Harden's survey result
Summary
Sofian Msetfi took over the stoves at this “beautiful restaurant situated within one of Mayfair’s best hotels” in May 2021: the interior is inspired by the 1930s, and lined with aged oak panelling. Initial reports applaud cuisine that has “interesting twists without trying too hard”. There are three tasting menus – five-courses (£50 lunch only) plus seven (£70) and nine-courses (£90), including vegetarian options, all delivered by staff who are “warm, welcoming and charming”.
Summary
“A delight!” – Shaun Rankin’s “exceptional” and “beautifully presented” cuisine at this posh, Mayfair hotel dining room wins acclaim from all reporters this year: “not sure why it doesn’t have a stronger following – highly under-rated”. He made his name on Jersey – an ‘ormer’ is a Channel Islands gastropod – before shifting to the capital in 2016. “It’s a beautiful interior, but the basement setting can make it a bit gloomy for lunch”.
Summary
“A delight!” – Shaun Rankin’s “exceptional” and “beautifully presented” cuisine at this posh, Mayfair hotel dining room wins acclaim from all reporters this year: “not sure why it doesn’t have a stronger following – highly under-rated”. He made his name on Jersey – an ‘ormer’ is a Channel Islands gastropod – before shifting to the capital in 2016. “It’s a beautiful interior, but the basement setting can make it a bit gloomy for lunch”.
Summary
Somewhat more mixed feedback this year on Shaun Rankin’s “smart” two-year-old tenure at this Mayfair dining room. For the most part, reports continue to extol his “extremely original and exciting cuisine” (even if it’s “seriously expensive”), but service can hit the wrong note, and the “rather hotel-y” basement setting “could be more cheery”.
For 31 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 Ormer Mayfair by Sofian, Flemings Mayfair Hotel?
Owner's description
Ormer has been voted one of the top five restaurants in London by the Hardens Restaurant Guide and is consistently rated as one of the top ten restaurants in London for Fine Dining on TripAdvisor.

Prices
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Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
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Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Sofian joins from his position as Head Chef of the Michelin-starred Oak Room at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland. With an impressive 15 years' experience working at some of the most respected Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK and Ireland, Sofian will lead the new culinary direction at Ormer Mayfair, that will focus solely on tasting menus for an elevated dining experience.
Sofian's impressive career began at Michelin-starred Longridge Restaurant, before moving to The Hand and Flowers (two Michelin stars) under the mentorship of Tom Kerridge. Prior to joining Adare Manor, he spent four years at Midsummer House (two Michelin stars), working alongside Chef Patron Daniel Clifford.
Ormer Mayfair by Sofian, Flemings Mayfair Hotel Restaurant Diner Reviews

"The food was amazing. There are only tasting menus and that didn't go down too well with the grandchildren. There was a generous selection of canapes and the warm Iberico ham jelly was like nothing I've ever tasted. How can a warm jelly be nice? But it was!"