Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal Review 2026: Brilliant 2-Michelin-Star Mayfair Honest Verdict

This Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal review by London Reviews is the most thorough independent assessment available of Regent Street’s two-Michelin-starred dining room — Alex Dilling’s elegant 34-cover French gastronomic kitchen on the first floor of the historic Hotel Café Royal, the youngest two-star kitchen in London.

Last updated: 1 May 2026 — Independently researched and written by the London Reviews editorial team.

Looking for an honest Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal review? Below we cover both menus, signature dishes, what regulars love, and how to book.

Table of Contents

1. At a Glance
2. Introduction
3. Location & Getting There
4. First Impressions
5. The Menu
6. Pricing & Value
7. Diner Review Analysis
8. What Diners Love
9. Areas for Consideration
10. Who It’s Best For
11. How to Book
12. FAQs
13. Verdict
14. Summary Rating

At a Glance

Introduction: Why We Chose Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal is the youngest restaurant on London’s two-star list and earned its second star in record time — six months from opening to two stars at the 2023 Michelin Guide ceremony. Dilling himself is among the most distinguished young chefs working in London. He spent eight years as head chef at Hélène Darroze at the Connaught (helping it retain two stars), and previously cooked at Le Meurice in Paris and Cracco in Milan.

The restaurant sits on the first floor of Hotel Café Royal — the historic Regent Street hotel that was once home to Oscar Wilde’s Domino Room. The dining room is small (34 covers), formal but not stuffy, and overlooks Regent Street through Crittall windows. Cooking is explicitly classical French gastronomic, with extensive use of luxury ingredients (caviar, white truffle, foie gras, langoustine).

We chose to review Alex Dilling because it represents the most classical of London’s two-star rooms. We have read the Michelin Guide, AA, TripAdvisor, Andy Hayler, Hardens, The Infatuation. (See also our reviews of London’s three-star restaurants.)

Location & Getting There

The dining room is on the first floor of Hotel Café Royal at the corner of Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus. Entry is via the hotel’s main reception or directly from Glasshouse Street.

By Tube

• Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo, Piccadilly lines) — 2 minutes’ walk.
• Oxford Circus (Bakerloo, Central, Victoria lines) — 5 minutes’ walk north.
• Leicester Square (Northern, Piccadilly lines) — 6 minutes’ walk east.

First Impressions & Atmosphere

The dining room is one of the most elegantly decorated in London — Carrara marble, brass detailing, soft cream and dove-grey walls, banquette seating along Crittall windows that overlook Regent Street. The space was designed by David Collins Studio and Sybil Colefax & John Fowler. At 34 covers it is among the smallest two-star rooms in London, which gives the room a hushed, library-like quality.

Service is formal but warm, led by senior front-of-house with classical French training. Pacing across the 10-course tasting runs 2.5-3 hours.

The Menu

10-Course Tasting (£215)

The flagship dinner tasting walks through Dilling’s most accomplished current preparations. Recent menus have featured a caviar tartlet (the signature opener), foie gras with seasonal fruit, langoustine with shellfish bisque, line-caught turbot with hollandaise, pigeon en croûte (the most-celebrated main), pre-dessert cheese, and a chocolate-and-hazelnut tart for dessert.

7-Course Tasting (£175)

Available at both lunch and dinner. A condensed version of the 10-course but featuring the same signature openers and main course.

Lunch (£105, 3 courses)

The most accessible entry point. A genuine bargain at two-star level — three courses for £105 represents some of the best fine-dining value in London.

Wine

The list runs to approximately 600 bins with strong Champagne and Burgundy. Pairings start at £125.

Pricing & Value for Money

Alex Dilling is the best-priced two-star room in central London. £105 for the three-course lunch is genuinely exceptional value at this Michelin tier — comparable to many one-star lunch menus. The £215 10-course tasting is also competitive given the calibre of ingredients and service.

What Diners Actually Say

TripAdvisor 4.8/5 from 600+ reviews; The Infatuation calls it “the most polished new room in London”; Andy Hayler 17/20; Hardens top-tier London score.

What Diners Love Most

1. The caviar tartlet. The signature opener — a small triumph of pastry-and-caviar economy.
2. Pigeon en croûte. The signature main course — pigeon and foie gras encased in golden puff pastry.
3. The £105 lunch. Best two-star lunch value in London.
4. 34-cover intimacy. The smallest room means tables feel personally attended.
5. Service polish. Classical French formality executed warmly.
6. The dining room itself. Among London’s most elegant.
7. Speed of two stars. Six months from opening — a Michelin record for a new room.
8. Wine programme. Champagne depth is exceptional.

Areas for Consideration

1. 34 covers means competitive booking. 6+ weeks lead time for weekends.
2. Formality may feel imposing for first-time fine-diners.
3. Limited à la carte flexibility. Tasting menus dominate the offering.
4. Vegetarian options on request only.

Who Is Alex Dilling Best For?

✅ Particularly good for:

• Lovers of classical French gastronomic cooking
• Diners who prefer intimate rooms over grand ones
• The £105 lunch as best two-star value in London
• Wine enthusiasts (particularly Champagne)
• Couples celebrating an occasion

⚠️ Less suitable for:

• Diners seeking experimental or fusion cooking
• Last-minute bookings
• Strict vegetarians

Booking & How to Visit

1. Book direct at alexdilling.com or via OpenTable.
2. £75 per person deposit; refundable up to 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal

How many Michelin stars does Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal hold?

Two Michelin stars, awarded in March 2023 — six months after opening, the fastest two-star award for a new restaurant in Michelin Guide UK history.

How much does dinner cost at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal?

10-course tasting £215. 7-course tasting £175. Three-course lunch £105. Wine pairings from £125.

What is the signature dish at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal?

The caviar tartlet (signature opener) and pigeon en croûte (signature main).

Who is Alex Dilling?

Alex Dilling spent eight years as head chef at Hélène Darroze at the Connaught before opening his own room. Previously at Le Meurice (Paris) and Cracco (Milan).

How far in advance should I book Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal?

3-6 weeks for weekday dinner; 6-8 weeks for weekend evening; lunch generally easier.

How do I get to Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal by Tube?

2-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo, Piccadilly). Address: 68 Regent Street, W1B 4DY (1st floor).

London Reviews Verdict on Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal is the most polished new room in London. Six months from opening to two Michelin stars set a record, and the kitchen has held its standard remarkably steadily since. The £105 three-course lunch is the best two-star value in London. The dining room is among the city’s most elegant. For a celebration that demands classical French precision rather than experimental cooking, this is the right pick.

Related London Reviews

• Sketch Lecture Room Review — 3 Michelin Stars
• Hélène Darroze at the Connaught — 3 Michelin Stars
• A. Wong Pimlico Review — 2 Michelin Stars
• Restaurant Gordon Ramsay Review

Summary Rating

Disclaimer: Cross-referenced from Michelin, Andy Hayler, AA, TripAdvisor, The Infatuation, Hardens, OpenTable. London Reviews accepts no payment from venues.