Looking for the best restaurants and places to eat in Mayfair? Read this insider’s guide.
Don your glad-rags and double-check your credit limit, because a dining experience in London’s fabulously posh stomping ground, Mayfair, isn’t going to come cheap.
That’s not to say that Mayfair is exclusively a playground for the rich and famous, there are also plenty of affordable options that serve up show-stopping cuisine without breaking the bank.
Best Restaurants in Mayfair
Park Chinois
Opulence is guaranteed at Mayfair’s gorgeous Park Chinois. This dimly-lit restaurant serves up elevated Chinese fare in a swanky setting.
We particularly love their Park Chinois Brunch, which takes place on Saturdays in Club Chinois – dine on toothsome Chinese dishes (wagyu beef anyone?) while DJs, live music and performances act as the soundtrack.
La Gavroche
Let’s get the ball rolling with one of the best restaurants in Mayfair, La Gavroche.
Established in 1967 by the Roux brothers, and now run by Michel Roux Jr, La Gavroche offers exquisite, classical French cuisine, and only incorporates the freshest, and highest-quality ingredients.
With two Michelin Stars and prices to match, this place really is in a league of its own. Attracting a string of famous faces and boasting an enormous waiting-list, La Gavroche is definitely somewhere you can’t just rock up to on a Friday night expecting a table – make sure you book.
Mister Nice
For all its elegance and luxury, Mr. Nice, is essentially a neighbourhood restaurant. It just so happens that neighbourhood is Mayfair and so the items on offer include caviar at near four figures and a setting that requires sharp dressing (the bouncer on the door will eye trainers with disdain).
The food on offer is French, unfussy and straightforward but done with a bit of Mayfair sophistication in mind. They do a mean steak and an even meaner spread of foie gras on brioche – You should order both.
You can’t go wrong with a steak at a French restaurant and this angus beef fillet proved the point. The meat was top quality and had been taken care of perfectly by the kitchen, charring slightly the outside but leaving the centre bloody.
That’s all before we get to the Penne a la Vodka, a dish that was that was luxuriously silky on the tongue and tarted up by the introduction of a hefty shaving of truffle over the top.
If your budget will stretch, speak to the sommelier for a wine recommendation. It’s not cheap but their cellar runs deep with bottles you don’t want to miss.
Bombay Bustle
Looking for high-end Indian cuisine in a swanky setting? You should have the brilliant Bombay Bustle on your radar. This discreet restaurant on Maddox Street has fast become one of our go-to restaurants in the city for feasting on sumptuous dishes – new and traditional – that set the calibre high.
The Greenhouse
After strolling up a serene tree-lined decking, you will arrive at the tranquil and inviting Greenhouse.
It’s something of an achievement to pair a high-end menu and a genuinely friendly atmosphere – yet Greenhouse rises to the task wonderfully.
Offering guests both a Tasting Menu and A La Carte, Greenhouse centres primarily on fish-based dishes, and each one is exquisitely crafted, and almost looks too good to eat.
Ormer Mayfair
Ormer Mayfair serves up exactly what you would expect from Michelin-starred dishes; imagine small dollops of sauces that explode like flavour bombs in your mouth, perfectly cooked meats and colourful veggies, all topped off with a sprinkling of edible flowers.
Run by the award-winning chef, Shaun Rankin, Ormer craft their stellar dishes with the finest ingredients, with Rankin’s deft touch shining through.
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
A beacon of opulence and elegance, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill is one of the top fish restaurants in Mayfair.
Shucking over 1,000 oysters a day in front of hungry diners, Bentley’s are masters in creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, whilst still oozing class and sophistication.
Another highlight of this incredible spot is the presentation of each and every dish. Not a garnish out of place.
If you ever get the oppor-tuna-ty to visit Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, you definitely should (come on, we really couldn’t pass up the chance to include at least one fish pun).
Pollen St. Social
Having been awarded a Michelin star just six months after opening, Pollen St. Social is one of the top restaurants in Mayfair, and has been paving the way for Jason Atherton’s other high-end establishments ever since.
It’s famous for sourcing its produce exclusively from the UK. The lamb and beef is from the Lake District, the crab from Paignton Harbour and their cultured butter from Oxfordshire. It’s a bit of an understatement to say that Atherton really knows his stuff, knocking out dishes from the kitchen you could never dream of replicating at home.
