Portrait Restaurant in City of London, Westminster

We have been looking to have a nice dining experience in London with incredible views and this restaurant completely met our expectations. I had a look on various restaurants in London with view and this one seems to me the most beautiful and price reasonable. We hade been given beneficially located table which allowed us to enjoy the scenery. However all the tables seemed to have opportunity to observe the landscape. I had two meal course for 34£ ( pumpkin soup and chicken cordon bleu) and my partner had Fillet of Beef, Crisp Potato, Spinach, Peppercorn Sauce. All food was delicious and vine was good as well. Steak seemed to be small portion but it was more than enough. Service was polite and welcoming. As it was my birthday staff pleased me with complementary dessert which was so cute from them. We left with full stomach and in a great mood. Definitely would recommend who is looking for outstanding dining experience.

Food is better than the service. Getting a bit expensive now. Have been here five times and each time I am less inclined to return.

Wining & dining with special views of the London is unique indeed

Went for dinner, service was quick and attentive, the view is great and the table setting is nice. Overall, the quality of the food is good, fishes were cooked perfectly and the starters were decent. However pricing is an issue. £34 for a main either requires a large portion or creativity. While the execution was great and ingredients were good, it was neither creative nor substantial. Still a nice place to eat at, just a shame that it felt overpriced.

Excellent resturant. Unpretentious but high quality food with a truly singular view over the back of Trafalgar square. I would reccomend it to anyone for a unique London dining experience.

Great food and drink, best espresso martini remake I've ever had. Very polite and attentive service, and the view was obviously wonderful.

Considering the high quality of the food and beautiful setting, this was good value for money.

Beautiful view and attentive service - a really special place

Very handsome bar manager, great service all round and delicious bloody marys

Updated August 2024 Still a fantastic experience. Updated menu, delicious as before and service was top notch. Highly recommend We ate here as a group of 6 for a friends birthday. The service and food were absolutely fantastic. Particular dish highlights were the Duck Heart and then Burrata starters and then the Lamb Chops and the Guinea Fowl for the main courses. Very very delicious. It was a wonderful evening and the staff were superb. Very professional and friendly service. Can’t wait to go back and highly recommend it.

Very enjoyable lunch and, a great location overlooking the London skyline, the food was very interesting and presented nicely without pretension. Our only gripe was the dish selections in both fixed menu and a la carte were limited.

I was a regular guest at this restaurant before the museum was renovated and have repeatedly recommended it to all my friends. I don't know of any restaurant in London where you get such great value for money as the Portrait Restaurant. £39 for a three-course meal or £32 for a two-course meal, plus you can also order à la carte (which I've never done before). The dishes are all delicious - modern cuisine, often with an English twist. The atmosphere is wonderfully simple, the service is very attentive! The location right on Trafalgar Square and the view over the roofs of London to Big Ben or the London Eye are also wonderful.

Went here for a friend's birthday as he wanted s restaurant with a view, the view didn't disappoint. Really enjoyed the food, and my favourite was the Chicken cordon Bleu. The major negative is the wine list, it's incredibly bad value. Like, really really bad value. 5x retail price on the first bottle we had. Didn't check the second bottle. Service was excellent, Sicilian waiter.

This is a very good restaurant. The staff were all very friendly and attentive. The dishes were all very nicely cooked and presented. If you are planning to be anywhere near Trafalgar Square and want a good place for a meal then this would be a good pick. We went on a Monday lunchtime and it was very busy and I saw many walk-ins being turned away, so it would be best to make a reservation if you want to be sure of a table at a particular time.

Beth and her team are doing a great job! Went for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and had a lovely time. The restaurant is super clean with a beautiful view, the food is amazing and staff are very friendly and helpful. Will definitely return more often.

The food was amazing. The cocktails were delicious. The views were spectacular and the staff was lovely. I would definitely come back next time I’m in London

Incredible views, amazing food, and delicious drinks. Highly recommend adding it to your list of London must-sees

Amazing place for a delicious dinner and exceptional view. The drinks were great too, especially the champagne. Highly recommend visiting here if you are in London.

