There are some places in London that sit on your “must try soon” list for quite a while. For us, The Lavery was definitely one of them.
On previous visits to South Kensington, we had already discovered The Lavery Café downstairs and had stopped in for coffee and a light bite.
Each time we found ourselves looking upstairs and saying, “We really should come back and try the restaurant.” So on our latest visit to the area, we finally did exactly that.
Even better, we discovered that the restaurant is dog-friendly, which instantly makes planning a visit much easier when exploring London with George and Lulu.
The Location
The Lavery sits on Cromwell Place, a beautiful cluster of historic Georgian townhouses just a short stroll from South Kensington’s famous museums. It’s the sort of quiet, elegant corner of London that feels slightly removed from the busy museum crowds despite being only minutes away from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum.
Cromwell Place itself has been transformed into a cultural hub filled with galleries and creative spaces, making it a fitting home for a restaurant that feels both artistic and refined.
The Setting
Dining at The Lavery feels a little like being invited into a beautifully restored townhouse rather than a traditional restaurant.
The dining room is located on the first floor, reached via a grand staircase that immediately sets the tone.
Once upstairs, the room opens into an elegant but relaxed space filled with natural light. High ceilings, tall sash windows and classic architectural details give the room plenty of character, while the interiors remain clean and understated.
Marble fireplaces, mirrors and soft neutral colours create a calm, almost gallery-like atmosphere, perfectly in keeping with the artistic setting of Cromwell Place.
Despite the elegant surroundings, the overall feeling is welcoming and comfortable rather than formal, which makes it easy to settle in and enjoy a leisurely dinner.
The Menu
Led by chef Yohei Furuhashi, The Lavery restaurant serves modern Mediterranean cooking inspired by seasonal produce.
Rather than complicated or overly elaborate dishes, the kitchen lets the ingredients take centre stage. Depending on the season, the menu might include dishes such as:
- Fresh vegetable starters highlighting the best seasonal produce
- Handmade pasta such as pappardelle with slow-cooked rabbit
- Fish dishes served with herbs, beans or light sauces
- Elegant desserts, including chocolate mousse or fruit tarts
It’s the kind of menu that feels refined without being fussy, and perfectly suited to a long, relaxed lunch.
A Dog-Friendly Bonus
One of the nicest surprises was discovering that dogs are welcome in the restaurant. It’s always great to find places in London where you can enjoy a good meal without having to leave your four-legged companions at home.
George and Lulu, as well as Miuccia were more than happy to settle in while we enjoyed a tete-a-tete with Jacqui, always a good sign of a comfortable, relaxed restaurant.
Set within a historic townhouse surrounded by galleries, it’s a place that fits perfectly into a day spent exploring South Kensington.
And now that we’ve finally ticked it off our list, it’s safe to say The Lavery is somewhere we’ll happily return to.
The Lavery – First Floor, 4 Cromwell Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 2JE
