If ever there were a setting made for summer decadence, Hyde Park Garden is it. Hidden in plain sight beside one of London’s grandest parks and backed by the might of the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park Garden is an al fresco sanctuary, delivering refined British dining with a distinctly playful twist.
Overlooking the sweeping lawns of Hyde Park, the garden comes alive during the warmer months as the team behind two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal brings its inventive touch outdoors. Here, British classics are quietly reimagined with seasonal flair - starting with the humble chip. Heston’s now-iconic triple-cooked creation is paired with the day’s freshest Cornish fish in a dish simply titled Chips and Fish. You’ll never look at a seaside supper the same way again.
From perfectly crisp pork skin with herb salt to hay-smoked salmon with sorrel, the menu is a celebration of summer’s greatest hits. Sharing boards elevate the picnic staple: native lobster rolls meet Coronation chicken with apricot and tarragon, while the infamous Meat Fruit makes a welcome appearance, its delicate mandarin exterior concealing a silky chicken liver parfait. There’s even truffle mushroom parfait for those leaning plant-forward.
Of course, no English garden party is complete without something pink in hand. Enter Château d’Esclans - the vineyard behind the ‘Rosé Renaissance’ - whose wines are served alongside a curated list of cocktails made with Whispering Angel. Try the Whispering Spritz or go bold with a Rosé Negroni, featuring Mandarin Oriental’s own gin. Desserts, naturally, toe the line between nostalgic and indulgent. A textbook Eton Mess hits all the right notes, while the millionaire’s tart - dark chocolate ganache, salted caramel and vanilla - feels like a wink to your inner sweet tooth.
Elegant yet relaxed, whimsical yet meticulous, Hyde Park Garden is a rare summer escape in the heart of the city - where crisp rosé flows, classics are reinvented, and the view is always something to savour.