Had a wonderful time. The food was amazing! The staff were great! Make sure you try the Portrait Cocktail . The views were spectacular

One of the best secret locations offering a delightful selection of cocktails and dining options. The staff is exceptionally welcoming, best view and the assortment of drinks and desserts is truly delectable. Can’t wait to return for a dinner too. :)

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Portrait Restaurant, and it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. The moment I walked in, I was greeted warmly by the friendly staff, setting the tone for a memorable evening. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely seemed to enjoy their work. Their friendliness and professionalism elevated the dining experience. The food was nothing short of spectacular. The combination of friendly staff, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it a must-visit. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an amazing dining experience. I will definitely be returning soon!

I'd booked a reservation at The Portrait by Richard Corrigan restaurant based on positive reviews I'd read. Unfortunately the food did not live up to expectations. The design of the restaurant is modern and the views of the London skyline are great. Staff are friendly and attentive. However, the food was disappointing. For starter, I had the crispy poached egg with asparagus, and for main I had the steamed fish with mushrooms. Both were very over-seasoned with salt. My husband had the parmesan custard to start, and the beef fillet for main. The parmesan custard was just lettuce with a cheese sauce on it - not at all what my husband was expecting. He said it was unpleasant. The beef was overdone when it was asked to be cooked as medium. The accompanying sauce was also overly salty. We had high expectations of this restaurant, especially with it having Richard Corrigan's name attached. Sadly I wouldn't recommend.

It was very convenient to be able to find our way upstairs to the Portrait restaurant after a pleasant afternoon at the Gallery. We were greeted affably at the desk and service throughout was good. The views over Trafalger Square are wonderful and we were sat at a window table. It was a shame therefore, when our food arrived, that it failed to meet these high standards and was certainly not value for money. The small portion of cod was undercooked and unpalatable mostly consisting of oily batter, the smoked salmon starter was miniscule and the green salad perfunctory. I suggest management should endeavour to match the food to the other good aspects of this experience and provide value for money.

The service at the front desk was awful

Second time at The Portrait and it didn’t disappoint. Finally a museum restaurant that ticks all the boxes! Well done Team Portrait!

Amazing dinner out with a friend after a long wonder through Art in the National Gallery. Service at The Portrait Restaurant was just perfect, and we had the wine paired with our food that made the dinner even more special (yes we are both wine lovers) The fillet and potato and the side of mash are my favourites and will definitely go back again!

Elegant setting, exceptional service, and delicious contemporary British cuisine. Perfect for art lovers and food enthusiasts. The view is stunning. Highly recommended!

lovely place and amazing service Thanks to Dumitru best coktail maker

Really great food - we both had the dover sole but would happliy eat anything on the menu. The relaxed, friendly and efficient service really enhanced the experience. And then there is the fantastic view over london!

The food here is really fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the bread, olives and fish all very much. Nothing was poorly executed, it was all very good. I wish I had room for dessert. The service is friendly and attentive, there’s a cloak room and the toilets are clean. Can’t give anything less than 5/5

Terrific views from the restaurant! Service was solid and friendly. The menu is impressive. My wife enjoyed her "Fillet of Beef, Crisp Potato, Spinach, Peppercorn Sauce", I liked my "Steamed Dover Sole, Wild Mushroom, Samphire", the side Salad Green was just OK. We both had the delicious signature cocktails "The Portrait". This is a nice place to have a meal after a visit to the National Portrait Gallery.

One of my previous fave restaurants served me the most disgusting meal ever. I ordered fish, soup and mashed potatoes.... And was given heart attack food on a plate. Insult to injury... I asked for the set menu and was given a la carte. Cauliflower soup covered in butter and cheese, fish doused in grease, potato with enough butter to make me feel ill. I've been coming here for years... And never left feeling ripped off and sick to my stomach. Richard Corrigan.... Or whoever you think you are... How dare you serve food that leaves a long time customer feeling like he pigged out at Mcdo

Hmm, variable. At this price point it is never acceptable to serve the root end of asparagus. It’s woody, chewy and frankly awful. Worse, when we raised the issue the serving staff said it wasn’t the first time this complaint had been made. The view is lovely, the staff too, but the chef needs go back to basics. Other dishes were ok, but not spectacular. Full disclosure, our complaint was acknowledged and we received a 10% discount. But the 13.5% service charge is OTT. We won’t go again.

