Sketch London

Sketch is a sprawling, multi-room restaurant and bar complex occupying an early 18th-century townhouse in Mayfair. Opened in 2002 by restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and chef Pierre Gagnaire, it has become one of London's most talked-about dining destinations — not just for the food, but for its sheer commitment to creating an environment unlike anything else in the city. Each room is a completely different world, designed by a different artist or designer, making the building feel more like an installation than a conventional restaurant.

The experience depends heavily on which room you visit. The Parlour is a pink-drenched, Instagram-famous all-day dining room with cushioned banquettes and afternoon tea. The Lecture Room & Library holds two Michelin stars and delivers Pierre Gagnaire's elaborate French tasting menus in a jewel-box setting. The Gallery — the most photographed room — glows in a blush pink palette designed by India Mahdavi, with David Shrigley artworks covering every wall. The Glade feels like dining inside an enchanted forest. And then there are the toilets: egg-shaped pods in a futuristic white atrium that people genuinely queue to see. Sketch also runs late into the night on weekends, transitioning into a cocktail bar and live music venue.

Practically speaking, you need to book well in advance — particularly for the Gallery and Lecture Room, which fill up fast. Afternoon tea in the Parlour is the most accessible entry point and excellent value relative to comparable London experiences. Don't go expecting a quiet, understated meal; Sketch is deliberately maximalist and performative. That's exactly the point.