The Vesper Bar First Then The Grill At The Dorchester Makes For The Perfect Evening Out
Plus, Ronnie Scott’s jazz club has returned for some iconic residencies…
There’s something special about The Dorchester in London’s Mayfair. A fixture for the city, set across from Royal Hyde Park, it’s more than just a hotel for lodging, it’s place for gathering, conversing and dining. Since 1931 the hotel has welcomed people for various reasons. We recently had the pleasure of visiting the Vesper Bar and The Grill, which left a memorable impression on us.
The Vesper Bar is an intimate cozy space, the best pre-dinner bar in London | Image provided by The Dorchester
You can really make an evening at The Dorchester if you design it that way. The Vesper Bar is a great place for pre-dinner drinks. Known for the Vesper Martini, that 007 goodness of gin, vodka, and lillet blanc—oh, and the lemon peel. The bar is dimly lit setting the mood, and in my opinion the best pre-dinner bar in London. Chairs are low but not too low, they’re also velvet and a gorgeous shade of blue. The room screams Art Deco and draws one in with its brass ceiling and copper colored accenting. The green bar chairs add a sweet touch, along with the bar snacks of cheese crackers and olives.
The Grill reopened with an elevated sleek look | Image provided by The Dorchester
After drinks, crossing over The Promenade to The Grill is the best way to be in good graces with your stomach. The Grill reopened in the fall of 2025, revamped under culinary director Martyn Nail, and Head Chef Jacob Keen-Downs. The ambience inside is a little different. The seating is very grown up with circular red leather banquettes, a funky new chandelier, and brass accenting giving the restaurant an overall elevated look.
What’s nice about the menu is that it’s all on one page so it’s not overwhelming. It’s concise and though it’s not several pages there is something for every palette. One cannot leave the table without ordering the Parmesan, Pecorino and Black Pepper Churros from the Snacks section. Our waiter suggested we try the Prawn Toast that comes with chili and ginger jam and the Crispy Duck Salad that’s served with blood oranges and mint. We weren’t going to dare turn the waiter down on his suggestions and our taste buds thanked us as we tried all three.
The Beef Wellington is a must try at The Grill | Image provided by The Dorchester
The Grill is known for their Beef Wellington, a sharable dish that would bring a tear to the most seasoned foodie. It’s rolled out on a cart and cut table-side. If it’s too pink for you, the waiter will return it to the kitchen to get seared on both sides. You can choose between three sauces: Bérnaise, Five peppercorn, and Burgundy Jus. We also ordered The Dorchester Fish Pie-- also amazing—as a surf option to our turfed Beef Wellington. A side of Black Truffle mashed potatoes and Creamed Spinach completed our Main Course dining. But, can we go back to the Creamed Spinach? Three words: to die for, describe how the kitchen is able to prepare a side that melts to nicely in your mouth.
The kitchen is a semi open one, so taking in the atmosphere of very grown up vibes with the well-lit bar on one end, and chefs preparing dishes on anther end is mesmerizing. For dessert the Sticky Toffee Pudding that’s paired with whiskey ice cream is a taste-worthy choice. It’s sweet one but it hits all the right places and has a quality taste with the pudding and sauce.
If you’re into jazz, The Grill has brought back Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club with select monthly residencies together with a three-course menu that doesn’t include drinks and service for £175 ($231) per person.
Dining at The Dorchester is always a good idea for any time of day, but being there at night with the ambience really sets the mood. Great for a date night or catching up with a friend, the Vesper Bar and The Grill are two must try spots in London that one must try.
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