Fish & Seafood Restaurants in St James's
1. Wiltons
British, Traditional restaurant in St James's
55 Jermyn St - SW1
“With a menu well-suited to any Edwardian gourmet” (“wonderful Dover sole” and other “excellent fish dishes”, plus game in season), this “very civilised” and “wonderfully traditional” St James’s bastion (London’s oldest restaurant, established in 1742, albeit not on this site) “just has a certain class about it” and is “ideal for taking someone on business who you want to impress” – “whether it’s for schmoozing or to seal a deal”. A particular highlight is the “old-style service” – “staff are wonderfully discreet” and there’s an “unwavering dedication to customer service”. Just one thing… “you need a very healthy expense account” before setting out, as the final reckoning can be terrifying. (“It is an icon, but if it was half the price, I’d double the score!”)
2. Ormer Mayfair by Sofian, Flemings Mayfair Hotel
British, Modern restaurant in Mayfair
7-12 Half Moon Street - W1
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”.
3. Bentley’s
Fish & seafood restaurant in Piccadilly
11-15 Swallow St - W1
Richard Corrigan’s 100-year-old veteran, down a cute lane a short walk from Piccadilly Circus, remains one of London’s best-known destinations, with “drinks and nibbles on the heated terrace” (“a godsend during the lockdown era”) as a precursor to sampling the “classic” fish and seafood provided either in the lively ground-floor seafood bar (“lush oysters”) or more stately first floor (think lobster Newburg, Dover sole). Satisfaction levels remain high, but the pressures of the times have weighed a little on ratings: even a fan noting the “brilliant food” also spoke of “rising prices” and “value that’s not quite what it was”. Most reports, though, remain a resounding thumbs-up: “my favourite… you’re guaranteed to have a happy time”.
4. Bellamy’s
British, Modern restaurant in Mayfair
18-18a Bruton Pl - W1
“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).
5. Quaglino’s
British, Modern restaurant in St James's
16 Bury St - SW1
Big, “stylish and atmospheric space” in St James’s – a 1920s ballroom rescued and revamped by the late Sir Terence Conran in 1993, and now run by D&D London – that’s one of the few places in London where you can make a splashy occasion of a meal with live music. Its modern British cuisine steers a middle ground nowadays – avoiding the brickbats of a number of years ago, but seldom igniting passionate praise.
6. Fishworks
Fish & seafood restaurant in Mayfair
7-9 Swallow St - W1
“Thoroughly reliable, good fresh fish at sensible prices for London” justifies a trip to this trio of seafood bistros in some of the capital’s most expensive areas – Covent Garden, Marylebone and Swallow Street (just a step from Piccadilly Circus). The cooking may not be hugely exciting, but “they do pretty standard fish dishes very well” – “including excellent cod and chips”. Each branch has an in-store fishmonger, so you can pick up something extra to cook at home.
7. Estiatorio Milos
Fish & seafood restaurant in St James's
1 Regent St - SW1
A “glamorous feel that befits the location in St James’s” – complete with white marble from mountains near Athens! – infuses this “buzzy” and “noisy” London outpost of Costas Spiladis’s ritzily international Greek seafood chain. The “nosebleed prices for its delicious fresh fish” do nothing to deter the crowd – “it’s a big restaurant, but whenever I go there isn’t an empty table”. The centrepiece is a counter display of “super fish” – “perfect for the choosing side of things with people who know what they’re talking about”. Top Tip: “the lunchtime menu is a real bargain”.
8. Bocconcino Restaurant
Italian restaurant in Mayfair
19 Berkeley St - W1
“Up-market (loud) Italian” in a prime Mayfair location with swish styling and and a large menu incorporating relatively affordable pizzas as well as more substantial classic dishes. The experience is generally well-rated but, valuewise, prices can seem to verge on the “stratospheric” for what is delivered.
9. Sexy Fish
Fish & seafood restaurant in Mayfair
1-4 Berkeley Sq - W1
“Like stepping into the sort of reality TV series where people apply tons of make-up and not so many clothes”, Richard Caring’s Mayfair seafood scene has an “amazing ambience”, although it can be “incredibly loud – perfect if you want to eat in a nightclub” (“my teenage daughters love it!”) On the downside, the luxurious sushi and seafood is “by numbers” and prices are “stratospheric” (“shocking really, are they having a laugh?”) In autumn 2021, the brand crossed the Atlantic with an opening in its true spiritual home – Miami – where the USP is the largest collection of Dom Perignon in the US.
