The Connaught: A Michelin-Starred Experience

London is one of the gastronomic capitals of the world; a culinary and cultural melting pot, home to visionary chefs and boundary-defying experiences. From Michelin-starred restaurants to concept pop-ups, each neighbourhood brings something different to the table. And here in Mayfair, fine dining adventures lead in every direction.

For the bon vivant, The Connaught is the perfect place to start. Beautifully positioned in the heart of Mayfair Village, the hotel has a renowned history as a fine dining destination in its own right. It’s long been a place for the rare and the refined - where the art of living well is firmly rooted in the richest culinary traditions.

Dine under the Michelin stars

These traditions are the hallmark of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, the inimitable French chef’s only London restaurant. With three coveted Michelin stars to its name, this sublime spot promises a one-of-a-kind experience.

Interiors are the work of celebrated designer, Pierre Yovanovitch. Expect cocooning lines, deep velvets and a pared-back, blush-pink palette that, together, set an effortlessly elegant tone. Elegance is a sought-after characteristic for Hélène, and her Michelin-starred restaurant has found a natural home within the celebrated walls of The Connaught.

The Connaught turned out to be the perfect home for my UK restaurant, as it embodies elegance, history, and timeless charm – qualities that deeply resonate with me. The shared vision I found with the team made it feel like a natural fit from the very beginning.

Hélène Darroze

Exquisite culinary creations

Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday, menus here shift with the seasons. Hélène has always shown a passion for produce and place, and ingredients are meticulously sourced from her personal network of farmers, growers and artisan makers.

The result is an exquisite journey across sea and shore, served in five or eight courses. Think Scottish scallops with warming tandoori spices, pearlescent caviar with opal-white asparagus and a Wagyu beef that melts in the mouth. For dessert, Hélène’s Signature Baba has achieved legendary status. Liberally doused in her family estate’s Armagnac, it’s a fitting finale for this fourth-generation chef.

‘Le Vol-au-Vent by Hélène Darroze’ is another nostalgic nod to treasured traditions, as the chef draws inspiration from her Great Aunt’s recipe to reimagine this classic French centrepiece. And for those seeking a lighter midweek lunch, a curated three-course menu offers an irresistible taste of Michelin-starred craft.

A vintage pairing

Fine dining experiences at this three Michelin-starred restaurant are accompanied by expert wine pairings, with vintages drawn from The Connaught’s 30,000-strong collection. Traverse iconic terroirs and undiscovered gems, as your sommelier selects the perfect match for each dish. True oenophiles can even secure a seat at The Sommelier’s Table – a bespoke experience set in the atmospheric limestone wine cellar, where each glass is complemented by Hélène’s culinary craft. Or, for a closer look at the kitchen, opt for the Chef’s Table, overlooking the marble pass itself.

In creative spirits

From fine wines to masterful mixology, The Connaught is also home to an array of sense-stirring bars. There’s the Red Room, an ode to art in all its forms. The Coburg Bar, a relaxed neighbourhood spot that will take you from morning coffee to cocktail hour. And then of course, the Connaught Bar. Consistently ranked top among The World’s 50 Best Bars, Agostino Perrone and his team distil all the creative spirit of The Connaught into each perfect pour. Don’t miss the arrival of the Martini Trolley – a Mayfair institution that bears all the makings of this classic aperitif.

The Maybourne collection

Hélène Darroze may be the Michelin star in The Connaught’s fine dining crown, but exquisite culinary experiences don’t stop here. Mornings call for the sweet pastry art of Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught, while the eclectic menus of Jean-Georges Vongerichten unfold across his eponymous restaurant, and The Connaught Grill. Here, the finest cuts and daily catch are seared over flame in the theatrical open kitchen, for a unique glimpse into the passion and precision behind the pass.

The Connaught’s Mayfair neighbour and Maybourne sister hotel, Claridge’s, is also home to some of the best fine dining in London. Relaxed, yet always refined, Claridge’s Restaurant is the perfect gathering spot for leisurely lunches and sumptuous Sunday roasts. Meanwhile, The Foyer & Reading Room is a shimmering celebration of Claridge’s Art Deco heritage, from Claridge’s crest waffles for breakfast to the hotel’s iconic Afternoon Tea, and beyond.

In nearby Belgravia and Knightsbridge, culinary experiences take a creative turn at Jean-Georges’ abc kitchens at The Emory – bringing his acclaimed abc concept from Manhattan to the capital for the first time. While La Môme London at The Berkeley captures all the flavours and flair of this legendary Cannes spot. Across every Maybourne hotel, gastronomy is woven through with flawless, carefully considered service – promising unforgettable experiences, from morning coffee and oven-warm pastries to dining without compare.