Lunch at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road 🇬🇧⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rainy Tuesday afternoon in Chelsea, with only two other tables in the dining room, which made for an unusually calm and intimate lunch at Gordon Ramsay’s flagship. My partner and I ordered the full lunch menu between us, along with the wine pairings, and everything was executed with polish and confidence.
We began with Coates & Seely NV Rosé, a crisp, restrained English sparkling that felt perfectly suited to the quiet, overcast setting and set the tone for the meal without overpowering the opening courses.
Standout dishes:
The BBQ scallop with cauliflower, sherry, and miso was exceptional. Deeply savory, beautifully balanced, and elegant in its restraint. A reminder of how compelling simplicity can be when the technique is this precise.
The tortellini with onion, Montgomery cheddar, and black truffle was rich and comforting, paired nicely with the Roero Arneis Alberto Oggero 2024, whose freshness helped cut through the depth of the dish.
For mains, the Norfolk black leg chicken was cooked impeccably and very enjoyable, though I’ll admit it didn’t feel wildly inventive for a three-star Michelin kitchen. That said, the execution was flawless, and it leaned confidently into classic refinement rather than novelty. The line-caught sea bass with radish, lime caviar, and lemongrass was bright and composed, and paired beautifully with the Domaine Merlin Condrieu “Jeanraude” 2022, which brought weight and aromatics without overwhelming the dish.
Dessert was the highlight of the meal. The Manjari 64% chocolate dessert with coconut, rum, and roasted banana was exceptional. Deep, complex, and perfectly balanced, easily the most memorable course and a strong finish to the menu. The rhubarb and custard dessert was lighter and refreshing, a nice contrast alongside it.
Service was a true 10/10. Warm, attentive, and effortless. With so few tables occupied, the experience felt especially personal, and the team struck that ideal balance of formality and ease that defines great fine dining. Getting invited to see the kitchen was fun as well.
Overall, a serene and impeccably executed lunch, and a reminder that Restaurant Gordon Ramsay remains a benchmark for classic, refined three-star dining, particularly when experienced on a quiet afternoon.
by Capital-Priority-463
23 Comments
Menu:
Tortellini: onion, Montgomery, black truffle
BBQ scallop: cauliflower, sherry, miso
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Norfolk black leg chicken celeriac, black garlic, jus gras
Line-caught sea bass radish, lime caviar, lemongrass
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Rhubarb and custard vanilla, ginger, lemon balm
Manjari 64%: coconut, rum, roasted banana
That rhubarb and custard dessert looks like a work of art
There’s nothing inherently wrong with this – I’m sure it was delicious and made to be a special moment for you by the staff. It’s in a historic and exciting part of the world and the food itself looks meticulously executed – designed no doubt by a world famous chef.
But the whole “vibe” of these images just feels so “stuck in 2009-ey” to me. I honestly can’t imagine a more conservative decor, menu or plating than this.
With that said I would love to try it some day.
Is the décor really as “local cafe” as the pictures suggest?
I was there for lunch recently. It’s far from my first choice for two star and above in London, but the client was paying..
The broth is top level. Seriously good and you can taste the hours that went into it. I had a truffle pasta course that was superb. The rest was ok – no misses but no great heights.
The atmosphere is dead as hell and so 90s. The staff are great, but compensate for the shit ambiance. The toilets are weirdly gauche.
Ultimately it is not a 3 star even by Londons soft standards. A high one or low two star for me. The ritz is miles better. I prefer Alex Dilling which is very low rated on here.
Had NYE dinner here a few years ago – one of my top 3 most memorable meals
They should power wash that awning
It looks quite dated to be honest
When I went here it was great, my only complaint is that there were dudes wearing shorts and wife beater shirts (customers), but I know I’m in the minority in holding on to dress codes
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Sounds like it’d be a decent option for lunch. I was not particularly impressed at dinner there. It just seemed a bit dated and uninteresting and enjoyed CORE much more which I had at lunch
I’m glad to hear they’re maintaining their standards on the food even after Matt Abe moved on so recently. I personally thought the team there was excellent too, when I went in 2022, rivalled only by the service I had at the Ritz (better than Core, Bosi at Bibbendum, etc).
Still easily one of my best experiences in London.
Only 2 other tables in the dining room? And they still won’t open reservations for single person tables?!?!!
Seems pretentious
My family and I ate here in March 2012 and all agreed that it was the best meal of our lives. I still remember the moment at which they offered me the truffle course. Temperature, portion size, timing, service, food, all impeccable.
We went to Emeril’s in early December 2025 and were joking about whether that meal would surpass our number one since so much time has passed.
It did not. RGR still stands above. It’s not that Emeril’s was bad at all (although I felt a bit misled about the size of the waygu shown to me during the kitchen tour vs. what I was served). It’s just that on the scale of perfect in every way, Emeril’s was not as perfect.
The decor is like something out of my aunt’s house circa 1993
Back in mid 2010s when i went they had the Assiette de l’Aubergine on the dessert menu which ended up being one of everything.. 3 of the pastry desserts, a tarte tatin, a souffle, sorbet, a creme brulee and then those ice cream white chocolate things between two of us.
As the table groaned under the weight of pudding i kinda regretted adding the cheese course.
The three Michelin “stars” served in truffle is a very fun flex.
THIS is three stars?! Hahahahaha
My best dining experience to date was at this restaurant with Chef Matt Abé. It was the inspiration table and just an absolute delight start to finish.
The restaurant looks dated but the food looks great especially the tortellini and the desserts!
Perfectly generic
It’s on my list this summer !