The best restaurants in Mayfair, London

If Michelin stars and upscale dining is what you’re after, look no further than the best restaurants in Mayfair. This Central London enclave boasts some of the capital’s finest meals, but their prestige comes at a price. This is easily the most expensive part of town. Still, for those special occasions, date nights, and change-your-life meals, it’s all worth it. We’ve vetted the best restaurants in Mayfair, London for your glamorous rendezvous.

1. Ormer Mayfair

It’s about time Ormer snagged a Michelin star. Chef Sofian Msetfi’s seasonally changing tasting menus ensure every patron who makes it to the front will want to rejoin the queue right after. Opt for regular, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan on five-course or seven-course tasting menus, each spotlighting the very best of British, including signatures such as warm Ibérico ham jelly with Parmesan, Bramley apple and nasturtium; and the cured Cornish mackerel with sesame, kombu and spiced nage. Exquisite wine pairings round off a perfect evening.

Find out more about Ormer Mayfair by Sofian

2. Toum

Inspired by Lebanon’s era as a French Mandate in the 1920s, French-Lebanese owner Tarek Farah slow-spins the most tender rotisserie chicken in Mayfair at Toum. You can have yours whole, half, or quartered, served with a choice of sauce and a side of poulet frites and green salad. We shared a whole between two people, and highly recommend first drizzling over with the sweet yet savoury chicken jus, then dipping each tender chunk into their traditional Lebanese Garlic Sauce. And maybe we fought over the last wing.

For dessert, seal it with a drink. A Foret Noire cocktail is just the concoction, enjoyed at the downstairs listening bar, Encore. This new scarlet spot, open until 12 am Thursday to Saturday, caps a truly stellar night with habibi. 

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3. Kitty Fisher’s

For over a decade, West Enders have been meowing over Kitty Fisher’s, a cosy and intimate restaurant named after a famed 18th-century courtesan. Within this townhouse, patrons dine on wood-fired delicacies like the Brixham Hake paired with lobster bisque and fennel or the big-enough-to-share Belted Galloway Chateaubriand, whilst sipping on signature gin-based Bad Kitty cocktails or old-world vintage wines. The Chocolate Ganache steals the spotlight at dessert. Kitty’s is, put simply, good food and good company. Everyone here’s got the cream.

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4. Franco’s

As one of London’s oldest Italian restaurants (est. 1945), Franco’s has stood the test of time in our dynamic city for many reasons, but paramount is its excellence in authentic Italian cuisine. Everything here, from the homemade ravioli filled with seasonal vegetables to the heavenly classic tiramisu, is a transportation to Il Bel Paese. We also recommend trying the pan-fried veal alongside a somm-recommended bottle from Tuscany. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available, situated in a beautifully lit space on Jermyn Street right behind The Wolseley with the friendliest and most passionate team around.

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5. Bar des Prés

From the master that is Cyril Lignac comes Mayfair’s evolution of the original Saint-German legend, Bar des Prés. This Franco-East Asian restaurant harnesses seasonals and whirls them into intricate bites of miso caramelised scallops with avocado and sesame; breaded volaille des landes chicken; and a wildly addictive (and almost show-stealing) side of vanilla mashed potatoes. Of course, the French never miss the mark on dessert: expect the red berry and mango pavlova to be heavenly both on the eye and taste buds.

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6. Jamavar

Co-founded by Samyukta Nair and her father Dinesh, Jamavar is a treat for the eyes as well as the tongue. It’s magnificently set across two floors, each outfitted with intricate motifs and colonial flourishes in homage to a classic New Delhi mansion. The Pan-Indian menu spans charcoal-grilled tikkas, creamy seafood curries, and a spectacular Adraki lamb chop that melts in your mouth. No matter the spice level, know that Rasmalai will (beautifully) fan it down to the finish.  An extensive international bottle list, cocktails, lunch and tasting menus (with optional wine pairings) are also available from this acclaimed Mount Street restaurant. 

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7. Umu

Ever since we dined at Genjyu – the best restaurant in Fukuoka, we’ve been dreaming about Kaiseki dining. Thankfully, in London, Umu gets Londoners as close as possible to the exquisite Japanese experience. 

Here, Chef Ryo Kamatsu uses authentic methods on fresh local ingredients. Think scallop miso topped with caviar, and Cornish lobster and girolle spring rolls, but do note that items are seasonal, and future visits will see changes. That’s why you’ll need to trust the resident sommelier with an impeccable sake or wine pairing. 

