Q&A with Chef Kevin Gratton – Café Royal Grill

Putting nostalgia back on the menu at Café Royal Grill with Chef Kevin Gratton

In the heart of London, where food trends constantly evolve, Café Royal Grill stands as an icon of timeless culinary elegance. Honouring its rich history, the storied restaurant is embracing a new chapter under the creative leadership of Chef Kevin Gratton. We took a seat in the ornate dining room to learn about his vision for a menu that evokes cherished memories, one thoughtfully crafted dish at a time.

Nostalgia is a key theme at Café Royal Grill. How did you tap into the concept of food as an emotional experience when you created the menu?

When I was first invited to join Café Royal Grill, I was given some insight into its rich history—including a recipe for a Chicken Pie that had been passed down from chef to chef over the decades. It was clear that this dish held a special place in the restaurant’s legacy, and we were keen to bring it back to life. As it happens, London is currently experiencing something of a pie renaissance, so the timing couldn’t be better.

Which other signature dishes are you excited about showcasing and why?

The menu has been designed to allow guests to dine at any time of day, any day of the week—which I believe is essential for what a Grill Room should offer. With our ingredient-led approach, the focus is as much on showcasing the quality of the produce as it is on the dishes themselves, particularly those that are fiercely seasonal. Right now, Isle of Wight tomatoes take centre stage, along with Annabel’s strawberries from Harrogate. As we move into autumn, game will naturally take its place on the menu.

How does Café Royal Grill fit into London’s thriving and diverse food scene?

While the city celebrates a vast array of global cuisines and cutting-edge dining experiences, Café Royal Grill offers something distinctly different: a return to timeless British hospitality, delivered with modern elegance. We’re not chasing trends. Instead, we’re quietly reclaiming what it means to be a Grill Room in London: a place where quality, seasonality, and a sense of occasion meet. That balance allows us to contribute something enduring to the city’s food landscape—rooted in heritage, yet open to the moment.

How do you balance honouring the classic traditions of Café Royal Grill with a modern culinary vision?

At Café Royal Grill, we believe tradition and modernity don’t need to compete—they coexist beautifully. The Grill Room has always been about timeless comfort and simplicity, and we continue to honour that legacy through cooking that is ingredient led. Today’s guests are more curious, more connected to where their food comes from. That’s why we bring a modern sensibility to the classics—celebrating seasonality, sourcing responsibly, and letting exceptional ingredients lead the way. For us, it’s about elevating what’s already great with care, precision, and a genuine respect for the produce.

Tell us about some of your suppliers…

Nearly all of our suppliers have been hand-picked—carefully chosen to meet a brief that was simple in theory, but far from easy in practice: source the very best seasonal produce the UK has to offer. We believe we’ve achieved that, but this kind of work is never truly finished. It requires constant care—nurturing relationships over time, building trust, and creating a framework that supports not only today’s menu, but the future of sustainable, ingredient-led cooking. It’s this ongoing collaboration with farmers, growers, and producers that enables us to create dishes with real depth, honesty, and integrity—and to share meaningful stories with both our guests and our team.

Become part of the story at Café Royal Grill.