Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in City of London, Westminster

Absolutely fantastic place. Truly an experience. It is of course expensive, but a visit here is hardly something you will regret!

A wonderful lunch on an otherwise bleak Wednesday afternoon. The restaurant is certainly a reprieve. The kitchen was aces. Not a dish out of place. The sea buckthorn dessert, the classic lobster and the surprise hare (all pictured) were the standouts. Best of all was the wine and service from Federico. The pairings were stellar, and Federico went above and beyond to make the experience exceptional. Can’t wait to go back for dinner!

One of the best meals of my life. HD exemplifies Michelin quality. The atmosphere, staff, wine, menu, taste, and service are immaculate. I still dream of the lobster and carrot dish.

Best experience, best food, best service

burası 3 yıldızlı bir restorandan çok, gösterişsiz pahalı ortalama bir restoran havasındaydı. 3 yıldızlı bir restoran olduğu için beklentimiz yüksekti. masaya gelen tek yaratıcı şey çiçek şeklinde sunulan tereyağlarıydı. herkes için öyle olmalıki genelde o ürün paylaşılmış. bu seviyede bir restoranın menüsünde hem sunum hem lezzet olarak daha fazla şaşırtıcı ürün beklerdik. ziyaretimizden aklımızda kalan bir deneyim olmadı. menüye yeni giren güvercin denedik. üst kısmındaki ciğer katmanı çok kuru ve yemesi zor du. ıstakoz eti çok sertti sosu çok ağırdı. ikram edilen tavşan etli ravioli de oldukça ağır ve yoğun bir ara sıcaktı. dülger balığı sosu ile et bütünleşmemişti. özetle: lezzet: 4 ambiance: 4 servis: 8 fiyat performans: 3

Hace una hora Nuevo Excelente almuerzo con un excelente servicio informado y una variedad de exquisitos y delicados platos. En su menú degustador de invierno: El plato de John Dory fue uno de los favoritos con su delicada salsa, al igual que el sarro de remolacha y el postre de ruibarbo. ¡Los otros también estaban deliciosos! Merece la pena visitarlo y sin duda merece la pena cada una de sus tres estrellas Michelin.

Some dinners are more than meals; they become stories we carry with us. Celebrating Riccardo’s 40th at the Chef’s Table in the heart of Hélène Darroze’s kitchen was exactly that—an experience woven from impeccable flavors, warm hospitality, and moments that felt truly special. Seated with dear friends, we watched the artistry of the kitchen unfold before us. A breathtaking take on French onion soup, a dish as beautiful as it was delicious. The spectacle of the entire octopus, finished tableside, and the perfectly executed Filet Wellington—a symphony of textures and depth. Each plate struck a delicate balance, favoring protein over carbohydrates, allowing us to savor every bite with ease. And then, the Baba—not just a dessert, but a centerpiece, served whole like a birthday cake, marking the occasion unforgettable. Beyond the exquisite food, what made the night truly magical was the team. Roberto and Marco led with warmth and grace, ensuring that every moment felt seamless and celebratory. Their generosity extended beyond service, culminating in a magnificent surprise for Riccardo—a personalized LEGO model of the Ferrari F40 (an homage to his surname), a gift as thoughtful as it was unique. From start to finish, this was more than a dinner; it was an experience of elegance, laughter, and unforgettable memories. A heartfelt thank you to the entire team for crafting an evening that will stay with us forever.

Superb lunch with excellent informed service and a range of exquisite, delicate dishes. In their winter taster menu: The John Dory course was a particular favourite with its delicate sauce, as was the beetroot tartare and the rhubarb dessert. The others were also delicious ! It’s very well worth a visit and is definitely worth each of its three Michelin stars.

Top class and you were treated like royalty. Go for the wine pairing and tasting menu

3a vez volviendo y finalmente me las arreglé para volver a hipotecar mi casa para finalmente hacer la mesa de Chefs. Una de las mejores mesas de chef que he hecho. El chef ha respondido a todas mis preguntas molestas y fueron tan amables y fantásticos. La comida no necesita explicación, era simplemente sublime. Pregunté por qué no usaban el resto del pulpo y si era comestible, lo siguiente que supe fue que lo cortaron todo y lo compartimos todo cuando se suponía que no lo hacían. Me sentí tan cuidado y fue una experiencia como ninguna otra.

I had my first ever 3 michelin start experience at Helene Darroze for my 30th and it was sublime. I love everything!! the food, the service, the kitchen tour, saying hello to Helene herself, and the lovely staff. They were very attentive. Loved that as it was a special occasion they took out the polaroid and snap a couple of photos of me and my husband and gave it to us alongside menu of the food we had with my birth date. It is now up on a frame on my kitchen wall memory. We had a 7 course so we were very full by the end of it! We will be visiting again in the future ⭐️

An extraordinary experience! A return trip from the province for this dinner which enchanted me! I don't regret the trip :)

The most overrated and overpriced restaurant in the world

Una maravillosa cena de Navidad... Hermoso para mirar y aún mejor para comer , el personal nos cuidó e hizo toda la experiencia verdaderamente más navideña ! El servicio fue absolutamente de primera categoría... Pero entonces usted está pagando por ello, mi única queja si me preguntaron fue el maridaje de vinos, hemos comido en muchos restaurantes de primera y tenemos que decir que la cantidad de vino fue muy decepcionante aquí ... Yo no diría minúscula, pero posiblemente la cantidad más pequeña de la historia, pero nos dimos cuenta de otras mesas que tenían un «camarero de vino diferente» se sirvieron cantidades más grandes jajajaja , tal vez solo tuvimos mala suerte jajaja

Had the most incredible experience here. We were celebrating my parent's 50th anniversary and got upgraded to the chef's table, which was incredible. The service was above and beyond and Frederico, our server, was absolutely lovely. The food was mind blowingly good and it was the most cohesive meal I've ever had. Every course flowed so well into the next. I upgraded to the wagyu and got that Ratatouille moment where you have an Anton Ego out of body moment. Highly recommend.

