LUNCH AT 116 AT THE ATHENAEUM: MAYFAIR DINING WITH A WELCOMING TOUCH
Saturday 22nd August 2026
116 at The Athenaeum | Image credit: The Athenaeum
116 at The Athenaeum is a perfect example of a family-run, family-focused restaurant done right. Set inside the opulent five-star hotel, just opposite Green Park, you couldn’t ask for a better location. A plaque as you enter tells you that Jimi Hendrix stayed in this very place, reminding you that The Athenaeum takes its artistic roots very seriously.
Yet in spite of its luxurious surroundings, the service remains friendly and down to earth. Staff are wonderfully accommodating of families, going the extra mile to make both adults and children feel welcome and comfortable. During our visit, we saw children being treated with genuine warmth and care, with staff taking the time to smile, chat and make sure younger guests were happy. Perhaps this should be no surprise in a hotel that boasts its own dedicated kids’ concierge, but nevertheless, the effort was touching.
The food is traditional European fare done well. This is not somewhere to come if you are feeling restrained, as the menu has no shortage of temptations. The melt-in-the-mouth bone marrow with caramelised onions is a particular highlight, as is the indulgent Cornish lobster linguine. Even the sourdough comes with generous lashings of garlic butter. This is pure comfort food, which will definitely hit the spot as the weather (finally) turns colder.
The menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the best southern England has to offer. 116 is proud of the relationships it has built with its suppliers, and it shows. Cheeses, shellfish and meat all have distinctly English provenance. Efforts have also been made to highlight sustainability on the menu, showing that even traditionalists can still be forward-thinking.
The drinks menu is just as enticing, with a range of choices for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. The Noughty rosé made a welcome change from some of the more saccharine alcohol-free options on the market, giving a wonderfully crisp accompaniment to lunch.
Green Park, 116 at The Athenaeum is wonderfully placed for everything from a relaxed family lunch to a polished working lunch or an evening meal. The setting strikes the perfect balance between smart and welcoming, while the exceptional location makes it an easy choice whether you’re in Mayfair for business, meeting friends or enjoying time with family. With attentive, genuinely warm service and a menu that delivers on both comfort and quality, it’s a restaurant we’d happily return to for any occasion.
