Dawson

There's an old, faded sign affixed with defunct neon lettering, and an analogue clock mounted above this all-day eatery in Kew. The sign has been there since the '50s.

For more than 60 years the site was Dawson's, a family-owned whitegoods store that traded until 2014. After that it became a pizza joint. And when local restaurateur Tony Harika (now-closed QPO) saw that the space was empty, he grabbed it. Naturally, coming up with a name was easy.

Dawson seats 150 in a slick but relaxed dining area with a long bar, a semi-open kitchen and high ceilings with light wells. Head chef Majid Jreige co-owns Dawson with Harika. The pair met at QPO, where Jreige worked as a chef for four years.

The all-day menu leans Italian. Come for lunch or dinner and order house-made pastas, woodfired pizzas and small plates. A favourite is the casarecce ragu, which marries house-made pasta with eight-hour slow-cooked beef ragu and pecorino romano. Other hearty staples include the chicken cottoletta and grilled swordfish.

There are a handful of options for dessert too, including classic tiramisu; cannoli with creative limoncello or tiramisu fillings; and a white chocolate panna cotta with strawberry and elderflower granita.