Restaurants
My Favourite London Bars and Restaurants
Know me, know my foodie obsession. I love to dine in style. If you do too, I would like to invite you to join me for an unforgettable adventure in gastronomy. (I can also recommend bars and restaurants in the rest of the UK and Paris.) I have organised my list into the following categories, but they are all pretty central and easy to reach by taxi or tube from wherever you are in London.
- Mayfair and Soho
- Central/ West London
- Kensington and Belgravia
- Central/ East London
If you spot a restaurant you'd like to meet me at, introduce yourself to arrange.
Mayfair and Soho
The following restaurants are all a 5-15 minute stroll from one of my 5* incall venues.
Evelyn's Table at The Blue Posts
Twelve seats, five courses, three chefs. An intimate 12-seater counter dining experience, led by Head Chef James Goodyear. Evelyn’s Table serves an evolving menu built on James’s formative experiences, a love of British produce, and Scandinavian and Japanese techniques all underpinned by his classic French training. One of my 5* incall venues is just a 4-minute stroll away from the front door, making this British-Japanese fusion den a great choice for an intimate dinner date or day date package.
The Blue Posts pub basement
28 Rupert Street
London W1D 6DJ
theblueposts.co.uk/evelyns-table
hello@evelynstable.co.uk
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
"In our three Michelin-star restaurant, each dish is grounded in seasonal produce sourced from the farmers, makers and growers carefully chosen by Hélène. And every menu is a reflection of your personal tastes, as our chefs transform your selected ingredients into original works of culinary art." Conveniently, I have a 5* incall venue just ten minutes' stroll away from this exquisite French restaurant.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Carlos Place
Mayfair
London W1K 2AL
the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/helene-darroze-at-the-connaught
+44 (0) 20 3147 7200
helenedarroze@the-connaught.co.uk
Sabor
Founded by Nieves Barragan and José Etura, Sabor (meaning "flavour" in Spanish) takes you on a journey from the tapas bars of Andalucía through to the asadors of Castile and the seafood restaurants of Galicia. A delightfully casual Spanish restaurant split into three areas: the Bar, the Counter and El Asador, only the latter of which takes reservations. Conveniently, I have a 5* incall venue just ten minutes' walk away.
Sabor
35-37 Heddon Street
London W1B 4BR
saborrestaurants.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 3319 8130
info@saborrestaurants.co.uk
Bob Bob Ricard
Bob Bob Ricard Soho, the iconic London restaurant, serves a classic British and Russian menu to an eclectic clientele in London’s most glamorous all-booth dining room. Equipped with a “Press for Champagne” button at every table, it is famous for pouring more champagne than any other restaurant in Britain. The booth tables give some semblance of privacy for up to four people and is great for a light meal of caviar, oysters, steak tartare or lobster. I offer a social lunch date here for half my usual consideration just once per month on a day of my choosing; please get in touch as soon as possible to find out when the next date will be.
Bob Bob Ricard
1 Upper James Street
London W1F 9DF
bobbobricard.com
+44 (0) 20 3145 1000
soho.reservations@bobbobricard.com
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Unrivalled contemporary French cuisine and impeccable service. A modern, light and elegantly informal setting complements the restaurant’s forward-thinking approach to haute cuisine. A perfect place for true hedonists to come together and overindulge each other’s senses. They serve the best scallop starter I have ever had, and their kristal caviar is well worth the additional splurge.
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
53 Park Lane
London W1K 1QA
alainducasse-dorchester.com
+44 (0) 20 7629 8866
alainducassereservations@alainducasse-dorchester.com
China Tang
China Tang at The Dorchester is widely heralded as home to some of the finest authentic Cantonese food outside of China. Located within the iconic Dorchester hotel, the Chinese restaurant has built its steadfast reputation on serving a selection of deeply comforting Chinese favourites with style and flair. China Tang bears the unmistakable fingerprint of its flamboyant creator, Sir David Tang, dressed to impress even London’s most glamorous clientele. I love to have a dim sum lunch in the Chinoiserie jewel box of a bar with a sparkling tea cocktail, or the best duck pancakes in the world in the restaurant.
