Sept. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Paris and Tokyo have overtaken London as the most expensive cities for eating out as the pound's decline makes the U.K. more affordable for visitors, according to Zagat Survey, whose ``2009 London Restaurants'' is published today.

The average cost of a meal in the U.K. capital rose 3.7 percent from a year earlier to 40.55 pounds ($71.02), compared with 45.09 pounds in Paris and 41.75 pounds in Tokyo, Zagat said. Next come the Japanese cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe (39.65 pounds), followed by New York (22.10 pounds), Miami (21.77 pounds) San Francisco (20.77 pounds) and Chicago (19.70 pounds.)

``The general view of visitors a year ago was, `Wow, it's expensive to eat out,''' Tim Zagat, chief executive officer of Zagat Survey, said yesterday in a telephone interview. The pound has lost 13 percent against the dollar in a year. ``That brings in more tourists and makes it more expensive for Londoners abroad.''

Among other findings in the survey: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay was named best for food, reclaiming the position it had held since 2001 before being overtaken by Chez Bruce last year. Chez Bruce fell to second. Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, whose prices and food have come under critical fire, was named best newcomer.

Ramsay regains his Zagat crown less than two weeks after he was toppled for best food by his former protege Marcus Wareing in Harden's, a rival guide. Wareing's Petrus was part of Gordon Ramsay Holdings until Sept. 5, when it closed for a name change. Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley is scheduled to open on Sept. 15 and Ramsay aims to reopen Petrus at an unspecified new location.

Petrus Rating

``Someone else -- I'm not going to name names -- made a huge stink about Petrus beating Gordon Ramsay and Ramsay being in trouble,'' Zagat said. ``But Petrus was owned by Ramsay. It's ridiculous and the press should have said so. Ramsay is a great chef and he's doing great things.'' Zagat rated Petrus No. 6.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay held onto first place for service. Not surprisingly, the chef welcomed Zagat's new ratings.

``I am delighted to have regained the top spot for food and maintained the No. 1 for service in this year's Zagat guide,'' Ramsay said. ``Zagat is the best of the London restaurant guides and truly reflects the voice of the people. This recognition will also give a great boost to my team at Royal Hospital Road.

``We are very excited about the future of Petrus, which will be reopening in a wonderful new location in April 2009,'' Ramsay said. His comments were e-mailed yesterday by his spokeswoman, Jo Barnes, in response to questions put by Bloomberg.

``2009 London Restaurants'' (8.99 pounds) is published by Zagat Survey. The guide includes ratings and reviews of 1,173 capital eateries as voted on by more than 5,300 diners. For more information, click on http://www.zagat.com/.

Most Popular (with last year in parentheses):
    1. Wagamama (1)
    2. The Ivy (3)
    3. J. Sheekey (5)
    4. Nobu (2)
    5. The Wolseley (6)
    6. Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road (4)
    7. Hakkasan (11)
    8. Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's (7)
    9. Le Gavroche (8)
   10. The Square (12)

Top Food Rankings:
   1. Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road (2)
   2. Chez Bruce (1)
   3. La Trompette (8)
   4. River Cafe (10)
   5. The Ledbury (-)
   6. Petrus (6)
   7. Gravetye Manor, West Sussex (-)
   8. New Tayyabs (-)
   9. Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons (4)
  10. Jin Kichi (32)

Best by Cuisine:
   American: Sophie's Steak
   British (Modern): Chez Bruce
   British (Traditional): Sweetings
   Chophouses: Hawksmoor
   Eclectic: Michael Moore
   European (Modern): La Trompette
   Fish `n' Chips: Sweetings
   French (Bistro): Le Vacherin
   French (Classic): Le Gavroche
   French (New): Gordon Ramsay
   Indian: Rasoi Vineet Bhatia
   Italian: River Cafe
   Japanese: Jin Kichi
   Lebanese: Al Sultan
   Mediterranean: La Petite Maison
   Pizza: Il Bordello
   Seafood: J. Sheekey
   Spanish: Fino
   Thai: Nahm
   Vegetarian: Roussillon

(Richard Vines is the chief food critic for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

To contact the writer of this story: Richard Vines in London at rvines@Bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: September 8, 2008 19:01 EDT