10. SeaSons
Fish & seafood restaurant in Mayfair
6-10 Bruton Street - W1J
“We are Fish. We are Fresh Fish”. That’s the mission statement for the high-end fishmongers’ chain (of the same name) which has taken over this illustrious Mayfair basement site that once housed The Square (RIP). With retail branches in Notting Hill, Kensington and Fitzrovia (and coming soon in St John’s Wood and Regent’s Park), this is the business’s first restaurant venture (although at its other stores you can eat in, with simple fish bistro dishes on offer). Originally set to open in May 2021, it still had not arrived as we went to press in September 2021.
11. Burger & Lobster
Burgers, etc restaurant in Mayfair
29 Clarges St - W1
“Both the burgers and the lobster rolls attract long queues for a reason – they are very good”, agree fans of this 10-year-old surf ’n’ turf chain that has expanded to nine branches across the capital and a growing list around the world. “Prices are up sharply since launch though, so they’re not quite the value they once were” – nor are they as straightforward, with the initial flat price of £20 morphing into a more conventional menu of burgers and assorted seafood. The value offer now is in the “stunning lobster rolls, which have redefined for me and others how lobster should best be served” – so “stick to the lobster for good quality at a reasonable price”. The chain and its equally American-style stablemate Goodman steakhouses were founded and are still owned by Moscow-based Misha Zelman.
12. Randall & Aubin
Fish & seafood restaurant in Soho
14-16 Brewer St - W1
“Freshest seafood”… “buzzy vibe”… “excellent staff”… “fabulous location and decor” (inherited from an Edwardian butchers, est. 1911) – “you can’t possibly go wrong” at this Soho landmark, converted nowadays into a “fun” Champagne and seafood bar. “Not a place for a peaceful dinner but then not everyone has a glitter ball. Despite all they’ve been through in the last 18 months, staff are still welcoming and cheerful” – while “the new outside tables are a bonus”. Top Tip: “go for the specials, you’ll never be disappointed”.
13. Caviar Kaspia
Fish & seafood restaurant in Westminster
1a Chesterfield Street - W1J
2021 Review: Since it closed in 2000 (on the site which became Bellamy’s), this luxury Parisian-based brand (fondée 1927) has lacked a London outlet. Following a successful pop-up last year, this opening on the site of Mayair’s former Chess Club aims to bring it back more permanently. Originally scheduled for April, the actual launch date had yet to be announced in September 2019.
14. Delfino
Pizza restaurant in Mayfair
121a Mount St - W1
This Mount Street fixture proves that you can still find “solid Italian home-style food” in the heart of Mayfair – all the favourites including pizza, pasta and tiramisu. In proper Italian style, there’s a “great atmosphere”, too.
15. Burger & Lobster
Burgers, etc restaurant in Soho
36 Dean St - W1
“Both the burgers and the lobster rolls attract long queues for a reason – they are very good”, agree fans of this 10-year-old surf ’n’ turf chain that has expanded to nine branches across the capital and a growing list around the world. “Prices are up sharply since launch though, so they’re not quite the value they once were” – nor are they as straightforward, with the initial flat price of £20 morphing into a more conventional menu of burgers and assorted seafood. The value offer now is in the “stunning lobster rolls, which have redefined for me and others how lobster should best be served” – so “stick to the lobster for good quality at a reasonable price”. The chain and its equally American-style stablemate Goodman steakhouses were founded and are still owned by Moscow-based Misha Zelman.
16. J Sheekey
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
28-34 St Martin’s Ct - WC2
“Still a favourite over many years”, this heart-of-Theatreland veteran (est. 1896) yet again topped our poll for serving London’s best fish and seafood: “amazing seafood platters”, “the freshest fish, simply served, and a wondrous fish pie”. Tucked-away down a quirky alley, just off St Martin’s Lane, it occupies a “club-like” series of old-fashioned parlours, enhanced – from June 2021 – by a major refurb, with a new all-year-round terrace (fully enclosed, with a retractable roof), plus a new central crustacean bar. That said, its ratings were not at their usual heights this year. Was it the pandemic closure of theatres (for which it is treasured for pre- and post-show meals)? Was it teething troubles with the new set-up? Whatever the reason, it lost the slot it’s occupied for many years as London’s most-mentioned venue. It also inspired some mixed reports from both before and after its revamp. As a result, both ratings for both food and service slipped a notch (“What’s happened here?! I know we’re being generous to relatively newly re-opened restaurants, but they’ve hired a lot of people who don’t know what they’re doing, and the food was good, but nothing special, especially given the prices.”)
17. J Sheekey Atlantic Bar
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
28-32 St Martin’s Ct - WC2
“There’s something about eating sweet, delicious oysters from the half shell and listening to jazz….such a relaxing experience after a hard day” – Sheekey’s adjacent seafood bar is more chilled (you eat at the bar) than in the neighbouring dining rooms, but “lovely”, and higher rated than the rest of the operation this year.
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