The Ledbury
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
Area served | Notting Hill, London, England |
Key people | Brett Graham (chef-patron), Tom Spenceley (head chef) |
| Products | Fine dining |
The Ledbury is a dining establishment located on Ledbury Road in Notting Hill, London, England. It maintained two Michelin stars from 2010 until 2021, losing them after closing due to Covid-19 restrictions that prevented proper evaluation. Recognized in the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, it reopened in February 2022, reclaimed two Michelin stars in 2023, and was elevated to three stars by 2024.
The kitchen is helmed by chef-patron Brett Graham, working alongside head chef Tom Spenceley.
History
Established in 2005, The Ledbury began as the sister venue to The Square, a Mayfair restaurant that also held two Michelin stars and shared the same investors. The Square ceased operations permanently in early 2020. Within its first year, The Ledbury earned its initial Michelin star and saw a significant increase in sales by 2009. It achieved a second star in 2010 and was honored with the Square Meal BMW Restaurant of the Year Award that same year.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Graham announced an indefinite closure in June 2020 due to impractical social distancing requirements. As a result, The Ledbury lost its Michelin stars starting January 2021 but successfully regained both in March 2023.
Following renovations, the restaurant reopened in February 2022 with a reduced seating capacity—from 55 down to 45—to incorporate a new central table designed for serving staff.
Reception
Shortly after opening, Giles Coren reviewed The Ledbury for The Times, commenting on its "quiet, affluent atmosphere". In 2005, Terry Durack of The Independent on Sunday described it as "seriously good" and off to a "very promising start".
In 2008, Matthew Norman from The Guardian highlighted its "prices resistant to recession" and awarded it a score of 9.25 out of 10. Jasper Gerard of The Daily Telegraph in 2010 praised several dishes as "delicious" but found the desserts somewhat lacking.
According to the Harden's guide, The Ledbury's cuisine is considered "genius," receiving top marks (one) for both food and service, and a rating of two for ambience on their five-point scale.
Awards
- Featured among the Top Ten in the 2014 S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list.
- Holds three stars in the Michelin Guide as of February 2024.
- Recognized as the highest climber in the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants rankings in 2012.
- Named the UK's leading restaurant for both 2010 and 2011 by Restaurant Magazine's National Restaurant Awards.
- Awarded London's best restaurant title in 2011 by Zagat, Harden's, and the Sunday Times.
Chef and Co-Restaurateur
Brett Graham, the chef and co-owner, was born in 1979 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. His culinary journey commenced with an apprenticeship at Scratchleys, a seafood establishment. At the age of 18, he gained experience working at Banc in Sydney before moving to London in the early 2000s, following his receipt of the Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year Award in Sydney. In London, he spent over three years as sous chef at The Square, working under chef Phil Howard. Additionally, Graham was honored with the Young Chef of the Year award by the Restaurant Association in 2002.