3 Michelin stars- I expect more. Clove Club- two Michelin- was much better. The food was just fine. Servers were very sweet but seemed disorganized/ understaffed. Wine pairing was AWFUL. Don’t waste your money. Have you had a Riesling? A Chardonnay? You’ve had this wine, probably for less than $400/ person (for the cheapest option).

Ok, I will be a little harsh here. I read a lot of the reviews and I agree with many. However, having visited enough 3-Michelin star restaurants, I was expecting a reasonably close experience. It was nothing close. We order the 5 plate no alternates menu. I’m sorry to say that the food was less than average compared to others on the same class. I’ll go on a limb and say that there was at least one plate (the first one), that was close to being un-edible. The service, as you would expect, and the atmosphere was lovely. No plans to return.

AMAZING dining experience. We had the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairing. Excellent quality and staff were absolutely spoiling the guests with top-notch service. Every single dish was exceptional. It's a very memorable meal and a dining experience. We were invited to meet the chefs in the kitchen and given a tour. Lovely experience. Super friendly chefs. Highly recommended and must experience.

My wife and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary here and the experience was simply amazing! The food, the service, everything was awesome, solid 10/10! PS - thank you very much for offering us the chef’s table, you really made our experience an unforgettable one!

An experience that’s worth it. This is one of London’s best restaurants, it has an amazing reputation and it didn’t let us down at all. It was a classic three Michelin star experience from start to finish.

La comida en Helene Darroze definitivamente NO vale la pena el dinero y la pomposa 3 estrellas Michelin. De hecho, la comida era mediocre, retrasado y perezoso servicio, reciente renovación es estéticamente aburrido y nit tan bueno como lo era antes. Mi compañero vomitó durante la noche después de la cena. Tenía langosta y dejé la mitad en el plato. La langosta más no deliciosa que he comido. También estaban echando el vino a través de este dispositivo que estaba rociando el interior de los vasos y ensuciándolos antes de que pudieras siquiera sorber. Muy molesto. Y todo esto por una factura ridícula de £ 940 y solo teníamos 2 platos más desierto. Damas y caballeros: si quieren degustar un menú de 3 estrellas Michelin y un ambiente adecuado, reserve Le Cinq en George V Paris, y definitivamente no la sobrevalorada Helene Darroze. Ahórrate la decepción.

The food in Helene Darroze is definitely NOT worth the money and the pompous 3 Michelin star. In fact, the food was mediocre, delayed and lazy service, recent renovation is aesthetically boring and not as good as it was before. My partner threw up during the night after dinner. I had lobster and left half of it on the plate. The most non-delicious lobster I ever ate. And all of this for a ridiculous bill of £940 and we only had 2 courses plus desert. Ladies and gentlemen: if you want to taste & enjoy a proper 3 Michelin star menu and ambience, book Le Cinq in George V Paris, and definitely not the overrated Helene Darroze. Spare yourself the disappointment.

A truly amazing 3-star experience here. Every dish was pleasantly presented with details. The wait staff to customer ratio was roughly 1:2, which gave a quality service to every diner.

Bastante agobiante y decepcionante. La comida estaba bien, pero esperaba algo mejor. Nuestra dama sumiller era de primera clase, el resto bastante dominante. Un caballero en particular estaba claramente más interesado en vender el maridaje de vinos y extras que en dar al cliente una experiencia agradable. Utilizó una técnica muy subordinada de doblar la carta de vino a la segunda página haciendo creer al cliente que era la primera y más barata. A £ 700 por cabeza esto ciertamente no tenía que suceder. La noche estuvo bien, pero hay considerablemente mejor para el costo en Londres.

Unbelievable experience from start to finish. The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable and can’t do enough for you. You can see the love that goes into every single dish they serve, the flavours are amazing and the presentation is second to none. The chocolate dessert was the best thing I’ve ever eaten.

I was really looking forward to this experience….a treat for my upcoming birthday arranged by my most generous and kind partner . Our first time in a 3 Michelin stars restaurant… (he’d been before when it only had 2, and it seems it was better all around). Sadly we left so disappointed..sure, the food was good- better be for how much it cost - but it wasn’t spectacular… The service was good, yet impersonal … troupes of waiters would spring out of nowhere and overwhelm you with their inauthentic politeness; a few nicer ones from the start never came back to ask how it all went for us. The ambiance was the worst - declasee rich zombies staring at their phones.. dressed like they just got out of bed, who cares when mum and dad pay for you. And the worst perhaps - nobody explained to us that choosing the other dish / which looked like an option on the short menu -was going to double the already high bill … The last cheap yet expensive touch .. the £1.50 San Pelegrino water which you can get in any Tesco around the corner …here costs £10. Depressing . We will never go back.

Refined, elegant food in a classy dining room. Classic French techniques and flavours, with friendly, formal service. The lunch menu is very gold value at £125 for three courses, plus bread and various bites. The butter was extraordinary!

