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Cornus

restaurantsā€¢
London
London

Cornus

27c Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF, United Kingdom

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Christoff's Take

Insider review

In a city drowning in overhyped restaurants, Cornus has quietly earned its stripes with a Michelin star in the 2025 guide and Best Newcomer at The Belgravia awards. What sets this Modern European spot apart isn't just the accoladesā€”it's Executive Chef Gary Foulkes' approach to making Michelin-level dining feel refreshingly unpretentious.

Cornus: Belgravia's Michelin-Starred Newcomer That's Actually Worth the Hype

Where accessible luxury meets serious culinary credentials in SW1

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Cornus strikes that rare balance between sophistication and approachability that so many Belgravia establishments fumble. The venue scores an impressive 9.5/10 for sophistication while maintaining a relatively calm energy level at 3.5/10ā€”think refined conversation over theatrical dining theatre. The space is designed for intimate experiences (4.0/10 on group size scale) yet remains conversation-friendly enough at 7.0/10 to actually enjoy your dinner companion's company. What I appreciate most is the 'unpretentiously posh' approachā€”smart-dressed staff deliver friendly, relaxed service without the stuffiness that plagues many Michelin-starred venues. The wheelchair accessibility is confirmed, showing thoughtful design beyond just aesthetics. The overall vibe leans heavily toward special occasions and date nights, but the walk-ins welcome policy suggests they're not completely up themselves about reservations.

Food & Drink

Gary Foulkes' Modern European cuisine with French influence showcases the kind of precise, vibrant cookery that justifies the Michelin recognition. The focus on seasonal British and European produce feels genuine rather than buzzword-driven, ranking 16th in Squaremeal's top 100 London restaurants and earning spots on OpenTable's Top 100 UK list and La Liste's World's best 1000. Head Pastry Chef Kelly Cullen's desserts span from comforting classics to exciting new conceptsā€”a range that suggests real creativity rather than just technical showboating. Wine Director Melania Battiston's global wine pairings add another layer of sophistication to the experience. The seasonal menu approach means you're getting ingredients at their peak, though it also means you can't rely on finding that perfect dish from your last visit. The cuisine clearly targets the wine-focused, special-occasion crowd, but the execution appears to live up to the considerable hype surrounding this newcomer.

Service & Experience

The service philosophy at Cornus seems refreshingly grounded for a Michelin-starred establishment. Staff are described as friendly and relaxed while maintaining smart dress standardsā€”suggesting they've found that sweet spot between professionalism and warmth. The fact that walk-ins are welcome speaks volumes about their confidence and flexibility, unusual for a venue of this calibre. Wine Director Melania Battiston's involvement suggests serious attention to beverage service and pairing expertise. However, with opening hours limited to Monday-Saturday (closed Sundays) and specific lunch/dinner service windows, they're clearly operating within structured parameters that might not suit everyone's schedule.

Value for Money

Here's where Cornus gets interesting from a value perspective. Yes, it's premium pricing at level 3/4, with Ć  la carte running Ā£110 for three courses and the tasting menu hitting Ā£185. But the set lunch at Ā£55 for three courses (or Ā£75 for six) represents genuine accessibility to Michelin-level cooking. This pricing strategy suggests they're serious about being more than just another special-occasion splurge. When you consider the Michelin star, the ranking credentials, and the calibre of the team, the lunch pricing particularly stands out as fair value. The dinner pricing sits where you'd expect for this level of dining in Belgravia, but it's the lunch option that makes this place genuinely accessible rather than purely aspirational.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Target lunch service for the best value-to-experience ratio, particularly midweek when you're more likely to snag a walk-in table. Dinner service runs 6pm-10pm Monday-Saturday, but book ahead for evening slots given the limited seating and growing reputation.

What to Focus On

The set lunch menu at Ā£55 for three courses offers the best entry point to experience Gary Foulkes' cooking without the full financial commitment. Focus on seasonal offerings and don't skip the wine pairings from Melania Battiston's carefully curated selection.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book the Ā£55 set lunch to experience Michelin-level cooking at a fraction of dinner pricesā€”it's the worst-kept secret among London food insidersWalk-ins are genuinely welcome, unusual for a Michelin-starred venue, so try your luck if you're in the areaThe restaurant is closed Sundays, so don't make that weekend planning mistake

The Final Verdict

Cornus represents something increasingly rare in London's dining scene: a Michelin-starred restaurant that feels genuinely welcoming rather than intimidatingly precious. The combination of Gary Foulkes' precise Modern European cooking, thoughtful wine direction, and that crucial set lunch option creates a venue that works for both special occasions and accessible luxury dining. While the dinner pricing sits firmly in special-occasion territory, the lunch offering democratizes the experience without compromising quality. The early accoladesā€”Michelin star, Best Newcomer, top restaurant rankingsā€”suggest this isn't just opening hype but sustained excellence. Located at 27c Eccleston Place in prime Belgravia, it's positioned to become a neighbourhood institution rather than just a destination restaurant.

Christoff's Rating:
8.7/10

Perfect For:

couples seeking sophisticated date night diningfood enthusiasts wanting accessible Michelin experiencebusiness lunch crowd looking for impressive but relaxed venues

Quick Details

1

Cornus

ā­ Michelin starred
šŸ¢ Modern european
ā­ļø Belgravia location
ā­ļø Walk ins welcome
šŸ· Wine focused

Belgravia's newest Michelin Star winner earned its accolade in the 2025 guide alongside Best Newcomer at The Belgravia awards, establishing Executive Chef Gary Foulkes as one of London's most exciting culinary talents. This intimate restaurant showcases Modern European cuisine with French influences, transforming seasonal British and European produce through precise, vibrant cookery techniques. Head Pastry Chef Kelly Cullen's desserts range from comforting classics to innovative concepts, while Wine Director Melania Battiston provides expertly curated global pairings. The atmosphere remains refreshingly unpretentious despite the accolades, with friendly service and smart-dressed staff creating an approachable fine dining experience. Walk-ins are welcome, making Michelin-starred dining surprisingly accessible in one of London's most exclusive neighborhoods.

What's Great

āœ“ Michelin Star restaurant with Executive Chef Gary Foulkes showcasing precise Modern European cuisine

āœ“ Offers accessible lunch options at Ā£55 for 3 courses alongside premium tasting menu experiences

Keep in Mind

Ɨ Premium pricing with dinner averaging Ā£110-185 per person making it less accessible for casual dining

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Lowkey pro tip: book the set lunch at Ā£55 for 3 courses to experience Michelin-level cooking without the full dinner price tag!

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

šŸ•"Mon-Sat: 12pm-3pm & 6pm-10pm, Sun: Closed"
šŸ“27c Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF, United Kingdom
šŸ’·Ā£Ā£Ā£Ā£
šŸŒWebsite

Featured In My Guides

Cornus has been featured in 2 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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