Venue Snapshot

Name:

The May Fair Kitchen

Location:

https://www.thekitchensrestaurants.co.uk/may-fair-kitchen

Visit date:

14th January 2026

Type (restaurant / café / pub / bar etc.):

Restaurant Hotel

How we booked/found it:

Direct as part of our Hotel Visit

Getting There

Parking:

Parking is off-site, as expected for this part of London

Ease of finding:

The restaurant is easy to locate, positioned just to the left of the hotel reception upon entry. 

Accessibility (steps, ramps, loos, prams, dogs):

Accessibility ramps are available, making entry straightforward for guests with mobility needs.

First Impressions

Décor & vibe:

The décor is modern and polished, very much in keeping with the May Fair Hotel’s understated luxury. 

Atmosphere & crowd:

On our visit, the atmosphere was calm and subdued, with a relatively quiet dining room occupied mainly by well-heeled Londoners and hotel guests.

Welcome on arrival:

The welcome was genuinely warm and professional. A strong start.

What We Ordered

Food & drink ordered:

We began with two cocktails: a Passion Fruit Cocktail and an Osaka Royale, both attractively presented and well made. The food was an Omakase – 6 course tasting menu. Pairing option was not offered. The courses included a tuna sashimi, beef tartare, baby chicken, black cod and a yoghurt/ice cream dessert.

Presentation:

Nicely presented

Flavour & quality notes:

In terms of flavour, the experience was mixed. While the quality of the ingredients was evident, several accompanying sauces were overly assertive. This was particularly noticeable with the black cod dish, where a sharp, vinegar-forward sauce dominated the plate and masked the delicacy of the fish rather than enhancing it.

Cost (incl. any service charge):

At £247 in total (including drinks and a 15% service charge), expectations are understandably high. While the setting and service were strong, the pacing of the meal and overpowering sauces detracted from what should have been a more balanced and memorable tasting experience. One other little thing – disposable wooden chopsticks! Simply a No!

Staff & Service

Friendliness:

Service was friendly, polished, and efficient, perhaps too efficient. Courses arrived in quick succession, leaving little breathing space to properly enjoy each dish.

Speed & attentiveness:

Our server, Reshma, was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout, though the overall pace of service occasionally felt rushed rather than relaxed.

Knowledge & recommendations:

The Omakase menu itself wasn’t actively recommended and appeared almost as an afterthought at the bottom of the menu, which felt slightly at odds with its premium positioning.

Anyone to mention by name/role:

Reshma was our server who was kind, attentive, if not a little too efficient on occasions.

Facilities & Practicalities

Toilets (cleanliness, accessibility):

Easily accessible and very clean

Seating comfort:

Perfectly fine

Noise levels:

Quiet – Not many clientele in there

Outdoor space / extras:

Value for Money

Rating (1–5 stars):

★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Why this rating?

Some of the accompanying sauces overpowered the main ingredient. Little time between courses to rest and enjoy.

Insider Tips

Best tables/areas:

Those further from the entrance offer a more secluded, relaxed feel

Must-order items:

The Omakase menu (with the caveat below)

What to avoid:

The black cod dish — the sauce overwhelms the fish

Best times to visit:

Early evening, before the dining room fills

The Verdict

What we loved:

The sheer convenience if you’re staying at the May Fair Hotel, and the polished, professional service.

What we didn’t:

The rushed pacing, lack of restraint in some flavour pairings and wooden chopsticks – Come on – This is supposed to be ‘higher end’ dining – Not with cheap disposable items like that, it isn’t!!

Would we return (yes/no & why):

No. If we’re craving Japanese cuisine, we’d opt for a specialist Japanese restaurant that allows the ingredients, and the experience, more room to breathe.

Overall Rating

Overall rating (1–5 stars):

★★★☆☆ (3/5)