The iconic Harrods department store dazzles in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge, where everything from champagne and Chanel to teddy bears and tech gadgets are sold. Nearby, the architectural splendour of the Victoria and Albert Museum houses ancient statues, walls decorated with recognised paintings, and a rotation of contemporary exhibitions so desirable, they require pre-booked tickets.
And in between is The Mayfair Chippy, the second location of the popular fish ‘n chips restaurant, where the bar has been raised on a quintessentially British meal.
Luxurious and casual, London’s The Mayfair Chippy serves British classics (photo by Thomas Alexander)
About The Mayfair Chippy
For those of you not familiar, a chippie is a British slang term for a casual fish ‘n chips restaurant. But this is not your basic place. When I visited the Mayfair Chippy it was a mere three weeks old and there wasn’t a spare table or chair in sight.
Forget about paper wrappings or piled-high chips falling off a plate. Here, the menu is extensive, the presentation is appetising, and the beverages are so varied that it feels more like dining in an upscale brasserie.
The light and bright restaurant in one of London’s poshest neighbourhoods spreads over two floors, one of which has an airy atrium. Exclusive to Knightsbridge is The Mayfair Chippy’s Gin Bar, a stylishly decorated spot for wine, cocktails and beer. In the mornings, it’s all about the Blood Mary Bar. Try the Butcher’s Bloody Mary, crammed with Absolut Vodka, tomato juice, Tio Pepe Sherry, lemon, spice mix, celery salt, Oxo, crispy bacon, pork scratchings and a stuffed olive.Â
There’s more than just fish ‘n chips on the extensive menu (photo by Thomas Alexander)
On the Menu
There is a selection of classic dishes with fresh seafood direct from Cornish shores. The stand-out favourite is The Mayfair Classic, an attractively-presented display of fried cod or haddock with chips, mushy peas, tartar and chip shop curry sauce, or you can swap it with HP gravy. The vegetarian version features halloumi, Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese from Cyprus. Â Fish is fried in beer batter but is also available free from alcohol and gluten.
For meat lovers, dive into the Shepherd’s Pie made with braised lamb shoulder HP gravy and greens.
Brunch items range from a butcher’s, fisherman’s, or plant-based breakfast, all of which include posh baked beans, hash browns, sourdough toast, and an organic egg served any style.
Desserts are hard to resist especially the sticky date pudding with toffee sauce and Madagascan vanilla gelato and the apple and blackberry crumble with vanilla custard hazelnuts.
The menu is loaded with snacks and small shareable plates too. Think Cornish salt and pepper squid, crispy oyster mushrooms with black garlic and truffle mayonnaise, treacle-cured salmon and heritage beetroot salad.
Grab a Lobster and Crayfish roll sandwich, one of the popular choices or choose from their fantastic selection of shellfish such as mussels in white wine, garlic and parsley, or curried coconut cream, served with sourdough toast. Crab on toast or in a salad with watermelon is another option, as are the Carlingford oysters, served with shallot vinegar, lemon and Tabasco.
Belly up to the bar for cocktails, mocktails, British wine, gin and more (photo by Thomas Alexander)
From the Bar
English wines and classic cocktails such as Cosmopolitans, Mai Tai and Kir Royale feature alongside a wide variety of gins, including Chase Williams, Sipsmith, and the Botanist Islay.
Driving or drying out? The mocktail menu rocks! The Mayfair Chippy’s Moscow Mule is made with soda, mint lime and cane syrup. And a pineapple mojito is a blend of pineapple soda, mint lime and cane syrup. Pair them with bar snacks such as fried whitebait or coronation chicken fitters with mango and onion chutney and you might not even need dinner.
And why not treat yourself to a dessert cocktail such as the popular Lemon Bon Bon with vanilla vodka, limoncello, butterscotch and lemon or a Werther’s Original with caramel vodka butterscotch and Baileys.
London’s The Mayfair Chippy feels more like an upscale brasserie than Fish ‘n Chips shop (photo by Thomas Alexander)
The Verdict?
Go! If not for the luxury, fresh, and fast-casual meals served in a beautiful setting, then for the delicious fish and seafood, hot chips, and the chippy’s authentic British-at-its-best bent.
Plus, there’s more than just fish on the menu, and the Gin Bar is stocked with some of Britain’s best.
Best of all, you can drop in for brunch, lunch or dinner seven days a week. Check the website for exact opening times.
***
AddressÂ
The Mayfair Chippy KnightsbridgeÂ
138 Brompton RoadÂ
Knightsbridge, LondonÂ
Nearest tube stop: Â Knightsbridge
Author bio: Jane Wilson, The Wellness Traveller
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