London is the world's most expensive city for eating out, according to a new survey.

The city overtook both Tokyo and Paris in a poll conducted by leading restaurant guide Zagat.

The average cost of a three-course meal for one in a London restaurant is now a whopping £39.09, up 2.9 per cent on last year.

The price includes one glass of wine, tax and service.

Paris is the second most expensive city at £35.37, while Tokyo, which was the priciest city last year, is now third at £35.10.

But the average cost of a three-course dinner for one in New York is just £19.30 and in Los Angeles it is only £15.63.

Among the 20 dearest London restaurants, the average cost of a dinner has surged 6.1 per cent from a year ago to £87.90.

Tim Zagat, of Zagat guides, said: "It's astonishing to see how expensive the London dining scene has become but as indicated by this survey, the city still offers many great values - both in terms of quality and price."

The findings are based on surveys of about 10,000 people in 45 cities around the world.

Chez Bruce is London's best venue for food, according to Zagat's poll of 5,300 regular London restaurant-goers.

The stylish Wandsworth restaurant was opened in February 1995 by top chef Bruce Poole and restaurateur Nigel Platts-Martin.

It knocked Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant on Chelsea's Royal Hospital Road into second place.

Wagamama was crowned the most popular London restaurant, while L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon was voted top newcomer.

The article London 'most expensive city to eat out' originally appeared on 999 Today