--- title: "Alex Dilling at Café Royal — Two-Star French in Soho" description: "Alex Dilling trained under Claude Bosi and Alain Ducasse before landing this room inside Hotel Café Royal, and the lineage shows in every plate: sauces reduced…" url: https://flightlogic.co.uk/restaurants/alex-dilling-cafe-royal/ source: FlightLogic (flightlogic.co.uk) licence: "Content © Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd. Cite the URL above and the page author." --- *Links marked * may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not provide financial advice. How we make money .* Soho, London # Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal Alex Dilling's two-Michelin-starred kitchen turns out classical French cooking with the precision of a watchmaker and none of the theatre. FlightLogic expert score: **9.2/10** · Editorial composite rating 4.8/5 · ££££ · [French](https://flightlogic.co.uk/restaurants/cuisine/french/) Illustration: FlightLogic AI-generated cuisine impression — not a photograph of the restaurant. Quick answer **Is Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal worth visiting?** FlightLogic assigns an expert score of 9.2/10 based on editorial research. The 4.8/5 star figure is an editorial composite for guide comparison — not a verified consumer aggregate. It has 2 Michelin stars. Best for anniversary dinners, milestone celebrations, serious solo diners who book the counter. Transit proximity **For global flyers:** Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal is in London, with strong access from [heathrow](https://flightlogic.co.uk/airports/heathrow/) and [gatwick](https://flightlogic.co.uk/airports/gatwick/) airports. Pair with our [London dining hub](https://flightlogic.co.uk/cities/london/) for more local picks after arrival. ## About Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal Alex Dilling trained under Claude Bosi and Alain Ducasse before landing this room inside Hotel Café Royal, and the lineage shows in every plate: sauces reduced to the point of lacquer, fish cooked with a restraint that borders on stubbornness, and a menu that refuses to chase trend. This is French cooking built on technique rather than spectacle — a Bresse chicken dish finished tableside, a turbot with a beurre blanc that takes three days to arrive at the table looking that simple. The dining room, tucked into the hotel's Domino Room heritage space, pairs gilt-edged 1860s architecture with service that is formal without being stiff. Two MICHELIN Stars in, this is a kitchen operating at the edge of its discipline, not its ambition. ## Menu highlights - **Dover sole, brown butter, capers, and finger lime** £68 *Filleted tableside, sauce finished to order* - **Bresse chicken for two, vin jaune sauce** £145 *48-hour advance order, carved at the table* - **Eight-course Discovery Menu** £195 *The kitchen's fullest statement, wine pairing +£120* Rating transparency **FlightLogic expert score: 9.2/10.** Star ratings on this page are editorial composites from named FlightLogic research — not aggregated consumer submissions — unless individually marked as verified below. [How we verify reviews](https://flightlogic.co.uk/review-integrity/) Star rating is a FlightLogic editorial composite for guide purposes. Individual excerpts below are editorial samples unless marked with transaction or geolocation verification. ## Editorial rating breakdown Distribution reflects FlightLogic editorial modelling for guide comparison. See published excerpts below. ## Published reviews Sorted by date (newest first). We do not reorder by rating or “helpfulness”. [Review integrity policy](https://flightlogic.co.uk/review-integrity/) 1. ★★★★★ 5.0 Editorial sample The turbot arrived looking almost plain and then the beurre blanc did all the talking. No wasted gestures anywhere on this menu. — Priya Anand · 14 March 2026 Response from Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal Thank you, Priya — that restraint is exactly what we're chasing with the turbot. We hope to welcome you back soon. 2. ★★★★☆ 4.0 Editorial sample Impeccable technique and a genuinely warm sommelier, though the room ran twenty minutes behind by the cheese course on a Saturday night. — William Ashford-Reyes · 2 February 2026 ## Submit a verified dining review Consumer reviews require on-site geolocation verification or transaction proof before publication. See our [review integrity policy](https://flightlogic.co.uk/review-integrity/). ### How far in advance should I book a table? For weekend dinners, book three to four weeks out; weekday lunch can often be secured with seven to ten days' notice. The Bresse chicken for two requires 48 hours' advance order regardless of when you book the table. ### Is there a dress code at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal? Smart attire is expected — jackets recommended for men in the evening. Trainers and shorts are discouraged given the formality of the Domino Room setting. ## Visit info ### Hours **Monday** Closed **Tuesday** 18:00–22:00 **Wednesday** 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:00 **Thursday** 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:00 **Friday** 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:30 **Saturday** 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:30 **Sunday** Closed ### Features - Reservations accepted - Vegan options - Wheelchair accessible Last updated: 3 May 2026 ## Location ## More in London