Harden's survey result
Summary
“One of the best rooms in London, if not in the world!” – this “most beautiful” Louis XVI chamber provides a “glorious” riot of bronze, marble, painted ceiling and mirrors. From the kitchen overseen by John Williams, the “traditional Anglo-French dishes served from splendid silver carts” provide “an utterly magnificent and delightfully plutocratic experience… if sadly with prices to match”. “Service treats you like royalty”, and “for a romantic evening, you can’t beat it” (especially, for older lovebirds, if combined with the evenings of music and dance).
Summary
“The most beautiful dining room on the planet” – this “stunning” Louis XVI chamber is “a wonderful place for a celebratory experience”, especially a romantic one. The “glorious classical cuisine” has “stepped up a notch” in recent years, and “even though it’s eye-wateringly expensive it’s always impressive”, and delivered by “knowledgeable and passionate staff”. Top Tip – “the latest incarnation of its weekend dinner dance is also excellent”.
Summary
“London’s most beautiful dining room” (decorated in the style of Louis XVI) “never fails to work its magic” (and you can also “eat out on the terrace overlooking Green Park for a lovely treat”). Historically the “exemplary” service has tended to outshine the “traditional” British cuisine here, but most reports this year found it “exceptionally good in every way”. Top Tip – “the dinner-dance on Friday and Saturday is a top experience”.
Summary
“The loveliest dining room in London” – this “wonderfully romantic” Louis XVI-style chamber is “a proper, old-school, fine-dining experience”; it’s not a reliable one, however, given food that can be “poor”, and even ardent fans can find the bill “shocking”.
Owner's description
The Michelin starred Ritz Restaurant, if often described as one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the world. The soaring floor to ceiling windows, towering marble columns and dazzling garlands of chandeliers reflected in the wall of panelled mirrors, create one of the most spectacular interiors, as charming by day as by night.
Executive Chef, John Williams MBE creates menus featuring great classic dishes alongside British specialities, precisely executed and impeccably presented, using the very best quality British produce in season. The award-winning team of sommeliers can select the perfect wines to accompany each meal. The Restaurant team deliver The Ritz hallmark of excellence to every guest with an impeccable personalised service.
The Ritz Restaurant is one of the few venues in the city to offer a classic combination of fine dining and live entertainment. Every Friday and Saturday evening, guests can enjoy a spectacular four-course dinner with dancing to the sounds of a live band with fabulous dancers performing the Tango, Rumba and Salsa.
This night is guaranteed to get everyone up on the dance floor.
The Ritz prides itself in delivering the highest of service standards therefore, we maintain our traditional values and do not include a discretionary service charge on your final account.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £59.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 125.00 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £27.00 | £48.00 | £17.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £70.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The chef
John Williams MBE joined The Ritz as Executive Chef in 2004, bringing three decades of hospitality experience to the kitchen team. In his capacity as Executive Chef, he oversees a kitchen brigade of over 60 chefs and is responsible for the menus in The Ritz Restaurant, The Palm Court, The Rivoli Bar, Room Service and the banqueting and private dining rooms.
With his menus, John Williams MBE continues to build on the principles and beliefs of Auguste Escoffier, drawing inspiration from classic dishes and making them relevant to today’s diner using the very best quality British produce in season.
John Williams developed his passion for food at an early age. Taught by his mother to cook, his culinary interests began with cookery classes at school and continued as he studied at South Shields College and later at Westminster College. John’s glittering career, began with his first position as a Commis Chef at the Percy Arms Hotel Otterburn in 1974 and includes an impressive 18-year tenure with the Savoy Group.
The Ritz Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Had hoped to give this a better rating but it was unfortunately not quite amongst the best. Sublime bonne bouche and well executed soufflé- the lamb was good but not exceptional and the starter of potato and chicken skin was just that - 5 new potatoes and 3 pieces of chicken skin. Service not exactly bad but left a lot to be desired - lots of lifting of food covers but empty plates ignored and consistent selling of drinks."
"Brilliant food on the set lunch. Not even expensive at £59. Wine crazy glass prices though. £28 for a glass of LP champagne. Fantastic service bar one French pompous dick with a cork up his arse. A real shame as everyone else was brilliant. And what a room. A rare treet"
"The dining room is very elegant and the service exemplary. We ate off the fixed price 3-course lunch menu at £57 per head. The cooking was of a high standard, although the red mullet starter was rather bland. The portions were, however, very small. But for that, I would have rated the food one level higher."
150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR
Opening hours
| Monday | 7 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Friday | 7 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am-2 pm, 7 pm-10 pm |
