Whether you're opting for oscietra or desperately seeking sevruga London's restaurants can't seem to get enough of the stuff. From the classic serving to more modern takes, here's our pick of where to enjoy caviar.
Dorian
107 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT
Chef Max Coen loves his caviar and it's on a lot of dishes at Dorian, from the triangular shards of rosti to their caviar 'slugs' rather than bumps. But perhaps the most inventive way they serve it is as part of their dessert course, generously scooped on top of pistachio ice cream.
Bébé Bob
37 Golden Square, London W1F 9LB
Across the road from Bob Bob Ricard you'll find this their sibling restaurant focusing on chicken and Champagne. Head to the bar though and you'll find a new range of bar snacks topped with caviar from schnuggets (chicken nuggets) to potato rosti - it's even on top of the chip dip. Best of all are the lemon cream and caviar doughnuts.
See also: Bob Bob Ricard for their caviar degustation dish of three types of caviar.
The Caviar Bar
4 Medici Courtyard, Hanover Square, London W1S 1BR
As the name suggests, this newish restaurant and bar has a singular focus on caviar. You can choose from a selection that includes Royal Baerii, Oscietra, Imperial or Royal Beluga and a tasting experience featuring all four comes with blinis, potatoes, gherkins and boiled eggs. It's also on the ice cream, topping the croissants at breakfast and adorning their burrata tapas dish.
Caviar House
161 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EA
Owned by Prunier caviar, this Piccadilly restaurant is always changing up its offering, most recently adding an afternoon tea with caviar topped macarons and a Louis XIII Caviar Experience which pairs caviar with the high end cognac. Newest of all is the brunch option where dishes include Eggs Royale, scrambled eggs with caviar and Soldier's Royale - soft boiled eggs with salmon soldiers and caviar.
45 Jermyn St
St James - 45 Jermyn St., London SW1 6DN
Caviar is a theatrical experience at this St James restaurant where no trip is complete with a visit from their caviar trolley. There are three options, all priced by the gram with a minimum order of 10g. Make your choice and it'll be measured out tableside along with blinis, baked new potatoes, and scrambled eggs made tableside.
Petrossian Cafe
South Kensington - 6 Fulham Rd., London SW3 6HG
With over 100 years experience in the caviar field, Petrossian's London cafe is where you can sit down and enjoy it on almost everything. There's baked potato with caviar, soft boiled egg with caviar, croque with... you guessed it. And if you love what you try you can swing by the boutique here on your way out to take some home with you.
More about the Petrossian Cafe
Le Magritte
Mayfair - 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF
On the bar menu at this chichi bar that's a moment from bustling Oxford Street yet could be anywhere in 1920s London or Paris you'll find caviar on top of the mini lobster rolls, making the perfect bar snack. But it's also served separately - choose from Beluga or Oscietra - which comes with both the traditional accompaniments and, for a difference, brown butter waffles.
Wiltons
St James - 55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX
Sit yourself up at the bar at Wiltons and surrender to the joys of this wonderfully old-school restaurant. There are three types of caviar on the a la carte menu - Royal Belgian Oscietra, Vintage Baeri and Iranian beluga. As you'd expect, it's served the classic way, with buckwheat blinis and sour cream.
Ognisko
South Kensington - 55 Exhibition Rd, London SW7 2PG
There probably aren't many more delightful places to enjoy caviar than out on the terrace at Ognisko in South Kensington. Sip vodka, enjoy and imagine what this place must have been like when Polish emigres and officers were here during the Second World War. For a budget option opt for buckwheat blinis with keta caviar. If budget's not an option then go for the Royal Oscietra caviar.
Bellamy's
Mayfair - 18 Bruton Pl, Mayfair, London W1J 6LY
When he was just 26 years old, Bellamy's owner Gavin Rankin was the world’s youngest accredited caviar dealer to sign a contract with the then Soviet Union. So you'd expect Bellamy's to be a pretty good place to try caviar and you'd be right. There are three types of caviar on offer here - Aquitaine, Oscietra and Baeri. Try 30g of Baeri Caviar with blinis and a glass of rare Belenkaya Vodka for £60 for a pitch-perfect London lunch for one.
And for something different...
Vegan caviar at Studio Gauthier
Fitzrovia - 21 Stephen Street, London W1T 1LN
Alexis Gauthier has been at the forefront of high-end vegan cuisine for the past few years and one of the key things he's brought into his restaurants is his vegan caviar. This is black kelp caviar which they marinade in a brine developed in-house and is about as close as you'll get to the real thing. Available in both Gauthier Soho and the more mid-range Studio Gauthier, something to try if you've gone vegan but occasionally have a caviar pang.
See also: newly launched Australian brand Yarra Valley Caviar (who hand milk their salmon) is now being served up in Harrods food hall and at Claude Bosi's oyster bar at Bibendum.
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