Kettner's Townhouse
When it originally opened its doors in 1867, Kettner's was one of London's first French restaurants, and it has been a favorite hangout for writers, politicians, theatergoers, and even the Royal family for decades. Kettner's distinctive heritage has been recreated as a 33-room hotel with Grade II-listed bars.
August Kettner, a German chef rumored to have worked directly for Napoleon III, started Kettner's in 1867. The restaurant was supposed to have a brief life because it was located in a neighborhood of Soho with a bad reputation at the time, but an 1879 letter published in The Times commended the qualities of Kettner's cooking, turning the tide of popular support.
Between 1980 and 2008, Kettner's famously operated as a Pizza Express for 28 years. The renamed Kettner's Townhouse has been sensitively restored under the leadership of the Soho House organization, with the original French menu referenced and artwork inspired by lost murals discovered during the reconstruction.
The 33-room hotel currently contains Grade II-listed bars and a suite with a private entrance, in addition to the original four townhouses. While the Champagne Bar is currently the only area of the hotel open to the public, booking a stay at this historic London landmark and experiencing its charm is money well spent.
Location: 29 Romilly St, Soho, London W1D 5HP, UK
Phone: +44 20 7734 5650
Website: sohohouse.com