Find out more about Umu Mayfair

8. Nipotina

Another Italian superstar in Mayfair is Nipotina, and that’s all down to grandma. The restaurant is helmed by Turin-born chef Somaia Hammad, who here dedicates her culinary work to her Nonna’s kitchen. Using fresh seasonal ingredients, she creates comforting and delicious dishes, spanning handcrafted pasta, wood-fired seafood and meats, and crisp Northern Italian pizzas. We can’t get enough of the Tagliolini al Tartufo Bianco, a bit of a splurge but worth it for that heavenly white truffle flavour, and the three-fish carpaccio is the best we’ve had in Mayfair.

Of course, Italian families do Sunday Roast, and here it comes with twists in the shape of Sicilian panelle, bistecca alla Fiorentina, and Torta di Nonna Lina. An all-Italian wine list will complement anything selected from the menu. Do let the somm be your guide.

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9. Bacchanalia

Bacchanalia’s interiors are a fantasy, with angel statues on marble unicorns, a giant Last Supper mural, mirrored tables, and toilets plucked out of a John Soane museum. But is the sauce as good as what we see in the photos? We tucked into the Mediterranean delicacies, which spanned fresh raw bar crudos and grilled seafood mezzes, with a stellar salt crust seabass to main. The Medusa dessert to share is fabulously indulgent, making for the perfect photo finish. It’s all very good, and seriously upped with a bottle from the ‘seven wonders’ list. 

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10. NIJŪ

Mayfair’s lucky to serve the whole spectrum of Japanese cuisine, including classics at NIJŪ. Here, guests are treated to the finest cuts of sushi, nigiri, and sashimi, and if you’re craving Kobe beef, this is as Kobe as it’ll ever be outside of Japan. Robata grilled to melt in your mouth. It’s on the tasting menu if that’s the route you select, and if you thought things couldn’t get better, the Matcha gâteau will blow it all out of the park. A decadent yet light slice served with seasonal fruit. Don’t miss their secret fifties-style bar beneath the restaurant. Nipperkin is double-pinned and serves excellent cocktails on Berkeley Square. 

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11. Restaurant Francatelli

Tucked behind the glitz of the Ritz, The Althoff St. James Hotel & Club Mayfair is a respite from Mayfair’s touristy streets, offering a quaint boudoir to celebrate British produce and the flair of historical chef Charles Elme Francatelli. Now helmed by chef William Drabble, discerning guests are treated to modern interpretations of dishes from the esteemed 1800s resident, including a St James ham glazed with Madeira, foie gras sauce and summer veg that’s both decadent and comforting in tandem. As things are seasonal, no two visits are alike, and if you only sample something half as good as the hand-dived Scottish scallops or the pan-fried fish we did, you’ll be tantalised. Delicious classics, cakes afternoon tea-worthy, and impeccable European wine pairings, we’ll take this over the Ritz any day.

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12. Pavyllon

You can experience one of the world’s most decorated living Michelin-starred chefs, Yannick Alléno, without the premium price tag, thanks to his Taste of Pavyllon lunch menu within the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. At £49 for two courses or £55 for three, the mastery includes soft egg bluefin tuna tartare, Cornish lamb cutlet, and a gorgeous roasted date stone ice cream. A somm paired ours with the perfect bottle of French wine. A voyage. Of course, if budget doesn’t restrict, then it’s absolutely worth going all-out on the a la carte, evening tasting menus, afternoon tea and brunch. Tip: sit at the counter for a front-row view of the culinary theatre.

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13. Il Gattopardo

It’s all sixties shimmer and glam, Italian style, at Il Gattopardo on Albemarle Street. The boutique restaurant executes all the Italian greats to perfection, including the Frittura seafood antipasti, a tender Milanese Tomahawk, and a Tiramisu with heavenly mascarpone cream (it’s so good you may even be tempted to order the family-size version)… but those are just our faves. The menu also features pizzas, pastas, grilled meats and seafood. and gelatos & mini pastries that the locals come back for time and time again. 

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14. Hora

Avant-garde Mediterranean restaurant, Hora, marries together food, art, music and creativity into an experience that tickles every sense. Guests enter an earthy abode inspired by nature and peruse drinks divided into element categories. Then comes the food; shareable starters like cod roe mousse, or smoked aubergine with truffle with bread basket for the scoop; quarter-sectioned mains comprising raw crudos, veg such as seasonal tomatoes, fresh fish, and premium meats, plus a sweets selection where a heavenly Terramisu is (coffee ice) cream of the crop. An experience that gives Mayfair an edge.

