Neighbourhoods

MAYFAIR

Anyone who’s played Monopoly knows that Mayfair means big money. Named after the annual spring fair that took place in the area in the 17th and 18th centuries, Mayfair was home to the upper class way back when and that’s continued to this day. It’s the most upmarket area of London packed with designer stores, private members’ clubs, swish bars, posh restaurants, art galleries and lavish hotels, so if you’ve got cash to splash this is the place.

From high-end Indian at Gymkhana to opulent Chinese at Park Chinois to classic seafood (and celeb spotting) at Scott’s, Mayfair is full of fancy restaurants with equally fancy prices. These are the spots you save up for special occasions or or when you’ve got dinner on the company card. Even sleeping in Mayfair is a luxurious experience with five-star hotels like The Dorchester, Claridge’s and The Connaught all within walking distance of each other. If they’re good enough for royals then they’re good enough for us.

DOVETALE

Dovetale is the new restaurant from Tom Sellers, the two-Michelin-star chef behind Restaurant Story and most recently Story Cellar. Whilst there’s definitely some similarities in the menu – a killer roast chicken for example – the new restaurant sets itself apart with that beautiful dining room. But it’s not just a pretty space; the food and drinks more than match up to the looks, with a menu that features elevated spins on classic dishes, plus enough east London cool to keep the hipsters happy too. Don’t miss the English wagyu carpaccio with hot mustard, chives and beef fat chips to roll the meat around; dressed crab served with mini brown crab crumpets; Isle of Wight tomato tart with horseradish and basil; and Guinea fowl and lardo terrine served with two slabs of toasted brioche. The absolute must though has to be a knickerbocker glory from the knickerbocker glory station, which you can customise to your heart’s content for the ultimate nostalgia hit. Great cocktails, a good amount of low intervention wines and brilliant service: Dovetale really does tick all the boxes, and not just those on the Knickerbocker menu.

ROJI

Husband-and-wife chef team Tamas Naszai and Tomoko Hasegawa, who’ve worked at Tokimeite and Sake No Hana between them, have opened ten-seat Japanese restaurant Roji in partnership with the group behind Chisou and Sushi Atelier. Roji, which can translate to ‘journey’, ‘path’ or ‘hidden alley’, is tucked away on South Molton Street in Mayfair and serves up a seasonal menu of sushi, pickled and preserved dishes, and charcoal-grilled dishes, with a focus on British produce like Cornish seafood and veggies from Nama Yasai farm in East Sussex. The pair are also showcasing crockery made by small family producers in both the UK and Japan.

GYMKHANA

42 Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4JH

Widely considered to be one of, if not the, best Indian restaurant in London, Gymkhana is looking better than ever after a refurbishment following a fire. There’s new artwork and photographs on the ground floor level, and a more substantial remodelling in the basement, which has seen the bar moved and a more colourful design adopted. The menus still feature many of the Gymkhana classics, as well as a few new dishes and cocktails, so there’s plenty of reasons to visit again even if you’ve been before. The kid goat methi keema was always one of the most hyped dishes at Gymkhana and it’s still a must order – scooping up the rich minced goat meat and piling it on to the soft buttery pao buns is a joy to behold. Another one of Gymkhana’s most famous dishes, the muntjac biryani, is still here and again it’s one you won’t want to pass up. The pastry crust is broken upon table-side, revealing a steaming bowl of rice and chunks of muntjac deer – it’s a heavy dish but it’s served with pomegranate and mint raita which helps add a bit of freshness. Whether you’re a long time fan of Gymkhana or you’re yet to visit, the refurbishment of the space is the perfect excuse to visit. It’s certainly pricier than your average Indian restaurant but the cooking is exceptional, and fully worthy of it’s Michelin-star status. A five star experience all round.

