Six restaurants to visit during the Chelsea Flower Show 2021

It’s finally that time again when gardeners from all over the country flock to the eagerly awaited horticultural heaven that is the Chelsea Flower Show. Running from the 21^st to 26^th September, this paradise for plant lovers brings together the best green-fingered gurus, both amateur and professional, for a week of competitions, masterclasses and one-off events. But it would be a shame to travel to this hallowed London spot and miss out on some of the best food that the city has to offer. Here are six restaurants that not only provide an ideal rest spot, but which are guaranteed to make your visit special.

Experience the Flight of the Humble Bee at Cadogan Arms

Much-loved Chelsea pub The Cadogan Arms was restored to its former glory earlier this summer with an ambitious renovation. Now the spot is celebrating Chelsea in Bloom with a month-long homage to the Flight of the Humble Bee. There will be a big floral installation as well as a set lunch menu, bee-inspired cocktails and accompanying organic wines. Dishes include Seasonal Berries with Mint Granita and a cheese board with truffle honey. This high-end institution is known for delivering quality on all fronts, with exceptional food by executive chef Alex Harper (formerly of The Ledbury and The Harwood Arms) and culinary director James Knappett of two-Michelin-star Kitchen Table in Fitzrovia. The building itself now features Georgian architectural details such as ornate timber panelling, a stained-glass back bar, wrought iron staircase and mosaic flooring. Book a table here. 

Indulge in Champagne and Oyster Sundays at 28°-50°

Independent Wine Specialists 28°-50° have just launched Champagne and Oyster Sundays, exclusively available at their Chelsea wine workshop and kitchen. Sundays are meant to be spent treating yourself and enjoying time with family and friends over a long and lazy lunch or dinner, so why not treat yourself to 90 minutes of unlimited champagne and oysters? The new offering celebrates 28°-50°’s house champagne, the Ayala Brut Majeur; its aromas of white flowers and savoury complexity, alongside notes of dry, toasty citrus and soft, delicate bubbles perfectly complements Maldon rock oysters, which are served with fresh lemons and traditionally diced shallots in red wine vinegar. Served every Sunday from midday, the Champagne and Oyster Sundays are priced at £65 per person for 90 minutes. Book a table here. 

Treat yourself to a three-Michelin-starred dinner at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

You won’t be unfamiliar with the name Gordon Ramsay, but after being denied so many restaurant meals over the past year, it could be the time to splash out and actually taste some of his food in person. His three-Michelin-starred restaurant is the only to hold this accolade in the area, and with good reason: this is a team that know how to deliver a refined experience without compromising on personality. The menu is overseen by head chef and co-owner Matt Abé, who brings his own impeccable style, serving up classics such as the Lobster Ravioli alongside light yet complex contemporary plates. For a more intimate experience, reserve seats at the Inspiration Table, a private setting in which dishes are created and prepared especially for four guests. Book a table here.

Check out the Rabbit restaurant’s partnership with Double Dutch and Hendricks 

Celebrated British restaurant Rabbit are launching a bespoke menu in partnership with Double Dutch and Hendricks gin, pairing their dishes with these two iconic labels in celebration of the famous Chelsea Flower Show. The Gladwin Brothers are giving Rabbit a special makeover for inclusion in Chelsea in Bloom. The design reflects their collaboration with the two quintessentially British drinks brands, incorporating a floral display in a burst of colours with fresh fruit reflecting the flavour profiles. The installation provides an interactive experience for guests as they move inside the restaurant where they can garnish their own drinks with flowers and foraged herbs. The Double Dutch section will emulate their bright, contemporary aesthetic, while Hendricks Gin will be visualised in a dreamlike skyscape with teacups and teapots. Book a table here.

Try contemporary European food with an Irish lilt at Myrtle

Headed up by Irish chef Anna Haugh in her first solo venture, this restaurant has already made a huge name for itself since its launch in 2019. The menu features innovative modern European dishes but also pays tribute to the cook’s Irish heritage, playing on traditional recipes such as Boxty and soda bread and incorporating local ingredients such as Crozier blue cheese and Burren Smokehouse salmon. Though the cooking is top-tier, the atmosphere is relaxed, so it’s the perfect place to wind down after a day on your feet at the Chelsea Flower show. Book a table here. 

Take a trip around China at A Wong

Ok, we said five, but this one’s worth a slight detour. After prestigious chef Andrew Wong just gained the Chef Catey Award at this year’s September ceremony (considered by many to be the Oscars of the food world), it seems a no-brainer to venture a little further afield and pay his acclaimed eponymous restaurant in Pimlico a visit. The two-Michelin-starred establishment serves up a menu inspired by the chef’s travels around the provinces of China, with dishes reflecting the regions whilst also offering up a twist courtesy of his unique, world-class culinary mind. Opt for the Taste of China menu to take a three-hour trip around the country, or try the traditional dumpling offering at lunchtime for arguably the best sim sum in London. Book a table here.

Admire the Ivy Chelsea Garden’s magical Enchanted Escapes floral installation

The Ivy Chelsea might not boast any Michelin stars but it delivers one of the most enchanting floral installations during this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Running since Tuesday 14^th September, the campaign also features a bespoke seasonal Perrier-Jouët champagne cocktails list.

The restaurant’s King’s Road façade is adorned with show-stopping autumnal blooms, a magical wishing well and moon sculpture seat, offering rest, respite and a stunning photo opportunity for both visitors and passers-by. Nodding to the change in seasons, the external display also lights up after dark, bathing the surrounding area in a warming glow.

Each cocktail from the collaboration with Perrier-Jouët has been exquisitely crafted and has taken inspiration from seasonal ingredients whilst giving a nod to the Chelsea Flower Show’s autumnal debut. On top of this, guests dining at the restaurant on Thursday 23^rd September from 1pm-4pm will be able to enjoy an array of immersive entertainment including striking autumnal characters performing throughout the brasserie and garden. Book a table here.

The editorial unit