Rishi’s (Michelin) Dishes: 20 London Michelin Star Restaurants On The Eat Out To Help Out Scheme
The Chancellor’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme goes live on Saturday 1st August and the government have just published the list of restaurants that’ll be taking taxpayer subsidies to provide 50% off their meals (up to £10). The scheme is huge, and with thousands of restaurants taking part in London alone. Including a number of Michelin Starred joints.
Here are all the London Michelin restaurants. The real challenge is: can you get the full 50% discount at any of them? We suspect not…
Amaya Restaurant
I may, er, head to Amaya as the government scheme kicks in. The Belgravia Michelin Starred Indian restaurant (with a hint of ‘The Orient’ to boot) is centred around the kitchen, adding drama and theatre to the dining experience.
As well as holding the accolade for the widest grill selection of surf and turf in the country, Amaya gives diners the option of three core Indian grilling styles, Tandoor, Sigri and Tawa.
Where: 15 Halkin Arcade, Belgravia, SW1X 8JT
Website: www.amaya.biz
Aquavit London
Not slated for reopening until 24th August, book as soon as possible to get the Eat Out To Help Out bonus at Aquavit.
Already having racked up two Michelin stars in New York, Aquavit arrived in London three years ago and has made more than a splash with its haute cuisine Scandi food.
Although less snooty than its New York counterpart, the relaxed vibe still ensures a consistently high standard with a menu revolving around the changing Nordic seasons and more than enough meatballs and lingonberry to go round.
Where: 1 Carlton Street, St James’s, SW1Y 4QQ
Website: www.aquavitrestaurants.com
Céleste At The Lanesborough
It’s a little unclear if Céleste is going to be taking part in the scheme given the website lists them as opening on 4th September, after Eat Out To Help Out ends, but they’re nevertheless signed up. Perhaps it’s to give them the option.
The beautiful restaurant is the centrepiece to one of our favourite hotels, and the light and airy restaurant is stunning, and luckily so’s the grub. The European menu is delicious so let’s hope they open the doors before the scheme ends.
Where: The Lanesborough Hotel, 1 Lanesborough Place, SW1X 7TA
Website: www.oetkercollection.com
Galvin La Chapelle, Bistrot and Bar
Galvin La Chapelle, set in a former school, is already one of London’s cheapest Michelin Star restaurants. At an average £38 per meal head here to get the most buck for Rishis’s £10 bang.
Where: 35 Spital Square, The City, E1 6DY
Website: www.galvinrestaurants.com
Gymkhana
Gymkhana invokes the old-school clubs of Indian high society. A hangover from colonial days, the clubs are Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi’s answer to St James’s and the clubs ooze class. As does Mayfair’s Gymkhana.
The restaurant won its Michelin Star back in 2014 and it’s certainly got charm, with an old fashioned interior fit for a maharaja. But so is the menu, an Anglicised Indian menu of greatest hits and classics that won’t fail to ‘korma’ up trumps….
Where: 42 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4JH
Website: www.gymkhanalondon.com
Hakkasan Hanway Place
Another option for the thrifty, Hakkasan’s Hanway Place joint is, surprisingly, in London’s top ten cheapest (Michelin star) restaurants in London.
With an average dinner price of £38, reduced to £28, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank as you enjoy three courses of the finest Cantonese cooking in town.
Where: 8 Hanway Place, Fitzrovia, W1T 1HD
Website: www.hakkasan.com
Hakkasan Mayfair
Get some dim sum at Hakkasan Mayfair. The swish restaurant feels a little more glitzy than it’s (arguably) superior sibling on Hanway Place.
But the constant flow of Ferraris and Lamborghinis pulling up outside doesn’t mean that it’ll break the bank, with pricing still poised to make the most of the government voucher scheme.
Where: 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, W1J 6QB
Website: www.hakkasan.com
Kai Mayfair
One of London’s best Chinese restaurants by far is back, having re-opened post-lockdown on July 24th. Which is just in time to get in on the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
Michelin star holders since 2009, the restaurant on South Audley Street serves a brilliant Nanyang menu, or try the Chinese Whispers Afternoon Tea.
Where: 65 South Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 2QU
Website: www.kaimayfair.co.uk
Lyle’s
British restaurant Lyle’s, in Shoreditch, hasn’t given us a reopening date yet, but the fact they’re signed up to the government voucher scheme is a sign that the day is nearly upon us.
Simple style and slick dishes (and great game, when it’s in season).
