Has anyone been to The Ivy restaurant in London?

Question

What is the dress code like? What did you wear?

My boyfriend is taking me there and I'm a little nervous, I love going out for meals but The Ivy has such a reputation, I;m worried it might be pretentious and it would really help hearing other people's experiences...

Answer 1

heya - I'm an ex soho-boho so, yep! It's pretty low-key actually - don't overdress; smart casual will do, preferably something understated but gorgeous.

The menu is pretty simple to navigate and the staff are fine about answering questions - they are very well-informed in my experience.

Enjoy.

Answer 2

yes - I have been many times, most recently just before Christmas.

And yes - it is frightfully pretentious - that is why most people go !

They don't have a formal dress code (too arty for that) but don't go in jeans or you won't fit in. Smart casual but not formal is the key.  Try to be shabby chic rather than fashionable !

As it is your "treat" make sure you sit facing the restaurant so you can spot the celebrities.  It is a tradition at the Ivy that the guest faces into the restaurant and the host faces away (or towards the wall if you are on one of the banquettes).

The food is always excellent, but to be honest I would never go unless I was a guest. It is far too "la la" and pretentious for me.

I think you can get far better food for similar money at Wiltons.

Anyway - have a nice lunch and happy birthday.

PS - have you looked at their website:

http://www.the-ivy.co.uk/