Honestly this was a disappointment. Very expensive menu, portions small, not provided with adequate cutlery, service was rather perfunctory, table not laid properly, tables were so close together it was difficult to sit down. Pasta was swimming in butter and was overcooked, scarcely any rabbit to be found. Honestly the main attraction was the view. Overall it’s not worth it, even with the view!

After a visit to the National Portrait Gallery located in St. Martin's Pl, during the Easter holidays, we had lunch in this elegant and modern restaurant on the fourth floor of the building (can also be reached by lift), also possible to consume cocktails and snacks. The room is furnished with modern, elegant taste. The tables are arranged in three rows: the first close to a large and very bright window with a view of the city and Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and the Westminster buildings in the background. Run by Irish chef Richard Corrigan who implements modern, European cuisine, reinterpreting traditional dishes, with good British and Irish products. Fish-based lunch with appetizer: Secret Smokehouse, Pomegranate, Fennel, Horseradish, as per a classic but revisited Fried cod, spicy tartare sauce, parsley, lemon. It was drunk by the glass with Chablis, Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Burgundy 2022. The flavor and presentation of the dishes were decidedly discreet. The coffee is also good... Menu with meat, fish, but also vegetarian dishes. The wine list is decent. Punctual service. Reservation recommended. Cost 70/75 euros per person.

The place is very expensive for the food you actually get. The view is amazing and the service is good but you can get better food and more quantity almost anywhere. There isn’t much difference between the small and large braised rabbit tagliatelle. It’s not bad but it’s not remotely close to what you get at good italian restaurants

Amazing views of London skyline and even better food. Richard Corrigan is a genius. Best dining experience I've had since I visited Michael O'Hare in Leeds. 10/10

We had an amazing birthday lunch at The Portrait. The food was absolutely delicious and the service lovely and friendly. We were seriously impressed and would love to visit again.

Surprisingly good restaurant on top of the National Portrait Gallery. A menu that covers both the well liked standards and also aims high with some adventurous dishes and excellent vegetarian options. A great room with ace view over Trafalgar Square, and a warm welcome and great service. Prices good, too. A real find in an unexpected location.

Delish. Lovely service. Great light and views.

Something very special about looking over London from a beautiful setting. Service was excellent. Sadly, the food was a disappointment. I had the haddock and mash. Overly salty and I had no idea where the egg component was. Almost inedible. We ordered Irish coffees after the meal and espresso martinis were served. I was expecting an exceptional meal and it was average at best in both taste and presentation.

My family and I had a lovely first night in London thanks to this restaurant. The fried cod was the nicest we’d tasted and the staff were very friendly and welcoming, particularly the gentleman who put our coats and suitcases in the cloakroom. Thank you!

Fabulous restaurant. I loved the full length windows and the light just lifted my spirits, even on a very dull, rainy London day.The Corrigan touch is everywhere and his eye for detail at every level is evident. Our server was impeccable, food was beautifully presented, excellent and we will absolutely be back.

Lovely ambiance, service and food menu. But 3 stars because of poor value for the price you pay, especially for the vegetarian dishes. A well cooked 50g dish of mushroom pasta is not a well portioned main, especially when its £28

Faultless lunch. Three brilliant courses from the set menu - unlike some reviewers we made sure that this option was available for our party beforehand.... Excellent value wine. All the staff from start to finish were friendly, attentive and professional. and we were made to feel really welcome. And the view.....

This is one of our favourites and it did not disappoint. Had the set menu and was delicious. Fantastic views and service. so well done I say. Would recommend this hidden gem to anyone and cost for set menu is about 40 for 3 courses.

It's okay. Nothing really to complain about but absolutely nothing to rave about. Food fine for set menu price but full price would be ludicrously bad value. Service was way too fast and unrelaxing. Too many tables so a little cramped.

