Since opening in September 2024, Mignonette has made an impressive mark on London’s dining scene. Within three months of opening, it had secured a place in the Michelin Guide, followed shortly afterwards by a coveted Bib Gourmand, recognising its bold flavours, personal approach and outstanding value.

Now celebrating its second anniversary, Mignonette continues to go from strength to strength as a true family affair, led by Michelin-starred chef-restaurateur John McClements alongside his son, James and Co-founder Glen Toromeni. Situated just moments from Richmond Station and the gates of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mignonette has become one of southwest London’s most compelling dining addresses.

Intimate, elegant and quietly confident, this 30-cover modern French bistro on Kew Road brings together exceptional seasonal produce, bold, generous cooking and the kind of warm, instinctive hospitality that keeps guests coming back. At its heart is a belief that outstanding ingredients and accomplished cooking should remain accessible – French dining without fuss, refined but relaxed, and exceptional without being out of reach.

Formerly behind the much-loved Ma Cuisine bistros and the Michelin-starred McClements in Twickenham, John came out of retirement to open Mignonette – a return to the style of restaurant he knows and loves best. Today, working alongside James, and Glen who has worked in the kitchen alongside him for over 15 years, the trio bring together decades of culinary experience and a shared passion for creating a restaurant with genuine warmth at its heart.

Here, the spirit of the classic French neighbourhood bistro is brought firmly into the present day: seasonal, ingredient-led cooking served in a setting that feels both sophisticated and effortlessly welcoming.

At the heart of Mignonette is an uncompromising approach to ingredients. Seasonality shapes the menus, with the kitchen making the most of exceptional produce at its peak throughout the year. The team works with a carefully curated network of outstanding small-scale suppliers, including wild seafood from MW Capture, high-welfare meat from Sutton Hoo Farm and HG Walter, and game from Le Guélier, alongside fruit and vegetables sourced from across the Home Counties and further afield.

The result is food with real depth, provenance and personality – generous plates that allow outstanding ingredients to speak for themselves.

Mignonette’s menus are designed to make exceptional French cooking accessible. The daily set lunch offers two courses for £23 or three courses for £25, including homemade sourdough, while the à la carte dinner menu features starters from £12.50, mains from £22 and desserts from £9.

Dishes include a starter of Seared Orkney scallop, kumquat, miso celeriac puree, maple bacon, Sake beurre blanc, mains such as Saddle of Venison with beetroot chocolate mole, marinated pine cones, red cabbage, game jus. Desserts range from Burnt blood orange Basque cheesecake to Baba au Grand Marnier.

The wine list features French wines starting from £30 with a selection of half bottles and wines by the glass starting at £10. The drinks menu also showcases a good mix of grower/independent Champagnes alongside recognisable prestige names. Attractive pricing starts with Crémant de Bourgogne from £45 and having Autréau-Lasnot, Guy de Forez and André Clouet gives the list personality and depth, particularly for a small neighbourhood restaurant.

Inside, dark wood, leather banquettes and understated detailing create the intimate, timeless atmosphere of a great neighbourhood restaurant. With just 30 covers, Mignonette offers the increasingly rare pleasure of dining somewhere that feels genuinely personal – a reflection of the hands-on approach that John and Glen bring to the restaurant.

A private dining room downstairs is also available for celebrations, gatherings and special occasions, accommodating up to 35 guests, with no room hire charge or minimum spend.

Two years on, Mignonette is proving that the appeal of a truly great restaurant never changes: exceptional seasonal ingredients, confident cooking, fair prices and hospitality that makes people feel at home.

In an era of ever-changing food trends and rising restaurant prices, Mignonette offers something far more enduring – modern French dining with soul, substance and staying power, where seasonality drives the menu, affordability remains a priority and every guest is welcomed with genuine warmth.