The Best Restaurants Near Buckingham Palace

If you were to ask Londoners for an iconic landmark, they might say Buckingham Palace; if you were to ask London’s food-lovers, they might say Le Caprice. For years, the famed restaurant provided something a little bit special in the streets of St James’s, drawing in celebrities like moths to a very glamorous flame. With Arlington, it is reborn in spirit if not in name, with the same site now operated by Jeremy King and exuding its familiar old-school glamour combined with confidently executed takes on a range of classic British and European dishes.

One of the most exciting developments in London’s hospitality scene over the last few years was the opening of The Peninsula hotel, which now holds the maximum award of Three MICHELIN Keys and is located just a short stroll from Buckingham Palace. Its restaurant, Brooklands, is an eminently impressive operation overseen by experienced chef Claude Bosi. It is a restaurant befitting of such a spectacular hotel, holding Two MICHELIN Stars thanks to the kitchen’s skilled and detailed handling of the very best British ingredients. The Peninsula is also home to Canton Blue, should you be in the mood for Cantonese cuisine.

Among London’s many wonderful Indian restaurants, Chutney Mary is one of the longest-serving. A fixture of the city’s dining scene since 1990, it moved to its current location on St James's Street in 2015 and continues to satisfy diners with an extensive menu ranging from golden fried prawns to lobster tandoori. The restaurant occupies a fine building in the heart of St James’s, the area surrounding Buckingham Palace, which boasts all the opulence and exclusivity you would expect.

If you’re a Royal Family fanatic, then this is the place for you. Located enviably close to the Palace itself, The Goring has long had a royal connection. The hotel was regularly visited by Queen Elizabeth II herself and Catherine, Princess of Wales, stayed here the night before her wedding to Prince William. The Dining Room is both suitably British and suitably impressive, home to well-executed versions of classic British dishes. If you want to feel like a royal yourself, opt for the decadent Eggs Drumkilbo, a favourite of the late Queen Mother.

Overlooking Green Park, the verdant patch that separates Buckingham Palace from bustling Piccadilly, HIDE is a terrifically versatile venue to slot into your day’s sightseeing itinerary. Holder of One MICHELIN Star, the restaurant is split over two levels separated by a gorgeous winding staircase, yet united by skilful cooking founded on excellent produce. Their luxurious breakfast menu is also well-loved among the city’s diners, while 'The Bar Below' in the basement makes a great spot for a cocktail or a glass of wine from the outstanding list.

If you like your meals out to come with a slice of London history, Langan’s fits the bill perfectly. Founded in 1976 by Peter Langan and actor and national treasure Sir Michael Caine, it was a one-time celebrity hotspot. In 2021, Langan’s was reborn as the swish place it is today. The extensive suite of menus offers something for everyone, including all-day dining, a prix fixe, a Sunday roast selection and even a cigar menu. Yet it’s still so much more than just a restaurant, with an enviable art collection and a members’ club upstairs.

Located to the west of Buckingham Palace, in Belgravia, Muse is the current home of experienced chef Tom Aikens. An enormously personal project, it draws on his various ‘muses’ for inspiration, including his parents and his career to date. The tasting menu comes with stories from his life and, thankfully, the cooking is a skilful and satisfying proposition in itself. Dishes demonstrate well-balanced combinations of ingredients that are never short on quality. It’s a tiny place, so be prepared for an intimate experience.

Nestled in the basement of the Flemings Mayfair hotel, Ormer is a proudly and professionally run restaurant where classical cooking is delivered with great precision. There are some flashes of modernity and originality to the dishes, but overall this isn’t a place that’s driven by innovation or gimmicks. Instead, it’s all about a hard-working kitchen team who have the technical skill to make their quality British produce soar. Some of the vegetables are grown at Flemings’ sister hotel in Essex.

A visit to Buckingham Palace calls for a restaurant that celebrates the best of British produce, and that’s just what you’ll find at this lavishly decorated room inside The Lanesborough Hotel. In this grand setting, you can enjoy such produce as Orkney scallops, Hampshire venison and native lobster. They are all put to good use in uncomplicated dishes firmly rooted in the classics, from roast chicken to Hereford beef Wellington – which is appropriate, given Wellington Arch sits just over the road.

If you’re visiting Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of an iconic British institution, then it’s only right that you do more of the same with a visit to The Ritz. The renowned hotel is also home to an exceptional restaurant, whose dining room boasts all the elegance you would expect. There is in fact a distinctly French influence about the place, with its ornate Louis XVI décor and menu of classical Gallic dishes, which boast immense depth and sophistication. A seat on the splendid terrace will allow you to enjoy the fleeting British summer.