Despite dishing up some of the finest food in the neighbourhood, there’s no snob-factor about the service, and the staff are all really warm and friendly.
Ikeda
No, you definitely heard that incorrectly, this is not the big blue Swedish home store, but rather one of the finest restaurants in Mayfair.
For a taste of Japan in the heart of London, you really can’t miss a trip to Ikeda; traditional, exquisite and using only the finest ingredients, Ikeda has been flourishing for the past 38 years.
The décor is very simple, and allows you to focus purely on the culinary delights that lie in front of you; the food truly is in a league of its own, and this spot has been frequented by some rather famous guests as well, including the likes of Jimmy Page and George Clooney.
Corrigan’s
Corrigan’s is run by the renowned celebrity chef, Richard Corrigan.
Opening its doors in 2008, the awards have just kept on coming; from London Restaurant of the Year awarded by the Evening Standard, to a whopping three AA Rosettes within the first three months, this place really is a beacon of culinary excellence.
Corrigan’s menus are heavily inspired by his rural upbringings, and he expertly integrates earthy, seasonal flavours to each and every dish, ultimately giving this Mayfair restaurant a distinct and homely flair.
Sketch
You would have had to be living on planet Mars (or just not been on Instagram ever) to have not at least caught a glimpse of Sketch’s OTT interiors. Proving it’s not just a pretty face, the Lecture Room & Library section of Sketch boasts three Michelin stars thanks to its innovative menu from legendary chef Pierre Gagnaire.
The £150 tasting menu may not be cheap but try it for one of the best culinary experiences London has to offer.
Kitty Fishers
Tucked away in the trendy Shepherd Market, Kitty Fishers is one of our favourite places to eat in Mayfair.
Firstly, the name Kitty Fishers might strike you as incredibly random for an upmarket Mayfair eatery; can you guess what it’s named after?
An 18th century prostitute who was VERY popular with the locals.
After you’ve had a little snigger about the name, prepare to have your mind blown by the show-stopping menu these guys offer.
Simple food made good is what Kitty Fishers is all about – with cod’s roe and radishes, Cornish lobster and mayonnaise and warm smoked eel all making an appearance on the menu.
Madhu’s
Tucked away inside The Dilly Hotel, Madhu’s is a high-end Punjabi restaurant serving up delicious plates in a dramatic dining atmosphere. Opulent chandeliers hang from the ceiling, while huge mirrors make this (fairly intimate) dining space seem much bigger than it truly is.
Gorgeous aesthetics aside, the food is pretty stellar; the menu features a mix of well-known favourites and some more traditional picks. The Seekh Kebabs are deceivingly spicy (yet totally delicious), and the Murgh Makhani is a beautifully creamy taandori chicken that pairs perfectly with peshwari naan.
Whatever you order, save room for the Laduree chocolate dessert – an indulgent hazelnut affair that will have you booking your next visit by the time you’ve left.
Sabor
Authentic Spanish cuisine in the heart of Mayfair? Yes please.
Sabor, which means ‘flavour’ in Spanish, is all about taking its customers on a culinary journey, from the dazzling tapas bars of sunny Andalucía, across the asadors of Castile, all the way to the irresistible seafood from Galicia, this place is a real experience.
Alongside traditional Spanish delicacies, Sabor also offers an authentic Spanish hospitality experience, and there’s a brilliant buzz about the place.
Gymkhana
Okay, firstly, the outside of this restaurant is bloody gorgeous; Gymkhana is slick, understated, but a real show-stopper, and is an asset to the Mayfair food scene.
Serving Michelin-starred Indian cuisine in an interior that is inspired by British-colonial gentlemen’s clubs, it’s little wonder that the restaurant has exploded onto London’s culinary scene.
That and the stellar food of course – the menu features posh curries, biryanis, sabzi, game and chops among many other delights.
The Mayfair Chippy
It does what it says on the tin really – The Mayfair Chippy specialises in good old fish and chips.
Not quite the greasy joint you’d end up in hammered and hungry on a Friday night, The Mayfair Chippy celebrates the quintessential British classic by raising it up to Mayfair standards.
It’s basically posh fish and chips, but it’s absolutely delicious, and very reasonably priced for the quality.
Stampa
Let’s be honest, Italian food is some of the best cuisine in the world, and there are so many places these days that just miss the mark.
