Harden's survey result
Summary
“With its excellent exterior cigar terrace, range of whiskies and food usually with a Scottish twist – there’s always a fun evening” (often buoyed by live jazz too) at Ranald Macdonald’s Scottish-themed Belgravia stalwart, a short walk from Victoria station. Eldest son of the 24th chief and captain of Clanranald, his wine-trade background is evident in a strong list, while the selection of steaks and venison reveal him as an early champion of British ingredients. Critics say the food is only “average”, but for a red-blooded business meeting it’s tailor made for the purpose.
Summary
Ranald MacDonald’s clubby Scottish-themed Belgravian has been around for decades and was an early exponent of carefully sourced British ingredients, particularly steaks and other meaty fare (Aberdeenshire beef, Highland venison, …). It also has the virtue of an unusually strong wine list and one of London’s best selection of whiskies, not to mention a terrace dedicated to smoking Cuban cigars. Unsurprisingly, it’s most recommended as a business location for clubbable males, but the Courtyard garden and regular live jazz help broaden its appeal. Complaints are few, other than that a meal here can prove “expensive”.
Summary
“High-quality manfood” (steaks, burgers and other ‘proper’ main dishes) and a “clubby atmosphere” of whisky, cigars (on a dedicated terrace) and live jazz are the key ingredients at Ranald MacDonald’s Scottish-themed Belgravia haunt, which has offshoots in Mayfair, the City and Canary Wharf. It’s “not for everyone” – one nay-sayer complained of “worse than pub food” – but for a certain sort of bloke it’s “the perfect place – he’ll leave happy, content and very satisfied”.
Summary
“High-quality manfood” (steaks, burgers and other ‘proper’ main dishes) and a “clubby atmosphere” of whisky, cigars (on a dedicated terrace) and live jazz are the key ingredients at Ranald MacDonald’s Scottish-themed Belgravia haunt, which has offshoots in Mayfair, the City and Canary Wharf. It’s “not for everyone” – one nay-sayer complained of “worse than pub food” – but for a certain sort of bloke it’s “the perfect place – he’ll leave happy, content and very satisfied”.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Boisdale of Belgravia?
Owner's description
Adjoining the restaurant is the Courtyard Garden with a retractable roof for alfresco dining in summer and the Back Bar serving a good selection of draft ales. The Cigar Terrace is completely covered and on the first floor roof with sofas, armchairs, and cushions as well as overhead heaters and tartan rugs for the winter. The Jacobite Room is a richly paneled room ideal for private lunches and dinners with a plasma screen and conference call facilities. A selection of menus to suit every budget in on offer and we can organize anything from live music and flowers to speakers and entertainers.
*If not specified, all bookings are made for the Macdonal restaurant

Prices
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Wine per bottle | £34.50 |
Filter Coffee | £4.25 |
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Service | 13.50% |