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TENDRIL

After a series of successful residencies and pop-ups, including a 2021 tenure at The Sun & 13 Cantons in Soho and a 2022 summer pop-up in Mayfair that kept on getting extended due to demand, Rishm Sachdeva’s (mostly) vegan Tendril has officially become a permanent fixture. And rightly so because this is where you’ll find some of the best plant-first cooking in town – Rishim is a dab hand with spices and makes clever use of texture to make the veggies really sing. The Discovery tasting menu is excellent value at just £45 and you get a very generous spread, including dishes like a silky cauliflower parfait, crispy potato terrine with fennel remoulade, smoked beetroot with spicy hoisin and sesame, crispy leek fritter with curry leaf aioli, chipotle mushroom with mushroom croquette and Rishim’s signature white bean spread, sweetcorn with charred wakame, and burnt Basque cheesecake. To match the menu, there’s a (mostly) vegan wine list made up of bottles sourced from low-intervention, European producers and a couple of options on tap, and cocktails crafted with ingredients from the Tendril kitchen. 

BAR DES PRES

As you’d expect from a Parisian import, Bar des Pres is one chic place to spend an evening. The bar and restaurant is sleek and glamorous (the Art Deco bar downstairs is also a looker) and the elegant food matches it perfectly. Chef Cyril Lignac showcases his Franco-East Asian style, and a fair bit of technique, with dishes like salmon, crispy rice and chipotle mayo; crab and avocado galette with madras curry; lobster roll with avo and baby gem; and satay beef fillet with lime condiment. There’s also more traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi on offer and if you’re a fan of classic French puds, you can indulge in profiteroles with vanilla ice cream, chantilly cream and chocolate sauce and vanilla & praline millefeuille. 

PARK CHINOIS

17 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8EA

Like Yauatcha and Hakkasan, Park Chinois was originally set up by Alan Yau before he moved on to other things (as he always does). Park Chinois might just be his magnum opus, a ridiculously lavish palace that sticks two fingers up to austerity Britain – well it is in Mayfair after all. Dining here, with its chandeliers, red velvet drapes and gold taps shaped like flying ducks, feels like stepping back to another era and we completely adore it. There’s incredible dim sum, whole roast Peking duck, lobster, crab, and even some modern creations such as the Park Carbonara made with sea urchin. This place, more than the others even, could break the bank but check out the Prix Fie lunch menu if you want to keep it tidy. Or just forget it and go all out.

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CUBE

4 Blenheim Street, Mayfair, London W1S 1LB

Cubé does things a little differently, with a mix of very traditional Japanese dishes plus some European influences – the bulk of the menu is arranged into Hot and Cold tapas sections, with one dish mixing Udon noodles with black olive and truffle pesto for instance. The fatty tuna and eel sushi were two of our faves and defo go for the small cubes of pork belly, really soft and tender and seasoned with a great big whack of rosemary – we’d go back for this alone.

HAKKASAN

17 Bruton St, Mayfair, London W1J 6QB

Sister to Yauatcha, Hakkasan also knocks out some beautifully refined Chinese food at its two locations in Mayfair and Hanway Place. It loses minor points for the permanent nightclub soundtrack but the cooking more than makes up for it. A meal at Hakkasan doesn’t come cheap but there are a range of set menus on offer (with one at the Fitzrovia branch coming in at £39 per person) so you don’t necessarily have to break the bank to eat here. But if you’re going all out, don’t miss the venison puff, crispy duck salad, the roasted silver cod or the truffle roasted duck.

SCOTT'S

27 Hill St, Mayfair, London W1J 5LP

Scott’s was originally opened as an oyster warehouse in 1851 by a young fishmonger by the name of John Scott and rapidly evolved into the now famous seafood restaurant and oyster bar. The menu reflects its impressive heritage, serving traditional fish and shellfish dishes alongside a variety of meat and seasonal game dishes in very posh Mayfair surrounds. Oysters, served at the elegant oyster and Champagne bar, are a house speciality. The outdoor terrace is a famous hangout for celebs too so you might even spot a few stars.