But, Stampa in Mayfair is pretty damned good.
Inspired by Roman cuisine, Stampa brings a slice of Italy to hungry Mayfair residents, and has some truly exquisite pasta dishes.
For just £6.50 you can indulge in the heavenly Cacio e Pepe dish, which is Pici pasta, Pecorino Romano and crushed black pepper. Affordable, convenient, and genuinely delicious.
Jeru
For Middle Eastern cuisine in Mayfair, head to the ultra-beautiful Jeru. This spot focuses on capturing the essence of Middle Eastern cooking – from the pared-back dining room to the wholesome ingredients prepared using traditional methods.
Head Chef Roy is a Cordon Bleu trained and his roots stem from North Africa and Israel – highlights from the menu include charcoal tahini baby chicken with a saffron corn ragu and tarragon salsa, and the abundance of colourful mezze boards.
Native at Brown’s
Tucked away on a gorgeous summer terrace in Brown’s luxury department store, is Native. Native is a celebration of wild produce, sustainability and the beauty of foraging. It’s very rare for a restaurant like Native to come along, and when they do, you’ll be totally mesmerised by their tastes.
The tables are made with reused onyx from Brown’s installations and mosaic floors featuring illustrations of foraged ingredients from the restaurant menu – the restaurant itself is an absolute masterpiece.
The food takes you on a whole journey and we loved how knowledgeable and passionate the waiters are, most of which who have been on the journey since the very beginning.
We recommend going for the cornish hand-dived scallop, devil’s mortar ‘nduja & Nutbourne tomatoes. The Birchden Farm Asparagus with garlic butter and salt fish scraps is also out of this world and you’ll most likely be eating in silence because words don’t quite do any of it justice.
The Beaumont’s ‘The Colony Grill Room’
The Colony Grill Room is an homage to the best grilled meats in London, tucked away inside Mayfair’s The Beaumont hotel with head chef Ben Boeynaems.
The beautiful piano music and smiles at the entrance of the hotel will instantly make you feel at ease and a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of central London. The restaurant is known for its shellfish, grills, steaks and incredibly good tableside salads.
What we love most about The Colony Grill Room is its dedication to the freshest and best ingredients. They don’t try and overcomplicate your plate, it’s unpretentiously delicious.
We recommend going for one of their steaks because after all, that’s what they’re known for – the Tomahawk for two people is served with fresh tomatoes, garlic and rosemary and it couldn’t taste better.
For starters, it’s best to share a few things such as the smoked salmon or New York shrimp cocktail and steak tartare. Whatever you order, you won’t be disappointed.
Other Cool Places to Eat in Mayfair
Sometimes, you just don’t fancy having a full-blown meal in a sit-down restaurant. Instead, a good old pub meal or bite on the go will suffice. Here are a few more ideas for where to eat in Mayfair.
The Guinea Grill
Nothing quite compares to a pub lunch, does it?
Head to The Guinea Grill, one of London’s oldest pubs, for the ultimate steak. Roasting and slicing the best available dry aged beef in the UK for their Sunday lunch, these guys are total connoisseurs when it comes to meat.
Mercato Mayfair
For a real cultural experience in the heart of Mayfair, add Mercato Mayfair to the top of your list.
Essentially an enormous food emporium, Mercato Mayfair is a community market where a plethora of traders are ready to entice you with their fresh and artisanal cuisine.
There’s everything from Bao Buns and Dumplings at Steamy & Co, Turkish Pides at Lala Mayfair, authentic Neapolitan Pizza at Fresco, all the way to scrumptious seafood buns and robata at Molo.
You will leave Mercato Mayfair feeling like you’ve just been on an around the world culinary adventure.
The Iron Duke
Pub grub at its absolute finest, The Iron Duke has a mouth-wateringly good menu with all the English classics.
From battered haddock and chips, steak and mushroom pie, all the way to a good old beef burger, this is the place to head to for a proper hearty dish.
Practical Tips and Map for Exploring The Best Mayfair Restaurants
- Reserving a table is a good idea – particularly at the more upmarket and Michelin-starred restaurants. For some, you have to book months in advance for even the mildest sniff at a table.
- As with many of London’s high-end restaurants, don’t be surprised if there’s a strict dress-code. Make sure to check on the restaurant’s website or give them a call to avoid disappointment.
