Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern Review: Iconic Cocktails, Solid Lunch

Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern is the kind of London spot that instantly feels like you’ve stepped into a story, not just another lunch address on a map. We went specifically because we wanted to try the food properly, not just sip something pretty and leave. Up until that day, our only Mr Fogg’s experience was at Society of Exploration, which is more of a cocktail bar setup. We had two drinks each and a small snack, loved the vibe, but walked out thinking: okay, but what about an actual meal?

That being said, this time we booked a lunch at the Botanical Tavern with one goal in mind: proper food, a real sit-down break in the middle of the day, and a chance to see whether Mr Fogg’s can deliver beyond the drinks.

Where is Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern (address, area, best way to get there)

Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern sits in Fitzrovia, which is basically the sweet spot between “central enough to be easy” and “not as chaotic as the main shopping streets.” The official address is 48 Newman Street, London W1T 1QQ.

This area is packed with offices, galleries, and people who take their lunch breaks seriously. So it’s a great pick if you want a proper mid-day sit-down that still feels like a little “London moment,” not just grabbing something on the run.

Best transport and easiest route to Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern

The venue itself calls out Tottenham Court Road tube station as the nearest Tube stop.
From there, it’s an easy walk through Fitzrovia streets straight to Newman Street.

It’s also close to Goodge Street tube station (handy if that line combination is better for you), but if you want the simplest “follow the official directions” option, aim for Tottenham Court Road.

If you’re coming in from further out, Tottenham Court Road is one of those stations that tends to connect well across London, so it usually wins for convenience (and fewer weird changes).

Best time to go (weekday vs weekend, lunch vs evening)

We visited on a weekday, right after opening, and honestly, that timing felt like a little life hack.

At the very beginning it was calm, almost quiet, with only a few tables taken. It gave us that rare London luxury: you can actually look around, soak in the details, and not feel like you’re speed-running your lunch. The staff also had more time to chat, which made the whole experience feel more relaxed and welcoming.

One thing to know though: the upstairs area was closed at first. That’s the most photogenic part of the venue (the one you’ve probably seen in photos), so if you’re going mainly for the “wow, this is unreal” interiors, keep that in mind. We did what any responsible content people would do and asked if we could pop upstairs just to take a few photos especially for you. Mission accomplished.

And then, very London-style, the place started filling up. Not in a chaotic way, but you could clearly see the shift: a steady flow of guests coming in, more tables taken, more background buzz, more of that lively pub energy. So if you want a quieter, more spacious lunch experience, going right after opening on a weekday is a strong choice. If you prefer a fuller atmosphere and that “busy London lunch” vibe, arriving a bit later will deliver that too.

What we ordered (food + cocktails, plus our honest thoughts)

Because we came for a proper lunch (not just “two drinks and a snack”), we went all in and basically treated the menu like a tasting tour.

Food we ordered at Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern

Smash Burger (£18) – This was a really solid lunch burger. The only thing that surprised us was that it was quite thick for a “smash”. Usually smash burgers are thinner, crispier, and more “lacy” on the edges. Here it felt more like a juicy, thicker patty. But to be fair, it was still properly satisfying and flavorful, and the burger sauce did its job. Fries were also totally fine, the kind of reliable side you expect in London (not life changing, but you will happily finish them).

Sausage and Mash (£18) – This was our “let’s try something classic” order, and also the one we were most curious about because we’d never had this dish before. It ended up being a fun discovery. The sausage ring looked amazing on the plate (honestly, very British in the best way), the mash was creamy, and the onion gravy was generous. Comfort food energy, but done in a neat, polished way. If you want something warm, filling, and not fussy, this is a great pick.

Caesar Salad with chicken (price unknown) – This one was the simplest of everything we tried, but still tasty. It felt like the “safe” lunch option: clean, fresh, and easy to eat. The only note: it was a bit salty, but that’s honestly preference. If you like a saltier Caesar, you’ll love it. If you are sensitive to salt, just know it might be on the bolder side.

Fish and Chips (£19) – This was probably the best “classic pub dish” on the table. The haddock had a proper crisp batter, it was hot and satisfying, and it just felt like the right thing to eat in London. The tartare and lemon made it even better. If you want a safe, iconic British lunch order here, this is it.

