Home to the lion’s share of London’s Michelin-starred restaurants, if you’ve got pockets deep enough, there are few finer places to settle in for a long lunch or decadent dinner than Mayfair. But, with big-name chefs serving up tasting menus on every corner, where to begin? From fine dining Indian to the capital’s greatest classical French cooking, we’ve found the best restaurants in Mayfair…

Restaurant at The Twenty Two

One of Mayfair’s best-kept secrets, The Twenty Two is where new and old worlds collide, as the Edwardian townhouse has been reimagined into an eclectic hotel simply reserved for those in the know. Head to its flagship Restaurant spearheaded by Alan Christie (previously Arbutus) for an unforgettable experience dining on menus that utilise the best British seasonal produce elevated by Mediterranean flavours. Hero dishes include Devonshire crab salad, grilled tiger prawns with seaweed and garlic butter, Dover sole meuniere with capers and parsley, and wild mushroom and black truffle risotto, while the wine list ranges from Sussex to the Sonoma Coast. The feather in the cap, however, is the new Bloody Mary trolley consisting of homemade spiced tomato juice, an array of gin, tequila and vodkas, and unique garnishes including mignonette and crispy bacon.

Painted a bespoke blend of seven shades of blue, the Restaurant’s 19th-century panelling and cabochon limestone floor pays further tribute to classic European design. For more intimate occasions, the Restaurant’s private dining room can seat up to 24 guests and is brought to life via a recent partnership with Canopy Collections: a contemporary art platform that champions both emerging and established living artists such as Ian Whittlesea and Irvin Pascal.

22 Grosvenor Square, W1K 6LF, visit the22.london

Bacchanalia

Proving that Richard Caring doesn’t do things by halves – the Mount Street establishment features more than 60 ancient Roman and Greek sculptures – Bacchanalia is a Greco-Italian restaurant that’s easily blended into the exuberance of Mayfair. One of the most romantic boltholes in the capital, expect floor-to-ceiling marble, plush velvets and dramatic uplighting. Inside there’s a beautiful bar serving bespoke cocktails and champagnes alongside an indulgent Mediterranean-inspired menu curated by head chef Theo Zarikakis showcasing elevated traditional Greek dishes, such as pastitsio and chicken souvla. Enlist the help of head sommelier Zsofia Kiss, whose favourite tipples are sourced from the ethereal landscapes of Santorini and Arcadia, and you’re in for a night to remember. 

1-3 Mount Street, W1K 3NB, visit bacchanalia.co.uk

Mistress

Having joined Mayfair’s star-studded social scene in February, Parisian-inspired restaurant and after-hours lounge, Mistress, is concealed below street level on St James Street. Dressed in a fusion of sultry reds, romantic pinks and plush velvet, Mistress is inspired by the historic, clandestine tunnels beneath the capital, where ladies of the night were smuggled in at the behest of the male members of White’s private club. Come evening, DJs will be spinning funk, soul and disco tunes while the kitchen serves a refined French menu featuring tomato carpaccio, lobster linguine, truffle rigatoni, and plates piled high with French fries and dauphinoise potatoes. Complemented by a roaming champagne trolley, classic cocktails, and an extensive wine list, Mistress is the only destination for date night. 

48-49 St James Street, SW1A 1JT, visit mistressofmayfair.com

Abajo by Humo

Having launched last year, Humo is the debut restaurant from Colombian-born chef Miller Prada, whose culinary offering revolves around a four-metre-long wood-fired grill. While upstairs serves the likes of ike-jime trout marinated and smoked in juniper and grilled Orkney scallops, head downstairs to discover the exclusive and intimate chef’s table, Abajo (‘below’ in Spanish). Here, guests are guided through a multi-step menu featuring fine produce paired with experimental Japanese cooking techniques. Expect small plates of Mediterranean blue fin with shiso and lemongrass, East Sussex quail served in wild garlic and sour cream, and Kagoshima beef brisket drizzled in sugar cane honey, all paired with unique wines courtesy of the in-house sommelier. 

