
Elegant restaurant serving Modern European food & afternoon tea with grand, art deco glamour.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7499 6996
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: thewolseleypiccadilly.comopentable.co.uk
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Related Web Results
The Wolseley – A Legacy of Impeccable Taste
Menus | All-Day Café-Restaurant | The Wolseley, Mayfair
Afternoon Tea in Mayfair | The Wolseley, Piccadilly, London
Reviews
I had come on a recommendation from my friend and walked in for a late lunch around 2:30PM. It did not disappoint.
On entry they ask if you would like to select a newspaper to read (Financial times, Guardian and one other), which I loved, and served a complimentary bread basket as soon as you are seated. It was busy, but was able to be seated straight away and noise was noticeable but still a comfortable level.
I ordered the goujons of haddock starter, calf liver with bacon for the main and still water. Everything was impeccable – the goujons had a beautiful golden crisp, lightly seasoned and went well with the accompanying aioli and lemon – I could eat these endlessly. The liver was smooth, slightly tender and moist with a soft pink centre.
My waiter (wish I had gotten his name!) was beyond fantastic- checked in frequently to make sure everything was going well – even came to tell me when he was going on a short break and introduced me to who would be looking after me during this time. I was about to leave and my waiter had just come back so asked me to wait a moment and surprised me with a dessert on the house, which was like chef’s kiss to an already fantastic experience. Thank you!
The menu leans toward classic European café cuisine, executed with confidence rather than flash. Dishes like the eggs Benedict, steak tartare, and Wiener schnitzel are dependable standouts, while the pastries and desserts—particularly the crêpes and seasonal tarts—are indulgent without being overdone. Ingredients are high quality, portions are generous, and there’s a reassuring consistency to the food that keeps regulars coming back.
Service is a highlight. The staff are polished, attentive, and unflustered, striking a balance between formality and warmth that suits the setting perfectly. Whether you’re there for a leisurely breakfast, a business lunch, or a pre-theatre dinner, you’re made to feel looked after without being rushed.
The Wolseley isn’t about culinary trends or experimental flair; it’s about refinement, comfort, and tradition done exceptionally well. It’s the kind of place you return to again and again—not because it surprises you, but because it never disappoints.
When we mentioned that we were there for brunch, the male waiter went out of his way to tell us—quite rudely—that there was no brunch, only a coffee menu. This was confusing, as the menu itself was in fact a brunch-style menu. The interaction felt unnecessary and condescending, almost as if we were being made to feel stupid for asking.
On top of that, he repeatedly misunderstood our order. Even after confirming it twice, he still placed a completely different order on our table, which added to the frustration.
Another female staff member spoke in a very loud, high-pitched tone. Without seeing her facial expression, she might have come across as polite, but there was no smile or eye contact, which made the interaction feel cold and unwelcoming.
The food was average at best, and while the coffee was fine, nothing stood out or justified the high bill. Overall, the pricing felt excessive for such an underwhelming experience.
The only positive note was the doorman, who was polite and welcoming.
I wouldn’t recommend this place and would not visit again.
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I visited The Wolseley for afternoon tea during a recent trip to London.
The experience started poorly, with an unfriendly doorman who opened the door without any warmth or greeting. This continued at reception, where there was no welcoming interaction when I introduced myself.
I began with a French Martini at the bar, which wasn’t cold and felt weak in both flavour and alcohol content.
I then ordered the Champagne Afternoon Tea. The food took close to 20 minutes to arrive, despite a neighbouring table that was seated earlier being served first. I had to prompt the floor manager to chase the order.
The afternoon tea itself was underwhelming. The sandwiches were uninspiring and slightly stale. The cakes were fairly ordinary and lacked distinction. The scones were acceptable but not memorable. The Darjeeling tea lacked any discernible flavour profile.
One server was friendly, but most interactions felt impersonal. Service overall came across as functional rather than welcoming. There was no check-in during the meal, and no acknowledgement or goodbye when leaving.
Overall, this was a mediocre experience, with clear room for improvement in both the execution of the afternoon tea and the standard of hospitality.