Fortnums Bar and Restaurant at The Royal Exchange

Replacing D&D London’s Grand Café, this all-day bar and restaurant from Fortnum & Mason has opened in the dramatic surrounds of the Royal Exchange, the former trading floor turned luxury shopping mall.

A glittering bar forms its centrepiece, while the rest of the space is dotted with banquettes in Fortnum’s signature eau de nil, and dark wood tables topped with fringed lamps. On our evening visit, the soaring ceiling meant eating here felt a bit like having dinner in a library, but at lunch, when the shops are in full swing, the atmosphere should be a lot buzzier. To help combat any lack of atmosphere, Fortnum's has also introduced live music on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm. The music features a singer backed up by a live band, who sing a blend of old-school Motown and R&B, alongside more contemporary music that you might find in the charts. 

When it comes to the food, the Fortnum’s signatures have survived the journey from St James’s: service is efficient and friendly without ever being intrusive, while the short menu is replete with luxe takes on comfort food classics.

Just take the Scotch egg starter, a dish which Fortnum’s invented back in 1738. Today, they’re served in halves to show off a glossy orange yolk, delicately crumbed and resting on a pool of mouth-puckering piccalilli. To follow, a mighty Glenarm ribeye is cooked-to-order, completed by additional sides of crispy, golden thick-cut chips and spinach with nutmeg. 

The obvious dessert option is Fortnum’s signature knickerbocker glory, now complete with a #FoodPorn swirl of blow-torched marshmallow crème. A sugary concoction of ice cream, strawberries and popping candy, it’s the perfect hit of childish indulgence and as sweet as it sounds.

Fortnum’s isn’t reinventing the wheel here and prices are as high as you’d expect from an offshoot of the Queen’s grocer housed amid a collection of luxury boutiques in the Square Mile, but for a touch of classic British sophistication in a dramatic setting, you won’t go wrong.

Situated in the magnificent central courtyard of The Royal Exchange, The Fortnum’s Bar & Restaurant offers a refined dining experience in a setting that blends historic grandeur with contemporary elegance. While not within Fortnum & Mason’s flagship store, this outpost carries the same dedication to extraordinary food, exceptional service, and a touch of indulgence that has defined the brand since 1707.

Diners can expect a seasonal and contemporary menu, showcasing the finest ingredients and Fortnum’s signature flair. The restaurant’s al fresco-style atmosphere, combined with impeccable service, makes it an ideal spot for anything from a business lunch to a leisurely afternoon tea. Adding to the experience, a personal shopping service is available to guests, ensuring that a visit to The Fortnum’s Bar & Restaurant is as seamless as it is luxurious.

For those with a taste for the finer things, the Caviar selection is a must-try, served tableside from the trolley with blinis, baked new potatoes, and scrambled eggs prepared before your eyes. Options include Siberian Sturgeon, with notes of brine, hazelnut, and lobster, and the exquisite Golden Oscietra, paired with lobster, hazelnut, and cream. Seafood lovers can also indulge in Oysters and Champagne, pairing six expertly prepared oysters with a glass of Fortnum’s Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

The all-day menu continues with a selection of elegantly crafted starters, including pan fried scallops with Jerusalem artichoke purée and smoked pancetta, and Kames Bay smoked trout with shallots and capers. Mains feature standout dishes like roast cod with celeriac purée and sage butter, Brixham Brill in a curried Devon mussel broth, and a vibrant roast squash salad with harissa hummus and pickled red onion.

Afternoon Tea at The Fortnum’s Bar & Restaurant is a celebration of tradition, featuring an assortment of delicate finger sandwiches - Coronation chicken, Cotswold Legbar egg mayonnaise, and Suffolk cured ham with English mustard - alongside freshly baked plain and fruit scones, served with Somerset clotted cream and Fortnum’s preserves. To round off the experience, a selection of exquisite pâtisseries ensures the perfect sweet finish.