Unrealistic experience with fenomenal food and outstanding stuff

My brother generously gifted me with an incredible surprise Birthday dinner at the phenomenal, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught. Our experience was beyond anything we could have possibly hoped for in visiting a three-star Michelin restaurant where the best chefs in the world create masterpieces of edible art. From the get-go we received a call from the lovely reception staff at the Hélène Darroze informing us that, as it was my birthday, they had generously decided to upgrade our experience from the dining hall to the Chefs Table - free of charge! We were blown away upon our arrival to be led down a separate entrance to the chefs table which is positioned opposite the main kitchen, giving us a first hand view of the entire service. We were introduced to the brilliant Marco Zampese (executive chef) who courteously gave us a tour of the kitchens, spoke happily to us about his craft, and always made us feel at home throughout the service. Even when things were busy, he made time for us and asked our opinions of the food. He is a kind, passionate, calm, and experienced chef who made us feel like we were at our friend’s house as he cooked for us all while maintaining the elegance of a three star Michelin restaurant. I was greatly inspired by both him and his team of chefs who worked diligently with a quiet elegance. The food was a delightful blend of exciting and, at times, provocative flavours that forced you to challenge your previous perceptions about food. The blue fin tuna was as refreshing as jumping into an ocean contrasted by the warmth of the Guinea fowl which swiftly transported you to a cozy cottage on an autumn’s chilly evening. Mid-way through, we were very grateful to receive an additional ox tongue dish as compliments of the chef. This was an unexpected highlight for me as it is an ingredient I never thought I would enjoy until I tried it here. It felt like butter in my mouth. The dynamic textures of all the dishes were as varied as a wildflower garden with the rice pudding and chocolate desserts taking centre stage. We were also generously treated to a few extra dishes which were not on the menu including the ox tongue dish, a small birthday cake, a pastry with pistachio cream and a luxurious chocolate on the side, as well as two small cakes to take home with us. Clearly we were lavishly blessed and could not stop saying ‘thank you’ for all we gratefully received. Ironically and as is so often the case, the food served is only one small part of a far bigger picture. It’s the people around you who create and sustain a culture and environment of warmth and hospitality. In my case, having an entire kitchen of three-star Michelin chefs turn down the lights at the end of our meal to sing Happy Birthday to me at the top of their lungs was beyond the cherry on top of a cake. To all those who made my birthday meal so unforgettable and precious, thank you so much for an experience the likes of which I doubt I will ever encounter again! This birthday will definitely be one I remember for the rest of my life thanks to you! For this reason, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught is truly one-of-a-kind. They have managed to do what many other restaurants fail to: they maintained a relaxed, warm, and welcoming atmosphere in an incredibly high tier setting without creating a climate of snobbery and exclusivism. After all, the food, incredible as it might be, means a whole lot more when it is served with love and attention to detail whether it is a home cooked meal made by a loved one, or a seven course meal at a three-star Michelin restaurant. Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, you have a warm and generous heart that I pray you never lose. Finally I want to give a special mention to our waiter, Jacapo, who was very friendly, attentive, informative, and kind to us. To all the incredible chefs, waiters/waitresses, receptionists and the lovely staff, you are amazing! Thank you for all your hard work, hospitality, grace, and friendliness toward us while we dined with you. God bless!

I’ve lived in London for roughly seven years now and have heard of Hélène Darroze for quite some time. Yesterday I finally had the chance to dine here. I brought my mother with me and was hoping she’d like it. We were there for lunch but we already know that we’ll be back for dinner because the flavours were wonderful and that of great balance. The service was excellent, too. My mother doesn’t speak English but they would still try to interact with her to ensure she had good dining experience, instead of leaving her out of our conversation. We love the canele too, possibly the best in London. The only thing that we wished to improve was our table, which was a bit too close to the entryway and quite distracting, but other than that it was amazing

Volví especialmente para probar el menú del almuerzo esta vez. No me decepcionó la experiencia propuesta. Aún así... sigo debatiendo conmigo mismo si un viaje tan exquisito para las papilas gustativas está destinado a ser tomado a esa hora del día 😉 ... también dado el tiempo correcto que necesita para ello... En cuanto a la decoración del restaurante tal cual... creo que se ve bien en las fotos... pero un poco impersonal en realidad. Estoy seguro que es cuestión de gustos de diseño...

We have had the pleasure of discovering Hélène Darroze at The Connaught three times for a weekday lunch (2017, 2019 and 2022), and each visit has been a great experience. The setting of the famous The Connaught hotel is, of course, superb, combining sophistication and elegance. The service is impeccable, with charming and very professional teams, who know how to make this culinary moment even more pleasant. During our last visit, we were even entitled to a table “upgrade”, to have lunch in the privacy of the cellar in Armagnac. A nice surprise and an absolutely charming setting for a unique moment. Thank you to the whole team for this attention. The dishes always live up to expectations: subtle flavors, perfectly crafted ingredients, and beautiful plates that honor both the chef's Basque roots and England. A real taste pleasure on each of our visits. And how can we not mention the indescribable baba, Hélène Darroze’s star dessert, accompanied by the Darroze family’s cognac? A great moment! However, we have seen a notable increase in the price of weekday lunch over the years. While the experience remains excellent, it may no longer justify the cost for a lunch. For those who want to fully enjoy this starred restaurant, we recommend instead trying true immersion with the full experience of a dinner.

My favourite michelin starred restaurant to date. The staff were incredible and brought us down to the kitchen to see the chefs at work. I thought the portions were a bit too large and left me feeling too full, but I cannot wait to go back.

One of the best 3 star Michelin starred restaurants I have been to. The service and the ambiance was excellent and the food was absolutely delicious. Overall great experience, will definitely return.

Bonito pero no excepcional. Incluso para los estándares de Mayfair imo sobreprecio. Nada destacaba en cuanto a sabor, todo lo bueno pero nada memorable. El servicio estaba bien, pero no excepcional. Vergüenza, ya que estábamos deseando.