CLARIDGE'S

Claridge’s is quite simply a London icon. The 5-star hotel is synonymous with glamour and elegance – it’s popular with the royals as well as whole host of other famous faces, so that should give you some idea of the standards they run this place to. The rooms range from superior kings to royal suites, and they’re all decked out in grand art deco style. If you can’t afford to sleep over, you can still get a little taste of luxury with the hotel’s famous afternoon tea – served in that signature green and white china – or at Davies and Brook, the restaurant from Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm, which serves up dishes like dry-aged duck glazed with honey & lavender and Claridge’s Fried Chicken.

THE DORCHESTER

The Dorchester is one of the most famous hotels in London and since it opened in 1931, it’s been a popular haunt of royals, celebs and even presidents. As well as having a host of opulent rooms and suites, the five-star hotel is also known for its collection of restaurants, which include The Grill at the Dorchester, led by Tom Booton (creator of that lobster thermidor tart); China Tang, which serves traditional Cantonese food; the 3-star Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester; and The Promenade, where the hotel’s afternoon tea is served.

THE CONNAUGHT BAR

The Connaught, Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL

If you wanna splash the cash (like serious big bucks), you can’t beat The Connaught Bar. It’s all about the glitz and glamour, and the place is dripping in money – they even have a martini trolley! But if you’re feeling a bit less 007 there are plenty of reimagined classics on the menu too. It’s swish and you’ll probably only be able to afford one drink, but it’s so worth it.

THE CONNAUGHT

The Connaught is part of the same hotel group as Mayfair neighbour Claridge’s so it’s no surprise that this 5-star hotel is also dripping in elegance – their art collection alone includes pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst and Louise Bourgeois. The 121 rooms go from superior queens right up to an apartment suite and all have 24-hour butler service – this is Mayfair after all. As well as The Connaught Bar, a regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, the hotel is also home to Jean-Georges at The Connaught, the two-star Helene Darroze at The Connaguht and the legendary Connaught Grill, which was revived by Jean-Georges Vongerichten in 2020.

LE COMPTOIR ROBUCHON

If you’re fiending for French cooking in London look no further than Le Comptoir Robuchon, which keeps the spirit of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon alive following the legendary chef’s passing in 2018. It’s a bit of a swanky spot with marbled counters and velvet chairs and the food more than lives up to its stylish surrounds. Classics like dover sole, veal shank with ceps, and chocolate souffle sit alongside more inventive dishes like jerusalem artichoke panna cotta with smoked salmon, and there’s even a Japanese section that includes sashimi and sushi. Just a word of warning that the prices are pitched at a Mayfair audience so consider asking your boss to take your for a team bonding dinner – or try and visit for the midweek lunch menu.

DUCK & PLUCK

Get your brows and lashes done alongside your blow dry as the Mayfair branch of Duck & Dry has launched Duck & Pluck. The brow and lash bar offers a range of threading and tinting services, meaning you can get all multiple treatments under one roof rather than trekking across town to different salons. With its straw lamps, bright yellow chairs and stone bar, it’s as Insta-worthy as the rest of Duck & Dry – and don’t forget to take advantage of the prosecco bar either.

MERCATO MAYFAIR

Mercato Mayfair (from the Mercato Metropolitano team) is housed inside the Grade-I listed St Mark’s church, which has undergone a massive £5 million refurb specifically for that reason. It looks holier than thou but the only thing you’ll be praying for is for your stomach to allow more food in because there’s restaurants, bars, patisseries, delis and food counters spread across its four floors. As well as a roof terrace where you can soak up the sights and sounds of Central London, the space also hosts a rotating selection of events, classes and workshops to get stuck into.

CHARLIE'S

Charlie’s (run by Adam Byatt of Michelin-starred Trinity in Clapham) is the in-house restaurant at Brown’s Hotel and it showcases the best of British cuisine in a classic Mayfair dining room, with wood panelled walls, white tablecloths and cosy booths. It’s a pretty space, but definitely on the smart side, so not somewhere to come with a group of mates and start a riot. For a date night or family occasion, however, it fits the bill nicely. The menu plays up to the classic, old school style of the hotel with dishes like beef fillet tartare, chicken & duck liver terrine, and rack of lamb with potato & celeriac gratin.

