From fish and chips to Yorkshire pudding, English cuisine never fails to amaze foodies around the world. But there is a classic that stands out from it all, which is widely known as a signature of chef Gordon Ramsay - Beef Wellington.

The elaborate dish of beef, pâté, and duxelles encased in puff pastry takes care and time to make. Hence, if you’re craving a bite of melt-in-your-mouth meat and crisp, continue reading as papmall® discusses the best Beef Wellington in London and where to find it.

But first, let’s take some time to learn a bit more about the origin and history of this world-famous dish!

The best Beef Wellington in London and where to find it

Behind the name

No one knows precisely how this dish came to be, even culinary historians. Some folks believe it was created for the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, who is best remembered for defeating Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo.

However, there are other hypotheses about the origin of this dish’s name: It was renamed to pay homage to the duke, not made exclusively for him, since the recipe is similar to that of the French filet de boeuf en croute.

Meanwhile, others find a thick slice of Beef Wellington identical to a Wellington boot - a type of Hessians-inspired leather boots, which you can guess were worn and made famous by Arthur Wellesley himself.

It reminds us of other iconic foods named after real people, such as Caesar salad (Caesar Cardini), nachos (Ignacio Nacho Anaya), Salisbury steak (James Henry Salisbury), and Carpaccio (Vittore Carpaccio).

The history of London best Beef Wellington

Julia Child and Beef Wellington

Despite its rich history, the dish was not popular until Julia Child revived it in 1965, when she wrapped a beef tenderloin coated with mushrooms and ham in pastry, then served it with Madeira sauce.

Although the Duke's theory is the most well-known, there are other theories about where Beef Wellington came from, which did not get into any cookbooks or printed materials until the 1970s.

Beef Wellington may even be closer to the Americans than to the British. Many of the earliest mentions of “Beef Wellington” are from the US, including “Filet of beef, a la Wellington” in the Los Angeles Times (1903), and a 1939 guide to New York City restaurants “Where to dine in '39”.

However, we are all certain that the best Beef Wellington in London, as we know it today, was first popularized by the legendary chef Julia Child. During her TV show “The French Chef”, on the 1965 New Year’s Eve episode, she introduced the filet de bśuf en croûte, the French crust beef filet, as “Filet of Wellington Beef”.

The recipe’s popularity skyrocketed from that day forward, and the dish began to appear in various recreational circles across North America, as well as being the talk of the town in important culinary books.

The tradition of puff pastry in England

Puff pastry in England

Beef Wellington is full of English: Beside its name, a crucial element of the dish - pastry, has a long history in Cornwall (at the south-west tip of England). It is a wild and unspoiled county where you can find the most authentic recipes or preparations with stuffed puff pastry.

Cornish pasties have risen in popularity as street food in metropolises like London. But in the past, they were simply a much-loved item of local pub-crawlers, already present since the seventeenth century and always defined by spicy and flavorful fillings.

The best Beef Wellington in London - Top 10 places

Holborn Dining Room

A bustling dining salon, Holborn Dining Room serves seasonal meals with a twist using local fresh produce. It is ideal for an intimate night with friends, a spontaneous pint of local lager and burger, or a selection of charcuterie boards accompanied by fine wines.

Beef Wellington at Holborn Dining Room might no longer be an intricate pastry work of Calum Franklin, but it remains a show-stopping combination of flavor and texture.

Take your beef experience to new heights with an ever-so-tender filet from Warren’s in Cornwall, topped with mustard, one layer of fungi, and another layer of spinach, all covered in a pancake before being wrapped in unrested puff pastry and baked.

Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay

When it comes to London best Beef Wellington, Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay is a household name adored by high-profile figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, and the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the week, the Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay boasts a too-good-to-eat Beef Wellington for two.

The dish starts with the finest filet steak brushed with mustard placed inside a pancake (with chicken mousse on top). The whole thing is then wrapped in precisely crafted pastry before being cooked to perfection. No wonder why people surmise that it is the best Beef Wellington in London.

Inside a Beef Wellington

Simpson's In The Strand

Simpson's is one of the few spots offering only the finest ingredients in London. Its fabulous menu features Steak & Kidney pudding, Lord Woolton pie, and hand-dived Scotch scallops.

Here you will be treated to a divine 28-day aged filet of Scottish beef inside a light-as-air pastry casing. Claiming to deliver the most memorable experiences to all its guests, Simpson's In The Strand surely does not disappoint.

Bob Bob Ricard Soho

Famous for being flamboyant, the ineffable splendor of Bob Bob Ricard Soho has penetrated to its core elements, from tabletop toasters, cotton candy-pink waistcoats to the “Press for champagne" button at every table.

The restaurant specializes in truffles and champagne – signatures include the Turbot Coulibiac and the Truffle, Potato, and Mushroom Vareniki. It probably even serves the best Beef Wellington in London: a 28-day aged filet dripping with beef jus.

Indulge your taste buds with the handsome, scrumptious dish, and you will rethink your choice.

What a luxurious dining experience looks like

45 Jermyn St.

The interior design of the dining room reflects what made a great restaurant in the 1930s: attention to detail and elegance.

At 45 Jermyn St., whether you are sipping a boozy cocktail at the bar or trying the kitchen’s signature dish samples, you will feel an inexplicably complicated ambiance that can not be found elsewhere.

The menu takes its inspiration from modern London cuisine while celebrating British classics. If you feel like having a cheap Beef Wellington London, stop at 45 Jermyn St. to enjoy the perfectly cooked dish with a delightful, crispy pastry, intensely flavored duxelles presented with great panache.

Bill's

Bill's Soho is an exuberant, Instagrammable spot with decadent dining options that make you smile. Breakfast at Bill's is a great way to start your day, from hearty Bill's breakfast, Egg Benedict, to warming hot chocolate.

Weekends see customers flock to kick off their days with brunch, complete with newspapers, fresh orange juice, tea or coffee.

Beef Wellington at Bill’s is no ordinary dish: It is an impeccable cross of irresistible savory and well-choreographed service. We can see why many people would choose this as London best Beef Wellington.

The Goring Dining Room

The Goring appeals to those who like things done correctly and is one of the few places in London where everyone dresses up as they come straight out of a castle.

The hotel has long been synonymous with serving traditional English dishes, but its kitchen makes the best use of high-quality ingredients to produce sumptuous modern-style food.

Comprising filet steak coated with pâté and duxelles, wrapped in pastry, and baked, its immense Beef Wellington is an experience of a lifetime. Accompanying Mushroom Arancini, Girolles, and Truffle with the dish will be the best thing you’ve done for yourself.

Core by Clare Smyth

Though having a humble history, Core has been awarded three Michelin stars and has scored a 10 (out of 10) in the Good Food Guide since 2017. Clare Smyth also received the World’s Best Female Chef Award from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

It is an elegant gourmet restaurant that strives for sustainability with locally sourced ingredients. But it’s not solely the food that makes it a cut above the rest: Clare Smyth also emphasizes the whole dining experience.

According to previously satisfied visitors, the exquisite Beef Wellington with layers of high-end steak, mushroom, ham, and pastry lives up to its accolades. It is the best Beef Wellington in London to add to your bucket list!

Honestly, how can you resist this?

Final verdict

According to the personal experience of the author, the best Beef Wellington restaurant London would be 45 Jermyn St. thanks to its world-class dishes with matching prices. Even so, we believe the above list will give you some ideas about where to go next time you visit London!