Birthday celebrations – come rain or shine, January or July – are notoriously hard to plan for. That’s why we believe there are few better ways to herald another turn around the sun than with a good ol’ fashioned indulgent dinner with your nearest and dearest. But where to book, we hear you ask. The Luxury London team has come to the rescue with our tried-and-tested edit of the best London restaurants for celebrating birthdays, from all-out affairs at Amazónico to quite literally having champagne on tap at Bob Bob Ricard. Many happy returns.

Boundary, Shoreditch

When I first started visiting Boundary in Shoreditch it was owned by Sir Terence Conran and the restaurant was in the basement – a sexy, secretive crypt-like space with white tablecloths and red banquettes and yellow stock bricks. I thought it was achingly cool. Today, the trendy hangout, which includes a bakery and rooftop bar, is owned by posh-pub maestro James McCulloch (formerly of The Crown in Chiswick and the Harcourt in Marylebone) and the restaurant, now called Bar & Brasserie, is on the ground floor. It serves shepherd’s pie, steak, sensibly-priced wine and craft beer. You can head upstairs for cocktails in the shadow of the City, and make a night of it by booking a bedroom, all of which are as individual as Redchurch Street below. What more could you want for your birthday? Richard Brown, Editorial Director

2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7DD, visit boundary.london 

Louie, Covent Garden

A renowned party palace blending Parisian hospitality with New Orleans jazz and soul, Louie is housed in a historic, 19^th-century townhouse that oozes golden light at every turn. Spanning four floors, start the party at the raw bar before moving upstairs to the opulent Alligator bar, terrace and smoking lounge. The cocktail menu has all the classics, as well as a few special serves – my favourite is the Palmier Picante – while there’s also a selection of Cuban cigars, and pint-sized portions of Louie’s signature dishes. Luckily for the celebratory crowd, dining or drinking here often guarantees a front-row ticket to artists from around the world, including world-class musicians across jazz, soul, funk, and disco throughout the week. Annie Lewis, Deputy Digital Editor

13-15 West Street, WC2H 9NE, visit louie-london.com

Amazónico, Mayfair

‘Party’ restaurants have never been my vibe. In general, the music is always too loud to allow for conversation and more attention has been paid to the decor than food. Berkeley Square’s Amazónico is the exception that proves the rule. Serving (actually) authentic Latin American flavours, including exemplary charcoal-grilled steaks and fresh ceviche, on my last visit it was offering both wine and cocktail pairings served with a side order of live music. Plus, there’s an in-house nightclub in the basement to keep the party going until the wee hours. Zoe Gunn, Digital Editorial Director

10 Berkeley Square, W1J 6BR, amazonicorestaurant.com

Smokestak, Shoreditch

The crispy ox cheek croquettes are a non-negotiable order here, and the charred pork belly and brisket are just as unreal. The food is next-level but delivered in a no-fuss, no-frills way that makes it feel fun rather than fussy. The staff are fantastic – cheeky, unpretentious, and they chat to you like a mate – which makes it spot-on for a cool but low-key birthday. You’ll leave full, happy, and still talking about the food weeks later. Mared Parry, Social Media Lead

35 Sclater Street, E1 6LB, visit smokestak.co.uk

Firebird, Soho

If you're after something a little more intimate and sophisticated – and particularly good if your friends and family are serious foodies – Firebird in Soho is my go-to. A small but deeply chic space and, crucially, with an elegant private dining room that can seat up to 35 guests, the menus here are designed for sharing and focus on modern open-fire cooking. Short and concise, bring along a party big enough for you to try a bit of everything and don't skimp on the signature cocktails – the strawberry mezcal negroni is guaranteed to put everyone in the mood to celebrate. ZG

29 Poland St, W1F 8QR, firebirdlondon.co.uk

Abc Kitchens, The Emory

Jean-Georges Vongerichten transplanted his trio of New York restaurants to London last year and combined them under one roof at The Emory. The interiors of the orange-hued restaurant are seriously impressive – unsurprising given they were created under the guise of French architect Rémi Tessier and artist Damien Hirst – but the food definitely does the talking. Offering fresh, vegetable-forward plates, all served from the open kitchen, the concept revolves around sharing, so is perfect if you have a group of girls in tow. It would be remiss not to order the signature – sweet pea guacamole with warm crunchy tortillas – as well as Dorset crab toast, barbecue pork tacos, black truffle pizza and chargrilled beef tenderloin with chimichurri. It’s on the more expensive side, but I believe it’s utterly worth it. Birthdays don’t get more sophisticated than this. AL

Old Barrack Yard, SW1X 7NP, visit the-emory.co.uk

Bob Bob Ricard, The City

The beef wellington here is – dare I say it – better than Gordon Ramsay’s, and that’s before you even get to the interiors. Think plush booths, decadent details, and, of course, the famous “press for champagne” button at every table. It’s indulgent, a little over the top, and exactly the kind of place that makes a birthday feel like a proper occasion. MP

122 Leadenhall Street, EC3V 4AB, visit bobbobricard.com

Row on 5, Mayfair

Confession: I haven’t actually been to Row on 5, Jason Atherton’s newish gaff on the home of menswear, Savile Row. However, here’s why I think it’d be a riot for a birthday: it’s headed up by Roux Scholarship-winning Spencer Metzger, former head chef at The Ritz London; interiors are by Rosendale, so you know it, and you, will look good; the restaurant employs 12 chefs for a max of just 28 guests; the wine list stretches to 125 pages; dinner consists of 15 courses served across three different parts of the restaurant; supposedly the playlist is heavy on Britpop; and – and I absolutely love this – they’ll dry clean your coat for you while you eat. Your next birthday bash, all sewn up (apologies, it wrote itself). RB

5 Savile Row, W1S 3PB, visit rowon5london.com

The Ivy, across London

Maybe an expected choice, but you honestly can’t go wrong with The Ivy for a birthday. With so many spots across London, each one as pretty as the next, it’s easy to find a setting that feels special. Service is always slick, the cocktail list goes on forever (and the non-alcoholic options are just as strong), and the menu covers everything from comforting British classics like shepherd’s pie and steaks to lighter, fancier dishes like scallops. They always have tempting specials too, so there’s something for everyone. MP

Visit ivycollection.com

Read more: Shaken and stirred: The best cocktail bars in London