Top 20 Autumnal Menus You Need to Try

GAME ON

1  Kitchen W8

Kensington’s Michelin-starred restaurant is ready for the game season! Give their very special menu a try – grouse, partridge, venison and mallard are the stars of the show, enhanced by mouthwatering flavours of earthy autumn vegetables, chestnuts, brambles and damsons. Kitchen W8 won the first prize in the Eat Game Awards, so you’re in for a treat. 

2  Harwood Arms 

The Fulham landmark champions all local produce but game has a special place in its chef, Jake Leach’s heart. This autumn, they are serving Berkshire fallow deer with cranberries as a main and venison scotch egg as a snack. Their wine list is pretty impressive too.  

3 Galvin Bar & Grill 

In September, they served the grouse. In October, they serve venison. In November, they will serve partridge. Head to Russell Square to taste a four-course menu where flavourful meat pairs beautifully with spiced red cabbage and ceps, and finish it off with some delightful poached pear and ginger bread ice-cream.  

4 The Game Bird 

I mean, what is a better place to get some delish game than a restaurant called The Game Bird? Part of luxury The Stafford London, it serves a mind-blowingly wide range of (formerly) furred and feathered delicacies, from a pigeon pie to roast guinea hen to venison, accompanied by the likes of truffle mash and black garlic cabbage. Also, if you fancy getting into the American spirit come November, they promise to serve a top Thanksgiving dinner complete with roasted yams and pecan pie.  

5 Corrigan’s Mayfair 

Owned by Irish celebrity chef Richard Corrigan, the restaurant prides itself on serving excellent game both coastal and wild. Provençal guinea fowl with Wiltshire truffle, Yorkshire grouse with fermented blackberries and truffle and pommes anna on the side. Sounds heavenly? Probably even moreso when you pair it with delish wine from their extensive list.  

6 La Poule au Pot 

Head to this old favourite La Poule au Pot. A perfect first date destination (for a hopeless romantic like myself) also serves some fabulous game. Try their specialty, Le râble de lapin à l’ail, au vin blanc et aux herbes – saddle of rabbit with garlic, white wine and herbs or opt for pintade rôtie – roast guinea fowl. 

THIS DIWALI, LET THERE BE LIGHT

7 Chokhi Dhani  

Chokhi Dhani is celebrating Diwali on 24th October with a very special Diwali thalis – platters with a selection of dishes – with options for vegetarians and meat lovers. Reasonably priced at £27-30 per person, the platters include Aloo tikki chat, Patiala Chicken or Kadhai Vegetable, Chilli Pickle, and Gajar Halwa. Yum! 

8 Cinnamon Club 

Discover modern Indian cooking redefined in the heart of Westminster – this Diwali, their mouthwatering menu features dishes such as jackfruit and lotus root kebab with poppy seed, tomato chutney, kokum crusted halibut on the bone and Old Delhi style butter chicken, as well as the trio of traditional Diwali desserts: Royal Punjabi malai kulfi, carrot halwa roll and gulab jamun.  

9 TH@51 

TH@51 will prepare a very special Diwali menu based on four thalis inspired by the cuisine of North, South, East and West India so that even the most demanding guests can find something to enjoy amongst countless gourmet appetizers, entrées, mains desserts and even dedicated beverages (I am partial to gulab lassi but thakkali rasam, a tomato and lentil drink, seems intriguing).  

10 Gymkhana 

Michelin-starred since 2014, Gymkhana has been inspired by the elite member clubs of India – and should be your destination if you want to go all out this Diwali. With tasting menu priced at £110, you can expect top quality and finest ingredients – it features delicacies such as Amritsari Pink Shrimps, Wild Muntjac Biryani or Kid Goat Methi Keema. 

11 Kanishka 

Atul Kochhar, one of the first two Indian chefs ever rewarded a Michelin star, is the brain behind Kanishka, a contemporary Indian restaurant in the heart of Mayfair. This year’s Diwali menu is particularly impressive, boasting delicious starters, mains, sides and desserts. Try their Goat Kosha, Prawn Malai Curry and of course, the chef’s selection of festive sweets. 

BRIDGE OVER TRUFFLED WATER

12 PINTUS    

Fancy yourself a truffle brunch? For an indulgent Saturday morning, go to Pintus for scrambled eggs with truffle cream, parmesan and San Daniele, served with sourdough bread, preferably accompanied by some booze, because why not.  

13 Il Girasole  

Il Girasole, a friendly neighbourhood Italian restaurant and pizzeria with bright, rustic-chic décor, boasts two different types of truffle-y pastas: truffle and burrata tagliatelle with butter and sage, and tortellini alla norcina with sausage, mushroom and truffle creamy sauce. 

14 Gloria 

Do you love a wee bit of over the top Capri trattoria charm? At Gloria, you’ll get this – and much more. On the menu, truffles galore, from truffle and fennel salami, crocchetta finished with truffle honey and fresh truffle atop, fresh mafalda with black Molise truffle, and of course, pizza with truffle.  

15 Como Garden 

Tapas with an Italian twist is what Como Garden specialises in. Its interior is lovely and filled with some lush greenery and classical Greece-inspired décor, and the menu features truffle goodies such as Truffle and Ricotta Tortelloni alla Carbonara, Marinated Truffle Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, and Truffle & Parmesan Tagliolini. 

16 Gelupo 

Last year they had truffle gelato. It’s not on their menu (yet?) but they sure can get you some real truffles. Currently, a portion starts from £99 but keep an eye on their website because good news truffles fast and they are selling out. Gelupo also serves yummy pumpkin and cinnamon gelato for the other shade of autumn flavour.  

17 The Ivy Brasserie 

A firm favourite among Surrey residents for its fab menu and stunning interiors, The Ivy Brasserie has some awesome autumnal goodies prepared for its diners. There are truffle starters – including wild mushrooms with truffle shavings and a white onion and truffle soup, as well as wild mushroom and truffle linguine. And truffle and parmesan chips to go with it.  

GIVE’EM PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT

18 Fiume 

Located at Circus West at Battersea Power Station, Fiume offers a truly Italian menu and unrivalled views of the Thames. Try a warming zuppa di zucca, funghi e farro – pumpkin soup with wild mushrooms, kale and spelt

19 Hummingbird Bakery 

Pumpkin for a sweet tooth – because let’s face it, you can never go wrong with a good old pumpkin pie. Serve it warm for extra love! 

20 222 Vegan 

For the fans of good vegan cuisine, 222 Vegan is a paradise. And they serve pumpkin galore. From Egusi – a traditional African dish made from pumpkin and melon seeds and pumpkin and courgette noodles! 

21 Café Murano 

Situated across three locations in Central London, Café Murano offers delish Italian cuisine with a different regional focus every month. For some autumn vibes try their roast squash with Jerusalem artichoke and pumpkin seed pesto!