The grand dining room at Claridge’s got a new occupant recently: Dante, the century-plus year-old New York institution took over the opulent space after a successful residency that opened last summer and ran well into 2026. It’s overseen by Linden Pride – an Australian who moved to New York with his wife and creative partner Nathalie Hudson more than a decade ago.
In 2015 the pair took over Dante, which was originally known as Caffe Dante and originated in 1915 as a coffeehouse. The duo has evolved it into a destination for cocktails and dining – informed both by their Australian heritage and the venue’s Italian New York roots – and Dante was named the world’s best bar by World’s 50 Best in 2019. In recent years it’s moved beyond the Greenwich Village neighbourhood, with a second NYC location in the West Village and another in Beverly Hills.
“At the heart of everything we do is creating places where people genuinely want to spend time,” Pride tells Broadsheet. Though Dante Mayfair is in an opulent space lush with marble, high ceilings and lamp-lit tables, it balances that with a menu of comforting dishes that don’t feel stuffy: lighter plates like peach and tomato salad that nods to Pride’s Aussie background, American-style shrimp cocktail, plates of pappardelle diffuse with ragu and a boldly flavoured chicken alla diavola spiced with paprika and cooled with a green goddess dressing. It’s all accompanied by on-point cocktails – including its signature Garibaldi (Campari and “fluffy” – or aerated – orange juice) – and menus of Negronis and Martinis.
The move to London felt natural for him. “London is where I really began my hospitality career – moving here from Australia when I was 19. I worked in incredible restaurants such as Pharmacy Notting Hill, Hakkasan and 10 Rooms. As a result, London has always held a special place in my heart, and been a source of immense inspiration.”
Now he’s back in embedded in the capital, we’ve asked Pride to share how he spends time here.
Where do you stay in London?
I stay in-house at Claridge’s (I still can’t believe that’s actually true).
What’s the one restaurant you always make sure to visit when you’re here?
I just love Brat.
What’s a London neighbourhood you love?
Those early days in Notting Hill really shaped my perception of what London was. We were surrounded by grandeur, beautiful homes and we had this almost unspoken access to a world of London beauty. We worked at Pharmacy – which was, for me at the time, such an incredible concept and fun execution. Then spending too many late nights at Trailer Happiness, and our Sundays dancing at the Notting Hill Arts Club at Lazy Dog [club night].
What does the perfect day in London look like to you?
I love London in both the summer and the winter – each season has its own unique charm and creates such a special feeling.
A perfect day here is having my girls, Millie and Gracie, with us. We'd start with a late, jet-lagged breakfast, followed by coffee at Roasting Party in Chelsea, before wandering along the King’s Road and exploring the neighbourhood. Then we’d head to Notting Hill to browse the markets, stopping for a leisurely afternoon at one of the great local pubs. As the day winds down, we'd make our way back to Soho for dinner at one of our favourite restaurants, like Mountain, or tuck into Spiritland in King’s Cross for some great vinyl and fabulous sound, before finishing the evening with a glass of wine at Claridge's.
Your version of Dante in NYC is famous for its cocktails. Where in London stacks up?
London has one of the most exciting bar scenes in the world. I always find myself returning to places that have genuine character and a strong sense of hospitality. If I had to pick a few favourites, I’d start with The Connaught Bar for its timeless elegance and impeccable Martinis. I also love Bar Termini for its aperitivo culture and delicious Negronis. The Savoy will always be a special place – not only for its outstanding drinks, but because it's where we celebrated being named The World's 50 Best bar. I think we may have drunk the fridge dry of champagne that night and ended up ordering room service into the bar because it was so late.
I also have a real soft spot for The Devonshire. It's first and foremost a pub, but it's a masterclass in doing the classics exceptionally well, with incredible Guinness, fantastic food and a brilliant atmosphere. That's what I love about London – you can have one of the world’s best Martinis one minute and one of the world’s best pints the next.
Any shops you always check out?
One thing I love about London is its listening bar culture. Places like Spiritland and Brilliant Corners are incredible because they treat music with the same level of care we treat cocktails at Dante. There’s something really special about sitting down with a great drink, hearing an entire record played properly, and letting the evening unfold.
Which attractions do you always make time to visit?
Most of the time spent outside the restaurant is with my kids – which is actually the best reset. We always make time for London Zoo, which they absolutely love, and we were also lucky enough to see the Marie Antoinette Style exhibition at the V&A, which was one of the most beautifully curated exhibitions I’ve experienced. It blended history, fashion and design in a way that felt incredibly inspiring.
What’s a song, book, TV show or film that screams “London” to you?
My grandfather, [Australian broadcaster] Bob Rogers, toured with The Beatles during their 1964 tour, just as the album and film were being released for A Hard Day’s Night, so it’s always held a special place in our family. Over the years, that connection sparked a lifelong love affair with British music. As much as I admire The Beatles, I’ve always been a Rolling Stones fan through and through. Between those two bands, you have the soundtrack to London – its creativity, swagger and cultural influence on the world.
