Scott's

"Scott's is proof that a restaurant can have a long, proud history and still be fashionable, glamorous and relevant. It has a terrific clubby atmosphere and if you’re in a two then the counter is a great spot. The choice of prime quality fish and shellfish is impressive." - Michelin Inspector

"When it comes to , Scott’s is a big name. This Mayfair seafood spot has been around since 1851 and its springtime flower arrangements are always a photo opp, but the truth is it’s got a bit of a stick up its arse. The crowd is usually a mix of suit-wearing regulars or families trying to have a ‘nice dinner’, and it can feel a little stiff and serious at times. Some of the fish dishes made us wide-eyed in appreciation—we’re looking at you buttery dover sole—but others made us regret paying upwards of £30 for an overly sweet piece of salmon. It’s hit and miss depending on your order, so here’s how you should play it. Get a fish that’s cooked in butter, or the deep-fried haddock for a fancy take on fish and chips. And don’t leave without trying the bramley apple pie or the banoffee cheesecake to share. They’re both excellent, and an exciting way to round off an otherwise kind-of-boring dinner. If you’re in the mood for a fancy seafood supper, the is a lot more compelling." - Rianne Shlebak

"Banoffee cheesecake “I had one of my favourite lunches ever at Scott’s Richmond last year, partly due to the stunning room with a picturesque view of the river, but mostly because of the faultless fish dishes. My experience at the original Mayfair seafood restaurant wasn’t quite as magical, up until they brought over this whole banoffee cheesecake. The menu said it’s a sharing dessert. But this thing was big enough for a five-person family. The thick, malty base was topped with a tall layer of thick, dense cream and three big chunks of caramelised banana. It was an intimidatingly good-looking dessert that cut like a cloud and tasted like a fluffy, caramel-y, biscuity mess.” - RS" - Jake Oliver, Rianne Shlebak, Sinead Cranna

"Calling Scott’s an affordable restaurant would be like calling Gemma Collins shy. It’s just not true. Before you email us, please know that we very much worship at the altar of GC hilarity, we wouldn’t have her any other way. And honestly, we wouldn’t change Scott’s either. Every city needs a seriously expensive seafood spot to trot out for anniversaries and big-deal birthdays, and this is ours. To do Scott’s properly, book a table out on the terrace, order some Dom, and be prepared to spend those big bucks. You can choose between Carlingford oysters or tempura fried ones that come with ponzu aioli, or get the mixed plate with wild boar sausages. There’s a Scott’s in Mayfair and Richmond, but the Richmond terrace has pinch-me river views. " - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Sinead Cranna

"Scott’s Richmond is a seafood restaurant that makes any meal a special occasion. The old-school glamour dining room, inside a huge white building overlooking the River Thames, is filled with two-tier chandeliers, Bernard Buffet paintings, and people posing behind a hefty plateau de fruits de mer. On a sunny day, a table overlooking the water is the best way to spend an afternoon in this city, which makes this a tad bit better than the original Mayfair spot. The experience starts with the view of the river as you walk in through the palatial double doors. And it continues with the extravagant crustacean bar you’ll walk past as you’re led to your table by the window. Always ask for a window table when booking, especially at lunch. The heavy curtains are drawn back to show what everyone’s taken the afternoon off for: the view of the river. It’s the reason you’ll take a look at the dessert menu even though you’re stuffed, and why you’ll keep the alfresco terrace front of mind come spring. Scott’s is somewhere to spend a few uninterrupted hours of indulgence. Take in the OTT room, pretend you’re on holiday while you catch a view of the water, and eat enough seafood to keep you on an omega 3 high for the rest of the week. photo credit: Johnny Stephens The menu is a love letter to the big blue sea. You’ll find oysters, caviar served with blinis and crème fraîche, and a whole dover sole that’ll make you consider turning pescatarian. Not because you no longer want to eat meat, but because you want to make things exclusive with this buttery piece of fish. There’s no technique to ordering—just pick what sounds good and chances are, it will taste even better. So you can bring your friend who needs a holiday, your hard-to-impress father in law, or even your neighbour with the nice Porsche. Just make sure whoever you bring will be down to share some warm cinnamon doughnuts so you can linger a little longer. Food Rundown Baked Spiced Crab A Spanish-influenced dish of a creamy baked crab paste, topped with toasted breadcrumbs—this is a great scoop and spread on sourdough situation to share, as it’s a little heavy for one. Butternut Squash Agnolotti The ultimate comfort pasta—the agnolotti is soft, and the squash filling is creamy and a tad sweet. It also comes in a small or large portion which is handy. Deep-fried Haddock £20 feels like a steal when you see the size of this deep-fried haddock. It’s a golden, crispy hunk of fish with chunky peas, a tangy tartare sauce, and thick-cut chips. If you manage to finish the whole fish we applaud you. Dover Sole This is hands down one of the best pieces of fish you can eat in London. Order it deboned and meunière-style. It’s buttery, so soft that it requires very minimal chewing, and is the kind of light, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a long lunch. Pair it with creamy mashed potatoes and everyone else around the table will have major food fomo. Goujons of Cornish Sole Bird’s Eye fish fingers walked so these fried Cornish sole goujons could run (and get away with charging £20). If you like fried fish—who doesn’t—you’ll like these. Cinnamon Doughnuts Unbelievably airy and fluffy, these warm little doughnuts are rolled in sugar and cinnamon—strong churros energy—and come with three dippings sauces. We’re particularly into the raspberry jam and the passion fruit curd. Bramley Apple Pie A very British way to end a very British meal, the apple pie is crispy on the outside, tangy and soft on the inside. It comes with your choice of custard or ice cream. We like to get both." - Rianne Shlebak