Restaurant in London with parents

[Howlongtillwegetthere]

I am taking my parents (they are late 70s) for lunch in Central London in early December. Am looking for recommendations for something special that won't break the bank! Any ideas?

The Ivy always goes down well. I mean the proper one on West St rather than the franchised branches.

Circolo Popolare

Mallow near London Bridge? It's vegan and wonderful.

Zedel. Excellent value, fab brasserie food, beautiful building, right on Piccadilly Circus / Regent Street. Feels treaty but won't break the bank.

Lol, the proper Ivy would definitely break the bank 🤣 I found it really stuffy anyway.

Sorry but going to a vegan restaurant would feel feel distinctly UNspecial to me, and I say that as a vegetarian.

OP what’s your budget?

The Wolseley. Food that caters for everyone pretty much, lovely interior, not too pricey. Perfect for parents!

What type 9f food to they like.

I really enjoy Barrafine and Dishoom recently. Luna Stores was very reasonable and lovely. All close to Kings Cross though.

Thanks all - will check out the recommendations. £50 per head budget (not big drinkers) Foodwise anything that isn't too carb heavy!

You can do all of my suggestions for £50 a head if you're not big drinkers.

The Ivy IS within the OP's budget. I've never found it stuffy in the slightest. Quite the opposite actually. Good service, good food, we go there regularly. Much better than The Wolseley which looks lovely but some of the food can be very poor, and the tables post-Covid are back to being crammed in again.

I liked Brumus at the Haymarket Hotel - it has a nice hotel feel without being too stuffy, the toilets are excellent and it has a cake trolley for pudding.

You’re right, the service and food are good at the Ivy. However, I can’t see how you’d manage a starter, main, drink and then tip for £50 apiece. It would be a struggle unless you had tap water. Definitely no wiggle room for pudding or coffee.

My hat in the ring is The Delaunay.

The Delauny at Aldwych.... simple menu mix of prices, lovely service, linen, nice teapots and lovely tea! , relaxed but feels definitely a treat....less glitzy than the Wolsey which is also nice.... theres also one upstairs at Selfridges which looks good but not been!

I guess it depends how much you normally eat and drink at lunch. I tend to do starter & main or main & dessert, plus a glass of wine then maybe an espresso. Tap water is fine for me (for environmental reasons rather than cost) so even with a tip, I'm under £50 with my favourite food choices. Sure if you want a big blow-out with loads of drinks and 3-4 courses it will be over budget, but then so will most reasonably nice restaurants in London. The OP asked for something special though so a compromise is needed (i.e. not a 7 course tasting menu 😋plus wine selection) if she wants special for £50/head.

The Wolseley would be my choice.

If you’re happy to eat early, you’ll find some good pre theatre set menus. E.g. skylon on the south bank

That’s the Light Brasserie, and it’s lovely! I can only vouch for brunch though, not evening menu. Very dramatic decor, I loved it. If you can get a table by the window it’s great. However some of the other tables are a bit high and squished in, so definitely specify a window table. Service good once it gets going.

These recommendations are so helpful - thank you!