Bar des Prés Unveils New Mayfair Home for Franco‑Asian Dining

Bar des Prés, the Franco East Asian restaurant from French chef Cyril Lignac, is preparing to open a new site in London’s Mayfair, promising an elevated blend of Parisian polish and Asian-inflected flavours in a fresh West End setting.

A New Chapter for Bar des Prés in Mayfair

According to recent industry reports, Bar des Prés will relocate from its current Albemarle Street premises to a new address on South Audley Street, with the opening expected in early May 2026. The move marks a significant new chapter for the brand’s first international outpost, which originally arrived in London in 2021 and quickly became known for its polished take on Franco East Asian dining.

Publicly available information indicates that the new Mayfair restaurant will continue the concept that made Bar des Prés a draw for London diners: French culinary technique paired with East Asian influences, set against a backdrop of high-end design and a strong bar programme. The relocation keeps the restaurant firmly within Mayfair’s golden triangle of luxury hotels, boutiques and destination dining rooms, underlining the area’s ongoing pull for international chef-led brands.

The Albemarle Street site helped establish Bar des Prés as a key player in London’s wave of Parisian imports, and the decision to shift a short walk away rather than move to a different neighbourhood suggests confidence in Mayfair as the restaurant’s natural home. For regulars, the new opening is expected to feel less like a departure and more like an evolution of a familiar address.

French Technique Meets East Asian Inspiration

Bar des Prés built its reputation on a menu that marries French craftsmanship with East Asian flavours, and early details point to this approach remaining central at the new Mayfair location. Existing dishes such as crunchy crab and avocado galette with Madras curry, marinated sea bass with yuzu and dry miso, and beef gyoza with ginger and soy have come to define the restaurant’s style, and similar plates are widely anticipated when doors reopen.

Reports on the current London menu describe a line-up that ranges from raw and lightly cured seafood to richer cooked dishes, balancing Japanese-influenced elements with recognisably French sauces and techniques. That synthesis is expected to continue, appealing both to diners seeking a refined sushi counter experience and to those drawn by comforting French flavours presented with a lighter, contemporary touch.

Desserts have also been a talking point at Bar des Prés, reflecting Lignac’s background as a pastry chef. Signatures such as elaborate millefeuilles and fruit-led creations have been highlighted in recent coverage, and observers expect the new Mayfair setting to give the pastry section ample space to showcase visually striking plates designed for both camera and palate.

Design Details of the South Audley Street Space

Early previews of the South Audley Street restaurant indicate that design will play a major role in defining the new Bar des Prés experience. The interiors are reported to be the work of Lázaro Rosa Violán Studio, known for richly layered spaces that blend classic and contemporary references. Visuals released so far show a combination of marble and polished wood, embroidered textiles and warm-toned walls.

The colour palette, described as revolving around deep reds and blues, hints at a room that leans into intimacy and drama rather than minimalism. Design notes reference both French and East Asian influences, with detailing intended to evoke Parisian dining rooms alongside subtler nods to Japanese craft and pattern.

Layout is expected to play to the restaurant’s dual identity as both a dining destination and a place for drinks. Reports indicate that the space will transition from a more open, buzzy area towards increasingly private corners, giving guests the choice of counter seating, sociable tables or more secluded spots suited to longer dinners and discreet business meetings.

A Return of the Lounge and Cocktail Culture

Bar des Prés in London has previously experimented with a destination-style lounge, turning its downstairs area into a wine-focused space featuring an extensive list of French bottles by the glass. Industry coverage suggests that the new Mayfair location will continue to treat the bar as a central pillar of the concept, offering cocktails and wines designed to pair with the kitchen’s East Asian-influenced flavours.

Past menus have highlighted Franco Japanese twists on classics, including drinks built around whisky, ginger and coconut, as well as Champagne-forward serves that nod to the brand’s Parisian origins. Observers expect the forthcoming South Audley Street bar to refine this approach, likely expanding the range of wines and cocktails that can be ordered alongside smaller plates from the kitchen.

For Mayfair’s after-work crowd and late-evening visitors, the new Bar des Prés could function as both a full-scale restaurant and a high-end bar, fitting neatly into a neighbourhood already known for polished hotel lounges and destination cocktail rooms. The renewed emphasis on the drinks offering positions the venue to compete not only with nearby restaurants but also with standalone bars in the West End.

What Diners Can Expect When Doors Open

With the opening forecast for early May 2026, Bar des Prés is expected to attract both returning regulars from the Albemarle Street days and newcomers drawn by the latest wave of restaurant openings in Mayfair. Reservations are likely to focus on evening dining, but previous coverage of the brand points to an all-day sharing style that can accommodate leisurely lunches, pre-theatre visits and late-night suppers.

Diners can look for a menu that leans into seasonal produce, reflecting Bar des Prés’ long-stated emphasis on high-quality ingredients. Based on the current iteration, that could mean spring dishes featuring asparagus with caramelised miso, raw seafood dressed with citrus and spice, and richer meat plates built around classic French cuts given an East Asian edge.

Pricing has historically placed Bar des Prés in the upper-mid to fine-dining bracket, in line with many neighbouring Mayfair venues. While detailed information on the new list is yet to emerge, industry observers expect a similar positioning, with counter seats prized for their close-up view of plating and sushi preparation.

The relocation keeps London at the heart of Bar des Prés’ growing international footprint, which also includes the original Saint‑Germain restaurant in Paris and expansion to Dubai. For Mayfair, the new address signals that Franco East Asian fusion remains a strong draw, as global chefs continue to see the neighbourhood as a prime stage for ambitious, design-led dining rooms.