Restaurant trolleys are nothing new. In fact, the tableside culinary affair began in the 17th century with the French ‘service à la française’, where kings, queens and high society enjoyed the practice of serving various dishes of a meal at the same time, often via a wooden cart or trolley. By 1860, the French take was ditched for ‘service à la russe’ – service in the Russian style – which involved courses being brought to the table sequentially, and food portioned on individual plates by the waiter. Voila, the restaurant trolley was born. 

Also going by the posh name of ‘Gueridon service’, it became the pinnacle of elegance for fine dining restaurants, where the average spending power is higher and an a la carte menu was the norm by the 19th and 20th centuries. Traditional finishing touches that were performed tableside include flambéing foods such as crêpes Suzette, carving meat and tossing salads – many of which you’ll still find happening on the best restaurant trolleys in London today. Offering guests a nostalgic journey through the art of tableside service, here’s where to go when you’re looking for a bit of culinary panache. 

Dessert trolley at Ham Yard Hotel, Soho

As part of the new Long Lunch menu at Kit Kemp’s design-led Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, the team are rolling in a dessert trolley to offer guests a little something sweet to enjoy after their Sunday roast. Delectable treats can vary, but you can always rely on a solid selection of Black Forest gateau, tiramisu and classic Victoria sponge, all served tableside. 

1 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT, visit firmdalehotels.com

Steak tartare trolley at Maison Francois, St James’s

Images: Steven Joyce

Maison Francois – the quintessential French brasserie at the heart of St James’s – and its bespoke steak tartare trolley have already made a name for themselves in culinary circles, despite only launching last autumn. Celebrating this much-loved French delicacy, the trolley will be wheeled tableside to reveal beef sourced from Yorkshire-based butcher Swaledale which specialises in Lowline cattle, a heritage breed characterised by its small size, intense flavour and marbling. Prepared ‘à la minute’ for each diner, the carefully diced fillet is mixed with egg yolk and Maison François’s signature spice mix – incorporating English and Dijon mustard, spicy ketchup, brandy and a touch of horseradish sauce – before guests are invited to taste their tartare and season as desired, choosing from capers, shallots, cornichons, fresh chives, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. Lastly, the tartare can be finished with a textured topping of crunchy anchovy breadcrumbs and house seed mix. This is culinary theatrics at its finest – bon appétit. 

34 Duke Street, SW1Y 6DF, visit maisonfrancois.london

Cheese trolley at The Biltmore, Mayfair

The Biltmore’s restaurant trolley has become a mobile stage for culinary artistry at its flagship Grill 88 restaurant. Enhance your dining experience with a post-dinner cheese trolley, where a fine selection ranging from ash-coated goat to brandy-washed Époisses are served tableside, before picking from a vast collection of leaf and herbal teas from the accompanying silver tea trolley. 

44 Grosvenor Square, W1K 2HP, visit thebiltmorehotels.com

Old Tom crêpe and salad trolleys at The Promenade at The Dorchester, Mayfair

The Promenade at The Dorchester sits at the heart of the legendary Park Lane hotel and offers all-day dining and afternoon tea. No stranger to theatrics (it is The Dorchester, after all), tableside spectacles can be enjoyed in the form of the Old Tom crêpe trolley and seasonal salad trolley. Flambéed to perfection, the Old Tom crêpes Suzette is meticulously prepared using Old Tom London Gin, grapefruit and Madagascan vanilla ice cream. The savoury seasonal salad trolley, meanwhile, offers an indulgent selection of ingredients prepared right before your eyes, including grilled chicken with French beans, truffle, artichokes, and walnuts. Who said salad was boring? 

53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA, visit dorchestercollection.com

Negroni trolley at 45 Park Lane, Mayfair

At the chic Bar 45, the negroni trolley steals the spotlight with its innovative approach to the classic cocktail. Handcrafted negronis, each paired with a bespoke fragrance, create a multi-sensory experience that elevates the average tipple. Pick from the rich chocolate negroni, the intriguing pepper negroni, or opt for our personal favourite, the chestnut negroni: a blend of Ginepraio gin, Vermouth Bianco di Prato, and a homemade chestnut syrup that promises to convert even the staunchest negroni sceptic. 

 45 Park Lane, W1K 1PN, visit dorchestercollection.com

Fish, crepes and Sunday Roast trolleys at The Stafford, St James’s

Image: Lateef Photography

Tableside service comes as standard at The Game Bird at The Stafford. Pick from the smoked and cured fish trolley, showcasing the likes of house-cured chalk stream trout gravlax and delicate smoked salmon, before tucking into dessert from the crepes Suzette trolley, traditionally flambéed in front of you. On Sundays, The Game Bird offers a roast with a succulent rib of beef wheeled around the restaurant, carved at the table and served with all the trimmings. 

16-18 St James's Place, SW1A 1NJ, visit thestaffordlondon.com

Cheese trolley at Brasserie Zédel, Soho

This is not your average restaurant cheese trolley, but in the French-tinged lilt of the staff at Brasserie Zédel, a ‘chariot de fromages’. Sourced from the specialist suppliers at La Fromagerie Beillevaire, a general rule of thumb for a cheese board is to choose one hard, one soft and one strong cheese. With that in mind, Zédel offers five French cheeses on its chariot de fromages, including a blue Bleu des Causses and creamier cheeses such as Long Cendre, Pont L’Eveque and comté.

20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED, visit brasseriezedel.com

Knickerbocker Glory trolley at Dovetale, Mayfair

Situated at the heart of 1 Hotel Mayfair, Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers has introduced a unique tableside service for his latest restaurant. Dovetale’s knickerbocker glory trolley offers a modern, galactic take on the classic dessert across two centrepiece trolleys designed by Sellers and Seymourpowell, the design agency that conceptualised the Virgin Galactic spaceship. Guests can design their own sundae, made with a range of handmade ice creams and toppings, or choose from four ‘classics’ including the Dovetale Bocker, Boozey Bocker, Chocka Bocker and the Birthday Bocker.

1 Dover Yard, W1J 8NE, visit 1hotels.com

Bloody Mary trolley at 108 Brasserie, Marylebone

Marylebone’s favourite neighbourhood hangout is taking Sundays up a notch with the launch of its Bloody Mary trolley. Meet under the striking awnings of 108 Brasserie’s grand, ivy-strewn terrace before moving inside to the bold red leather banquettes and beckoning over the Bloody Mary trolley. Stacked with all the requisite spirits, mixers, and delicious garnishes (don’t miss the crispy bacon), the master of the wheels will shake up the classic cocktail, fresh-to-order, and just the way you like it.

108 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QE, visit 108brasserie.com

Beef Wellington trolley at The Goring, Belgravia

Images: Ben Carpenter

Having just emerged from a refurbishment this month, new additions to the Michelin-starred Dining Room at The Goring include several restaurant trolleys. From the decadent champagne trolley – from which The Dining Room’s signature champagne cocktail will be created – to the carving trolley offering beef Wellington to share and the Rum Baba Flambe served tableside, this Royal Warrant hotel knows how to pull out all the stops. 

15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW, visit thegoring.com

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