The Guinea Grill

The Guinea Grill has always been a macrocosm of Mayfair’s spendy indulgence, and as you approach from the Berkeley Square end of Bruton Place, you can hear the claret and Guinness-fuelled guffaws of the rowdy afterwork drinkers long before you can see them. A boisterous crowd spills out onto this otherwise quaint passthrough, but thankfully the Grill itself is rather quieter - a cosy meat-eaters temple, wood-panelled within an inch of its life, covered with prints of ruddy-faced soldiers, tartan carpets, wine cabinets and smartly suited staff who dodge through the narrow passageways and tables with great skill.

In 2024 The Guinea Grill reopened following an expansion of the dining space, but aside from some extra capacity it’s business as usual for this old Mayfair stager. This isn’t a menu for light eaters - case in point, you can order extra lamb kidneys, liver and ox heart as accompaniments for your main. The steaks have always been the prize attraction at The Guinea but devilled kidneys make a suitable warm up. They’re nicely cooked - plump and juicy, still a touch pink, and swimming in a mustard sauce that wakes the senses. There’s a bit of deftness on show too with a trio of nicely seared scallops, ducked in sprightly grapefruit beurre blanc.

It’s all designed to prime you for the piece de resistance, either a suet-crusted pie or hefty slab of grilled beef. At £14 per 100g for a Côte de Boeuf, The Guinea isn’t cheap, but that’s hardly a surprise given where we are, and the cooking on the beef is superb, as are the sauces. The confit potatoes hold their own against the legendary version made famous by the Quality Chop House. The Guinness is famously excellent. The wine list is cracking, though naturally expensive, with only a handful of 125ml pours clocking in under the £12 mark.

Some may baulk at The Guinea’s prices but it’s hard to argue with the quality of what’s on offer here - we’d put this firmly in special occasion territory unless you have deep pockets, but you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

The Guinea has rightfully earned its title as a true Mayfair institution. Operating since 1952, the location is steeped in a rich history, having first opened its doors as an inn back in 1423. Nowadays The Guinea is known for its exceptional service, and even better meat. The steakhouse is serving up the best of British beef day after day, but their Sunday roast is a standout on the menu.

Walking through the doors of The Guinea feels a bit like stepping back in time, with wooden-clad walls and caricatures of the now King decorating the walls, and the menu hasn’t changed much since its opening either. Here you can expect a selection of classic British dishes. Heavy hitters include their steak and mushroom pie, and a famed beef wellington. The Guinea have proudly worked alongside Finsbury Parks butchers Godfreys for over 60 years, and the quality is evident in every bite. 

Starters are a lighter affair, something to whet your appetite before the meat feast to come. Options include a prawn and crayfish cocktail and seared scallops with a grapefruit butter. If you’d like to start as you mean to continue we’d suggest ordering the decadent beef carpaccio with truffle cream. 

The grill is where The Guinea really shines, with eight different steak options to choose between. Or, if you are looking for something even more indulgent, try out their beef grill, served with sausage, bacon, egg, mushroom, tomato, onion, ox heart and calves liver. 

While this is undoubtedly a meat-eaters' paradise, there are a few options to keep vegetarian guests satisfied, like the leek and Roquefort risotto and the goats cheese and caramelised onion tart.

Beyond the grill, the item The Guinea are most celebrated for can be enjoyed by meat eaters and vegetarians alike. Before you enter the restaurant, make a stop in the pub attached and treat yourself to a pint of Guinness, lauded as one of the best in London.