China Tang at The Dorchester
53 Park Lane
London W1K 1QA
chinatanglondon.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 7319 7088
reservations@chinatanglondon.co.uk
Scott’s
The menu reflects its glittering heritage, serving the finest traditional fish and shellfish dishes alongside a variety of meat and seasonal game favourites in an atmosphere of urbane sophistication. Oysters, served at the elegant oyster and champagne bar, are a house speciality. I dream of their plateau de fruits de mer for two, served with lobster and an icy bottle of Perrier-Jouët, especially after a rendezvous at one of my 5* incall venues that is just ten minutes round the corner.
Scott’s
20 Mount Street
London W1K 2HE
scotts-restaurant.com
+44 (0) 20 7495 7309
Benares
Situated in the heart of Mayfair, Benares serves Michelin-starred modern Indian cuisine. Named after India’s holy city, Benares marries tradition with daring modernity. The vegetarian tasting menu is just as delicious as the omnivorous one, with or without the wine pairings. I offer a social lunch date here for half my usual consideration just once per month on a day of my choosing; please get in touch as soon as possible to find out when the next date will be.
Benares
12a Berkely Square
London W1J 6BS
benaresrestaurant.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 7629 8886
reservations@benaresrestaurant.co.uk
The Wolseley
The Wolseley is a café-restaurant in the grand European tradition located on Piccadilly, London. In my opinion, they serve the best full English breakfast in London, which you will probably need if you order more than one French champagne cocktail the night before! They are strong.
The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly
London W1J 9EB
thewolseley.com
+44 (0) 20 7499 6996
reservations@thewolseley.com
Park Chinois
An exquisite blend of artistry and inspiring modernism is waiting to be discovered. Park Chinois will capture your imagination and immerse your senses in the unique world of Chinoiserie – the French and Oriental inspired culture of dining, entertainment, and experience. Their dim sum is exquisite, but if you don’t have time to eat, it is worth going to Park Chinois just for the cocktails! They are sumptuous and the lighting and atmosphere there are so sensual. It’s one of the sexiest restaurants in London; a perfect place to rendezvous before slipping away to my 5* incall venue just ten minutes around the corner, or to enjoy luxuriate in the afterglow.
Park Chinois
17 Berkeley Street
London W1J 8EA
parkchinois.com
+44 (0) 20 3327 8888
reservations@parkchinois.com
Veeraswamy
“It is not only the food that is elegant and princely, but also the lavish interiors, where we have created an environment that evokes the opulent extravagance displayed in the Maharajas’ Palaces in the 1920s. By marrying the style of the interiors with the menu, we offer a slice of wondrously haute India in the heart of London’s premier West End. With a rich and scintillating history, Veeraswamy has been known as a legendary landmark amongst the well-heeled, worldwide royalty, and international gourmets since its inception. This has required impeccable service. We have built on this so that the service is not only refined but welcoming with true Indian princely hospitality.” This is the best intro for a restaurant I have ever heard, quite frankly. I offer a social lunch date here for half my usual consideration just once per month on a day of my choosing; please get in touch as soon as possible to find out when the next date will be.
Veeraswamy
Mezzanine Floor, Victory House
99 Regent Street (entrance on Swallow Street)
London W1B 4RS
veeraswamy.com
+44 (0) 20 7734 1401
info@veeraswamy.com
Umu
Umu is dedicated to using the highest quality indigenous, line-caught fish from Cornwall and around the British Isles. Executive Chef Ryo Kamatsu prides himself in using the traditional Japanese method Ikejime when handling the catch. This 17th Century historic technique from the Edo dynasty ensures unparalleled flavour and texture when preparing sashimi. I need someone to share a post-coital lobster tempura with, so please apply within.
