The Grill at The Dorchester, A London Legend Reborn

When a dining room as storied as The Grill at The Dorchester reopens, London pays attention. This isn’t simply another restaurant relaunch, it’s the return of a Mayfair institution that has shaped the city’s culinary landscape for nearly a century. Under the direction of culinary director Martyn Nail and head chef Jacob Keen-Downs, The Grill steps confidently into a new era: contemporary in spirit, yet deeply rooted in the heritage that has always defined The Dorchester.

Inside, the room feels alive with quiet grandeur – even mid-week. Chandeliers scatter light across warm wood panels, Bentley-leather banquettes curve around tables dressed with silver and crystal, and the open kitchen hums with theatre and precision. Service, as ever, flows with intuitive grace: polished yet personal, choreographed without ever feeling rehearsed.

The menu reflects how London likes to dine now. It’s a conversation between classic and contemporary, where British produce takes centre stage but is allowed to surprise. Small plates and shared dishes sit alongside timeless signatures: tuna tartare prepared tableside, the Grill seafood platter, Portland crab Benedict, and of course, the iconic beef Wellington, carved with ceremony and finesse. Sundays bring the comfort of a traditional roast followed by a dessert trolley that nods to British nostalgia, banana split, baked Alaska, sherry trifle, and an impossibly smooth chocolate mousse.

Every dish speaks of craft and confidence. Nail and Keen-Downs cook with clarity and restraint, letting each ingredient tell its story. The results are quietly spectacular, precise flavours, honest textures, and a balance between indulgence and freshness that feels effortless. Even the sides, from buttered heritage carrots to pommes purée, have a sense of intention about them.

Beyond the food, the details are where this new chapter shines. The Sherry Moment, held daily between six and seven, revives the spirit of The Grill’s legendary Sherry Room with a ceremonious long pour straight from the barrel, best enjoyed at the bar with plump olives and conversation. The cocktail list follows suit with a light touch of theatre: the Grill Adonis, London Calling, and a frozen Martini that has already earned its own quiet following.

This autumn, The Grill adds another layer of atmosphere with a collaboration that feels as natural as it is inspired. A Supper Club Series with Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club brings live performances from artists including Natalie Duncan, Natalie Williams, Jo Harrop, and Georgia Cecile, evenings designed to remind guests that dining here has always been about more than just food.

For 95 years, The Grill at The Dorchester has captured something essential about London: its confidence, its rhythm, its appetite for reinvention. This latest chapter is less about nostalgia and more about renewal, the return of a restaurant that knows exactly who it is, and serves consistantly brilliant food.

Find out more > www.dorchestercollection.com/london/the-dorchester/dining/the-grill-at-the-dorchester