Celebratory meals should be some of the best meals out – you’re either with friends and ready to be raucous; wanting something special and willing to splash out; or both. My preference – whether it’s an intimate occasion or one for a larger group – is to try and strike a good balance between interesting food, the ability to have fun and at least a hint of glamour. I want to be able to have a conversation, admire a view or the décor, and most of all to think my celebratory money was well spent. Here are five venues that sit right at the top of my list of places to raise a toast.

The Private Dining Room, Upstairs at the Ten Bells

Upstairs at the Ten Bells is one of my favourite restaurants in London. Casual and effortlessly cool, they do superb, modern, quality food, affordable wine and cocktails and throw great service into the mix… because they can. Their main dining room is a great place to eat. However, their private dining room is most notable for this post – if you���ve a group of 12-15 friends in the market for a celebration, look no further than here. A quirky room, inventive food and not at all stuffy 84 Commercial Street, E1 6LY

Duck and Waffle

I mentioned views in the preamble above. Duck and Waffle its on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower near Liverpool Street, so it’s got that box well and truly ticked. It suits 6-8 people just as well as it does a couple looking to have a fun evening and a few cocktails. The food is eclectic: raw ceviche style fish sits on a menu next to spicy ox cheek doughnut and whole baked sea bass. Order lots, share everything and enjoy the scenery. Heron Tower, 110 Bishopgate, EC2N 4AY

Hawksmoor Seven Dials

For many, celebration = steak and red wine. So cut out the choice and go to somewhere that specialises in those things. Hawksmoor does it as well as anyone, and I think their Seven Dials restaurant in Covent Garden is probably the best of their sites. It’s certainly always a buzzing, good feeling room and one that suits a good credit card splurge. If you can find a reason to celebrate on a Monday night, BYO is £5 a bottle. 11 Langley St, London WC2H 9JG

Viajante

Viajante makes the list as my recommendation for a quieter celebration – the place to come if you’re in a group of 2-4 and looking for top quality ‘fine’ dining to mark something of a significant event. Choose from 6, 9 or 12 courses of some of the most stimulating and unique food in London (I recommend 9 or 12 if your wallet stretches north of £90 for food alone). Add matching wines to make the meal particularly special. Make sure you request a table in the room next to the kitchen pass. Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, E2 9NF

Bob Bob Ricard

The food in Bob Bob Ricard is described as “luxury English and Russian Classics”. The décor is elegant, decadent and glamorous. Each booth has a button to press for champagne. Do you really need more info (or reason) than that?! 1 Upper St James Street, W1F 9DF Where do you go to celebrate in #London? @Groupon_UK #grouponguide ____ Check out our deals for restaurants in London