12 St George Street, W1S 2FB, visit abajolondon.com

Akira Back

World-renowned chef Akira Back made his UK debut earlier this year with the opening of the eponymously-named restaurant and Dosa, plus cocktail destination ABar Lounge, all housed within the five-star Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. The former is at the heart of the hotel, spread across a 148-seat Japanese restaurant showcasing an array of Back’s star dishes, including the AB tuna pizza featuring a wafer-thin crunchy crust, umami aioli and tuna sashimi, and the 48-hour Australian wagyu ribs cooked in a traditional galbi jjim marinade. Exclusive to London, however, is the wagyu tempura Wellington, paying homage to the traditional British dish and using Highland British wagyu cooked in tempura rather than pastry. Elsewhere, enjoy Michelin-starred fare at Dosa – offering culinary theatrics with Korean seasonal dishes served at an intimate 14-seater chef’s table – and don’t miss ABar Lounge, offering classic cocktails and an array of small bites, which is open until 2.30am throughout the week for those all-important nightcaps. 

22 Hanover Square, W1S 1JP, visit mandarinoriental.com

Bar Des Prés 

Setting up shop on Mayfair’s Albemarle Street and just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly, Bar Des Prés is a chic Franco-East Asian restaurant by acclaimed chef Cyril Lignac. Interiors are gold and glitzy while flavours are clean and original via traditional Japanese and French techniques. Alongside classic offerings such as Scottish salmon sashimi and obsiblue prawn sushi, unique combinations highlight Bar des Prés’ combination of French know-how and Japanese individuality, such as native lobster, wasabi and furikake maki, and avocado and jalapeño California rolls. Don’t miss the bright and fresh raw dishes too, with our personal favourite being the marinated sea bass in yuzu, dry miso and rocoto. 

16 Albemarle Street, W1S 4HW, visit bardespres.com

Novikov

Novikov has remained at the forefront of the Mayfair dining scene for more than 10 years and remains one of the hottest seats in town for a delectable night out in the capital. The restaurant's menu is divided into Italian and Asian cuisine, served from an open kitchen fronted by an amazing display of fresh seafood and vegetables, evoking the atmosphere of a food market. Menu highlights include the scallop jalapeno maki roll, wagyu tacos and miso black cod, alongside overflowing seafood platters and fresh market fish grilled, steamed, fried or raw topped with some of the good stuff from the caviar bar. Also don’t miss the dim sum lunch – perfect for those speedy business meetings – featuring fillings of kimchi wagyu, chicken and morel and even beef and foie gras. 

50A Berkeley Street, W1J 8HA, visit novikovrestaurant.co.uk

Benares

Just like its neighbour Gymkhana (more on that later), the chefs at Michelin-starred Benares are on a mission to change the way diners view Indian cuisine. Executive chef Sameer Taneja leads a kitchen team that turns out exquisite, refined dishes based on natural, sustainable and seasonal ingredients paired with an unusual wine list that selects intriguing bottles from unexpected domains, such as Croatia, Greece and Germany, capable of standing up to complex spicing. For the full experience opt for the 10-course tasting menu including highlights such as baked Malabar Scottish scallops, tandoori muntjac with garlic yoghurt, and baby poussin tikka masala.

12a Berkeley Square, W1J 6BS, visit benaresrestaurant.com

Colony Grill Room

The signature restaurant of the lavish Beaumont hotel, the Colony Grill Room offers a slice of classic London gastronomy given a modern New York twist. The dining room, for example, punctuates the kind of squishy leather banquettes and dark wood panelling that wouldn’t look out of place in the most traditional of private members' clubs with bright murals of woodland scenes that make the whole atmosphere far more lively. Food, too, is of the refreshed classics category, with must-tries including the Hereford steak tartare, Colony cobb salad and Suffolk wagyu rib-eye steak.

8 Balderton Street, W1K 6TF, visit colonygrillroom.com

Murano

Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred restaurant on Queen Street qualifies as just about the best Italian food you’re going to find in Mayfair. The big sister to Covent Garden’s Cafe Murano, the food here is inspired by dishes Hartnett cooked with her Italian grandmother, elevated and refined using the best seasonal produce from around the UK and Europe. With an emphasis on approachable fine dining, the menu is divided into five categories from which diners are encouraged to choose as many or as few dishes as they want, to be served in any order. Don’t miss the artichoke risotto, Cornish cod with sea kale and sweet cicely and the Herdwick lamb with new potatoes and spring vegetables.

