At Willett's, a British bistro within West London's The Cadogan Hotel from the Belmond group, the focus is on a familiar re-telling of a classic British bistro, with seasonal flair. Named after the Willett family, who built the Chelsea townhouse in the late nineteenth century, the restaurant draws on the building’s heritage while looking firmly towards contemporary London dining. Positioned between Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Belgravia, it offers a space to dine throughout the day: somewhere for morning coffee, weekday suppers and hearty Sunday lunches.
The kitchen is led by executive chef Michael Turner, whose experience includes senior roles within the Gordon Ramsay Group and time as executive head chef at The Savoy Grill and The River Restaurant. At Willett’s, he presents a confident interpretation of the British bistro, where seasonal produce and long-standing relationships with farmers and suppliers across the UK shape the menu.
One of the restaurant’s signatures is the sourdough crumpet, fried each day so that the outside is crisp while the interior remains soft and airy. Options might include Gentleman’s Relish, mushroom parfait with Wiltshire truffle, duck liver parfait paired with Yorkshire rhubarb or Dorset crab. At breakfast, a version arrives layered with cep parfait, a poached St Ewe’s egg, hollandaise and shaved Wiltshire truffles.
Elsewhere, the menu brings together British classics and thoughtful regional touches. Starters range from hand-chopped ex-dairy beef with mushroom ketchup, pickles and crisps to prawn cocktail finished with Bloody Mary jelly. Mains include dishes such as Sutton Hoo chicken and morel pie served with mash and liquor, soused Cornish mackerel with fennel and Yorkshire rhubarb, and pearl barley porridge with Wye Valley asparagus. A dedicated Sunday lunch centres on traditional roasts served family-style, followed by classic British puddings including sticky toffee pudding, jam roly-poly and custard tarts.
The restaurant itself has been redesigned by Shayne Brady and his studio, combining heritage details with a contemporary bistro sensibility. An open kitchen anchors the dining room, with chef’s counter seating offering a direct view of the action. Intimate booths provide a discreet option for small gatherings, while the bar serves seasonal cocktails and wines by the glass, many sourced from British producers.