Very good cusine - perfect guinea fowl, very very tasty mulled fruits - beautiful view. Wines could be better chosen, the chablis was below the everage of that wine.

One has to begin any discussion of The Portrait by describing its extraordinary location….on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery just off Trafalgar Square. The walls of the restaurant are glass with great views of London. The restaurant itself is a bit disappointing, being one large room with some partitions for division. Such a room translates in noise levels that are a bit above modest. The menu is somewhat eclectic. However, everything that I had, from appetizer, to pasta, to entrees was very fresh, very well cooked and well presented. Service was fine, though a bit distracted at times. In summary, this is a very fine restaurant. It certainly merits a visit for the food alone, even without the views!!

We've been to this restaurant several times throughout the years, this time the first one after the refurbishment. However, the food is not as good as it used to be but the decor is better.

On a cold evening in January, on a flying visit to London we treated ourselves to a meal way above our normal budget. I had a beetroot and tomato starter. He had duck hearts. Both were delicious, but I was puzzled by the pricing. My starter was enjoyable,but rather ordinary. Yet it cost more than the exotic (to me anyway) duck hearts, which involved peeled grapes. His starter looked as if it had taken half an hour to prepare, mine ten minutes, max. For the main course I had Dover sole, stuffed with mushrooms. and he had the lamb. We both had the olive oil mash. Delicious all round, and we will be experimenting at home to reproduce the mash. I regret not ordering vegetables to go with the sole. I asked the waiter if the veg served with the sole was enough, but he didn't seem to know. The dessert menu includes dessert wine recommendations. I had the saffron rice with a glass of tokaji, he had something or other (mulled fruits?) with Sauternes. The dessert wines are served in gorgeous long-stemmed glasses. The service was very prompt and the restaurant is comfortable. The view is good, even at night. It was the most expensive restaurant meal I've ever had, by a wide margin, but worth every penny.

Recently had a meal here. Manuel the bar manager is absolutely excellent and I recommend him highly!!! He is a wonderful asset to you.

Bit noisy for my liking but the food was excellent and the service was very good, too. I went pretty much veggie (apart from Bayonne ham in the starter) and it was all super tasty and well balanced. Romain, Bayonne ham, Parmesan to start, roast onion squash with cashew hummus and feta for main and a Syrian style rice pudding. The only food comment I have is that the rice pudding could have been warmer... Apart from that, a nice lunch out.

Visited for dinner. I think the food quality and presentation is just about fine. For me what let the experience down was the feeling of being rushed, it felt like we were being fed as quickly as possible to get through a process, the service felt impersonal with no warmth. End to end was 50 mins and that was with an additional glass of wine in an attempt to slow the process down, as soon as our knives and forks hit the plate, everything was whipped away with the next course arriving a few minutes later. I should have known when a booking confirmation arrived to say the table was available for an hour and a half. Price point is reasonable when compared to other Richard Corrigan restaurants and I guess that’s because of where the Portrait is and that it’s big pull is for those daytime visitors, for that reason it struggles with its purpose/identity. I would imagine the daytime vista is amazing, we could see Big Ben and Nelson’s Column but it was dark.

Perfect place for dinner. Could pair a visit to the national portrait gallery either dinner after. Located walking distance from Leicester sauce, charring cross and embankment tube stop , located on the 4th floor with good views of the dome of national gallery and better views in day light. Nice modern minimalist interior with open kitchen. Good seating for two adjacent to the windows and a nice view and for four, two get a good view whilst two backs are against the view. Negronis was average, the salt and vinegar martini was excellent. Good- surprisingly good, modern, innovative, small portions. Found the duck heart on bread with foie gras paste very good as was the burrata( small portion) with orange segments. The mushroom carpaccio was more average, vinaigrette too overpowering. Mains: guinea fowl was average, skin with fat under was too fatty for me and the meat under on the dry side. Good accompaniment sauce. The lamb was good- quite a fatty portion. Well cooked. The smoked haddock was good. Deserts : the Syrian saffron rice was average.beautifully presets dish but did not wow from a taste perspective. The marmalade steam pudding was terrible sweet served with cream anglaise. The pot cream, blackberries, shortbread was the best of the three, almost like a creme brulle with blackberries on the top. Service attentive. The bill: there was reviews noting that the VaT was not added to the price but done so at the end and this is incorrect. The prices on the menu reflect that of the final price with vat, just at bill level, there is a vat noted on there with the additional of 13.5%[ above the standard London 12.5%].

