Mayfair has a new restaurant opening at one of its most storied addresses. At 17 Bruton Street – the birthplace of Britain’s most celebrated princess – Lilibet’s has opened its doors, promising seasonal seafood with British precision and Mediterranean flair.
The 160-cover restaurant is the latest project from Ross Shonhan, known for Nobu, Zuma, Bone Daddies, Strawfire and Netsu. His aim was to create a venue that feels timeless. Shonhan said: “With Lilibet’s, we wanted to create an enduring restaurant that will feel as relevant in twenty years as it does today. The address carries a unique history that gave us freedom to be creative. It’s about great hospitality, British ingredients, Mediterranean influence – and doing things properly, with personality.”
Russell Sage Studio designed the interiors, taking inspiration from Mayfair’s heritage homes. The result is a sequence of contrasting spaces: green silk walls hung with botanical prints, a pale marble bar with blush-pink stools, antique fireplaces, and salons lined with bespoke wallpaper. Each room is distinct, but together they give the impression of stepping into a private house layered with history.
The menu is built around an imagined “Grand Tour” of the Mediterranean. The Oyster Bar showcases the daily catch, while the Fireside Grill offers dishes such as turbot pil pil and lobster spaghetti. A Fish Triptych presents one fish served three ways – crudo, grilled, and as a soup – and smaller plates include crab thermidor, anchovy éclairs and lobster bisque.
A standout feature is the “Unsung Heroes” section, which highlights lesser-known British species: squat lobster baked into bomba rice, gurnard cooked over fire, garfish or hake head prepared simply to let their flavour shine. Depending on the market, guests may also see sea urchin, fluke, or even sea cucumber on the menu. The kitchen also works with British farms to offer meats finished tableside, while desserts range from a traditional Princess cake to a surprising Prego steak sandwich.
For Russell Sage Studio, the project was about reinterpreting Mayfair’s layered interiors for a modern audience. “Every element – from silks to fire-lit grandeur – was chosen to conjure an atmosphere of heritage, warmth and belonging,” the studio said.
Lilibet’s is now open for dinner service, with lunch launching on October 1, 2025. Bookings can be made at www.lilibetsrestaurant.com.