London Restaurants with a Gay Following

[dfw2sfo]

I'm going to London in August and am looking for restaurants that have a gay following. The one I have found through some internet research is Balans which I will probably visit but wanted to see if you guys had other suggestions. For those familiar with NYC restaurants, I'm looking for something like 44&X or Elmo or Eatery or something like these. Thanks for any assistance you can offer.

[Isis123]

Balans in Soho and Earls Court are easily your best bets, especially if dining alone. Most London restaurants would call themselves gay-friendly but some attract more gays than others and many are not so good for single-diners (of any type). You could look at Brasserie Zedel by Piccadilly which is a large and bustling restaurant. It is not gay but does have many gay guests as does the famous Joe Allen in Covent Garden.

[smendez1942]

To each his own, but this request I do not understand. I go to a restaurant to eat, not to engage if it's got a gay following or not.

 

Joe Allen is lots of fun. Locanda Locatelli always is good. The Wolseley is great for breakfast/brunch. Masala Zone also top drawer if you're into Indian cuisine

[JulianLondon]

I agree with smendez1942. I'm in this business and if you're looking for good food then I wouldn't necessarily go to a restaurant with a solely or even predominantly gay following. Saying that if I had to chose 1 and this would be for atmosphere then it would be here. http://www.balans.co.uk/site/index.php/london/soho/

http://www.thewolseley.com/ has a gay following but is much more discreet but the food is so much better and it's fairly expensive.

[bootdad]

I simply cannot get enough of the Wolseley - the staff is fantastic, the food is great and by London standards very reasonable !!! Highly recommend !!! Whenever I spend a week in London I tend to have at least 3 or 4 lunches and 2 or 3 dinners at W and it is also great to just drop for an afternoon dessert or late night snack/drink !

[+ Charlie]

My favorite London restaurant at the moment is Delaunay, but it's not the kind of place I would go to eat alone.

[dfw2sfo]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. As far as why one would go to a restaurant with a gay following or go to a restaurant for a reason in addition to the food, for me it's about vibe. I've found that restaurants with a gay following have a sexy vibe, a good looking crowd and fun people. Not everyone's cup of tea I suppose but it is one of the things I'm looking for on this trip and I appreciate what's been shared so far.

[JulianLondon]

Ok I have to respond here to bootdad. So you're in London only 1 week and you eat at The Wolseley for 3/4 lunches and 2/3 dinners. You have to get out a bit more that is rather odd. London right now has some of the best restaurants in the world. Try in no particular order. But please please try at least one from this list.

http://www.grainstore.com/

http://www.medlarrestaurant.co.uk/

http://www.hixsoho.co.uk/

http://www.dinnerbyheston.com

http://www.wildhoneyrestaurant.co.uk

http://www.theledbury.com

http://www.arbutusrestaurant.co.uk

[bootdad]

Just to clarify - I always try at least one new dining spot on any trip I take anywhere in Europe or North America and also always return to favourites. I have patronized a restaurant in San Fran off of Union Square for more than 20 years and still love it. Of the 7 restaurants you listed I have been to 4. They were certainly all positive experiences and actually doubt I would return to any of them for a 2nd meal. The long and the short of it ... some of us are creatures of habit and find comfort in predictability (as an aside I am sure several of you would step up to the plate and confirm long term arrangements with escorts you favored over the years - same thing - you liked the reliability / comfort) it is the same reason we have favourite hotels, etc. Over the past 3 decades I have stayed at some remarkable hotels in London and had meals at some amazing restaurants. In fact when the Hempel first opened in London I stayed their at least a dozen times and their restaurant (situated in the basement of all places) still resonates with me as one of the finest dining / decor experiences ever that I still reminisce about. Places change / management changes / ownership changes and I would hope most of us change and evolve. Over the past 7 or 8 years I have grown particularly fond of the Mayfair hood and have booked the same hotel more than a dozen times - so yes - in my particular case as I age I guess I value predictability and reliability but that certainly doesn't mean that I am not open to new experiences. After all I firmly maintain that London has the best crop of escorts to be experienced any where in the world ! For me the Wolseley and Cecconi's are 2 of my fav destinations because the food is great, affordable and both environments have terrific staff and both places lack pretentiousness - that is why they work for me.

 

I will leave you with a thought to ponder ... LOYALTY is simply the absence of something better !!!

[JulianLondon]

Ok, fair enough, i do understand that. I'm a creature of habit too. Very good call on Cecconi's. Perhaps only beaten by Locanda Locatelli. But you like a certain atmosphere I believe so I understand your choices. You say you have been to 4 on my list, if that doesn't include Medlar may I suggest and if you are happy with the journey to Chelsea, give it a go. Great place to take a guy who's into food. Also http://www.grangerandco.com/ is a really fun place for brunch and if you're in the Notting Hill area. Also concur, London is the best place for escorts worldwide.

[bootdad]

It turns out you and I have more in common that we realized - LOL ! I can't give you a good reason as to why I have not been back to Locanda L as it was one of my fav places to eat a few years back - I had stayed around the corner at the Cumberland a couple of times and Locanda was so convenient and very pleasant - I am putting it back on my re-visit list !

Yes - I actually enjoyed Medlar very much but for some odd reason just have not been back. There are never enough days in a trip to enjoy old favs and explore new ones!

I have also put Granger on my go to list. I also am a fan of Daphne's and must confess that I need to try several other restaurants in that hood instead of constantly returning to the same 2 or 3 ... that is the wonderful problem with London ... too many great dining options and way too many delectable rentboy options !!! Why I can't ever get enough of London after 3 decades of visits and more than several dozen trips ... I wish I could hop on a flight tomorrow ?

[BgMstr4u]

Bootdad -- you write "Over the past 7 or 8 years I have grown particularly fond of the Mayfair hood and have booked the same hotel more than a dozen times." Could you share the name of the hotel with us? I am always looking for that special hotel in London!

[bootdad]

Over the years I have stayed at so many great hotels in London including Blakes, The Metropolitan, Belgraves, St. Pancras, One Aldwych, The Halkin, St. Martins Lane, The Sanderson, Andas Liverpool, The Hempel, The Millennium and my absolute all time fav - 41. Currently I am hooked on the Mayfair Hood and stay at The May Fair - http://www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/ but quite frankly - I don't think you can go wrong with any of the hotels I have mentioned. All are terrific for a broad range of reasons.

 

I should also add that I do want to spend a weekend at the Corinthia in the coming year based simply on various reviews, etc. that I have read - sounds like a design masterpiece !

[bootdad]

And not to be outdone - LOL ! From a LUXURY Travel BLOG - The 5 most highly-rated hotels in London - ENJOY !

 

http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2013/07/03/top-5-london-hotels/?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer4f481&utm_medium=twitter