Despite the heavy amount of time that the Royal Family gives in service of “the firm”, they do have personal lives outside of the castles and estates that they call home. And speaking of home, the Royal Family’s hometown of London has many places where the royals like to dine, drink, dance, and have some fun. These places are different from the “royal warrant” holders that supply the Royal Family with goods, though much like the shops that hold those warrants, you can visit these recreational spots just as easily as any of the Windsors.
Mahiki
In Prince Harry’s more rebellious youth, Mahiki was easily a place where you could find him. Located in Mayfair, this tiki bar has been a place to see and be seen since it opened in 2006. Of course, Harry wasn’t the only Royal who spent time here, as Prince William and Princess Catherine were seen here as well, and Princess Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, was once the manager.
Jenny Packham’s
Designer Jenny Packham certainly gained a lot of notoriety when Princess Catherine began wearing her dresses. Packham has designed any number of the Princess of Wales’s outfits from the ensemble she wore when the couple presented Prince George to the public to evening gowns fit for major events. You can find the flagship store at 3A Carlos Place in Mayfair.
Soho House 76 Dean Street
If you want to go to a place with major royal romantic ties, then you should visit Soho House at 76 Dean Street. The private members’ club was the site of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first date after they had been set up by a mutual acquaintance. You can apply for membership to get in or maybe you can luck out if you know a current member.
The Ivy
Another glamorous dining experience to consider is The Ivy in Covent Garden. While there are many locations throughout the UK capital, Covent Garden is the most opulent. So much so that the late Queen Elizabeth enjoyed dining here on the regular. The A La Carte menu features a number of high-end British classics, from Shepherd’s Pie to Fish and Chips, all for a price that you don’t have to be a royal to afford.
Brilliant Indian Restaurant
Brilliant isn’t just the name of this Indian restaurant in Southall, but the term could certainly describe its food as well. It has attracted the likes of Gordon Ramsay and even King Charles, who has said it’s by far his favorite Indian restaurant in the city. Celebrity Chef Dipna Anand fuses traditional Indian cuisine with the Kenyan fare her grandfather learned in that country for some surprisingly tasty results. If it’s good enough for the King, who are we to argue?
Charbonnel et Walker
Another place where you can experience one of the late Queen’s favorite things is Charbonnel et Walker, a chocolate shop founded by Madame Charbonnel and Mrs. Walker back in 1875. The pair combined their talents for chocolate and gift boxes to make truly luxury chocolate packages that are still beloved today. The best part is you don’t even have to go to London to get them since you can order online.
Chiltern Firehouse
Part of the Chiltern Firehouse Hotel, where many Royal Family members and their guests have stayed over the years, the restaurant here has been a beloved site of many a younger royal, from Princess Eugenie to the Duchess of Sussex. The menu includes items that may seem familiar but with an unfamiliar twist, such as crab-stuffed donuts.
Bluebird, Chelsea
The Bluebird restaurant was long a favorite of the Princess of Wales before she married Prince William, especially the a la carte patio dining area, which offers a gorgeous view of surrounding Chelsea. There’s also a more casual downstairs café with sandwiches and burgers as well as an upscale restaurant between the two.
Fortnum & Mason
If you want to grocery shop like a royal, Fortnum & Mason is your place. The store is largely known for its luxury picnic hampers, but it’s the company’s tea and groceries for which it has held royal warrants. If you visit the stores, you can also stop in at the tea salon for high tea.
Goring Hotel
The Goring Hotel has been a hot spot for the Royal Family going all the way back to Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who enjoyed lunch in the hotel’s restaurant. Her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, also enjoyed the food here, and her great-granddaughter-in-law, Princess Catherine, used the hotel as her wedding headquarters. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the hotel is just around the corner from Buckingham Palace.
Author: John Rabon
John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.