20 Queen Street, W1J 5PP, visit muranolondon.com

Sabor

Knowing that ‘sabor’ means flavour in Spanish should give you a hint as to what to expect from Nieves Barragan and José Etura’s Heddon Street eatery. Organised into three distinct areas – the counter, ground-floor bar and upstairs El Asador – the restaurant promises a well-rounded experience of Spanish cuisine. Take a seat at the counter for daily-changing regional seafood dishes prepared by Sabor’s in-house fishmonger or opt for a table in the bar to peruse delectable tapas, including huevo relleno, classic tortilla and prawn croquetas, accompanied by a vast selection of cocktails, sherries, wines and Spanish vermouths. Finally, for something more substantial, head upstairs for specialties from the Galicia and Castile regions, such as Segovian suckling pig, confit cod and monkfish tempura. 

35-37 Heddon Street, W1B 4BR, visit saborrestaurants.co.uk

Kai

Originally opened in 1993, alongside Hakkasan (see below), Kai has been a pioneer in freeing Chinese cooking in the capital from its prison of deep-fried chicken balls and lurid orange sauces by offering diners a more authentic, upscale alternative. In 2009 it became the first Chinese restaurant in London to earn a Michelin star, which it has held on to ever since, with a menu focusing on the flavours and traditions of the Nanyang region, with specialties including yee sang salads, roasted Peking duck served in two courses and Nanyang chilli lobster. For something a little different, try the Chinese Whispers afternoon tea which starts with a tea ‘truth’ potion and dispenses classic finger sandwiches and scones in favour of bao and macarons.

65 South Audley Street, W1K 2QU, visit kaimayfair.co.uk

Portland

If owners Will Lander and Daniel Morgenthau are to be believed, when Portland opened in 2015 it never had any aspirations towards accolades – instead hoping just to be the kind of quietly brilliant neighbourhood restaurant you return to time and time again. Perhaps, then, they have chef Chris Bassett to thank for the Michelin star that landed on their doorstep later that year (which they retain to this day). Whether you’re dropping in for the surprisingly wallet-friendly £59 three-course set lunch or are going all out with a six-course tasting menu, expect precise cooking, seasonal ingredients pressed into the service of inventive modern European cuisine and a wine list so considered they recommend you reserve your dream bottle in advance.

113 Great Portland Street, W1W 6QQ, visit portlandrestaurant.co.uk

Hide

Ollie Dabbous’s Hide is home to not one but three restaurants, each of which is found on a different floor and has its own identity. Below is principally a bar, where a wine cellar is stocked by the restaurant’s co-founding partner Hedonism, while the main restaurant offers an all-day menu and Above focuses on fine dining, with a tasting menu served for lunch and dinner that ranks among the most expensive in the city featuring delectable dishes of Heritage breed sirloin cooked over charcoal and steamed day-boat turbot with lemon verbena. One of the most hotly-anticipated restaurants when it opened in 2018, Hide secured its Michelin star within just five months of launch, and has held onto it ever since.

85 Piccadilly, W1J 7NB, visit hide.co.uk

Amazónico

Positioning itself firmly in competition with Sexy Fish for Berkeley Square's most exuberant restaurant, the original Amazónico in Madrid has been thrilling diners with its Latin American fare since 2010, and in November 2021 London got its own taste of Sandro Silva and Marta Seco's hospitality. And while its menu of ceviches, sushi and charcoal-grilled meats is reason enough to visit, at Amazónico the food is only half the story. There's also the live band and resident DJs that entertain diners each evening, the six-seater sushi bar where chefs can be observed up close, the tropical cocktail menu and, of course, the rainforest-themed interiors by artist Lázaro Rosa-Violan. Good luck choosing a single photo for your Instagram feed.

10 Berkeley Square, W1J 6BR, visit amazonicorestaurant.com

Ormer Mayfair

Hand & Flowers alumni Sofian Msetfi heads up Ormer Mayfair, which has been praised as one of the best dining experiences in the capital. Found in the basement of the five-star Flemings Hotel, the restaurant serves a five-course tasting menus of seasonal British dishes, made using locally-sourced ingredients and foraged herbs. Expect options such as roast rack of Cumbrian lamb with wasabi, cucumber and lime, cured Cornish mackerel with sesame, kombu and spiced nage, and warm Ibérico ham with parmesan, Bramley apple and nasturtium.