AMAZONICO

Welcome to the jungle baby, it’s time to delve into the depths of the Amazon(ico). Think foliage-covered ceilings, lashings of gold and all-around OTT interiors, with loads of live plants too obv. There’s also nightly jazz performances in the restaurant and resident DJs in the Peruvian sushi bar so it’s more of an experience than a formal sit down meal. The food loosely follows the tropical theme, mixing Brazilian, Asian and Mediterranean influences for dishes like churrascaria, aguachile, sushi, poke, tandoori, Kobe beef and American steaks.

COLONY GRILL ROOM

The Colony Grill Room is the main restaurant of Oxford Street refuge The Beaumont Hotel. It has an upmarket, vintage atmosphere and the dining room at the back has a slight feel of stepping back in time (in a good way) with dark wood panels, red leather booths and Art Deco stylings. When it comes to the food think of hearty American classics like burgers and juicy steaks straight off the grill. There are also more luxurious options too like sweet and creamy lobster bisque or steak tartare, which is made tableside. Don’t skip the drinks here either as it’s a great place to come for cocktails with its low lighting dark and moody vibe.

KANISHKA

Atul Kochhar, who was the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, returned to the London restaurant scene with Kanishka. Doing things with a modern spin is the name of the game here – as soon as you’re inside the bold black, white and blue interior you know it’s not gonna be your average Indian restaurant. Kochhar has taken traditional regional recipes and updated them with his own twist, including the use of British ingredients, which results in dishes like the signature chicken tikka pie; Orkney scallops with wild nettle and corn; Lake District lamb rump with bootor dali and spiced kosha gravy; and New Forest venison steak with chanterelles and apricot & black sesame sauce, with classic Indian breads and dals available on the side. There are plenty of spice-infused cocktails on the drinks menu as well as an extensive whisky selection but the saffron and honey lassi is excellent if you’re off the sauce. Given that it’s in Mayfair, Kanishka doesn’t come cheap but there are two tasting menus – an eight-course one for £110 and a five-course one for £75 – that give you good bang for your buck.

BOMBAY BUSTLE

Bombay Bustle draws inspiration from the tiffin-wallahs of Mumbai and the menu recreates some of the most-loved dishes from the area, like Misal pav topped with potato salli, Kolhapuri spiced spit roasted chicken, and seabass and scallop Tawa Pulao. For lunch you can grab a tiered tiffin box filled with curries, rice and breads. The interiors also draw influence from Mumbai with art deco design, a pewter bar and lots green leather and wood panelling, just like you’d find at an Indian railway station, so you won’t run out of things to snap for insta.

THE GUINEA GRILL

There’s been a pub on The Guinea Grill site since 1423 and the Grill itself has been open since 1952 so we say why break tradition now? The decor reflects its age with lots of wood-panelling, oil paintings and carpet that wouldn’t look out of place at your nana’s house but it’s authentic and we rate that. As well as pouring Young’s ales, the pub is known for serving up top notch pies and grass-fed steaks so this is the place to come for a few pints and a hearty meal.

HIDE

Ollie Dabbous’ Hide was one of the most hyped openings of 2018 and it lived up to all the talk by winning a Michelin star within six months. Hide is split into three sections, with Below, a cocktail bar and wine cellar in the basement: Ground, a ground floor restaurant with a more casual vibe and a weekend brunch offering; and tasting menus on the top floor called Above. The food is of course inventive, skilful, and delicious with dishes like ‘Nest Egg’, an eggshell filled with a creamy concoction of yolk, smoked butter & mushroom and squab pigeon cooked over charcoal with quince miso. And we must mention the wine list which is one of the biggest in Europe. This is thanks to the partnership with nearby Hedonism wines. Not only is there a huge selection of wines in the restaurant’s own cellar but the list expands to roughly 6,000 bottles when you take into account Hedonism’s stock. The whole thing is so big, it’s stored on an iPad and if you want a bottle from Hedonism, they’ll whip round and get it for you.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS

The Royal Academy of Arts, which is led by artists and architects, has been showcasing art that ranges from ancient sculpture to contemporary paintings and everything in between for over 250 years. As well as an annual Summer Exhibition, which is the largest open-submission exhibition in the world, the RA has held shows on the likes of Russian revolutionary art, Anthony Gormley, Gauguin and the Impressionists, Tracey Emin and art from Oceania.

THE WINDMILL

The Windmill might look like your traditional pub, albeit a slightly more fancy one, and yes they serve up classic pub grub like fish & chips and pies but look a little closer and you’ll find a fine dining restaurant upstairs with an ever evolving menu of delights like bone marrow straws or turbot & clams. If you’re just in it for the drinks though dive into their selection of cask ales, craft beers and an array of gins and in warmer weather you might even be lucky enough to grab a cocktail on their roof terrace.

34 MAYFAIR

You might think dining in Mayfair is all about formality and fine dining. 34 Mayfair certainly has the fine dining part down to a tee; there’s truffled lobster mac & cheese, white truffle pizza, and chateaubriand for two on the menu and a load of expensive bubbles to boot too. But one thing they also have down is fun, whether it’s the art by Tracey Emin in the upstairs private room aka The Emin Room, or their seasonal decs, including over 1400 dangling baubles, that envelope the space.

SEXY FISH

If you’re looking for a vibey restaurant AND want to mingle with celebs, look no further then Sexy Fish. It’s OTT with coloured lighting, painted ceilings and even two of the world’s largest live coral reef tanks in their private room. There’s some pretty famous artwork on the walls from Damien Hirst and Frank Gehry and there’s often a DJ spinning tunes too. The menu is Asian, primarily Japanese, so expect a lot of sushi, sashimi, tataki, tempura and robata dishes plus truffle and caviar – it is Mayfair after all. They also have a huge selection of Japanese whisky if you really wanna push the boat out.

SABOR

Founded by Nieves Barragan and José Etura, Spanish restaurant Sabor has taken London by storm, winning a Michelin star in 2018. Sabor means flavour in Spanish, and they have it by the bucket loads. You even get to choose which area you fancy dining at. There’s the Counter, which serves fresh fish and daily-changing regional dishes from across Spain, and the Bar for snacks and tipples, both on the ground floor. Up top is El Asador (where you make reservations) which serves dishes from Galicia and Castile, including suckling pig and rib of beef, cooked in a traditional wood fired oven.

MANTHAN

Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, who also runs Kutir in Chelsea, has returned to his former stomping ground of Mayfair (having previously been Executive Chef at Jamavar and Bombay Bustle) for Manthan. It’s now a very sexy looking spot with a subtle ocean theme running throughout too and co-founder Abhi Sangwan has carried that theme through to the drinks list with a cocktail menu inspired by the seven oceans of the world and featuring fresh exotic fruits, botanicals and infusions. In the kitchen, Ghai unites his childhood experiences growing up in Madhya Pradesh with his knowledge of working in those high-end Indian restaurants to create a refined take on home-style cooking, resulting in dishes like ghati masala prawns, lamb osso buco curry, halloumi tikka, and garlic kheer.

MIMI MEI FAIR

Chinese restaurant Mimi Mei Fair is absolutely beautiful. Set in an old Georgian Townhouse on Curzon Street, it has several different dining areas in various nooks and crannies, all decked out super luxe with colourful patterns, vases and Chinese artworks. The kitchen is headed up by chef Peter Ho, who was also in charge of one of London’s greatest and much missed restaurants, HKK. And that’s before you even consider that the brains behind the whole operation is Samyukta Nair of Bombay Bustle and Javamar. Peter’s signatures at HKK was the roast Peking duck, and it’s a signature here too. Other must orders include the ‘Hokkien’ seafood noodles with scallop, prawn & samba paste, the clay pot lamb and if you’re looking for something more meaty, you’ll definitely want to to try the caramelised crispy Mandarin beef.

