Last Updated on January 27, 2026
LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW – on a mission to convert the world into liquorice lovers!
Come December, when London has thrown itself headlong into the festive frenzy, one of my favourite places to lose myself is Harvey Nichols. The shop itself, with its towering shelves of luxury and indulgence, offers the kind of sophisticated shopping experience that feels like a celebration in itself. But what truly elevates the day is ending it with a meal at the Fifth Floor Café – the perfect spot to unwind after a flurry of purchases, especially if, like me, you’re catching up with a friend.
The setting oozes contemporary elegance: airy and spacious, with white marble-topped tables and sleek, mid-century metal-framed chairs. The open-plan kitchen hums with the kind of quiet energy that reassures you every dish will be meticulously prepared. For those lucky enough to time it right, the terrace, glittering with fairy lights and Christmas trees, offers a festive escape with a city view.
This Christmas, Harvey Nichols is partnering with LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW, the gourmet Danish confectionery brand renowned for its bold reimagining of liquorice. Together, they’re inviting Londoners to rethink their relationship with this polarising treat, offering a festive dessert that’s as indulgent as it is inventive. Personally, I’m already a fan – liquorice has always been my guilty pleasure – but I know it’s one of those flavours that divides opinion, like Marmite: you either love it or loathe it. The question is, could this luxurious chocolate-clad version win over even the most sceptical of palates?
We kicked off the evening at the Fifth Floor Café with a round of festive cocktails – my choice, a classic Champagne cocktail with Courvoisier VSOP and Angostura bitters, was just the right amount of celebratory, warming with a subtle richness that felt utterly fitting for the season. My companion, ever the purist, opted for a Margarita – flawlessly executed, though not quite as overtly festive as my seasonal tipple. That said, she confessed it whisked her away to a sun-soaked summer holiday – not a bad escape for a chilly December evening!
At the Fifth Floor Café, diners have the choice of the à la carte menu or, as we did, the seasonal dining option. I began with a delicate starter of beetroot-cured salmon, its vibrant colour matched only by its depth of flavour. The salmon paired beautifully with a horseradish-infused potato, which provided a gentle but satisfying kick, while the peppery Nasturtium leaves added a welcome burst of freshness.
My companion enjoyed a rich duck terrine (which I couldn’t resist trying), its luxurious texture bursting with flavour. The terrine was elevated by a generous spoonful of quince marmalade, adding a sweet-tart contrast, while toasted sourdough provided the perfect crispy base to bring it all together.
For the main course, I was treated to my first turkey dinner of the year – served in a refreshingly minimal style. Tender slices of turkey were gently drizzled with a rich jus, accompanied by a sweetly glazed carrot and crispy roast potatoes. It may not have been a hearty feast fit for a ravenous appetite, but for my friend and I, it was just the right amount – simple, elegant, and utterly satisfying. We paired our meal with Harvey Nichols 2022 – a fresh and zingy, medium-bodied white wine with notes of citrus.
Moving on to desserts, I couldn’t resist the limited-edition dark chocolate liquorice tart, a masterpiece created by the Head Pastry Chef at Harvey Nichols. This indulgent treat starts with a crisp cocoa pastry, enriched by raw liquorice, and is filled with a creamy chocolate mixture infused with a red liquorice purée made using LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW’s 3 – RED. The tart is topped with a sharp cranberry sauce, covered in a luscious ganache to balance the sweetness, and finished with cranberry curd, redwood sorrel, and LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW’s DOUBLE CHOCOLATE liquorice from their seasonal WINTER collection.
As an added treat, customers who order this dessert at the Fifth Floor Café receive a complimentary jar of LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW’s classic caramel flavour from the Winter collection, also available to purchase in the Foodmarket – a win-win!
My friend opted for the Pistachio Tiramisu from the seasonal menu, which she declared an absolute triumph. While she noted it wasn’t particularly boozy, its rich flavours and delicate balance more than made up for it.
All in all we had a thoroughly enjoyable festive evening at the Fifth Floor Café, made even more special by my introduction to LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW’s delicious treats. A perfect indulgence – and perhaps another inspired idea for a Christmas gift?
The Seasonal Dining Menu – 3 courses with a Glass of HN Prosecco – £35 per person
The LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW Dark Chocolate Liquorice Tart is available from 4th
November until 28th December at the Fifth Floor Café at Harvey Nichols
Knightsbridge
Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café and Terrace
Fifth Floor,
Harvey Nichols,
109-125 Knightsbridge,
London SW1X 7RJ
Value for Money: £££
Editorial Rating: ***
Looking for a different festive treat? We recommend Luciano by Gino D’Acampo
Leave a Reply