If you're looking to raise a glass to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II, a monarch that was one of a kind, there's no place better to do so than one of her favourite London establishments...

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Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, September 8.

Britain's longest reigning monarch died aged 96 in her beloved Balmoral home on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

With Buckingham Palace as the Royal Family HQ, the Queen spent much of her time in London.

While her love of country pursuits was well known, she also had a fondness for the buzz of the capital.

She is said to enjoy the sights from her Palace window even remarking to visitors on goings-on in The Mall and her favourite meals are those simply prepared for her in her private quarters at the palace.

She didn't eat out often. Having to eat at countless banquets and state dinners both at home and abroad, it is no wonder she relished meals in private, and it is said that some of favourite meals were made of simple fare, not extravagant dishes.

That said, it wasn't unheard of for the Queen to venture out of the palace to dine out, sampling some of London’s finest dining rooms.

There are various ways you can pay your respects to the Queen in London, however if you are planning to toast in her honour, why not do so in one of her favourite London restaurants?

Bellamy's Mayfair

The slick French fine dining restaurant is said to be The Queen's favourite restaurant.

The monarch celebrated her 80th birthday here, and has dined with with her daughter Princess Anne and her cousin Princess Alexandra here too.

A traditional, classical style restaurant, Ballamy's comes with an oyster bar and an exclusively French wine list.

Permanent staples to the menu are iced lobster souffle and sliced beef entrecôte, as well as The Queen's rumoured favourite, smoked eel mousse.

Address: 8/18a Bruton Place W1J 6LY

Website: bellamysrestaurant.co.uk

The Goring, Belgravia

The intimate, sophisticated Goring Hotel which has graced Belgravia for 108 years has hosted the Queen at private dinners and when she holds Christmas parties for senior members of staff.

The hotel has a long relationship with the royal family. Kate Middleton spent the eve of her wedding to Prince William there, and it is rumoured there was a private tunnel between the Goring and Buckingham Palace during the war.

It was granted a Royal Warrant in 2013, making it the only hotel to have be granted one for hospitality services.

If you want to order The Queen's favourite dish, legend has it she enjoyed Eggs Drumbkilbo. Still on the menu, it is fresh crab meat and chopped prawns mixed with hard boiled egg yok, tomato and crème fraiche.

Address: 15 Beeston Place SW1W 0JW

Website: thegoring.com

Claridge's, Mayfair

Mayfair institution Claridge's has welcomed stars, statesmen and even exiled heads of state.

In 1964, the King and Queen of Greece put on a banquet here in Her Majesty's honour.

The hotel was a favourite of The Queen Mother, who would dine on her favourite table, always with a vase of sweet peas.

A first-class hotel that still draws famous names, go for a meal or for a drink, or to bask in its art deco glory.

Address: Brook Street W1K 4HR

Website: claridges.co.uk

Quaglinos, St James's

Queen Elizabeth has also been seen at Quaglinos in St James's, which has welcomed in many a royal, from Princess Margaret to Princess Di to Prince Harry.

The luxe restaurant and bar claims not only was The Queen the first monarch to dine out - ever - but her first restaurant - also ever - was Quaglinos.

Address: 16 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6AJ

Website: quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk

The Ivy, Covent Garden

Another celebrity hot spot, The Ivy has welcomed in royalty of all kinds.

The Queen visited the original Ivy in 2017 for a private birthday party where Prince Michael and wife Princess Michael of Kent, and comedian David Walliams were also guests.

Apparently, the night out was her first in more than a year, when she was last spotted in Bellamy's in March 2016.

The plush restaurant may have had its heyday in the 90s, yet it remains as glamourous as ever.

Address: 1-5 West Street, WC2H 9NQ

Website: the-ivy.co.uk

Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly

You may not see the Queen at the checkout in Marks & Spencer or Waitrose, but from time to time she had been known to enjoy browsing for Christmas gifts in the elegant Fortnum and Mason.

The Piccadilly store holds the Royal Warrant for supplying the royals with superb food-related treats and pantry goods and foodie gifts. The shop has supplied generations of monarchs and royals with life's little indulgences, from a nightly supply of candles for Queen Victoria to marmalade for Edward VII.

Nearby is the historic Hatchards, one of the oldest book shops in the country, also loved by the Queen.

Address: 181 Piccadilly, St James's W1A 1ER

Website: fortnumandmason.com

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