In the heart of London's prestigious Mayfair district, a remarkable new dining establishment has emerged that challenges conventional restaurant experiences. Lilibet's, which opened its doors with minimal fanfare in mid-September, has quickly established itself as one of the capital's most extraordinary culinary destinations.
A Royal Fever Dream in Mayfair
Located at 17 Bruton Street in a repurposed office building, Lilibet's boasts an intriguing royal connection – this is reportedly the very location where Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April 1926, when the site still functioned as a Mayfair townhouse. The restaurant's name pays homage to the late monarch, and the interior design by Russell Sage Studio creates what can only be described as a Las Vegas-style royalist fever dream.
Step inside and you're transported to a world of antique fireplaces, floral chairs and wallpaper, numerous gilt-framed 18th-century French paintings, elegant etched glassware, monogrammed napkins, and tall dinner candles. The overall effect resembles how Versailles might have appeared if its designers had been given free rein to indulge their wildest fantasies.
Culinary Excellence Meets Theatrical Flair
Behind this extraordinary concept is Ross Shonhan, former Nobu executive chef and founder of the Bone Daddies ramen chain. The menu reflects his innovative approach to cooking while maintaining a theatrical, aristocratic theme.
Standout dishes include the ricotta agnolotti with lemon and sage, described as really very, very good, and the expertly filleted Dover sole served tableside with Café de Paris butter. The restaurant's mash comes topped with shellfish bisque and lobster meat, while the sprouting broccoli features colatura vinaigrette, chilli and mint.
For those seeking truly unique culinary experiences, Lilibet's offers a fish triptych where diners select a fish – gurnard, sea bass or sea bream – which is then served three ways: crudo, grilled, and as a soup made à la minute from its bones. This innovative approach represents a fantastically eco-friendly way to utilize all parts of the fish.
An Unforgettable Dining Experience
Beyond the exceptional food, Lilibet's creates an atmosphere of pure joy and high drama that the reviewer describes as camp as heck and utterly uncopyable. It's the perfect venue for entertaining out-of-town visitors, neglected lovers, or clients who need distracting with both spectacular decor and exceptional cuisine.
The dessert menu continues the theatrical theme, featuring a mysterious steak sandwich prego alongside more traditional options like crepe suzette, princess sponge cake with raspberries and almonds, and a spectacular pile of choux à la crème that arrives on a glass stand before being covered in an entire jug of hot chocolate sauce.
Open for lunch Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 2:30pm and dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 11pm, Lilibet's offers both à la carte options starting from about £50 per person and a set lunch at £29 for two courses or £34 for three. Despite its relatively recent opening, the restaurant has already earned the distinction of being the reviewer's new favourite London restaurant, surpassing even the previously reviewed Punk Royale in Copenhagen for sheer strangeness and delight.
