There are certain names and titles that instantly evoke a distinct feeling when they are heard. Just the mention of them conjures up a whole world of understanding and status that has been passed down through generations to become a part of a globally shared culture and heritage. On the very rare occasions that two of these names coalesce, the feeling is further heightened. It is as if one knows what to expect without even experiencing it first-hand.
Mayfair speaks of an elite neighbourhood that is known around the world for its history and prestige, where the highest standards are not just followed but created. Similarly, Michelin immediately encourages one to think of their defining guide that profiles the absolute pinnacle in restaurants and fine dining across the globe. When they come together, it represents the perfect partnership of class and cuisine that demands to be explored and enjoyed.
Our collection of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Mayfair acts as a guide to help begin that journey.
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
The superb, world-renowned facilities of The Dorchester hotel have been delighting diners since its opening in 1931. However, this particularly stunning iteration of its restaurant was created in 2007 with Alain Ducasse at the helm and was awarded two Michelin stars on the first visit in 2009, with a third added in 2010. This rapid accreditation speaks volumes for the attention to detail that has seen the awards maintained ever since. Interior design pioneers Studio Jouin Manku were commissioned to bring it to life through a palette of soft neutrals, woods, leathers and natural textiles that bring the verdant majesty of nearby Hyde Park into the dining space with incredible style. The Table Lumière here is where their prowess is most deftly defined with a six-seat table cocooned in a fibre-optic curtain that creates intimacy and grandeur right in the heart of the restaurant.
Alain Ducasse’s vision has always been clear. A philosophy of purity and natural flavours combined with flawless technique and respect for the produce is evident in everything on the menu. The hand-dived scallop with citrus beurre blanc & caviar is a bright and energetic classic, with their famous Baba cake, infused with rum or Armagnac, an absolutely wonderful way to finish the experience.
Sketch
The Lecture Room & Library
Mourad Momo Mazouz is nothing short of an icon in the restaurateur world. The Algerian-born chef has been responsible for some of the most important developments in gastronomy over the last three decades, since opening Momo in London back in 1997. Sketch was conceived by Mourad as a fusion of immersive art and peerless dining aligned in a former 18th-century townhouse on Conduit Street. Reports suggest that the renovation took over five years at a cost of around £12 million in order to deliver on his exacting vision. The Irish designer Gabhan O’Keefe made it into a theatrical marvel of marble floors, high ceilings and, of course, the highest drama of an accentuated glass dome ceiling.
The results have been breathtaking. The Lecture Room & Library earned its first Michelin star in 2005, with the second and third following in 2012 and 2019, respectively. Tasting menus are the order of the day here with New French creativity that uses satellite dishes to accompany main plates for interesting and delicious constellations of tastes and pairings. Seabass ceviche with passionfruit and the Cornish sea bass with courgette, purple asparagus and blood orange are strong highlights that work in this way. It is easy to see how Sketch has become a masterpiece in the last 20 years.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Hélène Darroze was invited to take over the restaurant at this historically significant hotel in 2008 after wowing critics and diners in Monaco and Paris. It is her fascinating and innovative approach to the entire experience of fine dining that really sets Hélène apart, with priority on the ingredients at every step. So much so that a wonderful, almost game-like, transaction occurs on the bespoke tasting menus where diners are asked to select illustrated tokens to represent the seasonal components and preferences that will make up the dishes they are served. Everything is approached with this Modern French Haute Cuisine and deeply personal philosophy. It is clearly a process that works too, earning the restaurant its third star in 2021 to join the ultra-elite group of UK establishments that hold this rarefied status.
A major redesign in 2019 was guided by the French interior architect Pierre Yovanovitch and anchored on his warm minimalism and sculpture-driven methodology. Curved banquettes, bronze accents and the diffused lighting deliver a homely feel that softens the entire experience in a calming way. There is a feminine elegance to this place that displays harmony and intimacy in equal measure, with a subtle confidence that is supported by such notable acclaim and awards.
Gymkhana
One of the most difficult challenges within the fine dining world is ensuring that inspiration for a restaurant is handled with class, understanding and the highest standards possible. Paying tribute to the colonial-era Gymkhana clubs of India, where high society personalities would congregate, eat and play sport, is a theme rich in culinary history and design that has been exquisitely executed by Karam Sethi and the team at this amazing place on Albemarle Street. It is testament to their enduring appeal and success that when a kitchen fire forced Gymkhana to close for several months in 2019, its subsequent redesign and reopening saw it garner a second Michelin star. This is a space bathed in light, punctuated by remarkable dark timber accents and plaster walls of rich red, where hunting trophies and sepia-tinted prints of sporting prowess adorn the walls.
The menu is full of examples where the root of traditional Indian regional cuisine is augmented by modern culinary techniques and driven by super quality British produce. Tandoor and Sigri flames work wonderfully well for deep, smoky dishes like their Tandoori Masala Lamb chops with Walnut Chutney and the Kid Goat Methi Keema with Pao. Significantly, there is similar depth to the Gymkhana wine cellar to ensure that everything is paired perfectly, resulting in a triumph of heritage, innovation and full-bodied taste.
So much of the research and preparation for your choice has already been done with the Michelin-starred restaurants of Mayfair. The very fact they have achieved such prestigious recognition and taken residence in this beautiful neighbourhood is all the recommendation one should need. Deciding in which order you would like to experience them all may be the only real challenge.
