A Historic Setting with Modern Elegance
Isabel in Mayfair offers a luxurious dining experience with a focus on simplicity and seasonality. Highlights include exquisite salads, impeccable main courses, and an elegant atmosphere.
Stepping through the doors of Isabel, situated at the prestigious 26 Albemarle Street, you are immediately enveloped by an air of luxury that is both unassuming and strikingly elegant. Located in the heart of Mayfair, a neighbourhood synonymous with wealth, culture, and refinement, Isabel stands as a testament to what fine dining in London is all about. The building itself dates back to 1905, a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture, offering a blend of old-world grandeur with modern sophistication. One of the earliest occupants of the building was Charles Mellier, a renowned dealer of English and French furniture. In this sense, it seems style and taste are literally embedded in Isabel’s very foundations, and this carries through in every aspect of the dining experience.
From the moment you arrive, Isabel’s charm is apparent. The front door handle, beautifully crafted, hints at the attention to detail that pervades the restaurant. But it’s not just the door—it’s everything. From the polished cutlery that gleams under the soft, ambient lighting to the spacious and well-appointed restroom cubicles, every element exudes class. Even the floral arrangements make a statement: a giant, luxurious bouquet that feels more like a living work of art, naturally welcoming every guest with a burst of beauty. Isabel doesn’t just offer a meal—it offers a full sensory experience, where luxury begins at the very first touch.
“Isabel stands as a testament
to what fine dining in London is all about.”
But it’s when you begin to explore the menu that Isabel’s true magic reveals itself. The concept here is “Less is More,” a philosophy that emphasizes simplicity, freshness, and seasonality. Every dish feels thoughtfully crafted, showcasing local ingredients that are at their seasonal peak, paired in ways that celebrate flavour without overcomplicating the plate. In every bite, you can taste the care that goes into sourcing the best produce. Isabel has engineered a menu that takes inspiration from Latin America and the Mediterranean, infusing the vibrancy and sensuality of those regions into every dish.
One of the highlights for me was the Tuna Avocado Salad. It’s a dish that exemplifies Isabel’s ability to take simple ingredients and elevate them to something extraordinary. The avocado, creamy and rich, perfectly complemented the fresh, tender slices of tuna. Each mouthful felt like a balance of flavour and texture, with the avocado’s smoothness playing against the slight bite of the tuna. A touch of citrus brought the whole dish together, adding brightness that lingered pleasantly on the palate.
Another star was the Isabel Salad—perhaps one of the finest salads I’ve ever tasted. Light yet satisfying, it combined seasonal greens with a delicate vinaigrette that enhanced rather than overwhelmed the natural flavours of the ingredients. The salad was refreshing, the sort of dish that leaves you feeling nourished and content without being too heavy. It was the perfect representation of Isabel’s culinary ethos: clean, simple, and beautifully balanced.
“Isabel doesn’t just offer a meal—it offers a full sensory experience,
where luxury begins at the very first touch.”
Equally impressive was the Lentil Salad. At first glance, it may seem an understated dish, but with the first bite, you realize how filling and flavourful it is. The lentils, perfectly cooked, had just the right amount of bite, and were paired with fresh herbs and a tangy dressing that made each forkful more enjoyable than the last. It’s the kind of dish you could eat over and over, finding something new to appreciate each time.
For those with a penchant for beets, the Heritage Beet Salad is a must-try. The earthy sweetness of the beets was brought to life with a touch of citrus and a scattering of fresh herbs. Each bite was vibrant, colourful, and full of depth—a perfect testament to the beauty of seasonal cooking.
The Corn Salad was another standout, offering a subtle sweetness that paired wonderfully with the bright, zesty flavours running through the dish. Corn can sometimes be a background player in a salad, but here it was the star, perfectly grilled to bring out its natural sugars and paired with fresh herbs and a touch of spice for contrast.
When it came time for the main course, the Lobster Linguine arrived, and I must say it was a dish that prompted a “wow” from the moment it was set down on the table. The presentation was immaculate, with the lobster beautifully arranged atop a delicate bed of linguine. Every bite was a revelation. The pasta was cooked to perfection—al dente, of course—with a sauce that was light yet bursting with flavour. The lobster itself was tender and sweet, perfectly complementing the richness of the sauce. It was one of those dishes that you want to savor slowly, relishing each mouthful because you know that when it’s gone, you’ll be thinking about it long after the meal has ended.
What struck me most about the meal, beyond the impeccable flavours and textures, was the level of detail in every dish. Each plate was a work of art, thoughtfully composed, and meticulously prepared. Whether it was the way the ingredients were arranged or the subtle, yet impactful, seasonings, every element served a purpose. This wasn’t just food for the sake of eating—this was culinary storytelling. Every dish had a narrative, a reason for being, and it was evident that the team at Isabel took great pride in capturing that story on every plate.
Of course, the experience at Isabel is about more than just the food. The atmosphere plays an equally important role in making your time here unforgettable. The interior design strikes a balance between opulence and comfort, with rich textures, warm lighting, and an air of understated glamour that permeates the space. It’s a restaurant that feels intimate yet grand, a place where you can relax into your meal while still feeling like you’re part of something special.
The service was flawless. Attentive without being overbearing, the staff knew the menu inside and out
