London Belgravia Restaurant Guide

2018 Review: This superb, neo-classical 1830 Grade II listed building in Belgravia, owned by Grosvenor Estates, is to take on a new lease of life in 2018 as a new 10,000 sq ft retail and restaurant space, the latter incorporating a basement café/bar, second floor restaurant and roof terrace.

In the gobsmackingly impressive redevelopment of Belgravia’s gracious Georgian Pantechnicon building – which opened in summer 2020 – this second-floor newcomer is the venue’s most grown-up restaurant space. The name means ‘fire’ in Old Norse, giving some clue as to the main cooking method – with pickling and foraging inspirations much present – and early reports laud some “wonderfully prepared Nordic dishes”. For less foodie fidelity, but more fun, head upstairs to the “stunning Roof Garden” (see also).

“Putney’s loss a few years ago became Chelsea’s gain”, and Giuseppe and Pamela Turi’s long-established gem has shone even more brightly in its new location, providing “sophisticated Italian dining at its best.” “The premises are not huge, but cleverly laid out so you don’t feel crammed”. And “the fact that so many Putney loyalists are willing to make the longer journey to eat here is testament to how good the food and service are”. “Flavours are always spot-on” (and “their truffle menu is a gastronomic highlight”). “But it’s the wine list that blows you away”: “superbly curated by Guiseppe” and offering a “serious voyage through Italy but one that’s fair value. You can drink well at a very reasonable price… or go mad and take out an extra mortgage!”.

As a “fun and buzzy” haunt, this long-established (since 1982) Belgravia bar/brasserie (ground floor) and dining room (basement) has a fair few fans. Some enjoy its “low-lit and relaxing” interior, whereas others feel it’s “best to sit outside”. There’s a wide ranging menu (from shepherd’s pie to chicken gyozas via vodka penne) which no-one pretends is hugely foodie but which is generally well-reviewed. Breakfast is the meal most often tipped here.

A short walk from Sloane Street, this elegantly panelled Belgravia dining room is part of a luxurious five-star hotel. Perhaps because it’s tucked away in such an expensive ’hood, it doesn’t generate a huge volume of survey feedback, but such as there is says it successfully sets a superior standard of Italian cuisine.

“An old mate who you love to see!” – this “civilised”, “comfortable” and “buzzy” Italian, south of Sloane Square, remains a huge favourite, and even though its heartland is Chelsea residents, fans come here from all points of the compass. “It is still the staff who make the place” – “everyone is greeted so enthusiastically” – but the “old-fashioned Italian cooking” is “always of a high standard” too (and there’s also a “nice outside terrace”).

For sheer grandeur, it’s hard to match this sweeping, spacious chamber, to the rear of this five-star landmark on Hyde Park Corner, where head chef Giuseppe Strippoli produces a luxurious series of menus – from about £90 per head – in a classic modern European style. For these troubles, he holds a Michelin star, although the venue generates relatively little feedback in our diner survey, amidst some ongoing concerns that “whilst a very good standard, pricing can seem OTT in comparison with other top hotels”. In fact, it – and the nearby ‘Withdrawing Room’ – are more heartily recommended for a push-the-boat-out afternoon tea, which comes with a piano accompaniment at weekends in Celeste.

“Superb dishes, presented wonderfully” win praise for the afternoon tea served in the stylish lounge of this deluxe hotel on Sloane Street (where Oscar Wilde was arrested in 1895 after losing a libel case). Prices, though, are too “aggressive” for some tastes.

Only upbeat feedback this year on this “excellent spot behind Sloane Square in made-over Hans Mews” – a food operation that’s part of nearby luxury boutique hotel, 11 Cadogan Gardens, recommended by fans “for a casual lunch from its eclectic menu” of salads, sharing plates and meat or fish ‘bowls’.

“Fun in the sun” is to be had at the Cubitt Group’s new fifth-floor haunt. As glam rooftops go, few in London are lovelier than this luxurious perch atop the group’s gorgeous – expense-be-damned! – redevelopment of Belgravia’s Pantechnicon building, whose September 2020 opening was hampered by the pandemic. With a fully retractable, electric glass roof, the 130-seat roof garden with an expansive south-facing terrace is a local hot ticket whatever the weather (evidently, “it’s lovely when it’s fine and when the weather’s not good you still feel like you’re outside with lots of glass”). Food includes an all-day small plates menu with main dishes at lunch and dinner, served from the kitchen at Eldr (see also). Early reports say “steak tartare is to die for, and the smörgåsbord and small plates are better than the large plates”. If you ever trouble yourself by glancing at your credit card bills, then exercise some caution before deciding to visit…

“Forty years old, with great character and personality, and never, ever changing” – this “most romantic and cosy”, candle-lit Pimlico charmer has long been in contention as London’s top tip for seduction, thanks not least to its numerous secluded tables in dark niches (or, “you can sit outside on a sunny lunchtime and transport yourself to the South of France”). For a “French hit”, the “typical bistro fare” (circa 1975) is “enjoyable” if resolutely un-foodie and delivered with variable efficiency, but lots of characterful “Gallic charm”. “The magnum bottles of unlabelled wine are fun” too (“they dip it with a stick at the end to measure how much you have had....”)

After a succession of different chefs (including Nathan Outlaw and Adam Simmonds), Chris Prow has presided over the stoves since May 2021 at this small, luxurious hotel, a short walk from Harrods. A new, all-day dining menu is a recent introduction, as well as an outdoor seating area which opened for the first time this summer, boosting the capacity of what is a bijou dining space.

“Unchanged forever”, this old-school trattoria a few steps from Harrods shows remarkable staying power as it closes in on its half-century. With its impeccably “noisy Italian atmosphere”, regulars are happy to rate it “my favourite restaurant in London” – “it always makes for a wonderful evening, with delicious food and perfect, attentive service”.

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”.

Dine like royalty in regal surroundingsOpulently designed with a rich royal theme of grandeur with polished silver, beautiful chandeliers and tailcoat waiters offering traditional service at its most welcoming. Experience the finest of dining with a glass wall which all...