18-18a Bruton Place, London, W1J 6LY
Harden's survey result
Summary
“If it was good enough for Queen Elizabeth II, it’s good enough for the rest of us!” – Gavin Rankin’s “very civilised, old school” brasserie in a cute Mayfair mews has a “lovely old-fashioned vibe” (and was one of the few restaurants in the UK in which the late Queen ever ate out). “Peaceful and very enjoyable”, it’s one of those rare dining rooms where jacket and tie are still the norm (although the dress code is an unwritten one). Staff are “utterly professional” and “predictably discreet”. “Start an evening with cocktails at the bar (next to the restaurant)” and then move next door for “classic French cuisine” that’s “lovely” but won‘t scare the horses. Top Tip – “the counter bar is also a great spot in which to have a posh fish finger sandwich!”
Summary
“A haven of calm in an ever-changing world”: “they cater for the most conservative of palates (and the deepest pockets)” at Gavin Rankin’s “old-school, brasserie-style restaurant in Mayfair” (which had the rare privilege of hosting the late Queen Elizabeth on a couple of occasions). Its Anglo-French fare is “super reliable, if not exciting” and service “immaculate”. “If you like the kind of place where you still need to dress up a bit, this is it”, but “the ambience is set by its older, quietly-spoken crowd: don’t visit if you are planning a loud-laughing night!”. Top Menu Tip – “good value lunch menu; and staples such as iced lobster soufflé, smoked eel mousse and steak tartare”.
Summary
“With its quietly thrumming ambience, well-spaced tables and unobtrusive service from staff used to looking after royalty”, this “eternally discreet” brasserie hidden in a cute Mayfair mews is a long-established favourite for a blue-blooded, establishment crowd (and “perfect for doing business in”). Elegantly suited owner, Gavin Rankin, smoothly commands the space – “his team are wonderfully welcoming” and “all this is supported by classic French food, an excellent and keenly priced wine list, and a set lunch menu that’s a bargain (ideal for when Finance put a cap on your entertaining budget)”. Top Menu Tips – “Martinis, oysters and staples like steak tartare are prominent”.
Summary
“The epitome of civility” – former Annabel’s MD Gavin Rankin’s establishment Mayfair brasserie is “so reliable you cannot fault it”. Such is its blue blooded credentials that the Queen – who is never seen in restaurants – has dined here twice. Foodwise, there’s some “very deft cooking” and “always something of interest on the menu – but it won’t blow your socks off”. Prices for both food and the French-only wine list are – perhaps surprisingly – “very reasonable”, especially if you choose the “excellent table d’hôte” menu (two courses for £25).
For 34 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 Bellamy’s?
Owner's description
Bellamy’s was established in 2004 and is named after the club in Evelyn Waugh’s Sword of Honour trilogy of novels, which reassures our English customers. There is also a happy pun with the title Bel Ami, the novel by Guy de Maupassant, which amuses our French customers. Everyone else comes for the food and the wine list.
The management of Bellamy’s is made up of myself, Gavin Rankin (former Managing Director of the Annabel’s Group when under the chairmanship of Mark Birley); Chef Stéphane Pacoud (former second Chef at Annabel’s); and Manager Luigi Burgio (formerly Annabel’s barman).
The intention was to incorporate and modernise the best elements of the Franco Belgian tradition of the brasserie, although in Bellamy’s there is less beer and rather more wine than was found in the original nineteenth century models. The design throughout was the brainchild of the architect and designer Tim Flynn, who spent some time in Paris researching brasserie decoration. He has produced a brilliant and fresh concept throughout with no attempt at hiding in retro clichés or other obvious shortcuts.
Bellamy’s is a Restaurant with an unashamedly French wine list, with familiar names at reasonable prices reflecting my own prejudices on the subject. There is also a weekly table d’hôte menu which, at £ 24.75 for three courses, appeals both to the young and to the bit older who, like all the best parties, are happily united here.
We also have a daytime Oyster and Sandwich Bar; and an evening Cocktail Bar. Most of our customers are regulars and some of them have been kind enough to describe us as ‘a sort of club without a sub’. Membership is free and instantly open to all and, if you have not been here, we hope that you will join soon.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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| Lunch | £38.00 | £45.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £38.00 | £45.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £38.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.50 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 15.00% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Stéphane Pacoud - Head Chef
Bellamy’s Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Dover sole overcooked."
"Ambience would have scored higher if the male diners had matched the female for dress sense, and foresworn sweaters and zip up cardigans. Dress code may be unspoken but it is also not enforced "
18-18a Bruton Place, London, W1J 6LY
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Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 7 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 7 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 7 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 7 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 7 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 7 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
