Five of the best London restaurants for celebrating a special occasion
Nothing brings people together like a great meal, whether you’re looking for a comforting favourite to a gastronomic masterpiece. And with the British capital boasting some of the most diverse and best quality restaurants in the world, it’s no wonder we love to celebrate our personal and professional milestones with a slap-up meal.
For those extra special occasions – from proposals to anniversaries, birthdays to business deals – a great restaurant can provide an experience that far exceeds the menu alone, making it well worth the price. But if you want an added incentive to treat your loved ones, Volopa Lifestyle may have the answer.
Every Volopa prepaid Mastercard user can now benefit from discreet cashback from more than 100 restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues in the UK, so we asked the team to share their most high-end recommendations for that special occasion. Whether you’re looking for elegant upmarket gastronomy or fun-filled dinner to party vibes, we’ve got something for you – all with the very best menus that London has to offer…
Once in a lifetime: Galvin at Windows
Chris Galvin’s Michelin-starred restaurant is the ultimate in London’s French haute cuisine scene. This seminal restaurant on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane is nothing short of a full fine dining experience, complete with stunning views over London. Its charismatic staff – led by general manager Fred Sirieix of First Dates fame – will ensure you have the perfect service so you can relax and let head chef Joo Won’s food do all the talking. With a menu prestige that sees Galvin’s regularly top the best restaurant list, this is a restaurant worth waiting for. Our recommendation? Don’t skip dessert – Galvin is famed for its Tatin.
London Hilton, Park Lane
Seasonal sensations: 34 Mayfair
34 Mayfair has been at the heart of the neighbourhood’s restaurant scene since it opened in 2011, offering its guests a modern seasonal menu based around its Argentine Parrilla Grill. Head chef Harvey Ayliffe’s menu has some of the best selection of perfectly grilled steak in the business – from pure heritage breeds hailing from the Yorkshire Dales to A5 Japanese Wagyu – as well as seasonal game and fish. Simple and elegant, this plentiful menu is perfect for any celebration, from an important business lunch to your anniversary, whatever the time of year.Â
34 Grosvenor Square (entrance via South Audley Street)
Date night: Pucci Mayfair
This upmarket Italian bistro in Mayfair is a local staple, delivering traditional Italian dishes from a New York loft-style venue on Maddox Street. It’s the little sister of famed Kings Road restaurant Pucci Pizza, owned by Pucci Albanese, which in its heyday was attended by the Chelsea set and celebrities alike. Now, Pucci’s son Rufus helms its modern guise. Pucci is classy, relaxed and intimate, with delicious pizzas and an outstanding wine list – perfect for a relaxing dinner for two.
39 Maddox Street
Hipster cool: The CurtainÂ
This impossibly trendy hotel and private members club in Shoreditch is one of East London’s best kept secrets. The five-star venue boasts 120 rooms, a rooftop pool and lounge, gym and treatment room, co-working space and plenty of event space. But it’s real charm is the garden-style decor that marks it as the heart of Shoreditch’s design hub. It’s Green Room afternoon tea is perfect for birthdays or swish afternoons with friends – taste exclusive local teas by Hackney Herbal – while its Red Rooster restaurant is the first London venture by famed New York chef Marcus Samuelsson and ideal for when you want to impress.
45 Curtain Road
Ready to party: Opium London
Billed as London’s newest ‘superclub’, Opium is a youthful, hedonistic restaurant and nightclub that brings the very best of Mediterannean nightlife to London’s Soho. The perfect spot for celebrating a birthday or business milestone, Opium’s excellent sushi menu is designed for groups expecting fine dining, premium drinks and music that makes you want to dance all night. The brand’s European venues have featured guest DJs including Tiesto, David Guetta, Avicci, Armin van Buuren and more, so you can guarantee top entertainment.
9 Rupert St
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