Riviera

It’s impossible not to feel impressed as you enter the dining room at Riviera. Heading up the oldest escalator in London, we are greeted by an open kitchen boasting rows of lobsters on ice and a towering wine vault filled with old and new world bottles. The triple-height ceiling is met by huge windows that flood the room with natural light, creating a spacious feel and offering unbeatable views of the bustling St James’s Street below. As the name suggests, Riviera is inspired by the effortless luxury of the Cote d’Azur, reflected in soft, neutral tones - from pale wooden flooring to patterned cushioned seating - and highlighted by flashes of lush green plants.    

Upon being seated, we are introduced to our friendly waiter Andres who strikes the perfect balance of remaining nearby throughout the meal for any questions, without being overbearing. After nibbling on a crusty baguette slathered with homemade butter, we order a bottle of Beaujolais and get down to business.   

Dinner takes us on an indulgent journey through southern France via a flurry of both classical and contemporary dishes. We start with a courgette flower stuffed with briny feta, which is deep fried to crisp perfection and served with a miniature courgette, ideal for mopping up the oozing filling. On the lighter side, we also tried a king crab and grapefruit salad tossed in a refreshing lemon vinaigrette. Main course featured a magnificent bowl of lobster spaghetti with soft chunks of tail meat and blistered cherry tomatoes. However, the star of the show is indisputably a generous portion of perfectly-cooked filet mignon, which is swimming in an umami black pepper sauce that is absolutely to die for. We finish with a classic creme brulee, a shallow dish of rich custard flecked with vanilla and served with fragrant lavender shortbread.

Needless to say, if you’re after a new spot for French fine dining in a stunning setting, be sure to add Riviera to the list. 

Riviera Mayfair is a French restaurant offering all-day Cote d'Azur inspired dining in an elegant setting overlooking St James’s Street. Founded by twin entrepreneurs Arian and Alberto Zandi, Riviera serves brunch, lunch, dinner and late night drinks, making it well suited to birthdays, group dinners and special occasions.

Guests arrive via London’s oldest escalator before stepping into a light-filled dining room framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. Tables curve around the perimeter to maximise the views, while pale wooden floors, white tablecloths and patterned upholstered chairs create a refined dining environment. A marble topped wraparound bar sits beneath towering wine displays and modern green glass chandelier-style lighting, while terracotta tones and rattan textures soften the space. Amelia’s Lounge offers a more informal setting for drinks and lighter dishes, with resident DJs performing on selected evenings.

The menu centres on French cooking with Mediterranean influence. Starters include snails with garlic butter, oysters, beef carpaccio, sea bass carpaccio, raw artichoke with Parmesan and foie gras with truffle. Signature plates extend to grilled lobster and truffle stuffed courgette flowers, alongside pasta dishes such as veal ragout and parmesan bucatini.

Main courses range from beef fillet with Café de Paris butter and ribeye on the bone to cod with beurre blanc and Riviera sea bass. A set lunch menu provides a concise selection of dishes drawn from the à la carte. Desserts such as lavender creme brulee and tarte tatin round out the offering.

One of the largest terraces in Mayfair extends the dining space outdoors. Fully covered and heated, it offers dining tables and relaxed sofa seating for year-round use. The wine list highlights bottles from across France, complemented by a dedicated cocktail menu including experimental offerings like Peach Caviar, Sexy French Popcorn and Riviera’s Elixir, alongside classic and non alcoholic options.