The Polo Lounge at The Beverley Hills Hotel

The Polo Lounge at the Beverley Hills Hotel is an iconic restaurant where timeless elegance meets relaxed California charm.

I’ve always been fascinated by the glamour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, so deciding to make Beverley Hills our base for part of our 2011 summer holiday made me very happy indeed – not least of all because I had always wanted to visit the Polo Lounge at the Beverley Hills Hotel.

This post reflects visits in 2011 and 2018. While I haven’t been back to the Polo Lounge recently (we have been visiting The Bay Area more frequently), it remains a legendary spot in Beverly Hills known for its timeless glamour and alfresco dining. Menus and details may have changed, so I recommend checking their website or calling ahead if you’re planning a visit.

The Beverley Hills Hotel

One of the things I loved about arriving at The Beverley Hills Hotel was the warm greeting we received. When you drive into the hotel you are met by a helpful army of pink polo shirt clad valets, who help you out of your car and park it safely while you go inside. Back in 2011 and even in 2018, I did not dare take out my camera to take photographs – it was the kind of place where I am positive pictures would have been frowned upon. However I am sure that is not the case today.

Our Visit To The Polo Lounge in 2011

The Polo Lounge itself really is beautiful, with the part of the main restaurant we ate in opening up on to a gorgeous tree filled courtyard festooned with fairy lights. There are tables outside, but I was glad to be where we were as it was less breezy. There was live music in the courtyard and the ambiance was wonderful. The service was perfection itself, and oh my, the food!

On our first visit in 2011, we had a drink to start, and I chose a Manhattan on the rocks, one of my favourite cocktails. It was a real treat. I had a traditional shrimp cocktail as an appetizer The shrimp were nestled on crushed ice, just like I remember from when I was a kid, and accompanied by a sauce that reminded me of my late Mom’s Shrimp Sauce. My husband had lovely crab cakes, and my son had a spicy-licious tortilla soup. We all had steak for our main course, our son choosing a New York steak, and my husband and I the Fillet Mignon with lobster. They had a great wine list as well, so my husband and I decided to order by the glass, both to complement the food, and to have a chance to try more than one of their wines. For dessert, we had Grand Mariner Souffles. The lighting made the photo a bit grainy, but the bit on top was made of white and dark chocolate, and the soufflé was light and delicious gorgeousness!

It was everything I dreamed it would be – and I had been dreaming of eating at The Polo Lounge for a very long time!

Our Subsequent Visit To The Polo Lounge

Since then, we have returned to the Polo Lounge twice, the last time on a visit with our son and his partner, Hannah in 2018. I love the history of this iconic restaurant, but unlike so many other restaurants with a history, this one delivers on the food side as well. The service is also excellent.

We felt really looked after on this occasion, and the live music from the piano in the lounge was wonderful. At one point, my son and his partner sang along, and I am sure I saw Barbara Eden at a table nearby smiling and nodding along (but I may be wrong!)

Obviously it has been a while since 2018, but on our visits to the Polo Lounge, we always made a point to enjoy their dessert soufflé as they are such a treat, and I like to thing that is still the case today. I hope to visit again soon so I can confirm it!

Regardless, based on reports from friends, I have no hesitation in recommending The Polo Lounge for a very special meal indeed.

This post contains my honest opinions and the advice I give to friends. None of our experiences were gifted and we paid all our own expenses. Information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing, and  every effort is made to ensure it remains up to date, however I am not responsible for any changes that may occur post publication or for your experience. Always visit restaurant and venue websites for opening times, their full terms and conditions, and to check prices, availability and payment terms.