And what a year it’s been.

We’ve enjoyed fry ups at Maria’s, katsu curries at Tonkotsu, wings at Bird, duck hearts on dripping toast at The Drapers, pork ribs from Smokestak, steak hachés at Zédel and dead hippies at MEATliquor.

(We’ll brush over Marco’s New York Italian eh.)

It’s not been easy, but here are the 9 best meals we had in 2015…

1. Aulis at Fera.
Claridge’s is now home to two great restaurants. There’s Fera, Simon Rogan’s flagship restaurant, and Aulis, a kitchen within the kitchen that serves up to 9 guests at the counter. Simply put: it was easily our best meal of 2015.
Read the full review here.

2. Bellanger, Islington.
It may have only opened towards the end of the year but this new one from Corbin and King (Wolseley, Delaunay, Zédel) serves some seriously tasty grub. The tartes flambées, both sweet and savoury, are a total must.
Read the full review here.

3. Blacklock, Soho.
Whether it’s their epic Sunday roast or their lovely chops, Blacklock is one we kept going back to again and again. And again. There’s loads of fun to be had here and the food is consistently good.
Read the full review here.

4. Hoppers, Soho.
Who knew Sri Lankan food was where it’s at? Not us. But we do now. It’s by the Sethi family (Trishna and Gymkhana) so we knew it wasn’t going to be crap. Hoppers, dosas and a bone marrow veruval, so wonderfully spiced that’ll you’ll fall in love, ensure you’ll leave happy.
Read the full review here.

5. The Man Behind the Curtain, Leeds.
Then-mullet-wearing Michael O’Hare (made famous by BBC’s Great British Menu) cooked one of the best tasting menus we’ve had in yonks. Adventurous and playful presentation, along with a very unusual dining room, made it a meal most memorable.
Read the full review here.

6. Oldroyd, Islington.
Tom Oldroyd (ex Polpo group) has created a neighbourhood restaurant that everyone wishes they had in their neighbourhood. It’s cute, it’s cosy and the food is really rather good. Regularly changing croquetas, rabbit and squid paella, pork t-bone, crab tagliarini, zucchini fries; we’ve enjoyed it all.
Read the full review here.

7. Otto’s, Grays Inn Road.
It’s old fashioned, some might even say naff, but the food is right up our alley. We went for the duck á la presse, which for a special occasion is special indeed. The sliced duck breast, drenched in blood sauce (made using the crushed carcass), along with pommes soufflé, was exceptional.
Read the full review here.

8. The Ritz, Piccadilly.
Easily the most grand and flamboyant dining room in London, The Ritz dining room has been overlooked by Michelin for years now and it’s hard to see why. The food not only looks incredible but the flavour alone is why it made it to our top 9 meals of the year.

9. The Sportsman, Kent.
A run down old boozer it might be, but the food (go for the tasting menu and you won’t be disappointed) is as tasty as it gets. If it’s on, the lamb, with it’s blushing pink meat and crisp fat, and sweet mint sauce is the best thing you’ll ever eat.
Read the full review here.

Do tell us your favourite meals of the year by tweeting us @samphiresalsify or commenting below.