Umu
14-16 Bruton Place
London W1J 6LX
umurestaurant.com
+44 (0) 20 7499 8881
reception@umurestaurant.com
The Ritz Restaurant
With sparkling chandeliers, towering marble columns and soaring floor to ceiling windows overlooking the calm oasis of Green Park, the elegant Ritz Restaurant is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the world. It is a Michelin-starred restaurant so of course the food is second to none, but what keeps me coming back is the service. The staff here is perfection (and so is that Ritz 110 cocktail). Order something with honey in it- they get it from their own bees, which they keep on the roof. I offer a social afternoon tea date here for half my usual consideration just once per month on a day of my choosing; please get in touch as soon as possible to find out when the next date will be.
The Ritz
150 Piccadilly
London W1J 9BR
theritzlondon.com/dine-with-us/the-ritz-restaurant
+44 (0) 20 7493 8181
dining@theritzlondon.com
sketch
Sketch is a complex and unique site containing five different artistically themed restaurants and bars. Conceived by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire and restaurateur Mourad Mazouz, it has attracted unprecedented media reaction for its myriad food, drink and entertainment styles since it opened in 2002. I love to go for cocktails or mocktails in the fairy realm that is The Glade before moving to The Lecture Room & Library for a magical dinner that makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland. Their website is a nightmare but the place itself is a fabulous escape from reality.
sketch
9 Conduit street
London W1S 2XG
sketch.london
+44 (0) 20 7659 4500
info@sketch.london
Hakkasan
Chinese cuisine is one of most ancient and diverse in the world. Its influence has spread across mountains and jungles, rivers and cities, to impress upon the rest of the globe. Hakkasan’s unique cuisine blends authentic Cantonese recipes with contemporary influences. The kitchen teams create modern dishes using traditional techniques and the finest quality ingredients. The atmosphere is dark and sexy, and I enjoy the drama of their presentation of the Mistress of Deception cocktail.
Hakkasan
17 Bruton Street
London W1J 6QB
hakkasan.com
+44 (0) 20 7907 1888
mayfairreservation@hakkasan.com
Seven Park Place
Discover fine French cuisine with the best British ingredients at William Drabble’s Michelin starred Seven Park Place restaurant, located in Mayfair, London. A true gastronomic journey awaits you. The tasting “Menu Gourmand” is “only” £105 per person, which is pretty good value for London. Furthermore, I offer a social lunch date here for half my usual consideration just once per month on a day of my choosing; please get in touch as soon as possible to find out when the next date will be.
St. James's Hotel & Club Mayfair
7-8 Park Place
London SW1A 1LS
stjameshotelandclub.com/en/restaurant-seven-park-place
+44 20 7316 1600
restaurant@stjameshotelandclub.com
West/ Central London
Endo at The Rotunda
Traditional and innovative omakase sushi in the clouds at 6pm or 9pm.
Endo at The Rotunda
8th Floor, The Helios
Television Centre
101 Wood Lane
London W12 7FR
endoatrotunda.com
reservations@endoatrotunda.com
Core by Clare Smyth
Core is an elegant fine dining restaurant with an emphasis on natural, sustainable food, sourced from the UK’s most dedicated farmers and food producers. Core celebrates the finest British ingredients for an exceptional and relaxed dining experience in the heart of Notting Hill. The atmosphere is relaxing and gently feminine, and the tasting menu generous!
Core by Clare Smyth
92 Kensington Park Road
London W11 2PN
claresmyth.com/restaurants
+44 (0) 20 3937 5086
info@claresmyth.com
Ikoyi
Ikoyi builds its own sub-Saharan West African spice-based cuisine around British micro-seasonality: vegetables slowly grown for flavour, sustainable line-caught fish, and aged native beef. Strictly Michelin star-counting omnivores only! I am hoping to visit this restaurant in 2023, not least so I can tick off one of my New Year's resolutions- to try a cuisine completely unfamiliar to me. It is a five-minute stroll from a favourite incall venue and a ten-minute stroll from a favourite candlelit spa.
