As one of the most vibrant, multi-cultural capital cities in the world, London is a foodie’s dream. With no shortage of restaurants and bars open all hours across the city, choosing the perfect place to eat can be a difficult task. Selecting your location first, however, is a game-changer, and where better to enjoy a lavish lunch or dinner than next door to the real gem of London: Hyde Park.
We’ve rounded up our favourite dining establishments on the North, South, East and West sides of the park to help you navigate your way from an empty stomach to the ultimate venues, all with gorgeous views of Hyde Park just a stone’s throw away.
North: Island Grill, Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace
The award-winning Island Grill, famed for its dedication to sustainability, offers a modern British and European menu which changes with the seasons. Using only fresh, local and sustainably-sourced produce, current springtime favourites include the Home-Smoked Salmon with chargrilled sourdough, dill, shallots and horseradish cream; and the Honey-Roast Figs – created with Lancaster London’s own honey – straight from the beehives on the roof.
Take advantage of its prime location on the boundary of Hyde Park with a table looking out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Open from 12pm – 10.30pm, 7 days a week.
South: Ognisko, 55 Prince’s Gate, Exhibition Road
Ognisko can be found on the ground floor of the Polish Hearth Club in South Kensington. Restaurant menus are printed daily, ensuring something unexpected each time you visit. With traditional Eastern European dishes on offer, from the Siberian-style Pelmeni (dumplings) and the Selection of Polish Charcuterie, it’s no surprise this is a favourite with Polish expats. Open for lunch, dinner or drinks, seven days a week, Ognisko is perfectly positioned on the same road as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A.
East: Trader Vic’s, Hilton Park Lane, 22 Park Lane
A household name on Park Lane, Trader Vic’s was London’s first Polynesian-themed restaurant. Nowadays, the menu consists of an array of French Polynesian-inspired cuisine created using custom-made wood-fired Chinese ovens. Popular dishes include the Indonesian rack of lamb, and Trader Vic’s Polynesian Snowball for dessert. A visit to the restaurant is incomplete without the Original Mai Tai, invented by Trader Vic himself in 1944.
West: The Orangery, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens
If a restaurant close by to the park isn’t quite close enough, head westwards for a dining experience in Kensington Gardens, adjacent to Hyde Park. The Orangery is surrounded by the gardens and grounds of Kensington Palace, making it a relaxed yet elegant setting for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Open from 10am – 6pm, seven days a week, the high ceilings and classical 18th Century architecture create an impressive backdrop for the restaurant’s simple menu of English dishes.
Island Grill, Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY
Reservations on 020 7551 6000 or visit www.lancasterlondon.com