How the food experience felt overall

Everything came out quickly and efficiently, which matters so much at lunch. The plates looked genuinely nice (not just “dumped on a plate”), portions were fair, and we left properly full. It was exactly what we hoped for: a good lunch that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

That said, we have to be honest:

Even though the food was really enjoyable, the real star at Mr Fogg’s is still the cocktails.

Cocktails at Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern (and why we keep coming back)

One thing we genuinely love about Mr Fogg’s menus is that they don’t just list ingredients, they also give you a flavor profile, like Floral / Fruity or Aromatic / Boozy. And if you’re a normal human being who cannot instantly imagine how five different liqueurs will taste together, this is gold.

For me, it makes ordering so much easier because I already know I’m happiest with sweet, fruity, or floral notes, not super sour, super dry, or heavy dessert vibes. So that little description is basically my best friend.

We don’t remember every single cocktail we saw, but we tried several, and here are the standouts from what we ordered or noted:

• Barrow Boy’s Bramble (Floral / Fruity)
  Oxley gin, Italicus bergamot, Chambord, yuzu sherbet, Franklin and Sons Rose Lemonade
• Fix’s Famed Negroni (Aromatic / Boozy)
  Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru gin, Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato vermouth, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Nardini Acqua di Cedro, Paragon Palo Santo cordial
• Pickpocket Paloma (Refreshing / Vibrant)
  Patrón Silver tequila, Aperol, cactus, pimento and prickly pear liqueur, hibiscus, lime, Franklin and Sons Pink Grapefruit Soda
• Lost Skull Margarita (Fresh / Elegant)
  Casamigos Blanco tequila, Luxardo Maraschino cherry, violet liqueur, agave, lime
• Penny Farthing Groggler (Rich / Complex)
  Tipsy Tavern Grog, dark chocolate, orange and cocoa bitters

And then we also loved the punch options (again, super fun flavors, very drinkable, and great if you want something a bit more social):

• Exotic / Indulgent Punch
  42 Below vodka, passion fruit, cloudy apple juice, vanilla and caramel, topped with Moët and Chandon Impérial Blanc N.V. Champagne
• Punch in the Garden (Floral / Sweet)
  The Botanist gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, cloudy apple juice, rhubarb, lime

Prices and a small “strategy tip” for ordering drinks at Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern

Cocktails were £14, and punches were £13.50 per person.

You can order punch for 2 or 4 people, and if you go for 4, it comes in a special shared serving vessel so you can pour it yourselves. Very fun, very “group moment.”

But we did the opposite, because we wanted to try as much as possible. So we basically used the “sampling strategy”: everyone orders something different and you compare notes. If you’re the kind of person who gets decision fatigue from cocktail menus, this is the best way to turn it into a fun little game.

Our honest takeaway from this lunch order

If you go to Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern for lunch, you’ll get good food, fast service, and a proper meal.

But if you want the “this is why Mr Fogg’s is special” moment, then yes: make room in your budget and your stomach for at least one cocktail. That’s still where the magic is.

Photo and content potential (most Instagrammable spots and angles)

If there’s one thing you can say about Mr Fogg’s as a whole, it’s this: every single venue is different. Not “slightly different furniture, same vibe”, but genuinely its own little world. It’s like they’re building sets for a film, and then casually serving cocktails inside them.

These places feel designed for photos in the best possible way. The interiors are so detailed and theatrical that your camera almost starts working on its own. Plus, it’s not just the decor. What they serve is also ridiculously photogenic. The drinks are colorful, layered, polished. Even the food comes out looking like someone actually cared how it lands on the table. If you love places where content happens naturally (without you feeling cringe about it), Mr Fogg’s is basically a cheat code.

The vibe in Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern specifically

Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern leans heavily into a lush, plant-filled, “Victorian explorer meets indoor greenhouse” aesthetic. Deep, warm tones, lots of greenery, and that feeling of stepping into a slightly eccentric London story.

Downstairs, where we had lunch, feels like a cosy Victorian tavern-meets-apothecary set. The bar is all warm wood and amber light, with shelves of bottles glowing behind it and that gorgeous wall of little drawers (seriously, it looks like an old-school herbalist’s cabinet). There’s a classic black-and-white tiled floor, a long communal table lined with menus and metal tankards, and mismatched upholstered stools that make the whole space feel curated, not cookie-cutter. It’s intimate without feeling cramped, and the lighting is that golden, flattering kind that makes both food and people look instantly better on camera.

