Last Updated on December 9, 2025
Fabulous Festive Lunch at the Parlour, Great Scotland Yard Hotel
4.5 out of 5.0 starsWhen the Christmas rush is in full swing, slipping into The Parlour at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel feels like a bit of quiet relief. Tucked away in Westminster, just a short walk from the crowds around Trafalgar Square, it will give you space to pause, chill and enjoy a relaxing festive lunch.
Originally the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, hence the name “Scotland Yard”, the Edwardian exterior of this historic building was retained, with the interior redesigned when it became a hotel as part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection.
As the name suggests, The Parlour is a cosy, welcoming space exuding calm. With a comfortable assortment of seating from wing-backed chairs to sofas, it immediately makes you feel at home. The décor is sophisticated yet subtle with soft lighting, foliage and stylish wallpaper.
We were invited for a preview of the festive three-course set lunch menu available for the Christmas period. Head chef Rukh Gupta, who created the menu, greeted us on arrival and went through it in more detail. He aims to use the best seasonal produce to elevate his dishes; for example, the starter showcases hand-dived Orkney scallops together with heritage carrots.
To start, we chose a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne, which comes at an additional cost; fizz is undoubtedly the best way to begin a celebratory meal.
I plumped for the scallop with heritage carrots and carrot jus to begin the lunch. It arrived beautifully presented with a drizzle of dill oil. The scallop was lightly seared on one side; it was fresh, sweet, and succulent. The sweetness of the carrots was a perfect match for the scallop.
For my daughter, the GSY (Great Scotland Yard) Tartar with capers and beetroot. This is a signature dish at the hotel; accompaniments for the tartar change throughout the year according to the produce available. It was seasoned with parsley and chives and garnished with confit egg and a beetroot disc. The seasoning was spot on, and the tartar excellent.
My main course was Atlantic cod with broccoli and spiced butter sauce, a delightful combination of flavours. The cod was golden brown, the beurre blanc sauce having a slight touch of heat from chilli. This was a warming and delicious dish.
To accompany my main course, a glass of Jean Goulley & Fils Chablis Premier Cru, 2022. An organic wine from the Loire, the minerality of this Chablis was a great accompaniment to the cod.
Amelia had chosen the duck main course with king oyster mushroom and celeriac puree. The duck was pink and tender, the celeriac puree smooth and silky. She did find that the jus lacked a bit of punch.
My dessert was a slice of pecan tart topped with crunchy toasted pecans and a quenelle of cardamom cream. This was a delicious pudding; the tart had just the right level of sweetness, with the pecans adding texture.
Always a fan of sticky toffee pudding, Amelia was more than happy to find this on the menu. In keeping with the season, the sponge was beautifully spiced with cinnamon, the toffee sauce sticky, and it was served with vanilla Chantilly. This was an excellent dessert without being too stodgy.
The Parlour Restaurant’s festive lunch more than lived up to our expectations. This experience is definitely one I would recommend. The service level was just right. The Parlour restaurant is perfect for a leisurely lunch with friends or family.
The cost of the festive set lunch menu is £85, with three options per course, including a vegetarian option. Other dietary requirements can be met if highlighted at the time of booking. Add a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne for £22, or start your meal with half a dozen oysters for £15.
Booking is essential; check the link for more details and to make a reservation for the Festive Menu.
The Festive Menu is available for lunch bookings, 12.00 midday – 2.00 pm, 22 December to 31 December 2025.
The Parlour at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel,
3 – 5 Great Scotland Yard,
London SW1A 2HN.
tel: 020 7925 4700.
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