Harden's survey result
Summary
“Like a holiday in heaven!” – this “simply wonderful” Louis XVI-style chamber is known for its “OTT but magnificent” decor, and creates an “unbeatable location” for a special celebration, particularly an important date. John Williams commands a brigade of 60 chefs in the kitchen to provide “absolutely wonderfully executed, classic dishes, some using gueridon service – so rare now – and always adding a sense of occasion”. It’s “some of the best cooking in London”, and though “horrendously expensive” is justified by the “utterly sensational” all-round level of performance, which also includes “professional and kind” service and a wow of a wine list. “The Ritz is unusual in still having a jacket-and-tie dress code (about the only time I wear a tie these days!)”. “A band provides music, for dancing, at dinner on weekends (although there is a significant supplement for this)”.
Summary
“A wow all-round that will live long in the memory” – this “dreamy” Louis XVI-style dining room is renowned for its “magical” décor (a rival for any Disney castle) and has long been a top choice for an ‘expense-be-damned’ celebration, particularly a romantic one. But, these days, many feel that “the mindblowing food can match it too!” While the classical cuisine has long been respected for its consistent quality, its current performance is notably “at the top of its game”. “John Williams’ masterful orchestration of his very fine kitchen, produces some of the best and most interesting food in London”: “perfectly executed luxury dishes” with spoiling ingredients and “with sauces to die for”. “The outstanding flavours will have you running out of superlatives and there is the added bonus of theatre via cooking at the table” (“the crêpes are pure visual and gustatory pleasure!!”). “Immaculate service” is “silky smooth” too and arguably “it is a mystery why Michelin award it only one star as there are many worse two and three star restaurants in the UK”. It is mightily expensive, of course, but “sometimes it is worth forking out for a truly fantastic time”. It is also – with its regular dinner dances and strictly enforced dress code – a bastion of how to celebrate in traditional fine style: “How marvellous to dine to the sounds of a live pianist or band, and in a dining room where everyone has been forced to dress properly. Tie-less slobs are still turned away!” and “not a pair of jeans or trainers in sight!”
Summary
“By far the most attractive dining room in London” is a regularly made claim for this uniquely “romantic” Louis XVI chamber: “one of the last places in the country (sadly) where proper silver service of the traditional, gueridon variety is delivered; and with faultless aplomb; and also (mostly) without pomposity”. Even those who say “the food is ultimately secondary to the amazing ambience of the room” often note “it’s still very delicious”; and quite a few reporters feel John Williams’s “classic French cuisine with top quality ingredients and superb sauces” unfairly risks being overlooked (“super-refined and exceptionally beautiful – my guest was a little less excited by the flavour combinations than I was, but, on the whole, dishes lived up to their appearance, and I felt it was almost worthy of a second Michelin star”). “Not cheap, but you get what you pay for!” (and that includes the weekend dinner dances).
Summary
“For a very special occasion, there is nowhere better” than this “beyond-compare” Louis XVI chamber, widely acclaimed as “the most beautiful dining room in London”: “it will not only rekindle the romance in your marriage, it’s also great for impressing on business”. “Not to be totally outdone by the surroundings, staff are friendly and unpretentious, and the classic cuisine under head chef John Willliams is measured and precise (if not exactly cheap… but it’s not supposed to be!)”. Top Tip – “a lovely fancy place for an epic breakfast”; also “the dinner dance is special and great value”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Ritz?
150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR
Restaurant details
The Ritz Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A fantastic experience all round. This was a real treat and nowhere matches it in London for sheer indulgence and wonderful friendly service. Old fashioned but in a classy way. Rod Stewart dining with friends in one corner!! To add old school glamour on top of old school glamour - expensive but also manages to feel generous with a multitude of small classy touches - "
"An amazing room with traditional service and excellent food "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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| Lunch | £89.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £182.00 | |
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| SundayLunch | £182.00 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 182.00 | Always available | 5 |
| Menu2 | 202.00 | Always available | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £46.00 | £63.00 | £27.00 |
| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £58.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £9.50 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 12.50% |
150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR
Opening hours
| Monday | 7:30 am‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 7:30 am‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
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