Power hungry: London’s best restaurants for politicos

James Riding | 18th May 2021 | Uncategorised

Marx reportedly scribbled Das Kapital on the site of Quo Vadis in Soho

The political power lunch is back. Mace chose 9 of the best locations for the bloodthirsty and just thirsty

Sadiq Khan tucked into a Dishoom breakfast on Monday morning to mark the biggest step yet in London’s reopening. Yet in doing so he also signalled something far more important: the return of the great political power lunch. Here are nine of the best London restaurants for politicos to try, from Westminster institutions to spots with more unexpected political connections. Memorably top-notch food is the priority here, so forgive me for leaving out The Red Lion (though I’ve heard the pies are good). The Cinnamon Club This refined Indian opened in the old Westminster Library twenty years ago and continues to be a favourite of MPs and journalists. Surrounded by vast Victorian bookshelves, you’ll feel part of parliamentary history as you schmooze your sources over slow braised lamb leg and watermelon and quinoa salad. Noble Rot, Soho The Gay Hussar on Greek Street was a London icon, frequented by politicians from Aneurin Bevan to the Tory ‘wets’ who plotted to overthrow Margaret Thatcher,...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.

UK Budget 2026: How does Healey plan to help young people?

Ella Beadman | October 30, 2026

Healey’s 2026 Budget offers some support for young people through apprenticeships, entrepreneurship and home ownership, but with more policies yet to be revealed, much remains uncertain.

We need to talk about Kemi

Mace | October 5, 2026

In contrast to last year's Tory conference, Kemi Badenoch is coming out guns blazing, not the least when it comes to defence, says Flora Watkins

Markus Leutert, Corporate Affairs, PerkinElmer – “Focus on outcomes, rather than outputs”

Mace | September 29, 2026

Leutert's career has included moments close to politics, including time as a speechwriter, but he concluded that he can have more impact behind the scenes.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Dr Michelle Howard, Senior Advisor for Defence and Space, Lexington Communications: “The future of public affairs is full of promise for the creative”

Mace | September 16, 2026

Lexington’s Michelle Howard explains how an unconventional career spanning opera, journalism, hydropower and defence led her into public affairs, why political instability rewards creativity and listening, and what

FGS Global acquires Washington government affairs agency

Mace | August 7, 2026

FGS Global has acquired Washington, DC-based government affairs firm Rich Feuer Anderson.

Kemi’s true blue purge, with help from Sir Philip May

William Cash | July 26, 2026

The news that former Home Secretary Sir Grant Shapps has failed to make the new Tory candidate list has put fear into dozens of former Conservative MPs. Whether