Perfect place for dinner. Could pair a visit to the national portrait gallery either dinner after. Located walking distance from Leicester sauce, charring cross and embankment tube stop , located on the 4th floor with good views of the dome of national gallery and better views in day light. Nice modern minimalist interior with open kitchen. Good seating for two adjacent to the windows and a nice view and for four, two get a good view whilst two backs are against the view. Negronis was average, the salt and vinegar martini was excellent. Good- surprisingly good, modern, innovative, small portions. Found the duck heart on bread with foie gras paste very good as was the burrata( small portion) with orange segments. The mushroom carpaccio was more average, vinaigrette too overpowering. Mains: guinea fowl was average, skin with fat under was too fatty for me and the meat under on the dry side. Good accompaniment sauce. The lamb was good- quite a fatty portion. Well cooked. The smoked haddock was good. Deserts : the Syrian saffron rice was average.beautifully presets dish but did not wow from a taste perspective. The marmalade steam pudding was terrible sweet served with cream anglaise. The pot cream, blackberries, shortbread was the best of the three, almost like a creme brulle with blackberries on the top. Service attentive. The bill: there was reviews noting that the VaT was not added to the price but done so at the end and this is incorrect. The prices on the menu reflect that of the final price with vat, just at bill level, there is a vat noted on there with the additional of 13.5%[ above the standard London 12.5%].

Cool restaurant on the 4th floor of the museum. Great view, friendly professional staff, nice vibe. Love the contemporary British cooking.

Incredible!! We’d heard all of the amazing feedback and were looking forward to a great experience - and it delivered beyond our expectations!!

Great place, great service, great food! I was lucky to be able to make a lunch reservation last minute, only 45 minutes before. I was welcomed by Jon, the Maitre d' and got a wonderful table at the window (no side table as often happens when you have lunch on your own). Service was really attentive, always noticing if one might want to order anything or have any requests (such a good service is rare these days). The food was excellent, I had the 3 course menu, which was really tasty and plenty. And the view and all the daylight of course is lovely.

On the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery. Just ask at the gallery reception how to get there rather than wandering around the gallery and having to be rescued by one of the restaurant staff, like we did. Good food and service with amazing views over Trafalgar Square and down to the London Eye.

Ristorante di cucina internazionale di livello al pari di molti in Londra. Ha però molte particolarità che lo caratterizzano. Innanzitutto è posto all'interno dell'area museale della national gallery. Al quarto piano con bella vista sui tetti di Londra verso trafalgar square . Consiglio di prenotare! Sicuramente una proposta per una cena distintiva.

We first came here in 2005 after seeing Julia Roberts and Clive Owen in 'Closer'. The view hasn't changed that much, but the restaurant is transformed. It was good before, but now it's spectacular. Smoked salmon starter, lamb chops for main and Stilton to follow. All very tasty and well prepared: nothing too heavy or overbearing. The same applies to the service. Really attentive and friendly service without being intrusive. They know you want a good look at the view, but they also want you to have a great meal. Go see the film and look out for the restaurant. Then be sure to try it for yourself.

Brilliantly simple and thoughtful cooking. Wonderful place that I keep up my sleeve, marked for “dinner guest who is hard to please”.

We have dined here several times prior to the recent changes. It is unlikely we will be returning any time soon - the food was very ordinary and the service cursory. Grossly overpriced for the experience. Our friends were nice, though.

I only heard of the new restaurant in the bag security queue when visiting the gallery when I heard a lady enquiring. Foot sore and artistically overwhelmed I decided to try it out. It was absolutely lovely. Views over the London skyline are naturally lovely - but the service and the food were both robustly tasty and refined. I’ve booked again for lunch with a friend and I’m a firm fan now.

