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where you can get Indian street food that's sweeping Soho. Try the unleavened flatbread roti wraps crammed with Punjabi goat and cumin potato. Other good-to-go rotis, which all cost under £5, are stuffed with Goan pork and pomegranate seeds, Keralan beef with coconut, or cubes of white paneer cheese with grated carrot and tomato chutney. Just around the corner, there’s a friendly welcome, comfy booths, and a longer street-based Thai menu at Rosa’s (48 Dean St., Soho | W1 | 020/7494–1638 | www.rosaslondon.com), where it would be a crime to miss the deep-fried Thai calamari, soft shell crab with mint and chili, or the prawn green curry, with aubergine (eggplant), bamboo shoots, and sweet basil.

SPOTLIGHT ON BLOOMSBURY, FITZROVIA, REGENT'S PARK, AND HAMPSTEAD

From the bluestocking and intellectual haunts of Bloomsbury and the chic dining scene of Fitzrovia to the leafy tranquillity of Hampstead, this area offers diverse dining experiences.

Bloomsbury is known as London's literary and academic center with the British Museum, the University of London, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, leading hospitals, and numerous bookstores. Although Bloomsbury is known more as a residential area, there are many hotels in Russell Square, which is a convenient central location for visitors. To the west of Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia has striking town houses as well as a wealth of stylish shops, hip bars, and trendy restaurants.

Hampstead village lies in the north of London, and is best described as a leafy, quiet hilltop suburb. This neighborhood is a popular excursion destination for Londoners who want to escape the city with a stroll through peaceful Hampstead Heath to appreciate its meadows and woodland. The area is steeped in artistic and literary history. Now it has the highest concentration of millionaires in Britain, but nonetheless Hampstead has a number of cozy cafés, restaurants, and bustling pubs.

SUNDAY ROAST

Experience classic English flavor at one of Hampstead's homey Georgian gastro-pubs: the Wells (30 Well Walk | NW3 1BX | 020/7794–3785 | www.thewellshampstead.co.uk) serves a traditional Sunday roast with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and roasted vegetables for about £16. For the "olde English" pub experience, soak up the ambience farther up at the Holly Bush (22 Holly Mount | NW3 6SG | 020/7435–2892 ), housed in a 200-year-old building. The upscale pub fare emphasizes organic and local products, with homemade pies (try beef and Harvey's ale) and a Sunday roast.

DINING TWO WAYS

French

Save: Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte (120 Marylebone La., Fitzrovia | W1 | 020/7486–0878 ) is a beloved no-choice, no-bookings steak, frites, and walnut salad Parisian-style brasserie.

Splurge: Galvin Bistrot de Luxe (66 Baker St., Fitzrovia | W1 | 020/7935–4007 ) offers exemplary upmarket French bistro food in a handsome and grown up brasserie on Baker Street.

Modern European

Save: The Engineer (65 Gloucester Ave., Regent’s Park | NW1 | 020/7722–0950 ) doles out pot-roast partridge and game chips for £18 in a rustic gastro-pub and beer-garden setting.

Splurge: Roux at the Landau (1c Portland Pl., Bloomsbury | W1 | 020/7965–0165 ) at the Langham wows with a classic seven-course blowout for £135 with paired wines.

Japanese

Save: Sushi of Shiori (44 Drummond St. Heath St., Regent’s Park | NW1 | 020/7388–9962 ) offers mind-blowing sushi canapés or omakase chef’s selection sushi and sashimi at this tiny nine-seater in Euston.

Splurge: Roka’s (37 Charlotte St., Fitzrovia | W1 | 020/7580–6464 ) robata grill attracts a glamour crowd for its noted black cod, king crab, scallops, and skewered chicken dishes.

GLOBAL TAPAS

The small-plates trend is gathering steam in London, especially in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia. Here's where to go: Barrica (62 Goodge St., Fitzrovia | W1 | 020/7436–9448 ) serves notable Spanish tapas in an authentic and Madrid taverna-style long tapa room. Plough through multiple dishes, or try the various meats and cheeses. At Salt Yard (54 Goodge St., Fitzrovia | W1 | 020/7637–0657 ) the small plates have a seemless Spanish