Michelin three stars. Love it! Perfect restaurant! The butter that goes with the bread tastes very delicious with a little chili pepper, and the fruit and vegetable juices that go with the meal are all delicious! The main dish of mutton is the most delicious Western food I have ever eaten! The palatability is very good, not difficult to chew, not fishy and very tender. The beef is Wagyu. I don’t think it tastes as good as mutton. Although it is also very tender, it is a bit oily. Classic dessert with rum I still love my chocolate! The afternoon tea is also delicious They were simply fed until they died.

Took the 7 course menu with cheese as an optional 8th course. Food was frankly a little disappointing, no course really stood out as particularly special. The scallop seemed somewhat rubbery. Seating is casual and our table was a little bit small although others were much bigger so I suppose that was luck of the draw. .... Great response from the restaurant, it's remarkable why they have any stars

Sadly, past its expiry date. Flavors were off on several dishes. Service was mediocre - letting a tissue sit on the table for close to 10 min. This would have been acceptable at a one-star price point, but there are wiser choices in this price category.

Fantastic experience. This was our first time at an establishment of this quality and it did not disappoint. The food was fantastic and worth the price, however the real star of the show was the hospitality. The staff did an amazing job of making us feel welcomed and comfortable. They were attentive, considerate and fun to interact with. This was a fantastic experience for my wife and I and I could not recommend it enough.

Flavour profile was a bit flat. Not bad but not exceptional either

This is a late review from months ago earlier in the year but I feel I have to tell this story. I was coming back from Singapore where I treated myself to 2, 3-star restaurants (Odette and Les Amis). Unbeknown to me, it was truffle season and almost every dish was flooded, drowning in truffle shavings. After Singapore, on my way back to the States, I stopped over in London for a night. I figure oh what the hell, why not try to squeeze in a 3rd 3-star and since I was staying at the Connaught, I asked if a hotel guest can secure a table - yes they got me a table. So here I was all jet lagged sitting at this amazing restaurant and suddenly a truffle-laden dish arrives. Forgetting all my manners, when the waiter came to ask how was it, I told him about my truffle overload in Singapore, and how I was just there for a night's layover. He must have interpreted that as meaning I didn't like the truffle dish so the next thing I knew, he came back and said he was sorry I didn't like truffle and that to show their appreciation for stopping by just for them on my way home, he brought out A WHOLE ADDITIONAL DISH of duck and foi gras, COMPLIMENTS OF THE CHEF!!! I was so embarrassed at my poor manners at having complained about the truffles and yet also floored by this level of attention to service. So yeah, in addition to phenomenal food, you're going to get the most amazing service ever on this planet.

we were really looking forward to this one but unfortunately it missed the mark for us. The food itself was good but not at the 3* level that we were expecting. The main issue we had was with the service. We did have a late 9pm sitting but I would have expected the service would always be top notch. From when we were seated we waiting a long time for anyone to come over with a menu or ask us for drinks. Once the service started after each course we did wait a long time after finishing for them to clear, this got worse as the evening went on and at one point there was almost no staff in the dinning room. We also ordered wine and a bottle of water. When we finished our glass we had to wait a very long time for someone to come fill it up and with the water we had the same thing but luckily i saw where they kept our water so I would just get it and serve ourselves. Its not a huge deal but I had higher expectations of a 3*. When the staff were around they were very friendly and helpful. Best dish was the lobster for me.

Great dining experience for 6 friends for a birthday. All the dishes are executed with mastery and the recipes are very tasty (the Ttoro juice can still be divisive). On the other hand, the sommelier's insistence on selling us his food and wine pairing was borderline painful and inappropriate.

Comida promedio... nada especial. El comedor anticuado necesita refrescarse... por ejemplo, la pintura roja en las cubiertas de las patas de la mesa de aspecto horrible está astillada y rayada y hay muchas manchas en la tela del asiento. No estoy seguro de cómo tienen 3 estrellas Michelin!

Average food ..... nothing special. The dated dining room is in severe need of refreshing....for example the red paint on the horrible looking table leg covers is chipped and scratched and there are lots of stains on the seating fabric. Not sure how they have 3 Michelin Stars !!!!!!

Hélène Darroze’s restaurant is nothing short of mind-blowing. I was expecting a lot from the chef, and I wasn’t disappointed! The food was an absolute masterpiece—every dish was a perfect balance of flavors, presented beautifully and prepared with great care. The service was impeccable, making the entire dining experience feel special and seamless. From start to finish, everything was flawless. Truly an unforgettable culinary journey!

Good service, nice food, relaxing environment

One of the most relaxed atmosphere 3-Michelin star restaurant. The food was excellent, well combination of some asian ingredient and dedicated french technique. The pigeon dish was to die for, it was cooked to perfection.

If you have time for just one Michelin star meal in London, go for Helene Darroze. It’s my favourite restaurant in London because the food is absolutely delicious and creative, the service impeccable and the ambience (think French songs, comfy lounge sofas and beautiful cutlery) so elegant and relaxing. Even though I was a solo diner, I felt very at home and welcome (unlike places like Core which don’t even bother to reply to your email). Dined here twice and left the restaurant feeling much happier and inspired than before I entered. Kudos to Assistant Manager Giuseppe Molinaro and the very attentive and charming staff from Apulia (forgot to get his name) for providing amazing service. Best dishes: pigeon, ox tongue (surprise dish), yellowfin tuna, tomato and apricot dessert.

Everything was perfect, from the incredible food to the amazing staff!

