Fortnum & Mason opens debut restaurant in the City

Fortnum & Mason has opened a new restaurant at The Royal Exchange in the City of London, taking over a space previously occupied by D&D for the past 15 years.

Fortnum and Mason’s Restaurant and Bar in the Royal Exchange is the fourth outpost in London for the luxury retailer.

The 90-cover restaurant is the fourth UK site for Fortnum & Mason, which opened its original store in Piccadilly in 1707, and offers both table and counter dining.

Its all-day menu includes caviar, shellfish and smoked salmon hand-carved at the counter, alongside classic Fortnum’s dishes such as Welsh rarebit and knickerbocker glory, as well as Champagnes, wines and cocktails and specialist teas.

An announcement on behalf of the group said: “Today we are proud to open up our newest outpost at one of the world’s most iconic centres of trade, The Royal Exchange. First founded in 1571 and opened by Queen Elizabeth I, The Royal Exchange has almost a century and a half on us, although over its long history, it has had the misfortune to burn down not once, but twice. The magnificent building as it stands today was re-opened in 1844 by Queen Victoria.”

Based in The Royal Exchange courtyard, the Fortnums Bar & Restaurant will be set alongside a separate 2,368 sq ft retail space stocking items from its flagship Piccadilly store.

A personal shopping service will be available to diners at The Fortnum’s Bar & Restaurant. You will also be able to shop online at fortnumandmason.com, and then collect from the store afterwards.

The Royal Exchange is a former City trading floor opposite The Bank of England, which now houses over 30 luxury retail stores set around a central courtyard.