Culture Trip's Ultimate Guide to Dinner in Mayfair

Indian street food gets an update in this upscale restaurant in the heart of Mayfair. There’s a six-course tasting menu if you want to experience everything the restaurant has to offer, but the curries, biryani and tandoor are available on the a la carte, and will tick every box. The meat is tender, the rice is flawless and the botanical cocktails round off the evening nicely. Don’t expect to leave with any space for a late-night snack.

Named after an 18th-century British courtesan, this buzzing spot has been a place to be seen since it opened. If you can get a table (definitely one to ring in advance about), you’re in for a treat – British cuisine with a Spanish twist cooked on a wooden grill will grace your table. The meat is juicy, the croquettes are crispy and even the toast will send you into a paroxysm of joy. With a cosy, romantic atmosphere, eating here will make you feel the life and soul of London’s party.

This cute restaurant tucked away on a quiet Mayfair side street may be Instagram bait, with its green velvet banquettes and pink walls, but that doesn’t mean the food isn’t good. Expect a French-leaning menu of well-presented classics, with a playful twist – the dulce de leche churros are a must.

This butcher-to-grill restaurant has an unusual concept: they only serve ethically sourced meat that’s been butchered in house. There are some ‘Boxcar classics’ available for lunch and dinner each day: steak, a burger, fish, a chicken dish and some sort of vegetarian option. These can be accompanied by different sides and sauces. While the choice at Boxcar may be limited, you can be assured that there is no wrong choice, as they’re all executed flawlessly. You can even see your meat before you eat it in the restaurant’s meat-hanging room. You can buy cuts of meat to take home, and there’s also a deli that does a stunning pork pie.

The fact that this restaurant has an open fire pit kind of tells you all you need to know. It serves meat, the best kind of meat; skin blistered from the fire, fat dripping, just waiting to be forked up in tender mouthfuls. There’s a South American-style theme, with tacos, raclette potatoes and small bowls of fiery sauces to drizzle on things. Beef, lamb and goat can be ordered by the 100g and are served fresh out of the fire. Whatever cuts you receive (think neck, shin and ribs as well as prime steak) you can be sure that they’ll be luscious. Just don’t expect to head home without the waft of smoke in your hair.

A true icon of the London restaurant scene, you won’t eat better oysters anywhere. The polished interior of this seafood stalwart will lull you into considering your own marble countertop on which to shuck oysters at home. The crabs, prawns and scallops are spankingly fresh and executed flawlessly. Sit downstairs for a formal dinner or head to the upstairs bar if you’re after a more laid-back vibe.

The Ritz is, of course, one of the most well-known hotels in the world; the word ‘ritz’ alone evokes images of luxury and glamour. You can’t fail to have a good time at any of the bars and restaurants within this famous hotel, but if you’re looking to end your evening with a bang you can do much worse than heading there and ordering the crepe suzettes. A trolley will arrive at your table and a waiter will expertly craft you a boozy, sweet crepe served with ice cream.

This world-renowned sushi restaurant with three Michelin stars isn’t cheap, but it will be unforgettable. And the food is stunning. With just two sittings every evening, at 6pm and 8.30pm, only ten seats and a set menu, The Araki is not for everyone. However, putting up with the house rules and you’ll be rewarded with flawlessly prepared Japanese food prepared right in front of your eyes. Service is attentive if a little quirky, with each course (and there are many) presented to you in a different way such as placed in your hand. Ingredients are rare, flavours are impeccable and the experience is unmissable.

Bellamy’s is French brasserie restaurant located off Berkeley Square, and is rumoured to be the Queen’s most-visited restaurant. The food at Bellamy’s reflects its upmarket surroundings, with a menu consisting of foie gras, oysters, steak tartare and, of course, lashings of caviar. The menu boasts an option of 30g of Baeri caviar with blinis and a glass of rare Belenkaya vodka to wash it down with – all for £50. A very reasonable deal for such a high-end treat.