I wish I could give 0 stars for customer service. I booked this restaurant months in advance to share a special dinner with my mother on our last night in London - my mother fell ill with food poisoning the night before and we simply could not make it to dinner. I called to cancel and explain the circumstances, and was coldly informed that I would still be responsible for the 210.00 fee per person because of the short notice - I was amazed by the insensitivity of the manager on the phone, who’s only flexibility was to offer to have the reservation moved or give me the credit for a future visit. I don’t come to London often, and we were leaving the next morning, so neither option worked for us. After a long hold, I was told that they could cancel my reservation and waive the fee, however any future reservation I would make would require full prepayment. I’m still shocked at how callously I was treated and I can assure you I will not be reserving here any time in the future. I work in the industry myself, and was expecting a far better customer service experience for a 3 star Michelin restaurant.

A high-level gastronomic journey. Products sublimated with art. Taste of taste of taste. A high quality service. A professional team. Thank you for this very appreciated taste parenthesis for my birthday

The pinnacle of fine dining. Food is prepared with perfection with the best ingredients. The service team is world-class. Had the pleasure to eat in many 3 star michelin restaurants and can say that this experience is on the top of my list. Thank you!

Booked a lunch as a treat on the way back to LHR. Genuinely exceeded expectations. We generally find London to have a level of complacency at even the finest establishment. But the team here really hit the mark. From the moment we arrived everything was on point. The front of house team were excellent. The sommelier did a really good job of gauging the price range we were happy with. (Love good wine but not fans of overpaying). We’ve been to other similarly rated restaurants in London where the sommelier thinks it’s fine to suggest an alternative with an addition zero on the end! We use this as a measure of the service standard. We were offered the choice of all menus. Went for the lunch menu as a couple of dishes on the seven course tasting (particularly dessert - chocolate) didn’t appeal and dishes we wanted were not on the 5 course. Plus we checked and the tasting menus would have cut it close to the time we needed to leave for the airport! Really appreciate the honesty from the team. The 3 course lunch was still outstanding. Tuna starter was enlightened, both main courses we flawless and the apricot dessert perfect. On the list for a return visit. Timing was perfect.

We decided to pamper ourselves and booked lunch at Helene Darroze to celebrate my son's birthday. Every course was a delight and we loved the food presentation as well. In between course, there is lots of surprises here and there. The staff are all beyond exceptional and we can't wait to come back again.

What a wonderful experience! Every dish was prepared exquisitely and while they were all fantastic, I have to admit I was stunned by the Wagyu- which is crazy considering how many times I’ve had it. Wine pairings have always been my favorite past time and they did not disappoint here. Just a fantastic selection along the journey and best of all was the sommelier spent a seemingly unlimited amount of time with us talking through each wine, the history and more. She’s just a walking encyclopedia of wine that bests nearly every other sommelier I’ve ever met. For those who don’t partake in alcohol they had a very fun- and a first I’ve ever seen in our travels- non-alcoholic pairing for all the courses. Very awesome! So overall just an amazing experience and worthy of their 3 stars. I hope to return. Finally, come hungry- we were stuffed at the end and I barely touched my deserts.

Nach 2017 waren wir jetzt erneut bei Helene Darroze und wie beim ersten Mal waren wir auch jetzt wieder begeistert Der Service ist genau so, wie man es in einem Restaurant dieser Klasse erwartet: höflich, überaus sachkundig, sehr aufmerksam, und die Prise britischen Humors kommt auch noch dazu. Der Gast steht im Mittelpunkt, ohne Frage. Aber das Ganze wirkt nicht aufgesetzt, sondern ganz natürlich, so dass man sich sehr wohl fühlt. Die Speisen sind exquisit, wundervoll zubereitet, geschmacklich hervorragend aufeinander abgestimmt. Die Weinbegleitung mit europäischen Weinen war sehr gut ausgewählt und passte wunderbar zu den Gängen. Ob dies alles nun zwei oder drei Sterne wert ist, können wir nicht beurteilen. Wir haben uns auf jeden Fall sehr wohl gefühlt.

So I went here on the 1st August 2024 at 7pm for the taste of summer menu for my wife's birthday. However, after having this menu I got food related illness from the restaurant and ended up needing an ambulance to go to hospital. I then spoke to the restaurant and they did an investigation with a company. All that was involved in the investigation was asking staff if they got unwell and asking customers if they go unwell. It took 1 week. After this the restaurant did not offer a refund but they did offer 1 glass of champagne (i dont drink alcohol) and then on the phone they said that their restaurant was not for my pallet (their restaurantand myself have different taste). For this standard of hotel and restaurant I expected I better customer friendly response. So I highly recommend going somewhere else.

Excellent food and service but... The " Champagne cart" is brought to the table immediately on arrival - and very appealing it is too. It comes, though, before the wine list - and thus prices - is seen, and first time diners (we are not) may therefore not realise they might be selecting a drink which, with service, could be over £100 for each 125 ml glass. I ordered a half bottle of Bollinger instead - better value at £70 on the on-line list (albeit it was charged at £75 on my bill). The menus were brought. We were just offered the Taste of Summer menu for £225; I had to ask specially for the Weekday lunch menu at £125 to be brought. (I also noted that it was not offered as a choice to the couple at an adjacent table.) We were offered still or sparkling water, without the option of tap water. I asked for tap, and it was indeed provided willingly, promptly and in a beautiful jug. The additional cheese course is a fairly striking £34 (ie £38.25 with service) and was a choice from a pretty unremarkable board of just 8 or 9 cheeses - and served in very small portions indeed. In summary: excellent food, attentively served by highly professional and courteous staff. But .... not everybody who would like to eat there has an unlimited budget. Maybe that's why on the day we visited there were for the first hour just us and two other couples; joined just before 2 pm by three more people to make 9 covers in total. .

