The Fortnum’s Bar & Restaurant located in the al fresco-style courtyard of “The Royal Exchange”, reminding of the relaxed atmosphere of an open-air café.Fortnum & Mason has just three restaurants in London — on Piccadilly, at St Pancras, and here, inside The Royal Exchange — the former Royal London Stock Exchange. It was founded back in 1566(!) and once served as a meeting place for traders, bankers, and brokers. The building burned down twice, including during the Great Fire of London, but was rebuilt each time.Since I wanted to surprise my relatives with some interesting (read: Instagrammable) spots, I picked this one mostly for its interior and atmosphere.So, what about the food?-Whole Dover Sole, filleted right in front of you — excellent. The sauce, with its flavour of toasted breadcrumbs and caramelised sugar, instantly brought back childhood memories. Approved! Always love discovering new and unusual flavours.-Mushroom Soup — simply outstanding, as was its live presentation.-Fallow Deer & Pork Terrine — an interesting and well-balanced cold appetiser.-And of course, their signature smoked salmon — everything above I can safely recommend.-The only disappointment was the Scotch Egg — ironically, Fortnum & Mason are considered its official creators (not Scotland, as you might think). It’s one of my favourite British snacks, but here it tasted a bit sour and felt dried out.For the atmosphere, decor, and decent food — it’s definitely worth a visit.A place where history, aesthetics, and gastronomy meet — right in the heart of the City
Written November 5, 2025