The Ritz Restaurant

The Ritz has long had an excellent reputation, but this grand old institution has entered an exciting new era. Still, don’t expect anything too off-piste - The Ritz is still all about classic French cooking, but few in the capital do it as well and none with quite the same panache and service.

It’s impossible not to feel some awe at the grandeur of this beautiful dining room. High above you, the ceiling mirrors a cloudy sky, held aloft by towering marble columns. Dusty pinks and greens give life to a magnificent space that has housed many a celebrity and a royal over the years. In the day, natural light floods through soaring floor-to-ceiling windows, before a procession of chandeliers take over, casting moody shadows across the room for dinner service.

Diners have a choice between a la carte and tasting menus, and we’d highly recommend the latter. There are lux ingredients galore - a perfect amuse bouche of beef tartare and caviar in delicate shortcrust tart, for example, as well as a Colchester oyster topped with Champagne. What follows is precise, faultless and spectacular. Anjou pigeon is roasted, pressed, and served with a sauce made tableside. Veal sweetbread is perfectly cooked, almost melting in the middle, and teamed with the hefty umami of Parmesan, truffle and a rich veal sauce. The best dish of an outstanding bunch is Williams’ famous langoustine a la nage, two pink langoustines served swimming in a bath of bisque, with gently blanched spring vegetables.

Even before you get to the service, which is typically measured, attentive and friendly, The Ritz has solidified itself as the place for special occasion dining. Wines measure up to anywhere in London and are very well considered - a Premier Cru Chassagne-Montrachet picked to accompany the langoustine, for example, was truly special. Yes, the restaurant is eye-wateringly expensive, but in London’s restaurant landscape it remains top of the tree for occasion dining - there really is nowhere like The Ritz.

Special occasions need special surroundings and even more impressive food, and you won't find a more spectacular place to dine than at The Ritz. Holding a Michelin star, executive chef John Williams MBE creates the finest cuisine, presented with the utmost elegance and precision.

Surrounded by grand chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows and mirrors, and magnificent statues; the dining room alone is enough to take your breath away. Join friends and family overlooking the green haven of Green Park and let the head sommelier guide you through his list of gems, or perhaps you might favour a glass of Champagne or even a taste of the Champagne of the month.

The menus draw inspiration from traditional dishes using Escoffier-inspired recipes. Each dish is composed of fine, British produce; plus the menus change seasonally to adapt to the best ingredients available at each moment of the year.

A speciality of this restaurant can be found in their Arts De La Table section - shared dishes with table side service that pays homage to the harmony between the kitchen and service. If guests prefer, they can stick to a traditional three-course affair; begin with the likes of native lobster paired with tomato and basil before moving onto a main of sea bass. You may see the likes of seasonal Yorkshire grouse on the menu, served with tart blackberry and walnuts. 

In the dessert selection, the restaurant showcases its delicate patisserie skills. The infamous chocolate souffle is perfectly risen and fluffy with a smooth, vanilla chantilly cream to match. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, then the selection of artisan cheeses make the perfect finish.

Experience grandeur and elegance like no other when dining at The Ritz. Soak up the atmosphere of the live music performed by the resident pianist or harpist and revel in one of Mayfair's finest culinary destinations.