Great British Menu’s Michael O’Hare Creates Jaguar’s Knightsbridge Café

It’s been a busy week for Jaguar, with the debut of the rather slick and much-hyped Type 01, its new all-electric four-door grand tourer, designed, engineered and built in Britain. With a low roofline and long bonnet, the first production car under the marque’s wider rebrand made its entrance in New York, where Florence Pugh (who recently starred in East of Eden) was announced as its new brand ambassador and Sienna Spiro performed, before launch celebrations continued in London.

The newness doesn’t stop there, as this week has also brought Café Eighty-One, a permanent dining address within Jaguar’s Knightsbridge flagship, with a menu created by Michael O’Hare, the chef known for Leeds’ Michelin-starred The Man Behind the Curtain and Great British Menu. Afternoon tea is the main attraction here and it’s accompanied by seasonal sweet and savoury dishes, English wines and tea cocktails – even the sculptural pâtisserie takes its cue from the new car.

Who Is Michael O’Hare?

O’Hare is known for The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds, the Michelin-starred restaurant where his adventurous cooking and artful presentation established his reputation. Television viewers will also recognise him from Great British Menu, where he made his name with dishes including ‘Emancipation,’ inspired by good old fish ‘n’ chips and the industrial landscape of his native North East. Now, the Jaguar project marks a return to London for the chef, whose earlier career included working with John Burton-Race at The Landmark. Here, he draws on classical technique while reconsidering familiar British favourites, with afternoon tea providing plenty of scope for his imagination.

What Is On The Menu At Café Eighty-One?

Afternoon tea has been developed exclusively for Jaguar, with a selection of teas, savoury courses and an interpretation of the traditional scone. The centrepiece is a sculptural petit gâteau inspired by the oloid, a geometric form whose shape and movement also influenced elements of the Type 01. Its oloid combines scone, jam and cream in balanced proportions, with four flavour combinations, plus there’s seasonal savoury and sweet creations, coffees, English wines and tea cocktails. O’Hare says: ‘From the beginning, the ambition was to create something genuinely original. The menu takes familiar British rituals and looks at them differently, creating moments of surprise while remaining welcoming and enjoyable. That’s a philosophy I share with Jaguar.’ 

What Does The Knightsbridge Space Look Like?

Expect travertine stone, textured fabrics and warm brass accents throughout the flagship, echoing materials and finishes found within the Type 01. Sculptural forms and controlled lighting sit alongside natural textures and metal detailing to channel the marques precision. Guests enter through Jaguarscape, an installation tracing the evolution of the Jaguar Leaper through graphics, sculpture and light, and downstairs the Design Vault is a dedicated space for vehicle commissioning and personalisation – it’s not your conventional showroom. Santino Pietrosanti, Director of Jaguar UK, describes Café Eighty-One as ‘open, welcoming and inspiring,’ with British hospitality, culture and creativity central to its character.

Will Café Eighty-One Host Events?

The café’s plans include culinary collaborations, seasonal experiences, tastings and the Jaguar Taste Series. These will accompany a wider year-round programme of artist residencies, installations, talks, workshops and cultural events within the flagship. The intention here is to give the address an ongoing calendar with a whole host of changing exhibitions and foodie events that encourage return visits, so keep your eyes peeled for those.

Where Is Café Eighty-One And How Do You Book?

Café Eighty-One is at Jaguar at Knightsbridge, 81-93 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RB and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-8pm, and Sunday, 11am-6pm. Tables can be reserved through Jaguar’s website, with walk-ins welcome, subject to availability.

See more at jaguar.com.