Top class restaurant We had delicious, well cooked food with first class service, especially from our waitress Agnes. Ambience is excellent with very good acoustics. For central London this restaurant is very good value. Will definitely go again as soon as possible

Location, location, location - this restaurant is in a great building with a great view and thankfully the food is also great. The staff are very welcoming and professional whilst the service is prompt and efficient. This was never going to be a cheap meal but it was very good and we would happily return. Worth a visit.

The restaurant had a really nice atmosphere, the view was good too. I have the say the food was not very impressive. It started well with the bread and the burrata starter, which were actually quite amazing. But I can't say the same for the main and desert. I ordered the lamp chops, which were overcooked and dry. I won't comment on the guineafowl as I don't really like the taste of the meat. The side of vegetables was bland and under seasoned, the mash was very nice and creamy. For desert we ordered the marmalade pudding and the chocolate mousse. Both of them were very underwhelming. Don't think I would go back to be honest. Gave 4 stars as the service was really good and staff very attentive.

My visit to The Portrait Restaurant was a treat for myself and a friend and we selected the 2 course/3 course set menu. A small selection but varied to suit everyone and we added a side order of mash. Oh what a dish. every mouthful was sublime, and with the Beef Cheek a perfect match. The room is large and because of that the noise level is low and you can actually speak and hear each other. Most of the tables have a panoramic view. This is top quality food with front of house delivering the smoothest service and no hovering and unnecessary topping up of glasses. How lucky was I to get a reservation. Thank you to Richard Corrigan and all the staff, to come up Trumps. I will return even if it just for the Mash.

Ate here following a matinee showing at the theatre. The welcome was warm and professional. A drinks recommendation was perfect for my tastes. The food was absolutely delicious. Every course special. We eat out often and this food was very good. All of the food was exceptional but some of the taste touches were very special, such as the deep meaty mushroom flavor on the deep fried tempura broccoli, the rosemary dressing on the green veg and the saffron and cinnamon rice pudding. Really very enjoyable. The service was fast, efficient and friendly. The view over the London sky line at night enchanting. The restaurant was busy and buzzing which gave it a great atmosphere. Really a very nice meal. Thank you to The Portrait restaurant.

Following a favourite critics review and because the chef is the wonderful Richard Corrigan, we booked with friends for lunch. The meal was excellent with every mouthful from starter to dessert. However, i must agree with a previous critic that the portions could have been slightly larger, but i guess its quality over quantity. Will definitely visit again

It’s ok…the Nation Portrait Gallery is fantastic…the restaurant is just ok. Small clinical portions of expensive food….you go out hungry. If it wasn’t for the NOG it would be OK quality expensive food …nothing special. The lamb chops where full of fat not trimmed. It’s a “ Kings cloths restaurant”…..I expected much more. The Service was ok as a pub meal would be and then sting you for 13.5% service charge on already extra high prices. We left hungry…small plates…small tables…big prices Ask for an escort when you leave …we encountered drug users as they let you out the “ side back exit”…very poor. Would we go again…no‼️

Delicious food with a fabulous view. Excellent service. The marmalade steamed pudding was for me a triumph.

So finally got here for dinner, and directed to bar, sat down, gave drink order and moved to table before drinks arrived. .. anyways the food was mostly tasty, but I feel the reality didn't match the hype and expectations or the usual Corrigan touch. Badly plated £80 fish special was a mess, and tepid overcooked greens were the low point, and for some reason, there are no potatoes to be had with dinner??? It felt like this might have been a slack service. I don't think any chef would really say it was a good evening. Finally, I know it's hard to make chocolate mousse look fabulous, but please review how it is currently served. It is an experience that doesn't impress sadly. This is the good version of events....

We used the website but fully booked, then lucky to get a table for four on a cancellation. Told to use the entrance in Orange St but it was dark and locked so had to go up through the NPG itself. Hospitable, informal, slick. Simple decor, great views south, Nelson’s column and the rest, First rate fixed price and a la carte menus. Attentive waiter and well orchestrated delivery. Good booze starting with exquisite plum royales to the wines that followed. Sadly there was a top floor plumbing malfunction forcing us to take a tortuous route down 6 floors to lavatories with long queues. Not cheap but we had a delightful family birthday lunch. Recommended.

