Mr. White's Leicester Square

Most Londoners will tell you to steer clear of restaurants near tourist-laden Leicester Square for fear of being ripped off. But if you were to follow this advice, you’d fail to stumble upon Marco Pierre White’s latest venture, Mr White’s, slap bang in the middle of the mayhem. The new offering from the acclaimed British chef specialises in the sort of food that everyone likes – steak, pizza and pasta - cooked with a little more finesse than you’re used to at home. It’s trying to appeal to the masses, which makes sense considering the footfall of its landmark location, but the vast four-storey site certainly isn’t devoid of character or attention to detail.  

We were struck by the sense of warmth and congeniality brimming from smiley staff, and the lively restaurant was packed-out with everything from big birthday celebrations to friends catching up over a slice. The décor, meanwhile, artfully treads the line between retro glamour and garden greenhouse: leather booths and metallic finishes are contrasted with trailing foliage hanging from the ceiling.  

The menu reads like an Italian food-lovers dream. We started with a stack of fluffy focaccia alongside a pool of good olive oil and balsamic, while five golden arancini balls filled with saffron-studded rice and Bolognese was perhaps the most unconventional item on the menu and an oozy delight. All steaks are served medium-rare by default and ours was good: juicy, more rare than medium (the correct way in our eyes) and served with crisp fries and peppercorn sauce. To finish, the chocolate truffle torte was dense like butter and offered a similar richness, while the tiramisu was light and aeriated, although perhaps could have been a little more heavy-handed with the marsala, mascarpone and coffee.  

We'd class the prices as pretty reasonable for Leicester Square: pizza and pasta main dishes hover around £15, while steaks start at just over £20. Drinks could cause the bill to stack up, but it tends to offer great-value deals throughout the week which are worth checking out.  

Located in Leicester Square, Mr. White's, launched by acclaimed chef Marco Pierre White, opened its doors in late 2021. With an array of classic dishes and a focus on steak and pizza, the menu boasts favourites such as the "Bada Bing" pizza and a "28-day aged Ribeye'', all to be enjoyed in the vibrantly-designed restaurant and bar.

The large four-storey site is found right in the middle of Leicester Square, which is famed for being a retail, dining and entertainment destination and considered a must-visit by most tourists making their way to London. Mr White’s is situated next door to the flagship site of the Odeon cinema chain, making it a good shout for some pre- or post-film feasting.

The menu at Mr White’s has “British heritage at its heart”, with the a la carte centring around the carnivorous likes of steaks, grills and chops. However, the menu also has a touch of Italian influence courtesy of a section dedicated to handmade pizzas (presumably a way of courting the area’s hordes of European tourists).

Alongside the food menu, guests are invited to walk in for a pre-theatre aperitif or post-dinner digestif in to their very own Gin Bar, boasting an extensive gin list and delicious selection of cocktails. Marco recommends Mr. White’s Martini, made with the restaurant's own Mr. White’s very own London Dry Gin, which was developed by Marco Pierre White himself.

Mr White’s is part of the Black and White Hospitality restaurant group’s portfolio. Speaking about the restaurant, Nick Taplin, chairman and CEO of Black and White Hospitality said: “We are hugely excited about this new restaurant. Mr White’s is the perfect fit for Leicester Square and alongside what will be an electric atmosphere is the ideal restaurant for the guest who wishes to enjoy easy and affordable dining.''

For bookings of 7 or more, please contact the restaurant directly.