Ikoyi
180 Strand
London WCRG 1EA
ikoyilondon.com
reservations@ikoyilondon.com
The Savoy Grill
I love coming here on Sundays and also during the Christmas season, when the lobby is beautifully decorated and The Savoy Grill is serving Christmas dinner. The mixologists at The Savoy do the perfect dirty martini and they have amazing pieces of history on display, such as Marlene Dietrich’s checking-in form written in her own handwriting and signed. She had asked that her room have a bottle of champagne and two dozen pink roses waiting for her inside. I wonder who she was meeting! The Savoy is conveniently close both to one of my incall venues and to the fabulous AIRE spa.
The Savoy Hotel
The Strand
London WC2R 0EU
thesavoylondon.com/restaurant/savoy-grill-restaurant
+44 (0) 20 7592 1600 (9am – 8pm)
savoy@fairmont.com
Clos Maggiore
Clos Maggiore is an oasis of calm in the heart of Covent Garden. Influenced by the stylish country inns of Provence and Tuscany, the unique interiors create an unparalleled warmth and intimacy. The cherry blossom-adorned conservatory features a fully retractable glass roof creating a bright and airy dining space in summer months and in winter months it is transformed at night by candles, starlight and a crackling fire. I believe I heard somewhere that Clos Maggiore was voted most romantic restaurant in the world at some point. It certainly is the perfect spot for pre-opera dinner. I also offer a social lunch date here for half my usual consideration just once per month on a day of my choosing; please get in touch as soon as possible to find out when the next date will be.
Clos Maggiore
33 King Street
London WC2E 8JD
closmaggiore.com
+44 (0) 20 7379 9696
enquiries@closmaggiore.com
A. Wong
A. Wong straddles the border between Belgravia and Westminster, serving tasting menus that celebrate 3000 years of culinary tradition and technique, from dim sum at lunchtime to a tour of all fourteen of China's borders at dinner.
A. Wong
70 Wilton Road
Pimlico
London SW1V 1DE
awong.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 7828 8931
info@awong.co.uk
Kensington and Belgravia
The Dining Room
In the luxurious setting of a five-star London hotel, The Dining Room is beautifully elegant- a place where traditional and delicious British food triumphs. The holder of a Michelin star and three AA Rosettes, The Dining Room offers an impeccable yet fun dining experience, under the direction of Executive Chef Richard Galli. The Goring offers a dinner, bed and breakfast package convenient for overnight dates.
The Goring
15 Beeston Place
London SW1W 0JW
thegoring.com/food-drink/the-dining-room
+44 (0) 20 7769 4475
diningroom@thegoring.com
Muse by Tom Aikens
Muse takes guests on a fine dining journey in a 23-cover converted Georgian townhouse that encapsulates pivotal memories of Tom’s personal life and culinary career through the prism of seasonally driven tasting menus. A delightful choice for a day date or longer booking that happens to be less than a mile from one of my 5* incall venues.
Muse by Tom Aikens
38 Groom Place
Belgravia
London SW1X 7BA
musebytomaikens.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 3301 2903
info@musebytomaikens.co.uk
Marcus at The Berkeley
Marcus is a contemporary European Michelin-starred restaurant from celebrated British chef Marcus Wareing. Set within the five-star Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, Marcus offers an outstanding fine dining experience in a warm and welcoming dining room, sourcing the best seasonal ingredients from a trusted network of suppliers and applying innovative cooking techniques with exceptional attention to detail. I haven’t had the pleasure yet, but I want to. Very much.
The Berkeley
Wilton Place
London SW1X 7RL
marcusrestaurant.com
+44 (0) 20 7235 1200
reservations@marcusrestaurant.com
Pétrus
Set between Belgravia and Knightsbridge, Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay is a Michelin starred restaurant serving exceptional modern French cuisine. With a spectacular circular dining room boasting a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar at its heart, Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay offers exquisite wines from across the world, including vintages from its namesake Chateau Pétrus. I had the best meal of my life here once and am longing to go back for more. It is a five-minute cab ride from one of my 5* incall venues.