I am accustomed to very expensive dinners for two -- more than $500 or even $800 per couple. At that level you can expect and must receive a memorable experience. This was exactly the opposite. The ambiance and decor is bland, spartan and boring. At this price level there should be a crisp tablecloth on a nice sized table. Nope. No tablecloth on a very tiny table. At first I thought we were taken to a bar area to await our table. But sadly we were stuck in this very sad place. While Helene Darroze claims to have a dress code don't believe it. And while dining at this level would suggest refined people having hushed conversations that was not the case here. It was closer to a truck stop diner. A table of what looked like two burly lorrie drivers clad in cheap t-shirts and shorts together with their lady friend for the night was irritatingly loud and obnoxious, screaming at each other at a decibel level that would drown the noise of a 747 at takeoff speed. Loud cackling laughter surpassed that noise at times. I asked the staff if something could be said to them politely so the other diners in the room could enjoy their food and they said no. They offered to move us to another table -- but the room is so small we could barely get another meter or two away. It was of no help. The screaming and cackling continued on and on and on. The food? We had the very expensive tasting menu as I wanted to sample the chef's reported talents. I don't recall much. It was overcome by the horrible atmosphere that the staff was impotent to remedy. I think there was a lamb something that was decent but overall I've had far better food for much less at other restaurants in London, Paris, New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Rome, Barcelona and, well, from a food truck in several places. The management and staff could learn much from the High Tea at The Landmark Hotel or brunch at The Goring. (both highly recommended). Those surpassed expectations and were superlative in every way. In retrospect we should have departed immediately after the staff refused to restore the dining room to a proper, upscale atmosphere. The final insult came with the tab: $900 US dollars. Needless to say we will never visit a Helene Darroze restaurant ever again. There are so many far better restaurants.

I took my girlfriend here for our 3 year anniversary as we always wanted to try fine dining. They surprised us with the chefs table, which put us right beside the pass so we could see all the food being plated in our own private dining room. It was amazing, all of the staff where unbelievably accommodating and freindly and the food was on another level. The yellowfin tuna was my favourite dish, probably that I’ve ever had. I’m so happy we decided to celebrate there, they really went above and beyond to make it a night to remember.

We purposely chose Hélène Darroze to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday last Thursday. Our entire dining experience at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught could not have been any more memorable if it was not for Celia and the executive chef Mr Marco Zampese’s teams’ extremely professional efforts, especially every single thoughtfully planned detail that demonstrated the teams’ pursuits of excellent service, outstanding creativity in crafting every dish that’s stunningly presented to us, and their utter fine dining commitment to customers! From the moment we were guided to our semi-private room to offer significant attention to our celebration to the wonderful initiative of a kitchen tour and to the moment we were gifted a bespoke menu with a Happy Birthday line in an iconic The Connaught hotel envelope, including our photo in it. Surprise, surprise, surprise! Action speaks louder when the teams genuinely proved to us that every customer is not only very well looked after, but also guaranteed a 5-star service from the beginning to the end of the experience! We were left with so many unforgettable memories that will last forever! Every dish was beyond high standard and a statement celebration of the creation! We were particularly indulged in the exquisite combination of caviar paired with chicken skin, triggering a unique and unexpected burst of flavors that tantalize your palate, as the savory chicken taste and the salty caviar create a delightful harmony. How creative is that!!! (Photos are without filter or PS)

Unfortunately me and my family never got too go, we made a reservation a month in advance and thought we were all set. When we arrived at our hotel we checked on our reservation and it said that it was declined. Turns out, depending on availability they can just turn down your reservation if they so please.

I have been to many 3 Michelin starred restaurants and this is the only one where I really enjoyed every single dish on the menu. At other restaurants, there would be something that I found just ok. This place also serves the best rum baba that I have ever had, it's really the best! I had the 7 course Taste of Summer menu, with caviar and wagyu. Will definitely be back.

We had high expectations for this 3 Michelin star restaurant, but unfortunately, our experience fell short. Starting from the interior that was lacking sophistication, and food been served directly on the wooden table without white cloth didn’t felt clean and elegant. The presentation of the dishes was ok but nowhere near 3*. The highest disappointment came from the food itself that didn't live up to the hype. Langoustine had strong garlic aftertaste, pea were tasting undercooked not in a tasty way, lobster was just a regular lobster without any distinct flavour, ox tongue was too fatty, cod literally has 0 taste, lamb was chewy etc. All the dishes were lacking balance and harmony in flavours. We went to many Michelin Star restaurants and this was not just a bad Michelin Star but generally bad food for a regular restaurant. I’m giving 2 stars just for the food presentation that is ok, but again not impressive to have 3*. Service was also a bit strange, waiters would gather for a mini meeting next to the table discussing notes from the tray, then 2 of them would serve it at the same time and 1 would pour the sauce to me and then go around the table to do it for my husband; while doing this they would be quite which made always awkward silence and then they would explain the dish. For the price and reputation, I expected more in terms of taste and atmosphere. Sadly, it was a disappointment. We are still wondering how this place has 3*, and wondering what is going on in a Michelin Stars world to have them keep these stars.

I'm a little conflicted. Please understand that this is a three Michelin star restaurant, so my expectations were very high - this review is to be read from that perspective. First, the food was lovely. It was not the best I've had but definitely deserving a star or two. Maybe not quite three stars, but delicious nonetheless. The wine pairings on the other hand were out of this world. They really elevated each dish to a new level. The sommelier is an absolute genius and I bow to their expertise! And the service. This was absolutely remarkable, the best I've ever seen and with quite a margin. Everyone there was absolutely wonderful. Relaxed yet super attentive, I loved every second of it. But. And here comes the reason I cannot possibly give the place 5 stars. Once we got the bill, they had added a discretionary service charge without asking a thing. And the sum was very high. Even worse, nowhere on the bill did it say this wasn't something you actually had to pay. I found this very tacky, after all, we are in Europe where the American tipping culture is not (and hopefully never will be) a thing. I would actually have been happy to leave a tip, but not this way. This was unfortunately a very unhappy ending to an otherwise magical evening. I sincerely hope they reconsider this system in the future.

