May 2026
Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill: A Bucket‑List Lunch at London’s Most Iconic Hotel
I was incredibly lucky to be given a significantly generous gift voucher by my team at work for a Gordon Ramsay restaurant. I’d had it for ages, quietly waiting for the right moment to use it.
After an especially long Friday and Saturday at work for a bank holiday, I said to my other half –The Irishman – “Shall we maybe go into town and use the voucher on Sunday or Monday?” We initially decided against it; we had several busy weekends coming up and fancied staying put. However, the Irishman said, “If we don’t book something, the weekend will just pass.” He was absolutely right.
Originally, I had my heart set on Lucky Cat in Mayfair – Asian‑inspired menus are my idea of heaven – but when I mentioned The Savoy Grill, we both stated that neither of us had ever been to the Savoy. Job done.
Arrival at The Savoy & The American Bar
I booked lunch for 2.30 pm, with a little plan in mind: arrive early, visit two bars – one before lunch and one after. On arrival, the concierge informed us that while the American Bar was open, the other bar was closed for refurbishment.
At the American Bar, we were met at a check‑in podium and asked for our names and mobile numbers. I couldn’t quite see the necessity for this – possibly marketing – and it felt slightly overkill for a pre‑lunch drink.
Opening in 1893, the American Bar has hosted everyone from Churchill to Hemingway. The décor is rich with history and nostalgia, with photos and illustrations of Hollywood icons such as Fred Astaire and Elizabeth Taylor lining the walls. I’ve seen the style described as Gatsby‑esque elsewhere, and I’d agree.
That said, the music was surprisingly loud; at times, it became intrusive rather than atmospheric. At one point, we listened to a song about bananas for quite a while – amusing initially, but also mildly irritating.
‘Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today, …….but yes we have no bananas, we have no bananas today.’ So this was the chorus, and we heard it quite a few times….
Service was slow to begin with (around ten minutes before anyone approached us), and by the time the menu was explained, we’d already decided what we wanted. Slightly awkward, but from that point onward, service was attentive, polished and very much white‑jacket territory.
I ordered a Cosmopolitan (not listed, but happily made and delicious) and the Irishman opted for a rum and whiskey cocktail and an ale – don’t judge. Cocktails here are around £23 each, so not cheap. Our bill – two cocktails, two beers and a bottle of water – came to £85. You defo could not drink here all day.
We were kindly offered the Savoy Grill menu while finishing our drinks, which was a thoughtful touch.
Lunch at The Savoy Grill
Once seated in the restaurant, we ordered Berlin Affairs cocktails: Malfy gin (one of my favourites), champagne, grapefruit and Angostura orange bitters. Absolutely divine.
We were asked for our food order before our drinks order was taken – one of my personal pet hates. Anyway, the bread arrived: sourdough served with marmite butter. I don’t like marmite… or so I thought. Oh my lord. The bread – both classic sourdough and marmite – was exceptional. We were offered more, more than once, but (with visible restraint) declined in the name of not wanting to overindulge before the main course.
For starters, the Irishman chose classic oysters – one of his favourites – while I ordered the restaurant’s signature haddock soufflé. The soufflé was outstanding: beautifully presented and genuinely special – a real stand‑out dish. The oysters, too, were pretty special according to the Irishman.
Mains, Sides & Atmosphere
Choosing mains was difficult. I was tempted by the Beef Wellington – Gordon Ramsay’s signature dish – but we opted instead to share the Château Briand (a whopping £155). We added three sides (£8.50 each): Bloody Mary chips, green salad and spinach. Bloody Mary chips had paprika sprinkled on it when we asked about it, and they also mentioned vodka. I wasn’t sure when they arrived what the vodka element was. But who cares, the chips were perfection.
The steak was carved tableside from a trolley – a lovely, old‑school touch – and cooked perfectly, medium rare. A peppercorn sauce accompanied it and was rich and scrumptious. The salad was fresh.
What really stood out was the atmosphere. This is not a stiff or stuffy dining room. The vibe is upbeat and relaxed, with a wonderfully mixed crowd: younger couples/groups, older diners, and multi‑generational tables. Some in jeans and designer trainers, others leaning more Chanel than casual. The dress code encourages guests to dress comfortably yet elegantly.
The sommelier took our wine order efficiently and without pretension. We knew what we wanted, but the interaction felt reassuringly non‑intimidating. The wine list is extensive and can feel overwhelming for those of us not flush with spending an excessive amount of money on wine. We opted for the Craggy Range, New Zealand Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc at £75 per bottle. It was gorgeous.
The Moment That Made the Experience
We had absolutely no room for dessert or cheese- I was slightly disappointed about this as I wanted to include three courses for my review –but at Savoy prices, you don’t order “just to review.”
Throughout lunch, I’d been eyeing a private dining room across the restaurant. I desperately wanted to see it, but felt awkward walking over.
At the end of the meal, I casually asked the waitress about the room. She explained it was private dining and said she’d get someone to speak to me about it. Moments later, Yandry, the sommelier, came over and simply said, “Come on over.”
What followed completely made my day.
Yandry personally showed me around the private dining room, allowed photos and video, and talked me through the space and the wine collection without any sense of rush. He was incredibly knowledgeable, warm and genuinely generous with his time. I saw a £60,000 bottle of wine and another, their oldest, priced at £800 for a small glass. Beyond fascinating and thankful.
People make experiences. On a flight a few months ago to Cairo, the crew went above and beyond and made the flight a standout experience (check out my Cairo flight review). Yandry absolutely made my day!
Final Thoughts
Is the Savoy Grill a Gordon Ramsay production‑line restaurant? No, it is not.
Is it special? Undeniably.
Is it eye‑wateringly expensive? Absolutely. The bill was a whopping £452 (which I was incredibly appreciative that the Irishman picked up the remaining bill after the gift voucher was applied).
Would I recommend it as a bucket‑list experience, or for a truly special occasion? Without hesitation, yes.
