Breakfast at Tiffany’s? I would rather have breakfast at The Wolseley. Having been transformed from a classic car showroom in 2003, The Wolseley restaurant was born, a classic brasserie-style restaurant. Surrounded by monochromatic marble and glass features and excessively high ceilings, it is as if scenes from The Great Gatsby and Pride and Prejudice have been whipped together in a magical combination. Located alongside the iconic Ritz hotel, Piccadilly; The Wolseleyis amongst one of the grandest and most highly revered locations in London. Famed for its history, art-deco style, clientele and menu, The Wolseley continues to hold its title of one of the quintessential restaurants in London to see and be seen.

Upon entering the restaurant, guests are greeted by the welcoming staff before showing them to one of the many tables on the restaurant floor or overlooking the bustling restaurant on the surrounding balcony. The dark, monochromatic art-deco features with touches of gold throughout the restaurant make for a sleek yet comfortable setting. Each and every detail of the design of the restaurant is impeccably chosen for those of us who have an interest not only for the menu but also for tasteful interior design. Whether visiting The Wolseley for breakfast, lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, this decedent setting is brimming with personality and life. Before becoming a restaurant, The Wolseley was in years gone by both a bank and, more famously, a car showroom. As a showroom for classic cars, this is where the iconic restaurant gained its well-recognised name.

Designed in 1921 by architect William Curtis Green was the original showroom for Wolseley Motors Limited. The design and features which are still present in The Wolseley restaurant today are the same as those which were home to the prestigious motor showroom a century ago now. Many details were inspired by Florentine, Venetian and Japanese design which are still admired to this day. Although one of the most impressive car showrooms that Europe had to offer, in 1927 building became a bank for many years. No longer home to the impressive car display, the interior and exterior of the building was still preserved and admired until in 2003 The Wolseley restaurant was created in its place. Though famed for being Wolseley Motors’ splendid car showroom, the current reincarnation is undoubtedly the most popular and quickly reignited London’s interest in the historic site.

The Wolseley restaurant is now not only highly acclaimed for its history and design, but also for its menu. Guests are offered an extensive breakfast menu including continental breakfast, a selection of beautifully prepared fruits, eggs presented in every form, and English breakfast, or a restaurant speciality such as courgette and leek frittata. The restaurant’s lunch and dinner menus tend towards a slightly more ‘French brasserie’ inspired menu, with touches of British and European influences. A leisurely lunch or a prolonged dinner at The Wolseley promises traditional cuisine and attentive service. The à la carte and all-day menus feature a selection of shellfish such as oysters and scallops and many other tempting entrées such as soups, salads, caviar and French classic – Escargot (among many other options for other tastes). Following this is a choice of fish, meat, steak and a vegetarian menu available upon request. Most notably on this section of the menu are the Austrian classic Weiner Schnitzel, the fresh fish of the day and the Chateaubriand for two. Finally, guests are offered to finish their meal with a beautifully prepared dessert or patisserie.

Whether visiting The Wolseley for lunch, dinner or their impressive afternoon tea – a glass of champagne would never go amiss in this beautiful setting. Alternatively, a mixologist is always on hand behind the gilded bar if one of the many cocktails takes your fancy. The combination of the decadent location and the brasserie menu creates a lassez-faire atmosphere amongst the bustle of central London which guests have admired The Wolseley for throughout its years of existence. This unique restaurant has not gone unnoticed as, over the years, the popular setting has been host to a select celebrity clientele and continues to hold its fashionable title. The Wolseley restaurant is undoubtedly a spot worth visiting when searching for London’s finest.