Lilibet’s: A Restaurant Is Opening At The Birthplace Of Queen Elizabeth II

On 21 April 1926, Princess Elizabeth was born at 17 Bruton Street, a Palladian townhouse in Mayfair. She would go on to become the longest reigning monarch in British history, serving as Queen of England from 1952 until her passing in 2022. The site has therefore always been a place of royal significance – and now, it’s about to enter a new era as seafood restaurant Lilibet’s .

Lilibet’s Is Mayfair’s New Royal-Inspired Restaurant

Opening this September, Lilibet’s is being helmed by restaurateur Ross Shonhan, whose CV includes the likes of Nobu and Zuma, as well as Netsu and Strawfire in the Middle East. Named after Queen Elizabeth’s family nickname, the restaurant will draw on its history, evoking a sense of timeless glamour through both the food and the interiors.

The menu playfully imagines a tour the then-Princess might have taken through the Mediterranean with dishes like fried crab thermidor, anchovy éclair and lobster bisque, all made using sustainably sourced meat and fish. There will be a sense of theatre: a seafood platter will be presented on a custom-designed lazy Susan-style dish, while a ‘fish triptych’ will allow diners to select their fish of choice, served in three ways (crudo, grilled and as a soup). 

There will also be an oyster bar, plus a fireside grill sizzling up dishes like whole turbot pil pil and lobster tails over spaghetti. And for dessert, the menu will include Trou Normande (apple ice cream paired with Calvados), and an opulent ‘princess cake’ made with genoise sponge.

Russell Sage Studio was brought in to design the interiors, which are characterful and incorporate tones of the English countryside – complete with a bespoke wallpaper inspired by the local area. An outdoor terrace will provide an al fresco dining space for all the seasons, with heated seating available during the cooler months. Meanwhile, a cocktail bar will focus on martinis alongside other timeless drinks.

‘With Lilibet’s , we wanted to create an enduring place that will feel relevant in twenty years, with a real focus on great hospitality,’ says Shonhan. ‘This address carries an unexpected history, and that gave us the freedom to be creative. Lilibet’s will be a great seafood restaurant that respects British ingredients while also embracing flavours from further afield. The design follows the same thinking – elegant, but with a few surprises. It’s about doing things properly, but with personality.’

Princess Elizabeth’s parents had moved into 17 Bruton Street – which was owned by her Scottish grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore – just a few weeks before her birth. When she arrived, Queen Mary and George V came to see her on the first day, with the Queen describing her granddaughter as ‘a little darling, with a lovely complexion and pretty fair hair’ in her diary. Later that year, Elizabeth and her parents moved to a larger house in Piccadilly.

Since then, there has been a certain level of mystery surrounding the late Queen’s birthplace. Despite claims the house itself was destroyed during World War Two, other historical records suggest the building was in fact demolished by property developers before the war in 1937. Glitzy Chinese restaurant Hakkasan also claims the 17 Bruton Street address, as does an office block, but this makes sense, as it’s likely the house would have stretched across five bays, according to the BBC. Nonetheless, the historical background of Lilibet’s will no doubt be a point of interest for diners.

Lilibet’s will open at Number 17 Bruton Street this September. lilibetsrestaurant.com