London Mayfair Restaurant Guide

“Wow, what a debut!” – this “huge”, two-floor (plus basement bar), glass-fronted opening, on which Russian-owned Hedonism wines have reportedly spent £20m, is the most ambitious new project of 2018, occupying a landmark, 250-cover site “with a great view over Green Park”, which old hands will remember from days of yore as the home of Fahkreldine (long RIP). On the ground floor (‘Hide Below’ – price shown) is an all-day luxurious brasserie, while this first-floor location is dedicated to even finer dining from a six- or nine-course tasting menu (all-in with wine from about £200, with a lighter three-course option available at lunch). Chef-patron “Ollie Dabbous has done it again” with his “exquisite”, “light-with-a-Nordic-touch” cuisine, which “looks fabulous and tastes even better”; and whose “extraordinary attention to detail” matches that of the “stunningly beautiful” interior (which, in an ultra-luxe way, also appears “charming and simple”). At both locations, you can order from the “remarkable wine list”, also with the option of dialling up any of the 6,500 wines stocked by Hedonism’s Mayfair store (keep a clear head though – their most expensive vintages are over £10k!). “Definitely memorable!”

“When everywhere else seems forced to bow to fashion and follow the latest trend, Le Gavroche sails serenely on, delighting those who appreciate the true heart and spirit of gastronomy!!” Michel Roux Jr’s Mayfair “haute cuisine temple” (here since 1982, founded by his father Albert in Chelsea in 1967) may “in some respects reflect an earlier era of fine dining”, with its “fabulous” Gallic cuisine (“superb Omelette Rothschild”, “soufflé Suissesse to die for!”…), but that merely reinforces its position as “an absolute favourite” for its massive following, who confirm that “every mouthful is a delight”. “Very warm and welcoming staff have absolutely nailed the balance in service, friendliness and knowledge” and – especially for a basement – the very “grown up” dining room is supremely “cosy, luxurious and celebratory”. “As well as top notch food, the wine list is spectacular and although there are oligarch-friendly, five-figure bottles, if you look there are some gems for those willing and able to pay more for a special wine”. And “the great man’s regular presence is one of the special things about Le Gavroche” – “Michel told us some of the history of the restaurant and really made us welcome!” A visit is a second-mortgage job, of course, but there’s a “marvellous value set lunch (even if you do have to book it three months in advance)”.

“You feel like you are ‘somebody’ on walking in, and the gloss stays with you for a while after you leave” at Richard Caring’s “legendary” Mayfair veteran (007’s favourite lunch spot), whose “classically elegant” interior “oozes class”, and where “every table looks like they’re famous”. On the menu – “sensational”, “classic fish dishes” and “some of the best seafood in London” – indeed, only Sheekey’s keeps it from being voted London’s best in that department (although, unlike its stablemate, here “tables are far enough apart for business”). All this “glam, glam, glam” comes with a slight edge, though: in particular, the “very professional” service “can come with an attitude that matches the A-list clientele”.

“What a find!”. Alyn Williams’s “outstanding” dining room hidden away at the back of a luxury Mayfair hotel is “one of the very best restaurants in London” (“and bizarrely underrated”). “It’s hard to fault the cooking and staff” – accolades reflected in this year’s high ratings – “and there’s even plenty of space between the tables”.

“Hands down most memorable restaurant experience of our lives” – Mitsuhiro Araki’s Mayfair import from Tokyo (where, as with here, he also held three Michelin stars) offers “the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine”: “mind-blowing, mouthwatering food” (“too many amazing dishes to mention”) “lovingly handmade in front of you at a tiny 9 seater bar”, where “Mr Araki makes you feel like guests in his living room”. Is it expensive? Flippin’ ’eck it is. But “ignore the price: it’s a complete cultural immersion and should be compared to a night in top seats at the opera, not a mere meal!”, is the view most folks seem content, nay, ecstatic to take. They say “If you can afford to splash-out, this is a must-try”. At the margin are slightly more sceptical types (or maybe just non-billionaires) who find the prices “galling” but ultimately feel it’s a Faustian pact that works for them: “It’s utterly brilliant and I loved going; but my goodness, it’s expensive, at about £40 a mouthful with the same for a modest glass of wine. But I’m so glad I experienced it. One to save for…”