Very good indeed. We had a pre-theatre set menu. There were three options per course, including at least one vegetarian option. I had 3 courses and all were vegetarian. The food was imaginative, seasonal and excellent. Impeccable service and a beautiful view across Trafalgar Square and the rooftops of London.

Incredible food and service by the Corrigan team with stunning views over London. The best meal I have had this year, without doubt.

We booked a late lunch at The Portrait to fit with our attending the David Hockney exhibition, and then going on to a gig at the Hammersmith Apollo in the evening. The idea was to spend a leisurely couple of hours enjoying our food. From our slightly early arrival we thought a wait would be necessary, but in the event this was short, and having expressed a wish to take in the view we were offered two alternative tables both of which fitted the bill. It seemed that nothing was too much trouble for the hosting team. It was a good way to watch light over the London rooftops gradually fading, and this clear day also had a spectacular sunset. And the food…well, this quality of food is not cheap, and ours was an expensive meal, but we left feeling that it had definitely been worth the cost. Each course was interesting and well prepared and presented, and most importantly was delicious in every respect. The only danger was that we might fall asleep at the gig after our late lunch so replete were we (we didn’t, the gig was too good for that, and concluded a perfect day).

Groups of more than 6 cannot have the set menu.I visited with a group of 6 other school friends as a 60 year reunion. Although my friend who made the booking was made aware that groups over 6 could not have the set menu she still went ahead as it was too close to the time to change venues and some were coming from far afield. So what a rip off! I paid £49 for a starter and main course ( with 13% service charge) which would have been £31 as both my dishes were on the set menu. I think for one extra diner the restaurant could have waived this ridiculous rule. And which other restaurant victimises groups of 7 diners?

The Portrait restaurant offers a decent view of London! Positioned on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery, it serves European cuisine. However, the food is pretty standard, nothing very stand out. Do visit mainly for the view and perhaps enjoy a couple of drinks. Daytime provides a better and more delightful view.

It’s a lovely room with great views and we had a window table. We had the set lunch at £34 for two courses. My husband liked his romaine lettuce with bayonne ham and romesco. My burrata starter was nice but my main of Guinea fowl with nduja and roasted peppers was delicious. We had an à la carte cheese and a crème pot with blackberries. All in all an excellent lunch with attentive service.

An excellent pre-opera dinner, started with a genuine and warm greeting at the front desk and then taken to our window table with perfect view across Trafalgar Square to the tower of 'Big Ben'. The waitress (Agnes) looked after us very well. I had oysters to start and then we shared John Dory, both of which were excellent.

Yes the panoramic views of London are knockout but what makes this a great restaurant is the delicious food and welcoming staff. From a cheery start with the Receptionist and Jon Spiteri at the front desk (tried not to fan girl over London’s best Maitre D), we were treated to the kind of relaxed but efficient service that’s hard to get right. The set menu is a barg for cooking of this calibre. I had the Guinea Fowl which came with the best caponata this side of Palermo. Me Fella (who eats red meat about twice a year) said he had to eat his fillet steak slowly to savour every bit of it. Go!

My daughter and I popped into the Portrait restaurant for a quick drink after visiting the gallery. We enjoyed cocktails, which were made by Manuel, who was clearly an experienced bartender, and I would thoroughly recommend sitting at the bar and having a drink. The views are amazing, and we enjoyed Manuel's own spicy mix in the Bloody Mary's.

The food is excellent and the prices not cheap but not crazy for central London. Good service and lovely restaurant with great views over the city.

Amazing restaurant with top tier Chef. Definitely go.