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15. Tendril

Right off Hanover Square on the fringe of Mayfair, you’ll find the haus of Tendril serving the plant-loving community since 2019 (many of whom happen to be A-List vegans FYI). Chef and founder Rishim Sachdeva surprises and delights with innovative plant creations, like the crispy seaweed tempura, leek fritters, and Chinatown purple potatoes with sticky soy and sesame…so good you’ll wonder if they really are vegan. There are a couple of non-vegan items clearly marked on the menu too, and if you’re allowed, then go ahead and savour the grilled mastello with confit potatoes. If not, treat yourself to a glass of organic wine and the banoffee pie. An absolute gem that’ll please herbivores and convert even the heaviest of carnivores on the scene.

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16. Cecconi’s

Soho House loyalists all know Cecconi’s, but did you know the first ever outpost was right here in Mayfair? This original has been seducing Londoners in Burlington Gardens since 1978; a traditional Italian restaurant with gorgeous Venetian-style dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and plenty to accompany ‘saluti’.

We adore the risotto with veal ossobuco, and the beef filet is melt-in-your-mouth tender and best paired with their zucchini fritti. For dessert, we recommend the plum cheesecake with a side of vanilla gelato.

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17. The MAINE Mayfair

A trip to New England means the freshest of seafood, and The MAINE in Mayfair’s got the catch to match. There are raw bar platters, like the impressive Poseidon tower for four; caviar service and the shucking oysters; and mains like the Spicy Seafood Linguine and plump Maine lobster from the market. Steaks and vegan menu items mean you can bring any plus one, who’ll not only be impressed by plate but also by space: guests dine within a striking 18th-century townhouse, accessed through the Medici Courtyard in the gardens of Hanover Square. 

Find out more about The MAINE Mayfair

18. Riviera

Riviera doesn’t look like anything else in Mayfair—it’s more of a glass jewel box that transports Londoners to the French Riviera (hence the name). Inside, the creative concoctions celebrate flavours of the Côte d’Azur, with sample dishes such as the Grand Niçoise Salad and Beef Fillet Café De Paris Butter. No matter the weather, everything exudes Southern France’s warmth here. Don’t miss the Lavender Crème Brûlée or anything from the ‘Cartes des Vins’. Très chic, très délicieux. 

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19. The Twenty Two

A favourite with the LFW crowd, The Twenty Two is an ever-chic spot within a five-star Grosvenor Square hotel. This ground-floor restaurant serves Mediterranean and Modern British cuisine, with a focus on natural flavours. Samples include roast filets of fish, grilled grass-fed reds, and fresh pasta. Whole foods speak for themselves. Of course, dessert is where things can, and should, veer on added indulgence, including the (shareable) chocolate cremeux, vanilla cheesecake, and the crème brûlée. 

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20. KOYN

Discover a double helping of ESEA cuisine at KOYN London, a dual-concept restaurant with Japanese upstairs and Thai downstairs. Both incredible, both authentic, and both a lush upscale affair. KOYN Thai draws from North, South and Central Provinces, with classic plates spanning colourful curries, fresh morning glory and chilis, and a perfectly saucy pad see ew. The spotlight is, however, on Tableside Larb, a traditional minced meat larb salad that’s customised right in front of you. Plus specials like the whole seabass and jumbo tiger prawn choo-cee. KOYN Japanese is meanwhile, famed for its sushi omakase, best enjoyed with a bottle from the robust sake list. 

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21. Amazónico

Amazónico offers an immersive dining experience inspired by the Amazon rainforest, with a menu showcasing the best of Latin America including Peruvian sushi, Brazilian rodizio-grilled meats, and tropical salads that are a favourite of Mayfair’s A-List. Guests can enjoy live performances and ‘elec-tropical’ DJ sets, or head to the main or speakeasy bar underground—because why look for another Mayfair venue when this is the prettiest around? A weekend “Amazónico Asado” menu priced at a sweet £65 per person is available 12 – 4 pm, giving reason to start your engines earlier.

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But wait, there’s more…

• Make an occasion of it and stay overnight at one of the best five-star hotels in London
• Fact: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made their couple’s debut at The Savoy London. Here’s what it’s like inside
• And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll be in heaven when visiting the best afternoon teas in London