Royal Family's Favorite Dining Spots Revealed: From Gastropubs to Fine Dining
Members of the British Royal Family have diverse culinary preferences, ranging from casual burger joints to upscale restaurants and traditional pubs.
While the public may associate the Royal Family with grand banquets and formal state dinners, many members have demonstrated a fondness for more down-to-earth dining experiences. Their preferences span from beloved British pubs and fast-food chains to sophisticated international cuisine.
Prince William has openly expressed his appreciation for traditional British pubs, viewing them as crucial community hubs. He has made unannounced visits to establishments like The Prince of Peckham in south London to support these local businesses. During these visits, he has not only pulled pints but also spoken about the importance of pubs as the 'glue and fabric' of communities. He also visited Windsor's Two Brewers pub and the Walnut Tree Inn in Mere, Wiltshire, where a burger he ordered was renamed in his honor. In 2023, he and Kate, the Princess of Wales, visited the historic Dog and Duck pub in Soho, where William humorously noted his limited experience in pulling pints compared to drinking them.
Prince Harry, despite his royal upbringing, is known to favor casual dining, particularly burger chains. He and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have been seen patronizing In-N-Out Burger, with Meghan noting that the staff there know their order. Harry's preferred order is reportedly a Double Double, fries, and a Coke, while Meghan opts for a cheeseburger, fries, and jalapeños. Before his move to California, Harry was also a regular at The HollyWood Arms pub in Chelsea and enjoyed meals at Sticky Fingers restaurant. The UK chain Nando's was another favorite, with Harry reportedly ordering the mild lemon and herb chicken. Even during the birth of Prince Archie in 2019, Harry was said to have eaten Nando's chicken.
Meghan Markle, on the other hand, has shown a penchant for more luxurious dining establishments. While living in Montecito, she frequented the Italian restaurant Tre Lune, known for its expensive menu. She has also been seen at Gracias Madre, a Mexican restaurant, and New York's upscale The Polo Bar. Her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, listed favorites like Rubirosa and Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant. Upon her return to the UK, she has dined at Claridge's in Mayfair for afternoon tea with Malala Yousafzai, an experience costing £95 per person.
Princess Diana was known for her love of Italian cuisine. She was a loyal patron of San Lorenzo in Knightsbridge, which closed in 2022, and La Famiglia in Chelsea. She was photographed at La Famiglia with Prince William just weeks before her death in 1997. Other notable spots for Diana included Launceston Place, Da Maro, L'Escargot, and the Hotel Cafe Royal.
King Charles and Queen Camilla made their first public appearance as a couple at The Ritz Hotel in London, a venue known to be a favorite of the King's and one of the few establishments to hold a royal warrant for its catering services. King Charles is also a fan of Mount St. Restaurant and formerly frequented Brilliant Restaurant in Southall.
Queen Elizabeth II was most famously associated with Bellamy's in Mayfair, an upscale French brasserie. She also made history in 1956 by dining at Quaglino's with Prince Philip and the Queen Mother, becoming the first reigning monarch to eat in a public restaurant. She also dined at The Ivy and, with Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra, at Bellamy's.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been seen at exclusive London venues such as Mount St. Restaurant and Isabel's in Mayfair. They have also patronized luxury steakhouses and restaurants like Eel Sushi Bar and Dorian in Notting Hill.