And then there’s upstairs, which is basically “yes, you are allowed to take photos here” in venue form. The ceiling is completely covered in greenery with hanging flowers, and the whole room has this lush, whimsical greenhouse vibe with a dramatic chandelier and a bar that glows in pink and purple tones. Seating is plush and floral, there are big leafy plants everywhere, and the window corner looks like a tiny vintage living room (tufted sofa, little lamp, flowers on the sill).

It’s the most “wow” zone for content, especially if you love dreamy, romantic shots with layers, textures, and soft light. When we arrived right after opening it was closed, but we asked if we could quickly go up to take a few photos for you, so if upstairs is your priority, it’s worth timing your visit for when it’s open.

What to photograph at Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern

• Cocktails, always. They’re the main character. The colors, glassware, garnishes, and overall styling are very content-friendly.
• Food plating. It’s not “fine dining art”, but it looks neat, appetizing, and consistent with the venue vibe.
• Wide shots of the room. Botanical Tavern has that layered, detailed interior that looks great in both photos and quick “pan” clips for Reels or TikTok.
• Detail shots. Little decor elements, textures, plants, menus, corners. If you’re into that “London aesthetic” content, you’ll have a lot to work with.

If you want the space to look calmer in your photos, go right after opening on a weekday, like we did. You’ll get more empty-table shots and more freedom to move around. But if you want that lively “London lunch buzz” in the background, arrive a bit later and let the place fill up naturally.

Bottom line: if your camera roll is a priority, Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern delivers. It’s not just a place to eat and drink. It’s a place where your lunch turns into a mini photoshoot without you even trying.

Mr Fogg’s venues compared (and why you can’t really “pick just one”)

Mr Fogg’s is not a “same place, different postcode” type of chain. Each venue has its own concept, interior story, and slightly different menu vibe, so you can pick the one that matches the mood you’re after (or treat them like collectible chapters in the same Victorian adventure universe).

For example, Society of Exploration is styled like an old explorer’s club packed with maps, curiosities, and that secret-members-bar feeling. Botanical Tavern is more of a lively tavern downstairs with a lush, greenhouse-style Treehouse upstairs. Residence leans into a refined Mayfair townhouse atmosphere, like you’re having a drink in Phileas Fogg’s actual home. And Pawnbrokers goes full Soho theatre: a maximalist pawn shop full of antiques, weird details, and playful cocktail drama.

Practical tips before you go (menus by time of day, dress code, accessibility)

First, a quick heads-up that the menu changes depending on when you visit, so it’s worth checking the correct one before you leave your hotel. Weekday lunch runs Monday to Friday from 12.01pm to 4.01pm. On weekends, the venue shifts into its “experience” mode: Botanical Brunch happens every Saturday from 12pm (in Mr Fogg’s Treehouse), and Mr Fogg’s Bloomin’ Roast runs every Sunday from 12.01pm to 4.01pm. We actually wanted to do the Botanical Brunch, but it wasn’t available on the days we were in London, so lunch it was.

Dress-code wise, Mr Fogg’s describes it as “elegant and informal”. Accessibility is also good to know upfront: the ground floor of Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern in Fitzrovia is accessible, but they note they do not have low seating. The upstairs Mr Fogg’s Treehouse is not accessible. And if you’re coming spontaneously, good news: they keep some tables for walk-ins, plus you can always try your luck at the bar if reservations are full.

Final recommendation (and what to pair it with nearby)

Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern is a really satisfying lunch stop if you want something that feels like a proper London experience, not just “we ate because we had to”. The food is genuinely good, portions are fair, and service was quick and smooth, which matters a lot in the middle of a busy day. Our favorites on the table were the fish and chips and the sausage and mash (a fun first-time try for us), while the Caesar salad was the simplest option, still tasty, just a bit on the salty side depending on your preference. The smash burger was juicy and filling, even if it surprised us by being thicker than you’d expect from a classic smash style.

But let’s be honest: the real reason Mr Fogg’s stays in your head is still the cocktails. They’re colorful, creative, and properly made, and we love how the menu clearly explains the flavor direction (floral, fruity, boozy, refreshing), because it makes choosing so much easier. If you’re in Fitzrovia or around Tottenham Court Road and want a lunch that turns into a small “main character moment”, this is a great pick, especially if you leave room for at least one cocktail. And location-wise, it’s easy to pair with a wander around Soho, Covent Garden, or even a quick stop at Seven Dials Market if you want to keep the day going with more food and people-watching.