My wife and I have thought highly of Richard Corrigan’s eponymous restaurant for many years so had high hopes of Portrait by Richard Corrigan. Of course, we did not expect the cuisine of the Mayfair operation, rather very good brasserie fare. Sadly, however, we were disappointed. On the plus side: the Primitivo offered by the glass, carafe and bottle was very pleasant and very fairly priced; once it had been, warmed up, the soda bread was of the habitual Corrigan standard. Less good were the dishes from the set menu: White Onion Soup was underpowered; the burrata with fig and tomato was straight from the fridge and rather pedestrian; guinea fowl had no discernible flavour; the beef cheek was reasonable. More puzzling still was the balance of the main course dishes. While the supposed principal elements were bland, the pepperonata with the guinea fowl and the vegetable partnering for the beef cheek were rather assertive, producing a strange imbalance in flavours. The least satisfactory parts of the experience were: the initial presentation of the bread basket, also straight from the fridge and totally unappetising until returned warmed; the white rolls which were doughy and had little flavour or character; and the coffees initially served to us so tepid that they had lost any edge and life (they were very quickly replaced and then deleted from the bill, which we added to the ‘plus’ side of the ledger). Overall, we hoped for something rather better than a chain Ivy – a very low bar as we stopped going there some years ago – but, while the intention was clearly there on the menu, what was on the plate did not deliver. We appreciate the difficulties facing the whole hospitality sector but we felt that this experience demonstrated the problems faced by any chef attaching his name – and reputation – to a different level of catering.

Super restaurant with amazing views of many london landmarks. Excellent food beautifully presented. Super service. They even shared the recipe for their amazing mustard dressing.

Just fabulous. The staff were delightful, the view wonderful and the food sublime. We had the lunch menu of two courses for £34 and it was just unbelievably delicious. Cannot recommend enough. We'll be back.

Rather like an up market canteen and not easy to get to having to meander through crowds and up to the top floor, the signage is pretty poor. Yes views are good ,staff are helpful but really the food is just ....well nothing special . Small starter of salmon ceviche with celeriac was tasty but my main course of halibut was straightforward as was the desert of autumn fruit. I don't understand the fuss ! An important note ,despite telling them in advance I was gluten free they were still unprepared and had a wait for my bread to defrost!

Portrait has a lovely setting.; the view over Trafalgar Square and beyond is spectacular. That apart, it’s a bit underwhelming; prices are quite high, for small portions. Food is good but not exceptional. Wine poor and service a bit casual at times.

Everything was very good except for one major shortcoming and flaw… there’s an add on of 20% vat to the bill before the mandatory (always labeled as gratuity))!!!) service charge of 12.5 % which inflates the bill tremendously. So while you think you’re getting a bargain, you’re in fact not! The menu may inform you of this vat charge but it is not apparent and I did not see it or notice it. So be warned!

Where to start? What a wonderful all-round experience. The staff were fantastic, the views were spectacular. Beautiful food, although not cheap - definitely worth treating yourself. Can t wait to go back.

A fabulous location and food the choice was extensive and the daily special was a delight..we had Dover sole sharing platter

My husband and I stumbled on this restaurant late in the evening after a long day. We were tired and hungry. I thought this might be a simple place to pick up a sandwich. It was much fancier than I expected, but my meal ended up being my favorite in London. I got the gazpacho to start. It was amazing. We also had a table by the window with a great view.

Fabulous from start to finish. And Me Corrigan was very much present. We had a long late lunch. Every dish was sublime. Completely unhurried. And delighted to see all the staff eat at the end of service. And unrivalled views of London.. so do you want to watch the kitchen in action or look out over the skyline? Tough choice!

As a huge fans of Richard Corrigan, I’m sorry to say my wife and I were very disappointed. Our starters were fine but the (fairly small) mains less so. My wife had halibut which she said was ok but nothing special while I had the...

Delicious food, great service and fabulous views. One of the best restaurants in a museum anywhere.

Excellent lunch of Guinea fowl and Rhum baba for me a Sole followed by Syrian Rice Desert plus one glass of wine. All really flavoursome and winning. Helpings a little on the small side A little pricey at £110 for two, but a perfect way...

This was such a lovely experience. From the moment we came into the restaurant with my Mum on her mobility scooter, the team bent over backwards to help us. The gentleman who looked after us during our meal was helpful and attentive and just very...