Pétrus
1 Kinnerton Street
London SW1X 8EA
gordonramsayrestaurants.com/petrus
+44 (0) 20 7592 1609
petrus@gordonramsay.com
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
This intimate restaurant seats 45 guests. Surrounded by the stylish interiors designed by Fabled Studio, combining contemporary elegance and unparalleled service, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay has the hallmark of true excellence. I really want to experiment with their “Carte Blanche” menu, where the chef creates a bespoke menu for you.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
68 Royal Hospital Road
London SW3 4HP
gordonramsayrestaurants.com/restaurant-gordon-ramsay
+44 (0) 20 7352 4441
royalhospitalroad@gordonramsay.com
Claude Bosi at Bibendum
Celebrated French chef Claude Bosi launched Claude Bosi at Bibendum back in 2017, with a ground-floor seafood and oyster bar and first-floor restaurant which is "unashamedly fine dining"- with the chef's signature contemporary and light-hearted flair. The à la carte menu features some of his signature classics and the chef’s Michelin-starred alma matter, with ingredients sourced predominantly from the British Isles and France. The striking upstairs dining room with its dramatic and iconic floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows has been redesigned to house a larger central open kitchen. All is housed within the original Michelin House, a stunning and unique Art Nouveau-Deco icon, and just a ten-minute stroll from one of the most cost-effective 5* hotels in London, The Exhibitionist.
81 Fulham Road
London SW3 6RD
claudedebosi.com
+44 (0) 20 7581 5817
enquiries@claudebosi.com
Central/ East London
Galvin La Chapelle
Large arched windows, high stone ceilings and elegant interiors provide the perfect backdrop to Michelin starred Galvin La Chapelle’s traditional yet modern French menu, moments away from Liverpool Street station- I would describe it as gorgeous French food in a high-end medieval feasting hall. (They also offer a vegan tasting menu that I’m sure Darla would love if we were on a threesome date and have now maintained their Michelin star for a decade!) It is a ten-minute dreamy afterglow stroll from one of my 5* daytime incall venues.
Galvin La Chapelle
35 Spital Square
London E1 6DY
galvinrestaurants.com/restaurant/galvin-la-chapelle-the-city-michelin-star
+44 (0) 20 7299 0400
elise@galvinrestaurants.com
Club Gascon
Club Gascon is a Michelin-starred, contemporary French restaurant cooking imaginative plates of food inspired by the cuisine of southwest France. They offer an excellent value four-course menu on weekday evenings 6-7.30pm and after 9pm, and also on Thursday lunchtimes.
Club Gascon
57 West Smithfield
London
EC1A 9DS
clubgascon.com
+44 (0) 20 7600 6144
info@clubgascon.com
The Clove Club
Currently holding two Michelin stars and a raft of awards, including the highest new entry to the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2016, where it has been the highest-placed UK restaurant to this day; No.1 Restaurant in the UK in The Sunday Times Top 100; winner of the Service Award and fifth place in the UK National Restaurant awards; BMW Squaremeal London Restaurant of the Year; and London Restaurant Festival AMEX Restaurant of the Year. We must go to Shoreditch and see what all the fuss is about- not to mention that The Clove Club is only a three and half mile cab ride from my favourite dungeon-for-hire.
The Clove Club
Shoreditch Town Hall
380 Old Street
London EC1V 9LT
thecloveclub.com
+44 (0) 20 7729 6496
hello@thecloveclub.com
Da Terra
At Da Terra, a relaxed and understated modern Latin restaurant conveniently situated inside Town Hall Hotel, you will not be presented with a menu on arrival. Guests will be offered a blind tasting menu, which are guided by chefs who are on hand to present each dish. Please allow an average of three hours for the complete experience.
Da Terra
8 Patriot Square
London E2 9NF
daterra.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 7062 2052
mail_info@daterra.co.uk
Which restaurant caught your eye? Or do you know somewhere better? Don't be scared; introduce yourself and invite me to dinner. You only live once.
"Lilly is stunning, fun and wonderful in every way. Funny, interesting and very lovely! This was one of the best experiences I have had." - malsan2