We are big fans of Hélène Darroze, we’ve been coming for more than 10 years. Unfortunately our last meal and the matching wines were breathtakingly bad. While the staff are lovely, at the beginning of service they were harried and perfunctory. It is quite an investment to come and we have such fond memories of past meals - it was to say the least, beyond disappointing.

I would say this restaurant hits the Michelin qualifier for 3 stars with the one word to describe it - consistent. The food was great, the service impeccable. The only thing missing was the wow factor that one has come to expect after dining in 3 star Michelin restaurants in Asia. But overall a great dining experience.

First time experience at a 3 Michelin star restaurant and was very excited for the visit. Really wish I could give a 4.5 review rather than just a 4 but I feel given the reputation I couldn't quite give full marks. The value was seemingly pretty good in my opinion as I've been to non starred or 1 and 2 star restaurants that have charged just as much and this was a good experience. I also really enjoyed the visit to the kitchen to personalize the experience. I wasn't disappointed in any course and everything was good but I just wasn't wowed by anything. At a place like this I feel at least one course should wow me. The pea was the closest I got, glad I went and would tell others to go also but would definitely relay my thoughts.

What a great dining room and atmosphere! The seating is superb, the relaxed nature of the room great.....and the service is probably the best that I've ever had! The restaurant was unbelievable at accommodating a food allergy and altered dishes brilliantly. Standout dish for me being the lobster - a genuine wow and worth returning for on its own. 2nd was the artichokes (love it how they elevated a humble ingredient to 3* level - amazing!) Langostine were also great and loved the Asian light flavours. Desserts were good, but for me, not as good as the savoury (but that could be my issue as I prefer more solid/texture/crunch rather than smooth). The flavours were still amazing! 100% recommended and will return. For me, a step up from Bibendum and definitely 3 stars.

After a team building exercise, our group indulged in an extraordinary dining experience at this establishment. The 12-course tasting menu, complemented by a shared platter of steak and mash, was a culinary journey that justified its £195 per person price tag. The chef's innovative creations introduced me to new flavors I never knew I'd enjoy, inspiring me to try replicating some dishes at home. A standout was the inventive salted egg yolk preparation. To beat the heatwave, the refreshing chinotto cocktail was a perfect accompaniment. Overall, this gastronomic adventure expanded my palate and left me thoroughly satisfied.

Lunch for two people early May and had the three course lunch and no wine. We thought the food was great. It looked great and tasted great and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The butter in particular looked fantastic! The service was very attentive and all were nice people. The decor and atmosphere wasn't to our taste. It was a bit formal amd stuffy. We felt the decor of the room was bland. We felt sympathy for the staff and their uniforms, particularly the ladies whose dresses reminded me of Walt Disneys 1937 version of Snow White. Total was AUD$654 for 3 courses each, two bottles of water, two hot drinks and the service charge. Value was OK. Unfortunately, not the sort of venue that would attract us back.

Great experience! The dessert was excellent!Expected to have more surprise for other dishes as 3-star restaurant but overall was satisfying:)

First time at a 3 star michellin, only 1 star before this. The food and service were amazing, the balance between the different flavours in each plate were on point. We ended up extremely full and satisfied, which we weren’t expecting. The service was also very nice and friendly, nothing to be desired. The only constructive criticism is that I would’ve like for they to be more explicit about what was included in the menu and what was not (like coffee and cheese plate), maybe this comes from my own inexperience in high end dining, but it would’ve been nice. Anyway, we loved it, and will try to repeat whenever we can. Keep up the amazing work. (Btw, thanks to Eduardo for such nice attention and kindness)

My first experience with a 3 Star restaurant left nothing to be desired.

Tout est dit dans le titre. Personnel d’une gentilles incroyable sans chichi ! Ce qui participe à créer un souvenir inoubliable ! Merci Plats délicieux , des saveurs mémorables même si nous avons préféré le restaurant parisien (Marsan) c’est de la haute gastronomie. Très joli cadre.

3 MICHELLIN STAR 🌟 🌟 🌟 AMAZING EXPERIENCE 👏 🤩

We enjoyed our time last Friday at HD: exceptional foods, friendly staff and top-notch services. What makes the experience even better is that we got invited to see all those arts creations in action and even met with the chef! We felt so special and honored. What a memorable experience. The only suggestion I have is to consider providing a warm towel for the guests to wipe their hands before they start experiencing the meal.

This experience truly blew me away. First: The hotel itself is stunning and the staff is lovely, so I would recommend to have a few drinks at one of the bars before heading to the restaurant. I loved that the restaurant was so intimate and quiet. All of the staff were amazing. We felt that they were truly happy about having us there. We had the five course menu and got a few surprise dishes on top of that. The food was 20 out of 10, so perfection! And don’t worry about small portion, that won’t be a problem at all. This was perfection and I would love to come back.

