Date night? Drinks with a girlfriend? Peyton and Byrne’s Inn The Park is your place to go. Tranquil settings, good food, wine and even better views of St James Park and London Eye into the distance – it’s a great spot to while away and catch up; it’s an oasis in central London

A Wednesday evening as the sun fell into dusk is when we arrived. Ushered to a table on the wooden decking. It’s split into two areas – the terrace restaurant and self serve cafe area (and if you’re just drinking, a roof terrace). I can imagine if it was a busy Saturday perhaps you’d have a difference experience with the gastro canteen overflowing with yummy mummies and their broods but a weekday, you’re a-ok. Choose to sit outside if you can – this was our view for the night:

First up – cocktails. Of course! The cocktail menu, although small, caters for all tastes from the hard negroni to a softer raspberry mojito (but all using British premium spirits as their base). I went for a Britz Spritz (£8.00) – like what they’ve done there? Yeah, I sure did! Mimicking an aperol spritz, this was famed Kamm & Son London Ginseng spirit at the base topped up with British sparkling wine, Nyetimber, garnished with slices of lemon  – it was beautifully sweet and chilled over ice, and certainly set the night off to the perfect start.

For the first course, buttermilk chicken with crunchy slaw (£5.50). To note, there is tonnes on this menu to get your mouth watering, this dish being one of them. MY PLEA: PLEASEEEEE turn this into a main course portion! It’s heaven – the peppery, crunchy outside and the tender, succulent middle just oozed with juicy mmmmmmm yum!! I’m edging closer to say thing this was probably the best southern fried chicken I’ve had in London! Warning, the coating and the spicy hot sauce were quite hot so watch out if you’re not a spice fiend

Next for me was the Lemon sole – im not the best at filleting fish, so if you have a penchant for bones, you’re fine here. I for one, am not a massive fan so it took me a while to dissect BUT once bone free, the buttery flavours and new potatoes that encircled it were beautifully cooked. Hands up, I think this is pretty pricy at £20.50 however it is good to mention that you needn’t order a separate side dish (weighing in at £3.90 a pop), so that’s the difference between this and the other mains on the menu.

The finale – my favourite – treacle tart (£6.50). Although not a summery dish, its still my favourite and glad to have it served cold on this balmy summers evening. You can’t beat the satisfying crispy crunch of breaking through the crust (in my opinion). For flavour: the lemon zest really sang through the density of the filling, and when accompanied with clotted cream, it makes for a sweet dish for the discerning customer. MMM mmm top! If you are also tempted by other desserts, I spotted some incredible pastries and carrot cake (my other favourite) from the canteen area, plenty of naughty things to nibble on.

We were able to enjoy the scenery from course to course – and trust me, you don’t want to rush this one! Even better news that even though meant to shut at 9pm – you’ll be pleased to hear, that you won’t be ushered out quicker than than you can say ‘oi oi treacle’, leaving you more time to linger and soak in the atmosphere in St James Park. A big thumbs up for that!

Will I be back? 100% I will be and I hope to see you there too..

Anni x

Inn the Park,
St James’s Park,
London, SW1A 2BJ

020 7451 9999

Dinner for two (x3 courses including wine): £££ (£80ish dependent on what you order)

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday
Breakfast 08.00-11.00
Lunch 12.00-15.00
Afternoon Tea 15.00-17.30
Dinner 17.00-21.00Saturday
Breakfast 09.00-11.00
Lunch 12.00-15.00
Afternoon Tea 15.00-17.30
Dinner 17.00-21.00

Sunday
Breakfast 9.00-11.00
Lunch 12.00-15.00
Afternoon tea 15.00-16.30
Dinner CLOSED