From traditional English pubs serving wallet-friendly fare, to lavish Michelin-starred dining, there’s a huge variety of top-quality restaurants in Mayfair. And, cocktail lovers have plenty of places for a swanky drink or two. Check out our top picks for restaurants and bars in Mayfair.
Best restaurants in Mayfair
Hush
Drop in at this Mayfair bolthole nestled in a characterful courtyard behind Claridge’s hotel. Hush Mayfair is an elegant Mayfair restaurant that’s open all day. Stop off for afternoon tea or post-shopping cocktails, make a reservation for an indulgent dinner, or book a booth for more intimacy. Tuck into truffled-brie hamburger, or pumpkin-and-chestnut tortelloni. Finish with a nightcap in the Aviator bar, or in Hush’s cosy heated courtyard.
Tamarind
Embark on a journey to north-west India at Tamarind of Mayfair, where aromatic regional Indian cuisine is cooked in a traditional tandoor and imaginatively served. The first Indian restaurant in London to win a Michelin star, Tamarind offers flavour-packed dishes alongside an authentic array of chutneys. Or, choose from the pre- or post-theatre menus, or the tasting menu dishes for multiple diners.
Nobu Berkeley Street
Keep your eyes peeled for familiar faces at Nobu on Berkeley St, a regular Mayfair haunt for international A-listers. Head to the sushi bar for sashimi or yellowtail tartare with caviar, or book a table and sample dishes cooked in the traditional Japanese wood-burning oven. From ingenious tofu creations to melt-in-the-mouth pork belly, lunch or dinner at this Japanese restaurant in Mayfair is a treat not to be missed.
Scott's
Delight in the excellent service and glamorous surroundings of seafood-centric Scott’s, steps away from Hyde Park on Mount St. It’s one of the city’s oldest restaurants, with its wood-panelled walls adorned with art deco mirrors, and masterful displays of fresh seafood. Pair shellfish and champagne at the oyster bar, before sitting down to top quality lobster, fresh crab, Dover sole or even seasonal game.
Burger & Lobster
Love lobster? Love burgers? The clue’s in the name at wallet-friendly Mayfair restaurant Burger & Lobster, where Nebraska beef burger and Canadian lobster remain ever popular. Choose from a varied menu featuring ceviche, oysters, vegetarian options and, naturally, a burger with lobster on top. Visit early for breakfast eggs and porridge.
Iran Restaurant
Explore the maze of alleyways just off Shepherd’s Market, and you’ll come across Iran Restaurant. There’s more to this good-value restaurant than meets the eye: featuring traditional stews and kebabs, the authentic dishes here are hugely popular with Londoners and Iranian expats alike. Pop in for a meze lunch or book a table in the atmospheric cellar and let your senses be transported to the Middle East.
Sexy Fish
Head to Berkeley Square for this seafood restaurant and bar with more than a catchy name. The glitzy Sexy Fish hosts celebs and VIPs who come for its opulent decor, must-visit bar and indulgent cuisine. Think Wagyu beef, spicy-miso-caramelised black cod, and Madagascan prawn with shiso salsa, followed by your choice from a huge selection of Japanese whiskies.
The Guinea
Dig into award-winning pies and perfectly grilled steak at The Guinea, an old pub with fantastic food enclosed by walls which have welcomed drinkers since the 15th century. It’s more of a pint-and-a-pie type of venue than a gastro pub, with a laid-back feel that makes for an authentic British pub experience.
Benares
Spice up your evening by savouring an Indian feast with a modern twist at Benares, with its unforgettable wine-paired multi-course set menu. Or, enjoy the mouthwatering flavours of individual dishes, such as the Indian five-spice pickled prawns or the signature tandoori chicken-tikka pie. Relax in the elegant surroundings of this Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair, a key part of this area’s fine-dining scene for decades.
Afternoon tea at Claridge's
Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea in Mayfair at this iconic art deco hotel, established more than 150 years ago. Like its surroundings, the afternoon tea here is elegant and authentic: enjoy finger sandwiches, sweet pastries and scones, washed down with your choice from a selection of 24 world teas.
Afternoon tea at The Ritz
Craving scones and Cornish clotted cream? Or delicate, freshly baked cakes and pastries in an iconic landmark hotel with more than 100 years of history? Naturally. You can’t find a more traditional English experience than afternoon tea at The Ritz. Under the Palm Court’s glass ceiling, butlers fill flutes of champagne while smartly dressed guests tuck into tiers of treats. Book in advance to avoid disappointment … and don’t forget: there’s a dress code.
Best bars in Mayfair
Mr Fogg's
Enter a fantastical world whose cocktail menu is as eclectic as the travel souvenirs that surround you. Mr Fogg’s resembles a film-prop warehouse, with its birdcage chandeliers, weathered bunting, hunting rifles and taxidermied animals. An excellent drinks menu offers unusual yet moreish creations, a world away from Mayfair’s other bars. Try the tipsy tea for bottomless cocktails served in teapots: a quirky accompaniment to your afternoon cake.
The Luggage Room
Zip back in time to a world where gangsters had moustaches and gentlemen wore spats: The Luggage Room cocktail bar is pure 1920s glamour. Tucked into a corner of Grosvenor Square, this small but decadent gem is ideal for a relaxed evening sampling cocktails freshly made and served in period glassware by talented mixologists.
Coburg Bar at The Connaught
Settle into a velveteen armchair in the Coburg Bar at The Connaught and you’ll feel as though you’ve blinked and woken up in a rural manor house. Painted wood-panelling and thick rugs bring a cosy warmth to this intimate venue, whose extensive drinks menu is skilfully backed up by knowledgeable bar staff. For a special occasion, cosy up with a cognac or a classic cocktail.
Park Chinois
A truly sumptuous spectacle of gilt, marble and silk, complete with a floor dedicated to cabaret and jazz, Park Chinois is a feast for the eyes from the moment you enter its intriguing red front doors. The interiors at this Mayfair bar, we are told, are inspired by the French adoration of the mystique of the Orient, so it seems fitting that you can catch a cabaret show here while eating fresh dim sum. For a Mayfair Chinese with a twist, Park Chinois can’t be beaten.
The Running Horse
Enjoy the occasional lobster croissant? Never heard of it? The Running Horse, while famous for this pastry twist, has stuck to its traditional pub style since the 1700s. The drinks are predominantly British too: the pub is proud of its relationships with British producers. And the seasonal food - try the guinea fowl with summer truffle, and the quirky local cheese selection - makes it worth coming back to again and again.
MNKY HSE
Revel in a hedonistic after-party at MNKY HSE on Dover Street. You can dance until 4am on weekends at this Mayfair venue. Step through the slightly ominous black door into a surprisingly spacious main restaurant area. The real party starts after dinner, when the tables are pushed back and the DJ cranks up the volume.
Ice Bar
Take 45 minutes to chill out (excuse the pun) at the Ice Bar on the border between Mayfair and Soho. Don warm robes and enter what is essentially an igloo in the middle of the city, where you are served cocktails from hollowed-out ice cubes. Admire the impressive ice sculptures before heading back into the warm entrance bar for more drinks, or perhaps a bite to eat.
