.uk

German Gymnasium

King's Blvd, Kings Cross, London N1C 4BU

Occupying England's first purpose-built gymnasium, this Mittel-European brasserie has over-the-top elegance down to a T. There's marbling, gilding and plush pink accents, and the building itself is so big that it houses the restaurant, two bars and a terrace.

germangymnasium.com

Tayyabs

83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU

The Punjabi tandoor specialist has been cooking up tandoori classics since 1972, and it's so massive that what is one site today used to be four separate food outlets.

tayyabs.co.uk

Brasserie Zedel

20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED

Brasserie Zedel is grand. In the English sense, with gilded, marble-clad interiors, but in the French sense, too, because it's huge. Food is as French as it comes: snails; steak tartare; beef bourguignon – you'll be hard-pressed to find a classic that's not on the menu.

brasseriezedel.com

MASH

77 Brewer Street, W1F 9ZN

MASH is a no-holds-barred interpretation of US steak and wine culture, serving up beautiful USDA meat in an eye-wateringly huge room filled with loungey booths.

mashsteak.co.uk