London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location-nbsp">THE LOCATION&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Until now Victoria’s largely been on my radar as a place to catch a train or see a show (most recently <em>Hamilto</em>n at the <a href="https://www.victoriapalacetheatre.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victoria Palace Theatre</a>), rather than dining out. A chance to review <a href="https://harrysdolcevita.com/restaurants/harrys-victoria/">Harry’s</a>, however, saw me happily click-clacking my muddy heels to Grosvenor Gardens on a cold, January evening. Moments from Victoria tube station, it&#8217;s the latest outpost of the Ivy Collection&#8217;s Harry’s restaurants (there are also branches in Marylebone and Knightsbridge), and the two beautifully lit terraces and smart green and white striped awnings were a welcome sight through the drizzle. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1003" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-15.27.46.png" alt="Harry's Victoria" class="wp-image-8491" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-15.27.46.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-15.27.46-300x300.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-15.27.46-150x150.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-15.27.46-768x770.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Stylish and European &#8211; it feels like you could just as easily be in Venice or Milan as London. After being greeted with a smile in a reception lined with retro black and white photos, we were led through double doors into the Venetian-inspired dining room which was surprisingly packed for a wet, wintery Wednesday and rather glamorous, think leather banquettes, mirrored ceilings, sultry lighting, waiters in white waistcoats. There’s also a raised bar area, but in honour of (fading fast) Dry Jan we bypassed this and went straight to our table where we could people-watch and peruse the menu in comfort. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>The Italian-inspired food’s as delightful as the surroundings. Open from 8am until 10.30pm, you can head to Harry’s for breakfast, brunch or lunch and there’s even a dessert-only option, however my friend and I booked in for dinner and ordered from the a la carte menu.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Our waiter recommended a bottle of Novità 2023 red wine from Italy&#8217;s Emilia Romagna region (berry-scented, full-flavoured, velvety) which we sipped while browsing a menu that&#8217;s short on surprises but big on classic Italian fare like truffle arancini and pollo Milanese. Each course, from cicchetti to dessert, sounded so deeply comforting on a chilly night that it was tricky to choose &#8211; Harry’s tagliolini with truffle, parmesan and cream or courgette flowers, truffled honey, mint and pine salad? Creamy burrata from Puglia or oven baked prawns in ‘nduja sauce with baby basil and Amalfi lemon? </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0015-768x1024.jpg" alt="Harry's with waiters " class="wp-image-8501" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0015-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0015-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0015-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0015.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



<p>In the end we kicked things off with a bowl of black and green olives with fennel seeds and lemon and a classic insalata caprese, a substantial bowl of creamy Buffalo mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes decorated with basil and a glug of Harry’s own-brand olive oil. It’s an iconic Italian dish and Harry’s version didn’t disappoint, with a good balance of cheese and flavoursome tomatoes, all that was missing was a side of sunshine and the Amalfi coast.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite the temptations of pizzas and paste e risotti (Harry’s spaghetti seafood and porcini ravioli both sounded delectable), we went straight to secondi, opting for tonno alla griglia (chargrilled tuna steak with cannellini beans and warm tomato) and a show-stopping frutti di mare, which arrived in splendour on a monogrammed platter decorated with hand-painted orange fish and crustaceans, plus a side of tenderstem broccoli sprinkled with parmesan and lemon. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="679" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00022-1024x679.jpg" alt="Tuna at Harry's restaurant in Victoria, London " class="wp-image-8515" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00022-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00022-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00022-768x509.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00022.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tonno alla griglia</figcaption></figure>



<p>My friend had been told her tuna could only be cooked two ways, rare or well done. She went for the latter and didn’t regret her decision because the quality cut of fish that arrived was succulent and married well with the beans and squishy tomatoes. We both picked at the seafood platter swimming in a finger-licking good white wine sauce which you&#8217;re encouraged to mop up with fluffy slices of focaccia. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="836" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00002-1024x836.jpg" alt="Frutti de mare at Harry's restaurenat " class="wp-image-8519" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00002-1024x836.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00002-300x245.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00002-768x627.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA00002.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Frutti de mare</figcaption></figure>



<p>It was a marine dream of lobster tail, prawns (including giant prawns still in their casing), clams, slithers of soft squid and plump mussels nestled in their glistening shells. A finger bowl with a slice of lemon was delivered along with the food, so staff clearly anticipate diners are going to get stuck in and, despite starting out using a fork to prise out the prizes, I was soon pulling apart succulent seafood with my hands and popping it into my mouth, which is such a satisfying way to dine.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0019-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8498" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0019-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0019-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0019-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/01/IMG-20250130-WA0019.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The iconic Harry&#8217;s Toadstool </figcaption></figure>



<p>As Instagrammable as the frutti de mare was, it was still beaten in the looks department by Harry’s legendary toadstool dessert. We’d seen waiters bearing them to tables earlier in the evening and just had to try the red and white treat modelled on a fly agaric mushroom (I’m a nature nerd). Our arty &#8216;shroom was served with panache by a waiter who poured a warm green pistachio sauce around the base so it appeared to be sitting on a bed of grass. We cracked open the white chocolate topping with spoons and discovered it was filled with a delicious mascarpone mousse and iced vanilla parfait. The ultimate dessert to share on a date if they&#8217;re turning out to be a fungi? Ok perhaps that&#8217;s taking it too far, but it sure was delicious. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about-nbsp">OUT &amp; ABOUT&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Haven’t seen smash hit musical <em>Hamilton </em>yet? It’s currently playing at the <a href="https://www.victoriapalacetheatre.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victoria Palace Theatre</a>, while <em>Wicked</em> is showing at the <a href="https://www.theapollovictoria.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victoria Apollo</a>, both conveniently close to Harry&#8217;s for a pre-theatre meal or post-show cocktails.&nbsp;Sightseeing-wise, it&#8217;s a ten-minute stroll from Buckingham Palace. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict-nbsp">THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



<p><strong>Best for:</strong> Catching up with friends &#8211; the fact it&#8217;s glam, central, serves universally loved Italian food and is conveniently close to Victoria station makes it a no-brainer. There&#8217;s a sexy side to Harry&#8217;s though, what with the seafood, cocktails and low-lit spaces, so this is date night territory too. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;We didn&#8217;t see any children, though they are welcome (this is an Italian restaurant after all!), and it didn&#8217;t strike me as an obvious place to dine solo, though I can imagine reading a good book and sipping an aperitivo on the terraces in summer.  </p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Olives, £4.25, Insalata caprese, £11.95, tonno alla griglia, £25.50,  tenderstem broccoli, £5.95, frutti di mare, £46.95 and a shared Harry’s toadstool, £13.95, bottle of wine, £36.&nbsp;The final bill came to £144.55 for two people. </p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://harrysdolcevita.com/restaurants/harrys-victoria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harry&#8217;s</a>, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0AU</em></strong></p>


Restaurant review: Harry’s, Victoria

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