London has the best restaurants of any city in the world, according to a prestigious American food magazine.

Gourmet magazine devotes its entire 180-page March issue to London, the first time that one city has been singled out with a special edition of the title.

Editors of the food bible, which has 1 million readers worldwide, said they were 'blown away' by the capital's food scene.

John Willoughby, Executive Editor of Gourmet, said London's restaurants had proved a revelation to writers from the magazine.

"We came to London because we had been hearing about great chefs and great products," he said.

"We were hoping to find good food, but we didn't expect to find so much of it. We were blown away.

"What London has that other cities don't right now is high-quality food at all levels. In every category, from comfort food to gastronomic experiments, we loved what we ate.

"When people ask me where to go I tell them 'London'. The glory days are back."

The magazine covers shows four chefs on the St John's Wood zebra crossing made famous by the Beatles's Abbey Road album.

As well as raving about London's restaurants, the magazine highlights the capital's thriving cultural life.

"You are about to enter a city brimming with culinary and cultural possibilities," the introduction to the issue advises readers.

"Great gastropubs, hidden gardens, free concerts, lively markets, cool bars, and fabulous food from around the world. The journey into 21st century Britain starts here."

Heston Blumenthal, owner of the Fat Duck in Bray, was one of the chefs singled out for praise by Gourmet writers.

The Michelin-starred chef said: "I almost did a double-take when I saw what had been written.

"For the past few years there have been rumblings about London being a good place to eat, but for Gourmet to say all that they have makes me very proud.

"The magazine has the most powerful food writers in North America and its reach is all-encompassing."