Where: The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JJ
Website: www.lyleslondon.com
Murano Restaurant
Superstar chef Angela Hartnett’s Murano is one of London’s hands-down best restaurants and it’s coming back to life on 4th August.
Receiving a Michelin Star within four months of opening back in 2008, the Italian restaurant has managed to not only hold on to the star, but also the spirit that won it.
Where: 20 Queen Street, W1J5PP
Website: www.muranolondon.com
Pollen Street Social
Reopening on 1st August, Jason Atherton’s flagship restaurant, Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social, is a welcome addition to the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
Deliberately laid back and ‘social’, the bistro style dining is intended to be relaxed and vibrant.
Where: 8-10 Pollen Street, Mayfair, W1S 1NQ
Website: www.pollenstreetsocial.com
Portland
Contemporary fine dining should, Portland believe, dispense with table cloths and instead focus on ‘the finest produce we can find cooked with precision and a high level of technique’. We’ll take or leave the table cloths, but we’re all over the food at this Fitzrovia restaurant.
Head Chef Theo Clench is the genius behind the star, and will be back in action from 29th July.
Where: 113 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 6QQ
Website: www.portlandrestaurant.co.uk
Quilon
South West Indian food and seafood are the order-of-the-day at Quilon, the Michelin Star restaurant set within the Taj Hotel.
Expect fish like you’ve never tasted it, cooked to Kerelan perfection under the ever-watchful gaze of Chef Sriram. Fun fact: given its proximity to parliament, there are division bells in the restaurant so that MPs and Lords can nip and vote between courses.
Where: 41-54, Buckingham Gate, St James’s, SW1E 6AF
Website: www.quilon.co.uk
sketch
Sketch (sorry, ‘sketch’, the upper-case S seems to have gotten lost between the trip from outer space and the PR department) has amassed an impressive three Michelin stars, which is basically half of The Plough.
And yet, despite having gathered enough culinary accolades to fill a trophy cabinet the size of the Glade bar, the loos are still the main attraction!
Littered with bizarreness, the restaurants (for it is three; the super expensive Library (the one with the stars) and then the still super expensive Gallery (no stars left lying around here, sadly) and Parlour) are generally great, though I’ve had hit-and-miss experiences at The Gallery. But then we’re all there for the experience as much as the grub, and who cares as we emerge from lockdown?
Where: 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, W1S 2XG
Website: www.sketch.london
Social Eating House
Another Jason Atherton restaurant, another social experience. The informal restaurant (albeit one with a Michelin star) is split over three levels, including The Blind Pig bar.
Jason Atherton defers to Chef Patron Paul Hood, who came over from sister restaurant Social Eating House, and works closely with Atherton on the menu.
Where: 8 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 7NR
Website: www.socialeatinghouse.com
St John
Where shall we meat? St John, always. The simple (even austere) decor focuses diners’ attention on the plates, because this is where the real artwork happens. And for a very tidy sum of an average £29.10 per meal, you can enjoy a Michelin Starred dinner for less than £20!
Head cheffed by Steve Darou, the Michelin star restaurant is a must for meat eaters everywhere.
Where: 26 St John Street, Smithfield, EC1M 4AY
Website: www.stjohnrestaurant.com
The Five Fields Restaurant
The 5 Fields is a hidden gem. Quite literally, it’s hidden down a back street round the corner from Sloane Square. Once you’ve walked past it three times and then you’ve finally found it, you’re somewhere special.
Discrete and comfortable, the small dining room churns out top notch fodder for their fixed price menus, mainly sourced from their own gardens in Sussex (hence the five fields). The wine menu is more than mentionable, with a highly perusable list.
Where: 8-9, Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, SW3 2SP
Website: www.fivefieldsrestaurant.com
Trishna
Another brilliant Michelin Starred Indian, Marylebone’s Trishna is affordable (with or without the Chancellor’s helping hand) and brings Indian coastal cuisine to Central London.
The informal setting and brilliant cooking make this one of our favourite Indians in town.
Where: 15-17, Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 3DG
Website: www.trishnalondon.com
Veeraswamy
The most venerable Indian restaurant away from the Indian Sub Continent, Veeraswamy was here before everyone else. Founded in 1926, this Indian restaurant is approaching it’s 100th birthday (in fact it shares its birthday with The Queen) and it’s a longevity that’s well deserved.
The location (overlooking Regents Street) and the sumptuous interiors are not what have earned Veeraswamy its Michelin Star, though, and the 90+ years they’ve had to perfect the menu really has paid off.
Where: 99-101, Regent Street, W1B 4R
Website: www.veeraswamy.com
