Where the Royals Eat in London

       

Well, well, well- what do we have here? Looks like gold plated, guilty pleasure, lunch break reading material. 10 points if you don’t minimise the screen when someone walks by you.

Whether you’re from the school of The Crown binging, memorabilia buying or self-restrainedly peering at headlines over shoulders on the tube- a hunger for royals reconnaissance lies in all of us. And if ever there were a way to whet your appetite for royal goss, these restaurants will surely do it.

Where the Royals Eat in London

The Ivy

The Queen was last seen dining at the Ivy in May 2017 – her first restaurant visit in over a year. The West End celeb-haunt was closed to the public for a friend’s private birthday celebration, unfortunately lessening the likelihood of a ‘don’t look now, but your 3 o’clock, The Queen is eating chips.’ After a Martin Brudnizki overhaul for the restaurant’s 1ooth year, the renovated premises offer quite the royal treat of slap up British classics, as well as a selection of Asian-inspired dishes.

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Bellamy’s

The Queen’s visit to The Ivy last year was a change of pace from her favourite London restaurant, Bellamy’s. Supposedly, this Mayfair French Brasserie is the only restaurant in which she has ever previously dined. She was pictured there last year alongside her daughter Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra.

Bumpkin

Will and Kate have given the royal seal of approval to this British brasserie serving seasonal, sustainable produce with contemporary flair. In 2012, the couple treated 27 of their staff to a Christmas lunch in a private dining room. The two have been spotted dining together on occasions with less fuss, but just as much class.

Bluebird Café

This modern European spot is rumoured to be Kate’s favourite London joint. The café’s upscale burgers and roasted vegetables fuelled a few dates between her and Will before their marriage. Kate has also been peeped with Pippa, having lunch on the cafe’s terrace.

Chiltern Firehouse

The royal family’s latest addition, Meghan Markle has been seen sipping cocktails at this much-loved brunch spot. The restaurant’s Bloody Mary selection ranges from a NY Classic containing Ketel One Vodka, spice mix & lemon, to a unique Mary Celeste containing Tanqueray Ten Gin, mignonette & oyster.

The Goring Hotel

The royal suite played host to Kate Middleton the night before her wedding, a £7,520 affair considering the per-night rate. For a royal experience touting a price tag with less digits, however, Kate has been known to enjoy the hotel’s award-winning afternoon tea from £49.00.

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Launceston Place

In the 1990s, Launceston Place was one of Princess Diana’s favourite places to eat on account of it’s discreet small rooms and it’s cheese soufflé, which is now named in her honour. Ben Murphy, royalty himself (in the culinary world, that is), is currently head chef, serving finer things such as cod with ink and Jerusalem artichoke and lemon.

Dans Le Noir

A tricky one to confirm because the entire restaurant is pitch black, but we won’t be the first to float the speculation that Will and Kate used to head to Dans Le Noir for date night. Diners are invited to relinquish normal authority over their eating experience and sit beside strangers, in the dark and with a choice of menu only insofar as white (surprise), red (meat), blue (fish) and green (vegetarian).

The Rum Kitchen

For a meal that’s fit for royalty, yet that requires less top-button buttoning, take Prince Harry’s lead and head to Notting Hill’s Rum Kitchen. This Caribbean beach shack serves all things jerk, to the tune of island beats. The restaurant’s rum menu is an embarrassment of riches (familiar, Harry?) with a wide array of rums from the Caribbean and beyond.

Bocca Di Lupo

Soon to join the family, Meghan Markle has displayed royally good taste with her affinity for this Italian gem. Already known to us as one of London’s Best Italian Restaurants, the restaurant’s summer 2018 launch of ‘regional takeovers’ is even more reason to go. Veneto will inspire July’s offerings: beef carpaccio with a mustard dressing, grans padano cheese and lemon, as well as polenta ai pirelli: a large meatball with braised peas.

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The Arts Club

It’s not news to anyone who has been watching The Crown that Prince Phillip didn’t mind a party or two (until 2:00, rather). For anyone with a Philip penchant, head to this literary, arts and science club that boasts a legacy of members like Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling. Good luck getting in.

 

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