Top Fives: Restaurant Chains

Not all restaurant chains are soulless, fun-free prospects. Try these for a better experience...

1. Loch Fyne Oyster Fisheries

Organically sound with a commitment to the environment, these are splendid places to enjoy spankingly fresh, simply presented fish and seafood. Decorated in non-kitsch nauticalia, they're smart, sophisticated and sympathetically priced.
Tel: 020 8404 6685 or www.loch-fyne.com for branches.

2. Giraffe

Small chain - just three branches - that deserves to go global. Bright and groovy design, innovative and reliable 'world' cooking - everything from mezes to Oriental - friendly, efficient service and a fantastically child-friendly attitude make it an all-round winner.
6-8 Blandford Street W1. Tel: 020 7935 2333. Tube: Marylebone; 29 Essex Road N1. Tel: 020 7359 5999. Tube: Angel; 46 Rosslyn Hill NW3. Tel: 020 7435 0343. Tube: Hampstead

3. Wagamama

Are there still queues of movers and groovers at the Coptic Street branch? Groundbreaking in its day - with its shared refectory tables, computerised ordering system and gnomic menu - and still pretty funky. Great prices and a reliable Japanese-lite feed.
Tel: 020 7631 3140 or www.wagamama.com for branches

4. Yo! Sushi

Purists may turn up their finelychiselled noses but there's no denying this conveyor belt sushi chain is great fun. Robot drinks dispensers, self-serve beer, singing or massaging waiting staff - the innovation never stops. This week's newbies are karaoke and children's bashes. Party on!
Tel: 020 7841 0700 or www.ordersushinow.com for branches.

5. Pizza Express

Have the pizzas shrunk over the years or have we just got bigger? The first chain to realise the importance of design and that low prices don't have to mean plastic food in plastic containers on plastic tables. Still a class act.
Tel: 020 8960 8238 for branches.