Harden's survey result
Summary
“Brilliant” Italian dishes “cooked to perfection” inspire rave reviews for chef Theo Randall’s well-known HQ, by Hyde Park Corner. For many diners, “the fact that it’s a large, bare, windowless hotel restaurant is completely irrelevant” – “there is good space between the tables”; “the kind staff all try really hard”; and “it always feels like a treat (that’s not as expensive as some other places)”. The odd meal doesn’t go well, at which time the “soulless” space seems more significant, but bad trips here are quite rare. Top Menu Tips – “at weekend lunchtime, Theo Randall does an excellent buffet antipasti followed by a set lunch with bottomless prosecco or Aperol spritz. The restaurant always has a buzz when these meals are on with lots of large families. And the business three-course set lunch at £33 is amazing value!”
Summary
“As good as anything you might experience in Verona or Florence” – Theo Randall’s “divine, monthly regional tasting menus” produce “consistently great” results as well as adding interest to his Mayfair HQ, just off Hyde Park Corner. “There’s the option of wine matches” and “a good cocktail bar (especially the design-your-own-Negroni option!)”. “Ok, the space isn’t terrific” – windowless, and off the foyer of a large 1970s hotel – but “it is one of the very few celebrity chef restaurants where the chef is frequently to be seen”. “Theo always seems to be there and comes out into the dining room most times you visit”, helping create an overall atmosphere that was surprisingly well-rated this year. Top Tip – “Sunday brunch at £65 including unlimited Prosecco, Negroni or Aperol Spritz is particularly good value”.
Summary
“In spite of many renovations it is still difficult to get away from the ‘hotel dining room’ feel” at this windowless and “bland” chamber, off the foyer of a large 1970s hotel on Hyde Park Corner. “Theo Randall’s cooking does make up for it”, though, and – in contrast to many top London destinations this year – ratings are going from strength to strength for its “fabulous Italian dining experience using stunning produce”. In particular, Theo’s series of “interesting, themed, regional menus are tremendous and very good value”; while “friendly and attentive” staff bring some conviviality to the “calm” space. Top Tip – “the set-price lunch menu may be the best-value lunch in the whole of London”.
Summary
“Sublime” Italian cooking of “the highest quality” – not least from the “fantastic, regional four-course menu and wine pairing” – inspires a large and devoted fan club to return time and again to Theo Randall’s long-established dining room, just off Park Lane. And, alongside the “charming and friendly” service, the main man is regularly in evidence and “a real gent as well as an exceptional chef”. The catch? The “large” space is windowless and “though it’s an enjoyable evening, it’s hard to forget that you are eating just off the lobby of a hotel”.
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 Theo Randall, InterContinental Park Lane?
1 Hamilton Place, London, W1J 7QY
Restaurant details
Theo Randall, InterContinental Park Lane Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We ate a la carte (set menus are for the whole table only) for a birthday meal. The food was excellent - beautifully flavoured and generous portions - four courses from the a la carte is too much food. The duck pasta in particular was great. However… at £150 a head (including 13.5% service) for the food, one bottle of water to share, one glass of wine each and a cocktail each, and just one coffee, we left feeling a bit ripped off as the service and ambiance lacked any kind of sparkle - we’ve had far better service in places 50% cheaper. We had to ask repeatedly for drinks, cutlery was plonked down, and the general ambiance was ‘premier inn breakfast’ rather than ‘relaxing meal’. Given a choice, between this and Murano, I’d go to murano again for the same food, at the same price, but a miles more memorable experience."
"One of my chef heroes. Celebrity by accident, I suspect. As is often the case he was hard at work behind the stoves when I ate there. Was welcomed into the kitchen at the end of service. The regional Italian food is simple, authentic and absolutely delicious. Service was entertaining and enthusiastic! I don’t understand the negative comments regarding the ambience. I had no complaints. An extremely enjoyable evening and, by London standards, affordable. Cannot wait to return as each month features a different region of Italy."
"Exceptional value set lunch. Lovely Amalifi lemon tart, suitably piquant. Room a bit soulless "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £28.00 | £33.00 |  |
|
|
| Dinner | £35.00 | |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 75.00 | Always available | 4 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £18.00 | £38.00 | £7.00 | £0.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £49.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 13.50% |
1 Hamilton Place, London, W1J 7QY
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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