Royal Ascot 2023: The Food & Drink Guide

Royal Ascot is known for its world-class racing, but also for its unrivalled food and drink line-up. The annual event returns this summer from 20 to 24 June 2023, complete with its most impressive culinary offering yet, with a string of the UK’s top chefs confirmed – and more Michelin stars than ever before. Here we bring you a guide to the 2023 Royal Ascot food and drink offering.

Royal Ascot: Food & Drink Guide

From picnics to afternoon tea, champagne bars to fine dining, there’s a wide variety of food and drink to enjoy at Royal Ascot, spread across the four different enclosures. Jonathan Parker, Managing Director of 1711 by Ascot, says: ‘I believe Royal Ascot to be the single biggest collection of stars – both on and off the track – of any British sporting event, and this year’s line-up demonstrates the breadth of innovation and style found across the UK’s culinary scene.

‘Over the past 300 years, Ascot has established itself as one of the highlights of the British summer season and the food and drink experience plays an intrinsic part of a day at Royal Ascot,’ says Jonathan.

The Royal Enclosure

The most exclusive enclosure at the event, the invitation-only Royal Enclosure has a suitably luxurious food and drink offering.

Holyroodhouse

Making her Royal Ascot debut this year is Great British Menu chef Sally Abé, who rose to fame at Michelin-starred pub The Harwood Arms, and now heads up The Pem in the Conrad London St James hotel. At this year’s Royal Ascot, she’ll be at the helm of Holyroodhouse restaurant, which overlooks the Pre-Parade Ring. Think Scottish-inspired interiors, an inside-outside feel, and a tasting menu using top-quality British ingredients.

Panoramic

Undoubtedly one of the most special dining spots at Royal Ascot is Panoramic Restaurant, located on the sixth floor of the Grandstand and boasting uninterrupted views of the racecourse. The event’s chef-in-residence Raymond Blanc OBE is running its kitchen for the eighth year running, so you can guarantee top-quality food. Dishes on the menu this year include sea bream ceviche with cured salmon, Royal Estate saddle of lamb with stuffed courgette flower, and a strawberry and vanilla panna cotta meringue. 

Parade Ring Restaurant

Another big culinary name returning to Royal Ascot is three Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, whose famed Lake District restaurant L’Enclume celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. This year, he’ll be cooking in the Parade Ring Restaurant for the first time – a prestigious spot which overlooks the Parade Ring, meaning guests can see the horses before they head to the track. Rogan will be bringing his green ethos to the restaurant, focusing on local, seasonal ingredients. Your meal could look something like: cured salmon with miso and wasabi caviar, beef fillet with Lyonnaise potato and confit gold carrot, and treacle tart with green apple and rosemary.

The Queen Anne Enclosure

Located around the Ascot Grandstand, The Queen Ascot Enclosure is the second most formal enclosure at the event, with an array of fine dining options alongside bars and champagne lounges. 

ON5

You’re in the heart of the racing action at the Queen Ascot Enclosure’s flagship restaurant, which sits on the fifth floor and has its own viewing balcony and private outdoor terrace overlooking the racecourse. Two Michelin-starred chef Brett Graham, chef patron of The Ledbury in Notting Hill, will be returning to Royal Ascot this year to oversee ON5. He’ll be bringing his elegant style of cooking to the restaurant, serving a four-course lunch paired with fine wines.

The Lawn Club

For more informal dining within the Queen Anne Enclosure, head to The Lawn Club. Set within a track-facing marquee, it’s a great spot for catching the Royal Procession and all the races, just 300m from the winning line. Visitors can enjoy a buffet-style lunch or afternoon tea, alongside wine, beers, champagne and soft drinks.

Village Enclosure

The Village Enclosure is a grassed outdoor area with a garden party feel and live music. Here you can find a variety of street food pop-ups, bars and a couple of sit-down restaurants. On the go options include tapas and cured meats from East London favourite Smokehouse by Hotbox, croque monsieurs from Raymond Blanc, Japanese street food from Mai Taiko and more. 

There’s also a trackside Moët & Chandon champagne bar, and a full draft bar offering a wide selection of spirits and beers. Prefer a picnic? Pre-order one of Fortnum & Mason’s hampers, complete with cheeses, salads and more. Diners after something more formal, meanwhile, can book The Restaurant in the Village, where you’ll be treated to a prosecco reception ahead of a three-course lunch and afternoon tea.

Windsor Enclosure

This enclosure has the most laid-back atmosphere, making it ideal for large groups of friends. There are picnicking lawns and you can bring your own food, though it must be in a picnic hamper or cool bag/box. Here, racegoers can also expect artisan food stalls, champagne and Pimm’s bars, and live music playing into the evening.

Find out more and book at ascot.com