You cannot imagine the experience we had at The Ritz Restaurant. Prior to dinner, we enjoyed champagne in the beautiful bar, where we were fortunate enough to have a prime seat to take in the atmosphere and elegance of the room.
We chose the seven-course Epicurean dinner, which happened to be the final evening of service before the dining room closed for a refresh after continuous use since 1916. It made the evening feel even more historic and special.
The food was truly fit for royalty. Every course was exceptional, and each wine pairing selected by the sommelier elevated the experience even further. What made the night unforgettable, however, was the staff. Every member of the team made us feel welcomed and genuinely cared for. Giuseppe and Ben were two names we remember, though the entire staff left a lasting impression on us.
It was an honor to spend an evening immersed in the rich history and extraordinary hospitality of The Ritz. If you ever have the opportunity to experience something truly exceptional, this is the place to do it.
I was there a few weeks back and honestly had such a great time. The place just had this super chill vibe, the staff was all really friendly, and the food totally blew me away. I ended up hanging out for hours and did not want to leave. If you have not been yet, you should definitely check it out. The elegance and service at The Ritz stand out from anywhere else I have eaten. I have been to two other Michelin-star restaurants, but The Ritz offers something special beyond just the food. The dining room, the formal atmosphere, tableside service, and attentive staff make lunch here feel truly special.
We chose the three-course lunch menu, but with extras like bread, cheese, and petits fours, calling it “three courses” doesn’t do the experience justice.
The meal started with a selection of welcome snacks: small, beautifully presented bites with surprisingly bold flavours. The mango, chilli, and cheese combination was especially good and set the tone for the rest of the meal.
Then came the bread and butter, which truly deserves its own mention. The bread was warm, soft inside, and had a beautiful crust, served with excellent butter. It was so good that I had to stop myself from eating too much before the main courses arrived. It was served with pickled cucumber and citrus. The portion was much more generous than I expected. The trout was beautifully smoky, incredibly tender, and practically melted in the mouth. The acidity and freshness from the cucumber and pickled elements cut through the richness perfectly. One of those dishes where you genuinely want to wipe the plate completely clean.
For the main course, the John Dory was outstanding. The fish was perfectly cooked and topped with a light saffron and lemon foam, served with carrot, fennel, and a rich sauce. All the flavours worked together: the carrot added sweetness, the fish and sauce brought savoury notes, the lemon and saffron gave acidity and aroma, and the fennel added a nice contrast. The dish was rich and full of flavour without being too heavy or fishy.
I also ordered the cheese course, and this is where The Ritz makes dining feel like a show. The cheese trolley is brought right to your table and presented by someone who really knows the selection. I let them choose for me. There was a mild blue cheese, a sweet goat's cheese that paired well with the sides, and several other cheeses served with crackers, bread, chutney, and walnuts. The selection was so generous that it ended up being one of the most filling parts of the meal.
For dessert, I had the Bramley apple and blackberry soufflé with vanilla Chantilly. This was my first real soufflé, and it might have spoiled me for others. It was tall and very light inside, with just enough caramelisation on top for texture against the airy centre. The apple added freshness without making it too sweet, and the vanilla Chantilly was amazing, tasting like something between rich ice cream and light whipped cream, with a strong vanilla flavour.
Finally, the petits fours arrived: tiny, perfectly presented bites like chocolate, fruit jelly, and a macaron. Even after such a big meal, each one had enough flavour and character to make you want to try them all.
And then there is the room itself. The Ritz Restaurant is truly spectacular. With chandeliers, mirrors, floral carpet, silverware, a cheese trolley, and a team in traditional uniforms, it could feel too formal, but the staff make it welcoming. Service was polished but never intrusive. They were there when you needed something and out of sight when you did not.
That balance is what impressed me most. The food truly deserves its reputation, but the hospitality takes the experience beyond just eating at a two-star restaurant.
Everything was a 10 out of 10 for me: beautiful food, perfect surroundings, and some of the best service I’ve had in London. I can see why people make dining here a tradition. It feels like the kind of place you’d return to for birthdays and celebrations for years to come.
I’ll definitely come back whenever I get the chance.
Normally when I review an experience like this, I go course by course, but honestly, even that wouldn’t do this evening justice.
Before even talking about the food, the service deserves recognition of its own. The staff at The Ritz Restaurant moved with the precision of a perfectly timed dance. Nothing felt rushed, nothing felt forced, and absolutely nothing was left to chance. My glass never ran dry, and the wine pairing was exceptional, informative and thoughtful without ever crossing into pretentiousness.
As for the food, it was simply incredible from start to finish. I understand this is a two Michelin star restaurant, but Michelin stars alone cannot fully capture how extraordinary this experience truly was.
The live music was outstanding, the dancers were fantastic, and the ambience was unlike anything else I’ve experienced. Every element worked together to create what was genuinely one of the greatest dining experiences of my life.
I will absolutely return and do this again.
