Let’s Get Dressed for Dinner – The 10 Grandest Dining Rooms in the UK

Forget the adidas, it’s time to put on the Alexander McQueen. Splendour is back in fashion for our wardrobes, and on our menus. In a reverse trend to casualisation, dressing to the nines to dine out adds to the sense of occasion and adventure so badly missed this last year; but now we can get all dressed up – with somewhere to go. Though magnificent, most grand dining rooms do not require you to dress up, preferring a non stuffy elegance, with only The Ritz issuing a dress-code. Luxury Restaurant Guide goes in search of the ten grandest dining rooms of the UK:

Céleste at The Lanesborough – London SW1

The dining room is dressed to impress, designed by the late Alberto Pinto. The largest chandelier hanging in Céleste weighs 200kg and stretches two metres wide, illuminating the delicate bas relief and Wedgwood china mounted on the walls of the grand restaurant.

Five-course tasting menu £125 pp. Accompanying wine supplement £90. Other menus are available. Club privileges apply.

The Ritz Restaurant – London W1

Considered to be one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the world, with the finest of cuisine by Executive Chef John Williams MBE. The regal dining room with a view offers ornamentation of sparkling chandeliers, towering marble columns and soaring floor to ceiling windows overlooking the calm oasis of Green Park.

Epicurean five course menu £105 pp. Including Classic Wine Selection £180; Menu with Fine Wine Selection £235.

Epicurean seven course menu £125 pp. Including Classic Wine Selection £220; Menu with Fine Wine Selection £300. Other menus are available.

Cliveden – Taplow, Berkshire

Dine in architectural splendour in Cliveden’s spatial dining room with its palatial stucco wall decorations, striking arched French windows and rich colour scheme.

Cliveden tasting menu £97.50 pp. Accompanying Classic Wine supplement £75; Accompanying Sommeliers Cellar Selection supplement £155. Other menus are available. Club privileges apply.

The Wernher at Luton Hoo Hotel & Spa – Luton, Bedfordshire

The magnificent mansion house built by architect Robert Adam in 1767, later destroyed by fire, was magnificently redesigned in 1903 by London Ritz Hotel architects Charles Mewès and Arthur Davis to create ‘Belle Epoque’ style interiors.

Three-courses £46 pp. Other menus returning soon. Club privileges apply.

The Saloon Restaurant at Hawkstone Hall – Shrewsbury, Shropshire

One of the most extraordinarily decorative dining saloons with walls punctuated by portrait paintings, embellished alongside the window frames, with elaborate stucco decoration.

Three-course a la carte menu £50 pp. Club privileges apply.

Marcus – The Berkeley – London SW1

The cool sophistication of Michelin-starred restaurant Marcus, is a beautiful example of contemporary classicism. It brings a timeless elegance which is echoed through lighting, colour tones and bespoke furnishings by Robert Angell Design International.

Taste of Marcus five-courses £110 pp; seven-courses £125 pp. Club privileges apply.

Coworth Park – Ascot, Berkshire

The burnished glory of the dramatic statement piece oak leaf chandelier sets a tine of gilded elegance in the Michelin-starred restaurant of the transformed country house.

Four-courses £90 pp. Club privileges apply.

Lympstone Manor – Exmouth, Devon

The listed Georgian mansion has been considerably renovated to create a new casual elegance throughout. Exciting Michelin-starred cuisine is served in the hotel’s three beautiful dining rooms – each of them offering their own distinct statement identity.

The Estuary Tasting menu £150 pp. Wine pairing available on request.

The Signature Tasting menu £160 pp. Wine pairing available on request. Other menus are available. Club privileges apply.

Lucknam Park – Colerne, Wiltshire

The delicate gold effect wallpaper and ornate drapery in the dining hall achieves a subtle yet dramatic and warm ambience together with its graceful line of tables and chairs.

Seasonal and Signature Tasting menu £110 pp. Wine pairing £95 supplement. Club privileges apply.

Palé Hall – Gwynedd, Wales

The light and elegant Henry Robertson Dining Room has exquisite gilded window pelmets, ornate plaster ceilings, magnificent marble fireplace and centrepiece mounted mirror.

Five-course tasting menu £70 pp. Accompanying wine flight supplement £35.

Eight-course tasting menu £90 pp. Accompanying wine flight supplement £55. Other menus are available. Club privileges apply.

Discover more great dining destinations with the Luxury Restaurant Guide, and join Club to enjoy exclusive privileges.

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