Few restaurant openings have caused as much anticipation as Carbone London. The cult New York dining room, famous for its red sauce swagger and celebrity clientele, has finally landed in Mayfair — and it has brought its attitude with it.
Housed inside The Chancery Rosewood, Carbone feels like an ode to old school glamour. Burgundy leather booths curve beneath gold chandeliers, white jacketed waiters glide through the haze of martinis, and every table seems to hum with theatre. It is loud, cinematic, and deliciously self aware.
The menu is as unapologetic as the décor. Dishes are classics, executed with confident extravagance: spicy rigatoni vodka, rich and perfectly balanced; veal parmigiana, served with crisped edges and molten cheese; lobster fra diavolo, a signature spectacle that easily feeds two. The tableside Caesar salad remains the showpiece, tossed with precision and flair before a waiting audience.
Starters average £25 to £40, while mains range from £45 for pasta dishes to £120 for premium seafood or steaks. A glass of house wine begins around £18, while cocktails are a confident £22 and up. Expect to spend around £180 to £250 per head, depending on the level of indulgence.
Bookings can be made directly through The Chancery Rosewood or by contacting the restaurant’s reservation team. Prime weekend slots fill weeks in advance, while weekday evenings tend to move quickly as well. There is also a lively bar area for walk ins, ideal for a martini and a plate of rigatoni.
The service is part of the spectacle. Waiters deliver dishes with charisma and rhythm, anticipating needs before they are voiced. It is a performance wrapped in hospitality; grand, sometimes outrageous, always entertaining.
Carbone London is not subtle. It is not meant to be. It is dinner as theatre, pasta as performance. Some critics will call it too loud or too self aware, but that misses the point. This is a restaurant designed for those who crave atmosphere, excess, and energy. It is where deals are toasted, friendships are celebrated, and every night feels like opening night.
