Tucked into the labyrinthine charm of Shepherd Market, where open fields once buzzed with the energy of fairs and livestock trading, a new phase of London hospitality has arrived. The Shepherd Mayfair has officially opened its doors with its much-anticipated dining room, Fayre. For a restaurant to be THIS GOOD three weeks after opening is astonishing. It was a masterclass in what a restaurant experience should be, with world-class dishes delivered precisely and with a lot of flair.
This is not just one of the best openings in London for 2026; it is a reclamation of history, set on ground where, in 1618, a shepherd watched over his flock before Edward Shepherd transformed pasture into postcode. Fayre stands precisely at the crossroads of memory and modernity, a restaurant that manages to be both anchored and evolving.
A Historic Setting Reimagined
Timothy Shepherd, who first left his fingerprints at Buckley Grey Yeoman before striking out on his own, has created a 62-seat space where drama and comfort perform a pas de deux. Step off Stanhope Row, and you are instantly swept into the vanished world of May Fair, fields now replaced by a deep forest-berry palette, dark timber panelling, and plush banquette seating. The dining room is spanned by a series of theatrical wall coverings by urban artist Adam Ellis, filled with illustrated scenes from the historic livestock markets and travelling showmen. Apparatus’s lighting, imported from New York, bathes the room in a glow that flatters the architecture and welcomes you into a space suited for everything from a big bash to quiet conversations.
The Shepherd Mayfair is a joint venture between Bain Capital and Orka Investments. A lot of love has been poured into this project and it is clear to see.
“Shepherd Market’s history, independent spirit and strategic location in Mayfair made it a compelling place for us to invest. With The Shepherd Mayfair, we wanted to capture that character and contribute to the neighbourhood’s next chapter. Fayre is central to that vision: a welcoming neighbourhood restaurant that feels part of local life, where those who live and work here can return as readily as guests discovering the area for the first time.”
Raoul Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Orka Investments.
Seasonal British Dining with a European Twist
Fayre’s menu centres entirely on seasonal British produce and the refined European classics that pair with it. Seafood takes a starring role: the house lobster and prawn brioche roll is a decadent nod to seaside nostalgia, while citrus-cured trout arrives dressed for the occasion in pickled cucumber, radish, dill, trout caviar, and a vinaigrette that bites back.
Croquettes of braised beef short rib, with watercress aioli that wakes up the palate, and seared scallops on corn purée, samphire, lardons, and a red wine reduction. Even the plant-based offerings refuse to be wallflowers: a twice-baked Cheddar soufflé with bitter endive and caramelised walnuts, and an ash goat’s cheese salad with roasted beetroot and toasted hazelnuts.
From Beef Pithivier to Roast Halibut
The main courses are a masterclass in classic British and European brasserie cuisine, with a real emphasis on flavour and seasonal produce. The star of the show is undoubtedly the beef pithivier (a puff pastry case filled with beef, mushroom duxelles, and thyme) served with a rich Madeira jus and heritage baby carrots.
The seafood is just as impressive, with a pan-seared roast halibut on crushed potatoes with a rich Champagne velouté, salmon roe and chive oil, and a selection of hand-made lobster and salmon ravioli in a deep, rich lobster bisque with braised leeks. Fayre makes a convincing case for the ultimate fish and chips. Beer-battered haddock stuffed generously with a lush prawn mousse gives this much-loved British classic a distinctly Fayre flourish. It’s a clever touch of flavour and texture that makes this dish worthy of any celebration.
The meat courses range from a 35-day dry-aged ribeye steak (with the choice of Béarnaise, peppercorn or red wine jus) to a slow-roasted organic half poussin with borlotti beans, cavolo nero, salsa verde and a rich chicken jus.
No main course is left to fend for itself. Sides include hispi cabbage with nutty romesco sauce, tenderstem broccoli with garlic and chilli, the inevitable triple-cooked chips, and roasted carrots finished with kale pesto. Each dish is beautifully simple, but elevated to a new level.
A Sweet Taste of Nostalgia
Dessert at Fayre is a nostalgic wink to the fairground, embodied in the Puddings by the Glass series. The series kicks off with the Strawberry and Champagne Trifle, a layered concoction with a generous portion of custard and the requisite amount of strawberry, assembled in a tall glass. A new pudding is introduced each week, making it an ever-evolving series and ensuring regulars always have something to look forward to.
From Hidden Cocktail Den to Elegant Nightcap
Should the evening demand further adventure, descend a hidden staircase or slip through a discreet lobby passage and you’ll find Teddy’s, the hotel’s clandestine cocktail den named for Edward Shepherd himself. Open from December 2026, Teddy’s will be a moody warren of deep greens and blues, serving a cocktail selection of obscure 1930s classics—including five signature serves named after distinct phrases coined by Victorian writer and resident Edward Bulwer-Lytton. These are backed up by a truly exceptional back bar of rare whiskies, aged tequilas, and prestige Champagnes running from Bollinger to Louis Roederer Cristal.
Alternatively, for a light digestif or a relaxed nightcap, you can gather in The Lounge on the ground floor. This inviting café and bar pairs forest-green velvet upholstery and natural timber finishes with evocative black-and-white illustrated vignettes by British artist John Broadley. Here, you can enjoy a tableside serve from the hotel’s bespoke Moatwood gin trolley, hand-crafted by a master artisan in Hackney using timber reclaimed from a fallen tree in Kensington Palace Gardens.
A Taste of Historic London
Nestled between Green Park, Bond Street, and the art-laden arteries of Mayfair, The Shepherd Mayfair manages to be both a local secret and a love letter to the area’s grand old mansions. Inspired by the city’s arcades, a subtle walkway threads through the ground floor, ushering you from the bustle of Mayfair into the storybook heart of Shepherd Market. Here, history, design, and honest-to-goodness food and drink conspire to revive the spirit of a legendary dining quarter. It is not just an addition to London’s culinary landscape; it is a restoration of its soul.
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All images courtesy of Fayre / The Shepherd Hotel.