7-12 Half Moon Street, W1J 7BH, visit flemings-mayfair.co.uk

Gymkhana

Inspired by high society clubs of India, where members eat, drink, socialise and play sport, Gymkhana reopened in 2020 following a fire and subsequent refurbishment, which saw the already chic restaurant become all the more elegant. Owned by the same siblings behind Trishna, Hoppers and Bao, Gymkhana is as pleasing on the palate as it is on the eye, with its North Indian cuisine earning the restaurant a Michelin star in 2014. Try the extensive five-course tasting menu for the full experience, with dishes including Muntjac biryani, chicken butter masala and aloo chat.

42 Albermarle Street, W1S 4JH, visit gymkhanalondon.com

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

There are only five three-Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital, and Hélène Darroze at The Connaught is one of them. Specialising in a traditional French cuisine perfected under her former mentor Alain Ducasse, Darroze serves seasonal tasting menus using largely British ingredients, with the menu detailing the origins of each dish – think red mullet from Devon, scallop from Scotland and wagyu from Japan. Refurbished in 2019 by Pierre Yovanovitch to mark 10 years since its opening, the restaurant is an elegant and welcoming space with wood panelling and a soft pink colour scheme throughout.

Carlos Place, W1K 2AL, visit the-connaught.co.uk

Isabel

Isabel is the sister restaurant to Notting Hill's equally glamorous Casa Cruz, owned by Chilean investment banker-turned-restaurateur Juan Santa Cruz. Mixing Chinoiserie with sexy, seventies glamour, the dining room is a glossy milieu of golden tones and dark ebony, with no less than 300 polished brass lamps that have been artfully positioned to ensure patrons are shone in the most flattering light. The cocooning bathrooms are a destination in their own right, beautifully decorated with silk De Gournay wallpaper, hand-painted with Oriental gardens, flamingos and tropical jungles.

Drawing on Mediterranean in fluences, the diverse menu spans colourful salads, seafood and pasta dishes, while sizzling Wagyu steaks and lamb cutlets are cooked on the grill. Be sure to order the crispy hand-smashed potatoes, which are arguably the best in London. The restaurant buzzes from lunchtime until 2am, allowing dinner to effortlessly segue into cocktails until the small hours.

26 Albemarle Street, W1S 4HY, visit isabelw1.london

Bombay Bustle

Tucked between the art galleries and high-end boutiques of Maddox Street, stepping into Bombay Bustle is like entering the busy, vibrant hubbub of an Indian marketplace – which is exactly the point. Everything from the communal seating and patterned upholstery fabric on the booths to the extensive menu of upscale Indian comfort food is inspired by Mumbai – and more specifically the city's network of dabbawalas: men who use local transport to deliver home-cooked meals across the city. Tasting menus, Sunday brunch and delivery options are all available but, for the full experience, settle in for a multi-course dinner from the a la carte offerings. Highlights include Malabar lamb curry, Punjabi vegetable samosa and Jalebi cheesecake.

29 Maddox Street, W1S 2PA, visit bombaybustle.com

Hakkasan

Regularly voted the best Chinese restaurant in London, dispel any notions of bright orange sweet and sour sauces or deep fried 'seaweed' because at Michelin-starred Hakkasan, they do things a little differently. And while some favourites remain on the menu – sesame prawn toast, salt and pepper squid and the restaurant's signature Peking duck are all there – these are your go-tos ramped up to 11. That Peking duck, for example, is best served with caviar while Hakkasan's char sui is made using 24-hour slow-roasted Iberico pork. The dim sum is also a highlight here; opt for one of the four set menus to really get a taste of what Hakkasan does best.

17 Bruton Street, W1J 6JB, visit hakkasan.com

Sparrow Italia

Tucked away down a quiet street just off Old Bond Street, Sparrow Italia opened in Mayfair in 2022, adding a rooftop terrace and cigar lounge to its offering last year. The first international outpost of a successful LA venture of the same name, Sparrow Italia promises 'coastal Italian' cuisine in seriously decadent surrounds (and lighting seemingly purpose-designed for the best food photography you've ever taken). Is it cheap? Of course not, this is Mayfair we're talking about. Will its offering of traditional Milanese, perfectly al dente cacio e pepe and light organic salads leave you wondering how soon is too soon to go back? Absolutely.

1-3 Avery Road, W1K 4AJ, sparrowitalia.com

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