Discover why a Derby resident made a two-hour journey to experience The Dover, London's most beautiful restaurant as crowned by the Good Food Guide Awards 2025.

The Dover London has been crowned Most Beautiful Restaurant by Good Food Guide Awards this year.

The announcement on February 3, 2025 did not come as a surprise to me.

What would have been a culinary curve ball was if it didn’t scoop the award.

The Mayfair restaurant on Dover Street has been garnering rave reviews over the past year.

It is also the subject of online chatter fuelled no doubt by starry patrons such as Pedro Pascal.

Based on Dover Street, the stunning bar is luxe and gorgeous. You can travel from Derby to London and be at The Dover, door to door, within two hours. | Ria Ghei

I love a good glitzy bar. I could not ignore the pull of The Dover’s cosy, elegant decor augmented by dimmed lights and soft sepia toned decor in honey and latte notes.

Get the latest updates - follow us on our Facebook page

I had dinner plans I was unable to get out of, so alas I didn’t get to din there, but I had to stop by for a few drinks.

It is a beautiful restaurant, if it entered a beauty pageant it would be crowned king.

The Dover is a New York Italian bar and restaurant serving dishes such as hot penne arrabbiata, lobster bisque ravioli, ribeye and Dover Sole.

The drinks menu became my new best friend, featuring classics such as martini (Vesper), Manhattan, French 75 and more.

I love whisky and so the Old Fashioned was my tipple of choice throughout the evening.

We had Old Fashioned and Dirty Martini cocktails (£18 each) | Ria Ghei

I thoroughly enjoyed malted notes of the Makers Mark Bourbon, whilst generous flicks of aromatic bitters brought drama to the palate.

Stunning scenery aside, The Dover’s stellar service is jaw-dropping.

Attentive yet discrete, chummy (you will walk out thinking you’ve made a friend for life) yet exceedingly professional, the staff operate in a league of their own.

The Dover is a two-hour journey from Derby city centre and I would happily make that journey again, just to relive that wonderful bar experience.

East Midlands Railway operates a 90-minute service from Derby to London St Pancras. Thereafter an approximate 30-minute journey consisting of a Brixton-bound Victoria Line Tube service and short 7 minute walk means you could be sipping Old Fashioneds just two hours after leaving Derby. It is the ideal way I think, to usher in the weekend.

Location: The Dover, 33 Dover Street, London W1S 4NF

For more information click here: thedoverrestaurant.com

Why I travelled two hours from Derby to visit the UK's most beautiful restaurant

Comment Guidelines