Carbone London: Mayfair’s Most Theatrical Dining Room
An unapologetically glamorous arrival in London, where Italian-American tradition, cinematic design and New York bravado collide.
There are restaurants you visit for food and then there are restaurants you visit to escape. Carbone London belongs firmly in the latter category. Dramatic, immersive and thrillingly excessive, the London outpost of the cult New York institution brings a sense of theatre and swagger rarely seen in the capital’s dining scene.
Set within the newly unveiled The Chancery Rosewood, Carbone London marks the long-anticipated European debut of one of the most influential restaurants of the last decade and it does so with unapologetic confidence.
From Greenwich Village to Global Icon
Carbone was founded in 2013 by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick, paying homage to the Italian American restaurants that pulsed through New York City in the 1950s and 60s. What began as a knowing tribute to red-sauce joints of the past quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
The original Greenwich Village location rewrote the rules of Italian dining, blending nostalgia with sharp execution, humour and bravado. As The New York Times memorably put it, Carbone felt like “a fancy red-sauce joint as directed by Quentin Tarantino” an observation that captures its cinematic energy perfectly. Even the late A.A. Gill was unequivocal: “I love this place.”
Today, Carbone is a global emblem of Italian-American dining, with locations spanning Las Vegas, Miami, Hong Kong, Doha, Riyadh and Dubai all under the umbrella of Major Food Group, one of the most influential hospitality brands in the world.
A Legendary Team and a Global Powerhouse
Major Food Group has redefined modern luxury dining through storytelling, atmosphere and precision. Recently named one of GQ’s 20 Most Creative Companies in the World, the group now operates over fifty restaurants, private clubs and hotels across fifteen cities.
Carbone remains its crown jewel a restaurant that doesn’t simply serve food, but curates an experience rooted in generosity, personality and confidence. London’s opening signals not just another outpost, but a statement: Carbone is now part of the city’s cultural fabric.
Photography, left Jeff Zalaznick and right, Mario Carbone.
Inside Carbone London: A Cinematic Design Statement
Housed within the former U.S. Embassy a mid-century landmark reimagined by David Chipperfield Architects, Carbone London occupies a setting as storied as the restaurant itself. For the interiors, longtime collaborator Ken Fulk drew inspiration from the legendary supper clubs of mid-century America.
On street level, signature Carbone elements anchor the space: high-gloss blue panelling, tin ceilings, marble mosaic floors and embroidered café curtains frame a weathered oak-and-zinc bar that feels instantly familiar yet meticulously polished.
Descending the sweeping staircase, guests are met with a site-specific mural narrating a fantastical evening at Carbone a cinematic blend of myth and reality that nods to New York’s golden age. Below, the bar and lounge unfold in deep red damask sourced from the archives of British textile house Watts 1874. A cherry-red coffered ceiling, mirrored panels, amber-fluted glass and brass details heighten the sense of drama.
The grand dining room is pure theatre: ebonised panelling detailed with mahogany marquetry, ceilings upholstered in burgundy billiard cloth, oversized Italian Ciambella light fixtures and red-and-white marble floors. Campari-red velvet banquettes sit alongside distressed leather chairs and crisp white tablecloths, creating an atmosphere that feels both indulgent and deliberate. A hidden private dining room completes the journey a gilded vault of hand-applied gold trim, Murano glass chandelier and hushed exclusivity.
Art, Atmosphere and the Scene
Curated by renowned gallerist Vito Schnabel, the restaurant’s art collection is as bold as its interiors, featuring works by Ai Weiwei, Julian Schnabel, David Salle, René Ricard and others. The result is a space where fine art, design and dining exist in constant dialogue.
An outdoor terrace extends the experience, dressed in custom banquettes, rattan chairs, wrought-iron bistro tables and umbrellas nestled among greenery, offering a moment of calm before re-entering the spectacle inside.
The Menu: Italian-American Classics, Perfected
At its heart, Carbone is about food that delivers pleasure without apology. Chef Mario Carbone breathes new life into Italian-American classics, honouring tradition while elevating execution.
Signature dishes at Carbone London include the Caesar alla ZZ, Octopus Pizzaiolo, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and Veal Parmesan dishes that have achieved near-mythical status. Desserts are presented tableside on a grand tray, transforming the final act of the meal into an event.
Service is equally theatrical. Captains in burgundy tuxedos by designer Zac Posen orchestrate the room with confidence and warmth, embodying Carbone’s philosophy of abbondanza, generous hospitality expressed simply as A Piacere: as you like it.
Carbone London is not subtle and that is precisely the point. It is a restaurant for those who crave atmosphere, ritual and drama; a place where dining becomes performance and escapism is guaranteed.
In a city crowded with excellent restaurants, Carbone stands apart as a destination, unapologetically bold, lavishly designed and joyfully excessive. For London, it’s not just an opening. It’s an event.
Heading to Dubai? Read our Carbone Dubai feature here