A Compelling Collection
The breathtaking restoration of the Old War Office on Whitehall has been an incredibly significant landmark in the recent development of London hotels and hospitality. Leaning on the impeccable heritage, history and magnificence of this Baroque-influenced masterpiece of a building created by William Young over a century ago, it now stands as a pioneer for those looking to revive similar spaces in the capital, and all over the world.
Part of its success is in the wealth of amenities, attractions and facilities that the hotel is the custodian of. A total of nine restaurants are housed here, each with their own inimitable style and impressive menus that continue to develop and experiment along their own journey.
This guide profiles them all to allow a greater understanding of the choices that one may encounter when staying there or perhaps dropping in for dinner.
Mauro Colagreco at The OWO
The Argentine-Italian super chef has made his mark on the hotel through his involvement with three restaurant concepts and this is clearly the pinnacle of them. It was duly awarded a Michelin star in 2025 with rave reviews across the board. Hyper seasonal tasting menus are the order of the day here, with locally sourced produce running through every dish for an English Garden concept. This is a theatrical and immersive eating experience with a satisfying, unhurried pace and a collected narrative with a dedication to gastronomy that is evident for every minute one spends here.
Saison
The all-day dining option at The OWO leans heavily on Mauro Colagreco’s vision to align his creations with the rhythms and transformations of nature through the seasons. This beautiful place occupies what was once the library in the grand old building with its vaulted Edwardian glass ceiling, immaculately restored to produce huge swathes of natural light. An overall Mediterranean feel of breezy sophistication is at play with line-caught fish, aged meats and handmade pasta making up some fantastic menu options. Saison is clearly more accessible than the flagship restaurant but as the champagne and oysters of the Sunday servings demonstrate, there is always an opportunity for refinement and flair.
Mauro’s Table
Although it is impossible to keep anything this impressive a secret, there is still an elite allure to Mauro’s Table, a private dining experience for around 20 guests. Overlooking Whitehall, it houses an open show kitchen where everything can be observed to watch the master at work. A bespoke five-course tasting menu has been built around botanical themes that begin with a ceremonial hand washing ritual of wild thyme essence to set the tone for a sensory connection to nature. The experience here is wonderfully suited to special events and occasions that look for drama and immersion amongst a select few companion diners.
Kioko by Endo
The second wave of restaurants to open at The OWO brought the artistry of Endo Kazutoshi’s skills and craft to the rooftop of the hotel in fine style. It demonstrates contemporary Japanese cuisine that is rooted in the Edomae sushi tradition, with influences and allowances for global flavours too. The sleek interiors that display the clean lines and neat minimalism of natural wood and subtle lighting are an excellent stage for Endo’s storytelling to take place. The Robata grill dishes of wagyu beef and line-caught fish are used to awesome effect with a stunning backdrop of the city skyline as an additional highlight.
Paper Moon
The Paper Moon brand from husband and wife Pio Galligani and Enrica Del Rosso is now almost 50 years old, and this represents their very first UK outpost. Authentic Italy runs through everything here in the environment of an upscale trattoria in the grand courtyard of The OWO building. Milanese masterpieces such as Fiori di zucca ripieni and branzino make up the menu that is aligned with an extensive wine list that relies on the region too. If the sun is shining and the infamously unpredictable weather of the city behaves, then you could be forgiven for thinking that Renaissance Milan has made its way to 2025 London.
The Drawing Room
The Drawing Room opened alongside the hotel to offer an all-day British lounge type affair for breakfast, light lunches and, of course, an Afternoon Tea service. Fitting then that it looks over the ceremonial heart of Whitehall and the Household Cavalry. Mahogany sash windows, period detailing and the imperious grand piano all add a quintessentially old English air that uses history and the military connections of the building very well indeed. The espionage-themed pastries and cakes are a wonderful element of whimsy that ensures that, whilst the surroundings are stately, it never takes itself too seriously.
Pillar Kitchen
So much of The OWO is concerned with opulence and luxury, both in the stylings of the physical space and everything it offers. Recognising the need for a counterpoint to this has driven the world-class spa facilities that were created alongside Guerlain and Pillar’s wellbeing movement and recovery programmes. The Pillar Kitchen supports this with an emphasis on nutrition, gut health and renewed energy using plant-forward ingredients and lean proteins. The space itself is informal and welcoming, with attentive staff who are always on hand to deliver advice that may boost your own training performance through aligned eating habits.
Café Ciel
The casual café and bistro setting of Café Ciel is a genuinely transformative element of The OWO. It performs equally well as a relaxed coffee and pâtisserie spot throughout the day and a small plates and cocktail venue for the evening in a livelier manner. As a street accessible part of the hotel, it entices the local evening crowd alongside residents in chic surroundings of marble counters, leather banquettes and huge windows on Horse Guards Avenue. With its own dedicated entrance, it feels at once connected to the hotel with an undoubted life of its own that will develop over the coming years.
Langosteria
There is an understandable anticipation for the restaurant that will complete the current collection at The OWO with Langosteria, Enrico Buonocore’s acclaimed seafood brand, expected to open in 2026. The glamour and excellence that have defined every branch from Milan to St Moritz and Paris have shown how well it can adapt to every setting, creating something familiar but innovative for the cosmopolitan clientele that flock there. This is destined to be a high-energy place buzzing with life as it brings the highest quality seafood choice to what is already a stellar hotel and hospitality hub.
Raffles London at The OWO is making some important headlines for the social life of London. Its restaurants are an integral element that bridge the connection between the building, its residents and the casual guests that are making reservations in great numbers. With more to come very soon, it looks like this city centre space is well on its way to becoming a modern institution.
