Lilibets

Lilibet’s opened in September 2025, located in the house where Queen Elizabeth II was born in Bruton Street in Mayfair. The head chef is Alex Harper, who has previously worked at Le Manoir au Quat’ Saisons, Texture, The Ledbury and The Harwood Arms in his career. The restaurant is large and smartly decorated, seating up to 150 people at any one time. There was a set lunch at £34 (and another at £55) and a full a la carte selection.

The huge wine list had 438 labels and ranged in price from £50 to £7.850, with a median price of £113 and an average markup to retail price of exactly 3 times. Sample references were Dopff au Moulin Gewurztraminer 'Terres Epicees' 2022 at £60 for a bottle that you can find in the high street for £22 Magic Mountain Weingut Leitz Riesling 2022 at £75 compared to its retail price of £24, and Maison Trimbach Pinot Noir Réserve Cuvee 7 2020 at £85 for a wine that will set you back £29 in the high street. For those with the means there was Antinori Tignanello 2021 at £345 compared to its retail price of £148, and Vega Sicilia Unico 2013 at £730 for a wine whose current market value is £352. Although 55% of the bottles were from France, the list ranged around the world. If you are looking for a wine from Azerbaijan or Croatia then this list has you covered.

A crab tartlet snack (£4.70) had a delicate pastry base, white crab meat that was entirely free of shell, a little grapefruit and coriander. The grapefruit was a nice touch, the sourness balancing the sweetness of the crab (14/20). Tuna loin “Gilda” (£7) with pickles was simple but enjoyable, good quality lean tuna with pickles providing some sharpness to cut through the richness of the tuna, and a touch of spice (14/20).

Crab salad (£25.40) had watercress, citrus mayonnaise and socca, which is a thin, unleavened chickpea pancake.  There was a good amount of crab that was free from shell, and the socca provided a crisp texture contrast. There was arguably an awful lot of watercress, but the dressing was nicely balanced (comfortably 13/20). Lobster spaghetti (£36) was flavoured with chilli and basil. The pasta had good texture and the lobster was quite tender, the gentle touch of chilli nicely lifting the dish (14/20). 

Dover sole (£58) was 18oz (510g) in weight and was carefully cooked, served whole.  This was a simple dish but well executed (14/20). Sea bass fillet (£42) with spiced tomato salsa had fish that was cooked capably, and with a pleasant tomato salad with a touch of chilli bite (13/20). On the side were well seasoned matchstick fries (£8), green beans with XO sauce (£8) and mash (£15). These were all pleasant, properly cooked. The Lilibet’s mash was flavoured with shellfish bisque and a little lobster. 

Flambeed Grand Marnier crepe (£14) had parfait of Grand Marnier wrapped in a delicate crepe that was flambeed at the table. This was excellent, the pancake being delicate and the Grand Marnier not being too strong a flavour (easily 14/20). Less successful was “Princess cake” (£14), a raspberry sponge with almond. This looked pretty but was surprisingly bland to taste, not having enough fruit (12/20 would be kind).

Service was friendly and the bill came to £191 per person including wine and service. Lilibets offers a large, appealing menu, comfortable surroundings, nice food and classy service. It is not surprising that it was packed out on this weekday, doing 170 covers tonight and turning tables.