Saltie Girl

A meal at Saltie Girl will undoubtedly involve two things: lobster and industrial amounts of butter. Or at least it will if you’re doing it right. This slick, under-the-sea themed seafood spot in Mayfair, with mermaids coming out of the walls and shell-shaped lamp shades, is lively, not-too-serious, and has given crustacean chic a whole new meaning. 

The energy here is laid-back and fun, with aqua-coloured walls, brass-rimmed submarine-like arches, and covetable crockery adorned with little mermaids that look like a Princess Ariel x The White Company collab. The dining room—whichever part of it you’re in—has a buzzy, this-is-going-to-be-a-good-night feel, filled with groups sharing life updates over lobster rolls and birthdays being celebrated with a single candle in a sticky toffee sundae. While you’ll find caviar grilled cheese—the kind of snack we’d imagine Prince George requesting for tea—on the menu, things like the friendly service and huge ‘I’m a saltie girl’ neon sign in the toilet mirror suggests this place doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s near-impossible to resist whipping out your phone for a cheeky selfie.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Order a couple things from different sections of the menu and share it all. But skip the salads. You’re not here for lettuce, you’re here for lobster, caviar, and way too much butter. The main event is the meaty, buttery New England lobster roll. It’s worth grabbing a bar stool alone to eat one while pretending to read a book. Save stomach space for dessert because the freshly baked milk chocolate cookie might just be one of the best desserts in London.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Crab Toast

A glorious hill of towering crab and stringy stracciatella, this is a creamy, fresh tasting toast that we’d have for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Seabass Crudo

The zesty parsley and oregano-heavy green sauce the sea bass comes in is the kind of thing we wouldn’t mind drinking a shot of. Get this for the table.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Lobster Roll

The main character is obviously the meaty lobster—but the butter does an excellent job as its supporting act. The lobster is tender and, yes, buttery. The brioche roll is fluffy, toasted, and you guessed it, buttery. Overall, it’s a real butter-fest, in the best way possible.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Gnocchi And Caviar

A melt-in-the-mouth dish that’s set a new bar for gnocchi. Slightly bigger than the average gnocchi, unbelievably soft with zero room for chew, these are buttery, salty little parcels with the smooth consistency of mashed potato. The crème fraîche it’s laid on top of adds a nice freshness to the dish, while the caviar feels like it’s just there for some pizzaz.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Lobster Waffle

This isn’t a clickbait-y dish, it’s actually got the perfect ratio of sweet to savoury. The lobster is fried and crispy, while the waffle is nicely salted, and the spicy maple syrup does exactly what it says on the tin.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Spicy Lobster Pasta Alla Vodka

This capellini pasta is a great sharing plate for the table. The sauce is light and buttery, and the lobster pieces are excellent. But FYI if you’re looking for spice, it’s not all that.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Sweetboy Chocolate Chip Cookie

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are what we want to end every meal with from now on. And the one you’ll find here has a mix of dark and milk chocolate, a sprinkling of sea salt, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This warm, gooey cookie is a nostalgic dessert that we’d pop in for if we’re in the area.