The Ritz London Restaurant Review: Two Michelin Stars in Piccadilly’s Most Iconic Setting
The Ritz London restaurant review starts at 150 Piccadilly, where legendary hotelier César Ritz opened this icon in 1906. As Jeanpaul Cavalletti, I’ve dined at celebrated establishments worldwide, but few command the reverence of this fine dining Piccadilly institution.
Executive Chef John Williams MBE leads the kitchen at this two Michelin star London restaurant. He’s passionate about showcasing the best British ingredients through classical French technique. The Ritz Restaurant recently won Restaurant of the Year at The National Restaurant Awards 2025.
This isn’t just dinner. It’s an experience where impeccable cuisine meets Louis XVI opulence in one of the world’s most beautiful dining rooms.
Inside The Ritz London Restaurant: The Atmosphere at This Piccadilly Icon
You enter through glass doors at the lobby’s back, walk down the Long Gallery past the Rivoli Bar, and reach the stunning dining room overlooking Green Park. The space takes your breath away immediately.
Grand Louis XVI furnishings and curtains that look spun from gold create an unforgettable impression. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with natural light during lunch. At dinner, crystal chandeliers cast romantic illumination across pristine white tablecloths.
The dining room seats around 90 guests yet feels intimate. Generous table spacing and careful acoustics ensure conversations remain private despite the room’s grandeur. This fine dining Piccadilly experience strikes that difficult balance—formal without stuffiness, elegant without pretension.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, live entertainment transforms the space. ‘Live at The Ritz’ dinner dance events feature music that enhances rather than dominates the atmosphere.
What’s on The Ritz London Menu? Chef John Williams’ British Seasonal Cuisine
The Ritz London menu changes seasonally, showcasing the finest British ingredients. Chef Williams sources organic beef from Cornish moors, lamb from the Lake District, and succulent lobsters from South West Scotland. Everything reflects his “Best of British” philosophy.
His approach is refreshingly straightforward. Classical French technique applied to premium British produce. No molecular gastronomy or deconstructed dishes here—just impeccable cooking that lets ingredients shine.
Menu options range from an £86 three-course lunch to a £215 seven-course tasting menu. The Arts de la Table menu features theatrical tableside guéridon service, keeping traditional fine dining alive. Starters run £42-£46, mains £59-£85, and desserts around £27.
The kitchen displays remarkable consistency. These aren’t experimental dishes that might succeed or fail. They’re time-tested preparations executed to perfection meal after meal.
Every course arrives precisely timed, allowing conversation to flow naturally. The pacing alone separates The Ritz from lesser establishments where you’re either rushed or waiting too long.
What to Order at The Ritz London: Signature Dishes Worth the Visit
The Langoustine à la Nage at The Ritz London
This signature dish defines The Ritz London menu. Scottish langoustines arrive displayed live at your table—a rarity in London where most restaurants serve frozen. The tails are poached in butter and served with cauliflower purée, baby Cornish vegetables, and bronze fennel.
The langoustines possess lovely natural sweetness and remarkable tenderness. The vegetables provide essential balance to the butter’s richness. It’s classical French technique at its finest—luxurious yet refined.
This dish alone justifies a visit. It’s the kind of preparation that reminds you why traditional cooking techniques endure.
The Duck Liver Ballotine at The Ritz Restaurant
This starter showcases Chef Williams’ mastery of classical preparation. The foie gras is marinated in Sauternes, port, and Armagnac for 24 hours before being wrapped in spiced port jelly. It’s served with damson plum jelly, pistachio yoghurt, buttery brioche, and a pistachio Bakewell tart.
The depth of flavour achieved here is extraordinary. The foie comes from Landes, France—the absolute best available—then enhanced through meticulous technique. Wrapping it in jelly ensures perfect balance in every bite.
This is one of London’s finest foie gras dishes. Period.
Agnolotti with Truffle Sauce: Rich and Luxurious
Stuffed pasta filled with Taleggio cream, cooked in boiling salted water, then glazed in truffle sauce made with black truffles, Madeira, and port. It rests on Parmesan foam made with 36-month aged cheese.
This dish is gloriously rich—perhaps the richest on The Ritz London menu. The combination of aged Parmesan, Taleggio, and truffle creates intense flavour that luxury-ingredient lovers will adore.
The Ritz London Wine List: Champagne and Classic Regions
The wine programme focuses on classic regions: Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Piedmont, and Tuscany. The cellar is extensive, with selections spanning all price points for a two Michelin star London restaurant.
Champagne receives particular prominence. The Ritz has served bubbly continuously since 1906, maintaining traditions established by César Ritz himself. The selection ranges from grower Champagnes to prestige cuvées from grandes marques houses.
Wine pairings are available with tasting menus. The sommelier team demonstrates genuine knowledge, adjusting recommendations based on your preferences rather than pushing expensive bottles. Service includes proper temperatures, appropriate glassware, and decanting when beneficial.
