The Refuge

The Principal Hotel has joined forces with ex-Unabomber DJs Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey – the team behind Volta in Didsbury – to create a stunning all-day drinking and dining destination. The jaw-dropping late-Victorian space (once home to The Refuge Assurance Company) includes a 139-seat restaurant with open kitchen, an elegant granite bar, and a sparkling winter atrium serving afternoon tea and exquisite cocktails. The globe-trotting menu is inspired by DJ-ing trips, with small and large plates including Volta classics such as crispy lamb shawarma, slow-cooked with fiery harissa and yoghurt. Our slow-cooked ox cheek was exemplary, the succulent fatty flesh topped with an oozing fried egg and spicy Sriracha. Smoky lamb chops came with a zingy fattoush salad. Desserts shouldn’t be missed either, especially the creamy white chocolate and cardamom brûlée. With high-quality well-priced food presented in an elegant yet comfortable venue, the Refuge is a welcome sanctuary on Oxford Street.

Refuge, by Volta is located in Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, open daily this bar and restaurant is inspired by the global DJing trips of Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey.

Once home to The Refuge Assurance Company, Refuge is a quirky and inviting bar and restaurant which sits in a striking late-Victorian building, enjoying plenty of character and style.

You will find many dining options available including an all-day menu, Sunday lunch, and afternoon tea. You can head to Refuge for drinks, dinner or some simple bar food, there are plenty of options.

The all-day menu features a number of world-inspired small plates such as spiced lamb flatbreads served with pomegranate and mint, and pork chops served with pineapple. If you’re looking for seafood you will find dishes such as cured salmon with rose fennel and lemon, and salt cod croquettes served with tartare aioli and parmesan. If you’re looking for vegetarian plates you will find a good selection available including curried sweet potato, and chargrilled cauliflower with harissa and pomegranate.

Those with a sweet tooth may enjoy the dessert menu which features sticky toffee pudding with orange miso caramel, and a dark chocolate mousse served with roasted pineapple and chilli.

Afternoon tea is served between 1 and 4 pm, Tuesday to Thursday. This unique and eye catching take on afternoon tea includes savoury treats such as cheddar cheese custard, oak smoked salmon and a pork kimchi sausage roll. There are of course scones and clotted cream, plus a selection of cakes such as fig Battenburg, yoghurt and honey choux buns and a black forest gateaux.

You can choose from the large and varied drinks menu, which serves a good selection of soft drinks, as well as tea, coffee, and cocktails.