Whether you’re a fan of the Royal Family or not, it’s difficult to ignore the excitement surrounding Prince Harry’s upcoming nuptials. The Prince will marry Meghan Markle on Saturday 19 May and London will be abuzz with street parties and celebrations. The capital’s restaurants and bars are getting in on the action too, with some thoroughly British (and some American) specials. Check out which ones get our royal seal of approval below.
The cocktails…
Manetta’s Bar at Flemings, Mayfair
What: Even if you’re not attending the wedding, it’s only right to raise a glass to the happy couple. Toast Harry and Meghan at Manetta’s, with the Windsor Fizz cocktail (available 12-26 May). Based on the classic American cocktail the Ramos Gin Fizz, this sip is created using bourbon, hibiscus, lime, lemon, egg white and whipping cream. It also arrives garnished with 24k gold leaves for an extra touch of royal indulgence.
Where: Flemings Mayfair, 7-12 Half Moon Street, W1J 7BH
How much: £16
P.F. Chang’s Asian Table, Covent Garden
What: You’d better practice your pinky lifts, as P.F. Chang’s wants you to drink like a royal. Its new cocktail offering is inspired by the royals’ favourite tipples and is available throughout the month. Sip on the Sparkle Like Markle, a cask-aged Negroni, to channel your inner princess, or enjoy a Marry Harry, which mixes the prince’s favourite drink of vodka with honey, lemon, soda and a drop of soy sauce.
Where: 10 Great Newport Street, WC2H 7JA
How much: Cocktails from £9.50
Ritorno, Hackney
What: Ritorno is also giving its drinks menu a royal twist with limited-edition Right Royal cocktails. Options include The Prince & The Showgirl which mixes vodka with ginger liqueur, but our favourite is actually the non-alcoholic George & Charlotte. This drink mixes Crodino and peach purée, and arrives garnished with a rice-paper portrait of the little Prince and Princess – one for hardcore royalists.
Where: 434 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA
How much: Right Royal cocktails, £10 and George & Charlotte cocktail, £6.50
Rules, Covent Garden
What: Rules is famously London’s oldest (and most resolutely British) restaurant, so it’s no surprise that they’ve dedicated a cocktail to the occasion. The Meghan Markle ‘Royal 19’ is made from Maker’s Mark, rosé Champagne reduction, Miclo violet liqueur, cherry bitters and topped with Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royal Champagne. Now, it doesn’t get much more regal than that.
Where: 35 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LB
How much: Price TBC
The parties…
Devonshire Terrace, City
What: If your invite to Meghan’s hen do got lost in the post (an easy mistake), head to Devonshire Terrace on 18 May, which is hosting an very unofficial hen party. You can expect glitter face painting, a dessert cocktail station, and a free Meghan Sparkles cocktail when you reserve a table, which mixes vodka, elderflower, vanilla and violet liqueur, and is topped with Prosecco (natch) and fresh blackberries.
Where: Building 9a, Devonshire Square, EC2M 4WY
How much: Meghan Sparkles cocktail, £8.95
Greenwood, Victoria
What: If arranging your own street party is too much paperwork, head to Greenwood in Victoria which will be toasting the happy couple with a bottomless Pimm’s brunch. Guests can tuck into US-style brunch dishes including mac ‘n’ cheese balls and shrimp and bacon croquettes, alongside free-flowing Pimms. The ceremony will also be streamed across the venue’s 16 plasma screen TVs, so there’s no chance of missing a minute of the action.
Where: 170 Victoria Street, SW1E 5LB
How much: Two/three courses, £35/40
Long Bar at The Sanderson, Fitzrovia
What: Although we didn’t get the day off we were hoping for, there’s no harm in still enjoying a right royal knees up. The Long Bar is hosting a royal wedding party featuring live music, cupcakes, and a special cocktail which mixes gin, Earl Grey tea infusion, apple, maple syrup and Champagne. Dress to impress and don’t forget your wedding hat – buy tickets here.
Where: The Sanderson, 50 Berners Street, W1T 3NG
How much: £14
The afternoon teas…
Emmeline’s Lounge, St James’s
What: Available until the end of August, this Royal Afternoon Tea features all the British hallmarks, with a few extra touches thrown in. You can expect finger sandwiches, including a cucumber and cream cheese variety, and fresh scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, alongside sweet treats including a lemon and elderflower lollipop, inspired by the flavours of the royal couple’s wedding cake – pinkies at the ready.
Where: Conrad London St. James Hotel, 22-28 Broadway, SW1H 9LQ
How much: £35
The Thames Foyer at The Savoy, Covent Garden
What: Dining at The Savoy will make you feel like royalty anyway, so you might as well indulge in a Royal Afternoon Tea while you’re there. You can expect a selection of finger sandwiches (including smoked salmon and crème fraiche, and coronation chicken with olive bread), before tucking into traditional scones and a selection of desserts, including a Royal Wedding Cake (soft chocolate ganache, rich tea biscuits and rum soaked raisins).
Where: Strand, WC2R 0EU
How much: £68
TING Restaurant & Lounge, South Bank
What: Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British tradition, so what better way to celebrate the upcoming nuptials? The Royal Botanical Afternoon Tea at TING (which comes complete with The Shard’s awe-inspiring views) features a delightful selection of botanical themed cakes, scones and finger sandwiches. There’s even a roast chicken variety, which is a subtle nod to Harry’s intimate proposal over a home-cooked Sunday roast.
Where: Shangri-La Hotel, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU
How much: £60
The dishes…
The Blues Kitchen, Brixton
What: The Blues Kitchen Brixton is celebrating the big day with a burger which mashes UK and US ingredients, although we wouldn’t recommend it to any couples on pre-wedding diets. The ‘when Harry met Meg’ sees a British beef patty topped with cheese and bacon, then layered with a brisket patty topped with American cheese and candied streaky bacon. It’s then crowned with a mini corn dog and served with carrot coleslaw and fries – phew.
Where: 40 Acre Lane, SW2 5SP
How much: £15
The Ivy Kensington Brasserie, Kensington
What: The Ivy collection already has plenty of fans (the Queen was spotted dining at the original site last summer) and it’s sure to bag a few more with this regal dessert, which is a twist on its signature Chocolate Bombe. The dish features a chocolate dome topped with a gold crown, which is then drizzled in hot strawberry sauce to reveal a centre filled with ice cream, meringue and shortbread.
Where: 96 Kensington High Street, W8 4SG
How much: £9.95
L’Ami Malo, City
What: This modern crêperie is marking the big day by indulging the sweet tooth of Londoners everywhere. L’Ami Malo will offer diners a complimentary slice of Le Gâteau de Crêpes Saint Georges – named in honour of Windsor Castle’s chapel where Meg and Hazza will tie the knot. The multi-tiered millefeuille-style wedding cake features layer upon layer of crêpes with raspberry flavoured cream, piled high on top of a vanilla and rose sponge base.
Where: 14 Artillery Passage, E1 7LJ
How much: Free
If you can’t get enough of the UK’s first family, check out our pick of restaurants with royal connections.