The coronation guide: Where to eat and drink to celebrate King Charles III in the UK

1. Live like a king in a royal-inspired hotel stay

Dukes London

1/5

Luxury hotel Dukes London has launched their Royal Connoisseur Experience (from £2,345 for two nights) which includes spectacular dining, cocktails, and in-room favours, including monogrammed crown slippers, that are designed to reflect the new monarch’s tastes.

The hotel is located in the heart of elegant St. James’s Mayfair, which contains the most senior royal palace, the expansive lawns of Green Park, and fine shopping embodied by historic Hatchard’s, Fortnum & Mason, and outlets of some of the finest British brands in the capital.

The two-night-stay package includes private access to some of the most prestigious Royal Warrant Holders – tradespeople who supply goods or services to the royal court – including wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd, where guests will receive a bottle of The King’s Ginger Liqueur.

The package also includes a four-course dinner created by Nigel Mendham, Executive Chef at Great British Restaurant (GBR). The menu includes local delights such as cured salmon from acclaimed smokery H Forman & Son’s London, which is carved tableside, along with classic beef Wellington, and Earl Grey tea panna cotta.

The “Royal Breakfast” comes with Exmoor salted caviar and a glass of Champagne, and guests can enjoy an in- traditional cream tea served on fine China with a silver tea set.

A highlight to any visit to Dukes is a martini served up legendary bartender Alessandro Palazzi in the internationally acclaimed Dukes Bar. Make it a gin martini – King Charles’ choice.

2. Say cheers with locally made martini

Christina's

2/5

Another choice spot to indulge in King Charles’ favoured gin martini is on the other side of the city, in East London, which offers some of the most cutting edge dining and drinking in the country.

For an afternoon tipple or pre-dinner drink, stop by at cocktail bar Christina’s in Shoreditch to try their special coronation-inspired gin martini(£16). It is made with Hepple gin, which is produced in the heart of Northumberland in North East England using locally sourced botanicals.

Christina’s focuses on sustainability and wild ingredients, and showcases British artisans, such as small-batch vermouth and London-based sake producers. They also offer natural wines, craft beers and coffee.

3. Indulge in afternoon tea

The Castle Hotel Windsor

3/5

Afternoon tea has been a classic British tradition for almost 200 years, and no visit to the UK would be complete without experiencing the dainty elegance of cucumber sandwiches cut into perfect rectangles, freshly baked sweet treats and a pot of fine tea. And where more appropriate to celebrate the coronation than in Windsor, the home of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.

The Castle Hotel Windsor, which is just three minutes’ walk from the castle and has been there since 1528, is offering a commemorative Coronation Afternoon Tea(£35/ S$57 per person plus £11/ S$19 per glass of house Champagne). Tempting tidbits include a Royal Coronation chicken pinwheel wrap, roasted beef and horseradish sandwiches, freshly baked scones with homemade jam, and Battenberg cake, believed to be a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II. The delicacies are served on a bespoke crown stand, designed as a tribute to the late queen and the new king.

Tea is from Darvilles of Windsor, who have supplied and blended tea since 1860 and hold a Royal Warrant. Varieties on offer include Darjeeling, His Majesty’s favourite tea, Darjeeling, which he takes with milk and honey.

A glass of sparkling wine is included, or guests can opt for a refreshing garden spritz or rosemary-infused botanical gin and tonic – a nod to his majesty’s love for gardening.

Another popular afternoon tea haunt in London is Grosvenor House, located in the chic Mayfair district, and known for hosting King George VI's coronation ball in 1937. In honor of this national celebration, the hotel is offering a variety of sweet and savory treats made with British ingredients or recipes every day until 11 May. Guests can enjoy classic scones with Devonshire clotted cream, or try an English sparkling wine granita. If they prefer, they can toast the occasion with a glass of Sussex sparkling wine, or sample the Royal Cocktail at Covent Garden Hotel, made with Darjeeling infused whisky, Cointreau, lemon, and English sparkling wine.

Meanwhile, the Ruben at the Palace, situated just a stone's throw from Victoria underground station, has taken inspiration from the tastes of Charles III for their special menu which runs until the 1st of August. This includes incorporating truffles, as the monarch is well known for his love of mushroom-picking at Balmoral Castle.

The Lane restaurant at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is also featuring a unique twist on the classic Coronation Chicken, with a pie version, till 10 May.

Chefs across London are also utilizing local ingredients like Welsh lamb in creative ways, such as serving it as part of a scotch egg at Fortnum & Mason, the luxury department store. Their coronation menu and hampers will be available on their website for order until 6 May.

4. All hail the ale

Windsor and Eton Brewery

4/5

King Charles’ love for all things green, and his passionate support of the environment, has inspired another Windsor-based tribute, but one that is available across the country. Windsor And Eton Brewery has created their organic Coronation Ale, called Return of the King (£5 per pint), which is brewed with barley grown at the Royal Farm in Windsor, English and New Zealand hops, and wheat.

The ale’s label features an iconic photograph of King Charles reworked by renowned London portrait artist Martin Jessup. His Majesty is shown sitting relaxed in ceremonial uniform surrounded by the birds, butterflies, and bees of his beloved British countryside.

The golden hued ale is available in pubs across the country, and at the Brewery Taproom at on Duke Street. Visitors can join brewery tours every Saturday at 12.30pm and 15pm and alternating Wednesdays at 18.30pm.

 

5. Make a pitstop at this fish restaurant in Scotland

Fish Shop

5/5

Just before Fish Shop officially opened at the end of April, staff were delighted to have a surprise visit from King Charles & Queen Camilla. The fish-focused restaurant and fishmongers is in Ballater, just east of the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. It is the closest village to Balmoral Estate – the Scottish home of the Royal Family.

While many would expect a fish restaurant to serve the quintessentially British dish of fish and chips, Fish Shop takes a different approach: community health is part of its sustainability ethics, and as there is already a business in the village selling fish and chips, they chose not to. They do not sell coffee either, as they are keen to support the local coffee shop. Perhaps this sustainable approach to community life is what caught the King’s attention.

Fish Shop stocks only sustainably sourced fish from day and short-trip boats, plus creel-caught and hand-dived crustaceans. All meat is free-range and, along with vegetables, is sourced from surrounding farms and estates. Dishes such as velvet crab soup, Cape Wrath oysters and Shetland mussels celebrate the seasonal best from Scotland and the British Isles.

Visitors heading up to the Scottish Highlands may be tempted to stop by this new Royal favourite, and perhaps be lucky enough to spot a famous personage or two.

 

Additional reporting by Bérangère Chatelain/AFP