Story of Wiltons

Here is the story. British merchant banker and chairman of Hambros Bank, Captain Ronald Olaf Hambro would lunch every weekday in the same restaurant on Jermyn St. in London during the second world war. A time of scarcity and rationing. One day, whilst he was dining, the lady proprietaire who was serving him informed him that she was terribly sorry but it was to be his last lunch here, as they couldn’t afford to keep it going. On enquiring about the problem and how much it would cost to buy the place, he simply requested she add the said amount to his lunch bill. He bought it and allowed the lady to continue running it.

Traditions run deep, at this infamous St James spot. Think hefty grilled meats, Wiltons’ renowned fish and other seafood, and of course the oyster bar.