Helene Darroze was one of the restaurants I really wanted to try because I have been watching top chef for years and really wanted to try it out as the chef always points out “du goût, du goût et du goût” which kind of translates taste before everything else! I think I really had high expectations for this michelin restaurant… I thought I would be discovering new tastes and unexpected flavours combinations. Unfortunately, it was all good but nothing new and not punchy enough. It felt a bit too classic french cuisine and no innovations! For the starters, we had: 1. Lobster tandoori spices (paid supplement of £29) It was fresh and nicely cooked (to be expected for a michelin) but no taste of tandoori spices and no surprise here just a basic lobster really. 2. Ricotta Pea Snail were okay but again nothing wow 3. Crab from Cornwall This was really nice and refreshing new favors. (The only highlight of our lunch) Beautifully mastered crab with asparagus, sheep's curb, gyokuro tea & pink grapefruit! Main course: 1. Lamb from Wales It was medium rare with fried artichoke and wasabi! I could not taste much of the wasabi but meat was good with the sauce..I just feel like they should have given more sauce especially for a chef who says she’s generous in terms of taste. 2. Turbot from Cornwall with clams Cooked to perfection and very nicely seasoned Classic but well executed! Desserts were a let down 😫 Finishing the lunch on a bad taste and had to go other patisserie (buns from home) to get a nice dessert. 1. Baba au rhum (Paid a supplement of £22) Omg we could not finish it - it was way too strong with way too much rhum. (You can tell them to out less when you go but we did not know how much normally goes into a baba but now we know) 2. Strawberry and Sesame Not really much to it just some cut strawberries with a sorbet and a kind of sesame paster which does not really bring anything to the dessert. 3. Madagascar chocolate - my mom in law had it and did not enjoy it as was not gourmand enough 😩 too bitter unfortunately! I cannot fault the exceptional service and very well trained waiters and restaurant manager but for the experience to be worth a 3 michelin stars, the food needs to be up to par which it wasn’t and so I am quite disappointed. I have been to other michelin restaurants where tasting menus were much better in terms of discovery of flavours and also better value for money 🤗 I would suggest checking out Core by clare smyth, Galvin la Chapelle, Club Gascon, l’atelier de Joel Robuchon which were really memorable! In each of these restaurants there’s at least one memorable signature dish that I tried and unfortunately I cannot say the same for Helene Darroze!

Service was over the top (if you like that kind of thing). Food... nailed it. Additional desserts almost killed us. Chef's table was a nice bonus.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Hélène Darroze. The attention to detail by the staff was impeccable and both the standard and surprise courses were highly enjoyable. The wagyu beef was a particular standout, but the scallops and the ox tongue were likewise excellent. Would definitely recommend opting for the longer tasting menu. We also quite appreciated being invited on a little adventure to explore the kitchens and meet the chef. Finally, a big thank you to Celia who made our visit extra special!

Flawless, excellent food, excellent service!

Impeccable service and fantastic food. Worthy of the three stars as a restaurant never was. Lunch is 12-14 and dinner from 18. As it takes 4+ hours to finish the full 7 course plus cheeses, I wouldn't recommend coming in any later than 1pm if you're at the lunch seating.

Hélène Darroze offers an incredible dining experience. This was our second time dining here, and the food was outstanding, and the service was top-notch. If you're looking for a memorable meal, Helena Darroze is a fantastic choice.

Simply as superb as you would expect from a 3 Michelin star.

Superb time here, thanks for all🫶🏻 Very much worthy for the Michelin 3-star, everything - dishes, hospitality, decor, vibe etc went just outstanding. Tbh in the menu there are a few ingredients that I didn't like in usual, however, I can’t criticise any taste I got from the meal, as they all blended in so well. The only thing I couldn't quite understand was the Strawberry&Sesame I guess, but it was a mine issue as I’m always not a fan of Sesame. Ngl planning on re-visit here in July alr🩶

Incredible food, even better service. Highly recommend.

There were very good dishes, however, expected much more from a 3 Michelin restaurant. However, the overall experience was absolutely amazing!

Subtle and delicate plate, harmony of flavors and attentive service, a wonderful time in London

Very delicious food, the staff are very kind.

Disappointed, I looked for the 3 stars and only saw one star +. The reception was not very welcoming. Nice place but noisy. The coordinated 3-star service is not available in drafts. The dishes good. I won't go back there.

Not big of a deal. Food was ok and not much of a big thing. Some plates needed more seasoning. The desserts were very regular. Can’t understand the 3 stars: must have some kind of friendship with the Michelin staff. Wouldn’t go back.

The most amazing Michelin star dining experience I have ever had. Quality of the highest order, everything was impeccable and truly divine. An unforgettable experience.

Great food, very attentive service - you’re well taken care of by the team. That being said, this is not the best Michelin starred restaurant I’ve been to because although starters were very fine and innovative and full of flavours, the main course (the duck) did not blow my mind.

One of the most incredible meals we have enjoyed to date. We dined here while on our honeymoon, and it was the perfect place to celebrate. Service was incredible, the staff were personable, the food was refined and elegant, and the atmosphere was upscale yet not stuffy. I would highly recommend this to anyone searching for the pinnacle of fine dining experiences. While it is very expensive, I would definitely say it is worth the money. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.

We had a combined Birthday and Anniversary meal at Hélène Darroze, and we couldn’t have asked for better food, service, and ambiance. The food was, of course, delicious - to be expected considering the triple Michelin rating. But what really made the night for us was the exemplary service. From even before the reservation, the general managers were happy to oblige my requests to make the night as special as possible for our celebrations. On the night itself, all staff were knowledgeable and attentive, I could find no fault. We were given a private tour of the kitchens and so can easily say the kitchen staff and front of house staff are be try deserving of all recognition. They made the night as special as they could for us, and I couldn’t have asked for more. I’d highly recommend dining here, especially for a special occasion.

A really unique and precious experience. Fabulous.

Very expensive, but for good reason. The best experience in London.

It's very difficult to fault this restaurant. The food was immaculate and the service was exemplary. With a 3 star Michelin guide distinction, it has achieved a level that's worth visiting. At an average price of around £220 per person, you are getting some of the best cookery and service London has to offer. Take it as a culinary experience rather than a food stop.