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BIBI

42 N Audley St, London W1K 6ZP
OPENING HOURS
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM
  • Thursday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Indian restaurant BiBi is part of the JKS group and ran by chef Chet Sharma, who’s earned his stripes working at some of the country’s best Michelin-starred restaurants including Moor Hall and L’Enclume. Oh, and Chet also has a PHD in physics from Oxford University – which is really not something you can often say about a chef. Chet has a very strong debut in the can with BiBi, full of crowd pleasing hits, familiar notes and more adventurous moments. The Indian menu is split in to five sections – snacks, chaat, sigree, sides and desserts – and you’ll want to ensure a spread of six to eight dishes across these. The must orders in our book include the Wookey Hole (that’s the cheese fyi) cheese papad, giant cheesy crisps with a creamy dip and mango and green chutneys; the raw belted Galloway beef pepper fry, an Indian riff on a beef tartare, spiked with spices and fermented Tellicherry peppercorns; the chukh masala tikka; and the Swaledale lamb belly gallouti, glistening with rich fat and crispy skin. All in all, BiBi is a great restaurant, with truly exciting and inventive dishes on offer, and a fresh, contemporary take on Indian cuisine.

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HIDEAWAY

Hideaway is the little, more casual, sister to Ollie Dabbous and Hedonism Wine’s Hide, and when we say casual, we mean that by Mayfair standards. It may be a cafe but it’s a Hide take on a cafe, so expect to choose which beans you want in your coffee, which of Hedonism’s extensive wine list you want to sample and whether you want to add caviar to your dishes. Yep it’s a luxe menu featuring dishes like lobster rolls, mortadella & fontina foccacia sarnies, black truffle & honey pizzas, burrata with blood orange & endive, and tomato on toast with Iberico jamon. The patisserie is excellent too so don’t leave without something sweet – although don’t blame us if you snaffle a whole bag of gianduja madeleines in one go.

THE CONNAUGHT GRILL

Originally opened in 1955, the Connaught Grill was once one of London’s most celebrated restaurants, but it eventually fell out of fashion and closed in 2000. It’s now been bought back to life in an entirely new guise, reborn as a smart, modern restaurant overseen by Jean Georges Vongerichten. When you think of a ‘grill’ restaurant you might imagine a grand open dining room with lots of tables, noise and bustle, but The Connaught Grill is an altogether different proposition. Having taken over what was previously an events space (rather than its original location), the Connaught Grill 2.0 feels almost like a smart speakeasy, reached via an unmarked door and with a small, intimate feel. Just as the interiors are a modern interpretation of the classic grill, so is the food menu – familiar but with enough contemporary flair to keep things interesting. The menu features everything from oysters and beef tartare to whole chicken on the rotisserie grill and Dover sole, with dessert trolleys for tableside preparation of crepes suzette being wheeled out regularly.

THE BEAUMONT HOTEL

8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF
OPENING HOURS
  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours

To take a trip to The Beaumont hotel is to step into a calm, Art Deco retreat away from the chaos of nearby Oxford Street. Styled after the grand hotels of the 1920s, The Beaumont’s interiors definitely fit the bill, with its walnut-panelled walls, marble furnishings and sleek rooms. Besides actually staying at the hotel, The Beaumont houses a pretty special selection of bars and restaurants. The Colony Grill Room is an old-school NYC-style restaurant with a timeless menu, Le Magritte Bar & Terrace pays homage to the American bars that were very popular in London and Paris during the 1920s and Gatsby’s Room serves as more of a daytime venue, with an all-day menu that includes breakfast and afternoon tea.

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