Dining
The 5 Best Restaurants in Mayfair
The rooms that earn their postcode, from a Michelin-starred curry house to the grandest cafe in London.
In short: our top picks are Gymkhana, Scotts and Kitty Fishers. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Mayfair has more good restaurants per square mile than anywhere in Britain, which is exactly the problem: the difference between a great meal and an expensive one can be a single street. These are the rooms that earn their postcode, from a Michelin-starred curry house to the grandest cafe in London.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gymkhana | Mayfair | ££££ |
| Scotts | Mayfair | ££££ |
| Kitty Fishers | Mayfair | £££ |
| Hide | Mayfair | ££££ |
| The Wolseley | Piccadilly | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Gymkhana
Why we pick itTwo Michelin stars for grills and biryani in a room styled like a colonial gymkhana club
Worth knowingTwo stars invite comparisons the kitchen does not always survive, and the gap between the best plates and the merely good ones can feel wide.
The best Indian in town, full stop.
-
Scotts
Why we pick itA Mount Street institution for oysters, champagne and people-watching. Old money, fresh seafood, and a terrace built for a long lunch that becomes an afternoon.
For oysters and old-money glamour.
-
Kitty Fishers
Why we pick itA tiny, candlelit Shepherd Market room doing wood-grilled British cooking with real swagger. Hard to book, worth the effort.
A tiny room with real swagger.
-
Hide
Why we pick itOllie Dabbous's Piccadilly restaurant, starred within months of opening
Worth knowingThe upstairs tasting menu runs into the hundreds with pairings, and the cooking is consistently accomplished rather than reliably thrilling.
Grand dining with a serious cellar.
-
The Wolseley
Why we pick itBreakfast at seven under a domed ceiling built as a 1920s car showroom
Worth knowingDependable rather than surprising. It sells atmosphere and consistency, and for some diners the food is the least interesting part of the visit.
For the room and all-day theatre.
Before you book
Book ahead, especially for the small rooms, and ask for the bar if the dining room is full; in Mayfair the bar is often the best seat anyway. Lunch is frequently the smart move, with set menus that make the very best kitchens almost reasonable. And dress the part: this is the one part of London where it still matters.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Gymkhana is our editor's choice: Two Michelin stars for grills and biryani in a room styled like a colonial gymkhana club. Gymkhana, Scotts and Kitty Fishers lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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