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Bacchanalia: Does a Viral Restaurant Live Up to the Hype?

To book visit their website here.

When a restaurant goes viral, you never really know what to expect. Will it live up to the hype, or are you about to have a very disappointing experience?

For our first wedding anniversary, my husband chose a restaurant that had taken over my social media feed: Bacchanalia. The photos and videos were stunning, the reviews were great, and it was certainly sufficiently fancy and expensive for the occasion! I’m happy to report that this restaurant more than lived up to the hype, delivering an exceptional experience on all fronts.

A large, white statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, holding a chalice and grapes, standing in a restaurant entrance with wall sconces on either side.
The interior of a highly decorated bar with marbled columns, statues in wall niches, and a coffered ceiling.
A bar with a lit liquor shelf against a background of marbled walls and a detailed, ornate ceiling with gold trim.
A fabric-covered drinks menu with a colorful mosaic-style illustration of mythological figures on a marble countertop.

The Vibe & Decor

Located on the corner of Carlos Place and Davies Street in Mayfair, Bacchanalia is both impossible to miss and almost inconspicuous. From the outside, there’s only a small hint of what awaits you—a lone statue on the corner—but inside, the decor is truly a sight to behold.

We arrived at our late-evening reservation where the doormen immediately welcomed us, and we were led into the reception area. This is just a preview of the impressive main hall, and includes a grand statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine who sets the scene. We soon found that if a table isn’t ready upon arrival, guests are escorted to the bar area for a drink. The bar, named Apollo’s Muse, is a marvel in itself. From the ornate ceiling and polychrome marbled walls to the mosaic floors and antique furnishings, it’s easy to see why it has been named among the top 10 cocktail bars in Europe.

Luckily, our table was ready within minutes. My husband graciously let me take the “good” seat at the booth along the window, giving me a fantastic view of Damien Hirst’s larger-than-life hanging statues of Medusa, unicorns, and a pair of winged lovers. These modern pieces stand in striking contrast to the many other statues and antiques, which I was told were purchased at auctions and are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old. The entire space is simply breathtaking.

My only real gripe with the evening atmosphere was the volume. Once the sun went down and the lights dimmed, the DJ’s music was so loud that it was a struggle to hold a conversation, especially at a larger table. We’re already planning a return trip for lunch to see if the daytime vibe is different and to try out their much more affordable set menu.

A man in a suit looks up at a large white statue of a unicorn and a winged figure hanging from the ceiling in a restaurant.
A lavishly decorated men's restroom with a red marble double sink, serpent-framed mirrors, and walls covered in dark and light mosaic tiles.
The interior of a restaurant with high ceilings and painted murals. A large white statue of a winged unicorn and a winged woman are hanging from the ceiling.
A marble statue of a nude woman seated with a winged baby, illuminated by spotlights in a niche

The Drinks

The sommelier arrived promptly to take our drink order. The drink list is extensive and exceptional, with one caveat: there is only one option for beer! I ordered a glass of Vassaltis, Assyrtiko—a beautiful, crisp white wine from Santorini that made me feel like I was on a holiday—while my husband ordered the sole beer.

The Food

You might think a restaurant this visually stunning would be “lazy” in the kitchen, relying on its reputation to attract crowds. I’m happy to report this is not the case at Bacchanalia. The food was exquisite, perfectly cooked, and a true delight.

The menu itself isn’t particularly experimental; if you’ve spent time in Italy or Greece, many of the classic dishes will be familiar. However, the ingredients hint at a modern twist. (Greek fried potatoes with truffle mayo? Now that’s a new one!)

We wanted to try as much as possible, so we opted for the sharing entrees. This was a great idea, though it was certainly too much food for two people! The warm, fluffy bread and the divine red pepper hummus were excellent. I’m not usually a fan of tarama, but I’m still dreaming about theirs—it was velvety smooth with the perfect, punchy, fishy flavor.

For our mains, we chose the lobster paccheri pasta and the chicken skewers, along with the intriguing Greek fried potatoes. The staff helpfully removed the lobster from the shell for us, which was a thoughtful touch since the table wasn’t huge. The pasta was perfectly cooked with wonderful flavor, but honestly, for the price, it didn’t completely blow me away. The chicken skewers, on the other hand, were juicy, tender, and served with a side of incredibly flavorful mushrooms that added great texture to an otherwise simple dish. We were so full we could barely touch the potatoes, but I still appreciated their crispy outside and soft inside, complemented by the salty parmesan and aromatic truffle mayo.

At this point, we had to pass on the famous Medusa dessert, as we simply couldn’t eat another bite. However, my husband had mentioned our anniversary to the restaurant, and they surprised us with a lovely chocolate mousse dessert, in the shape of a broken pillar, dusted with chocolate powder. In the words of my husband, it was “the best mousse I have ever had, possibly the best dessert I have ever had. From the flavor, texture, and presentation, everything was so good.”

A place setting with a white napkin folded on a white plate with a red Greek key border and a "B" monogram.
A variety of sharing entrees including fresh bread, sliced vegetables, and two bowls of dips. One dip is white with oil and the other is a reddish-orange hummus.
A bowl of golden-brown fried potatoes topped with grated parmesan cheese and three dollops of white sauce.
A dark bowl of paccheri pasta with lobster meat and a rich red sauce, next to a fork and spoon.
One chicken skewer on a dark, rustic-looking plate. It is served with a side of mushrooms and greens.
A dark chocolate mousse shaped like a cylinder on a black plate, next to a white chocolate drizzle that spells "Happy Anniversary."

The Service & Verdict

Overall, the service was excellent. The staff were polite, attentive, and discreet, but never cold. At the end of the meal, we were even invited to go to the bar area, whose doors had now closed, to enjoy the rest of the evening. It was a kind offer, but with the meal starting at 8:30 PM, it was way past our bedtime! Perhaps next time.

Bacchanalia truly is the full package—a visual masterpiece with food and service that live up to the spectacular setting. It’s a testament to a restaurant that doesn’t just rely on viral marketing but delivers a genuinely unforgettable experience.

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