The wine list pricing reflects the location and luxury positioning, but the quality matches the cost.
Service at The Ritz London Restaurant: Impeccable Fine Dining Standards
Service at The Ritz London restaurant operates with precision and genuine warmth. Guests are treated like royalty from arrival to departure—this isn’t marketing speak, it’s reality.
The formally dressed staff meticulously attend to every detail. You encounter multiple team members: a dedicated waiter, assistants ensuring water glasses stay full, sommeliers providing wine guidance, and captains performing tableside service.
The seven-course tasting menu takes 3.5 to 4 hours, with perfect pacing between courses. You never feel rushed, yet momentum never stalls. Small gestures reveal the service standards—napkins replaced if they slip, crumb service between courses, chairs adjusted when you stand.
The guéridon tableside service for Arts de la Table menus creates genuine theatre. Watching skilled captains carve beef wellington or prepare crêpes Suzette adds entertainment value beyond the food itself.
One observation: while service is generally flawless, some reviewers note occasional lapses during busy periods. My experience was perfect, but this feedback suggests consistency can vary.
Is The Ritz London Restaurant Worth It? Honest Verdict on Prices and Value
Let’s address The Ritz Restaurant prices directly. Three-course lunch costs £86. The seven-course tasting menu runs £215. Arts de la Table menus start at £175 per person. With wine, expect £250-£350 per person for dinner.
This is undeniably expensive, even by fine dining Piccadilly standards. Some diners mention unpredictable wait times and pricey dishes. Yet many find the experience justifies the cost entirely.
Here’s my honest take: for special occasions, The Ritz London restaurant delivers exceptional value. You’re not just paying for food. You’re buying an evening at one of the world’s most iconic restaurants, with two Michelin star cuisine in the UK’s most beautiful dining room.
My Rating: 9/10
The combination of Chef Williams’ impeccable classical technique, stunning Louis XVI setting, and professional service creates something genuinely special. The food displays balance, refinement, and depth of flavour at every turn.
The only consideration? The Ritz London dress code is strictly enforced. Gentlemen require jacket and tie. Jeans and sportswear aren’t permitted for either gender. This formality serves the experience but might deter casual diners.
For milestone celebrations, important business dinners, or experiencing London’s finest traditional dining, The Ritz delivers magnificently.
Your Questions About The Ritz London Restaurant Answered
What’s the dress code at The Ritz London?
Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie for lunch and dinner in The Ritz Restaurant. Jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen. This is strictly enforced—the doorman literally won’t let you in without proper attire.
Smart casual is required for breakfast service, The Rivoli Bar, and The Long Gallery. But shorts, ripped jeans, trainers, and sportswear aren’t permitted anywhere in the hotel’s restaurants or bars. The Ritz London dress code maintains traditional standards that enhance the fine dining Piccadilly experience.
How much does The Ritz London Restaurant cost?
Prices range from £86 for a three-course lunch to £215 for the seven-course tasting menu. Tasting menus start from £199 per person. À la carte starters cost £42-£46, mains £59-£85, and desserts around £27.
Arts de la Table sharing dishes include Beef Wellington at £136 for two persons, Bresse Duck at £130 for two, and Poulet en Vessie at £175 for two. Sunday lunch offers better value at £69 for three courses. Expect total dinner costs of £165-£350 per person including wine.
Do you need reservations for The Ritz London Restaurant?
Absolutely. Lunch runs Monday to Sunday 12:30pm-2:00pm. Dinner operates Monday to Sunday 6:30pm-9:00pm. Weekend evenings book weeks in advance, especially for Friday and Saturday ‘Live at The Ritz’ events which add an entertainment charge of £57 per person.
Book directly through The Ritz London website or concierge. Inform them of dietary requirements when booking—the tasting menus must be served to the entire table, and not all dietary needs can be accommodated. The earlier you book for special occasions, the better your table options.
Final Thoughts: The Ritz London Restaurant Piccadilly
- The Ritz London restaurant review confirms this two Michelin star London icon delivers exceptional classical cuisine in the world’s most beautiful dining room at 150 Piccadilly
- Chef John Williams MBE’s approach to The Ritz London menu celebrates British seasonal ingredients with organic Cornish beef, Lake District lamb, and Scottish lobster prepared using impeccable French technique
- The Ritz Restaurant prices reflect luxury positioning from £86 three-course lunch to £215 seven-course tasting, justified by consistent excellence and Restaurant of the Year 2025 recognition
- The Ritz London dress code requires jacket and tie for gentlemen, maintaining formal standards that enhance rather than restrict the fine dining Piccadilly experience
- Two Michelin star excellence meets unmatched Louis XVI atmosphere, earning reputation as one of London’s best restaurants for special occasions and milestone celebrations
