Game Season: 5 London restaurants to visit for Glorious Twelfth

Each August, the Glorious Twelfth marks the start of the grouse season – a key event in the British countryside calendar, it sees the country’s most seasoned shots head over to the moorlands to try their hand at shooting with their loved ones. Grouse is one of the toughest birds to shoot, making this as much a sporting event as it is a social call, with everyone ensuring they look the part for the occasion. To mark the start of Glorious Twelfth, many restaurants across London are celebrating the arrival of game with a range of seasonal dishes showcasing the very best of British produce. From Wiltons’ iconic grouse and comforting venison dishes to Franco’s Italian take on the game season, these London fine dining restaurants should be on your radar for Glorious Twelfth.Wiltons, St James’s

Located in the heart of St James’s, Wiltons is one of London’s oldest restaurants and is renowned for its classic British cuisine and exceptional game offering. Wiltons’ annual game season sees the return of its much-loved grouse, sourced from the shoots at Bolton Abbey Estate on the Barden Moors and traditionally prepared à l’Anglaise – a classic British style of serving the bird and a longstanding signature of the restaurant’s game offering. Seasonal highlights include grouse à l’Anglaise, venison braise and venison saddle with wild mushroom gratin, grey and red leg partridge and so many more, all paired with classic wines that marry well with game.Franco’s, St James’s

Franco’s is bringing an Italian interpretation to the game season, showcasing the finest British produce with Mediterranean flair. Celebrating Britain’s seasonal game through an Italian lens, Franco’s showcases British game sourced, where possible, from local suppliers, particularly Scotland, paired with comforting Italian flavours. Highlights include venison with creamy polenta and wild mushrooms, pheasant ravioli with rosemary butter sauce and wild boar strozzapreti.

Julie’s, Holland Park

Julie’s in Holland Park is celebrating the game season with a selection of seasonal specials, showcasing the best of British produce in the restaurant’s signature style. Seasonal highlights include a venison schnitzel H=holstein and a comforting pheasant and barley broth, celebrating the rich flavours of the season with refined yet hearty cooking. Perfectly paired with Julie’s carefully curated wine list, these limited-time dishes offer a delicious way to enjoy Britain’s seasonal game in the elegant surroundings of Holland Park.

Tresind, Mayfair

This game season, Tresind Mayfair is introducing a new tasting menu course celebrating wild game with its confit wild duck, saag & corn waffle. Inspired by the classic North Indian pairing of sarson ka saag & makki di roti, the dish reimagines the much-loved comfort food in Tresind’s signature contemporary style. Slow-confit wild duck leg is served with silky, spiced saag and a warm, savoury corn waffle, finished with crispy spinach, watermelon radish and fresh herbs to create a balance of earthy, savoury flavours and subtle sweetness. As the restaurant exclusively offers a tasting menu, the dish will feature as part of the upcoming menu, while during the peak game season in late September and October, guests can also look forward to a rotating special of the week showcasing the finest seasonal game.The Cinnamon Club, Westminster

With Glorious Twelfth marking the start of the British game season, there’s no better place to celebrate the occasion than Vivek Singh’s The Cinnamon Club. From wild grouse and venison to mallard and teal, the restaurant will celebrate Britain’s exceptional game with a series of limited-edition dishes throughout the season. Experience a rotating selection of game specials, including clove-smoked grouse breast, served with chickpea bread and Rajasthani tarka dal, before moving through dishes such as mallard with tawa mince and mango; teal breast with sesame tamarind chutney and pickled vegetables; and venison with pickling spices. 

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