Restaurants: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London) vs. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
Quick Verdict
Both Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Osteria Francescana offer unique and memorable dining experiences, but they cater to different preferences. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal provides a historical British culinary journey in a grand London hotel, while Osteria Francescana offers a modernist Italian experience in a more intimate setting in Modena. The choice depends on the diner's preference for cuisine, ambiance, and willingness to navigate the reservation process.
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal specializes in historical British cuisine, offering dishes like Meat Fruit and Tipsy Cake, within an elegant setting at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
- Osteria Francescana presents modernist Italian cuisine, with dishes such as Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano and Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart, in a sophisticated and discreet ambiance in Modena.
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal has a more accessible reservation system and a slightly more relaxed dress code compared to Osteria Francescana, which is notoriously difficult to book and has a smart casual dress code.
- While both restaurants offer wine pairing options, Osteria Francescana emphasizes local ingredients from the Emilia-Romagna region, while Dinner by Heston Blumenthal highlights the best of British produce.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London) | Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy) |
|---|
| Michelin Star Rating | Two Michelin stars (as of 2025) | Three Michelin stars, including 1 Michelin Green Star |
| Average Cost Per Person | "
| — |
Overall Comparison
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal: Two Michelin stars, Average cost per person: £50-£150. Osteria Francescana: Three Michelin stars (including 1 Green Star), Average cost per person: $305.
Pros and Cons
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London)
Pros:
- No notable advantages reported.
Cons:
- No major disadvantages reported.
Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
Pros:
- Innovative and flavorful food
- Elegant and sophisticated ambiance
- Use of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients
- Accommodation of dietary restrictions (with advance notice)
- World-class wine list and sommelier pairing options
Cons:
- High cost
- Extremely difficult to make reservations
- Inconsistent customer service (robotic and impersonal service mentioned in some reviews)
- Potential disconnect between kitchen and front-of-house staff
- May be overhyped for some diners
User Experiences and Feedback
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London)
What Users Love- Unique and memorable dining experience
- Innovative and flavorful food based on historical British gastronomy
- Impeccable service with well-presented, professional, warm, and friendly staff
- Knowledgeable sommelier who can guide guests through the extensive wine collection
- Celebrates the best of British produce
- Elegant and classic ambiance with a touch of modernity
- Booking a table is relatively easy due to the restaurant's large capacity
Common Complaints- Some found the dining experience disappointing
- Some reviewers felt the cost was too expensive for what was offered
Value Perception- No value feedback reported.
Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
What Users Love- Extraordinary and memorable culinary journey
- Original and creative dishes
- Exciting flavor combinations and clever presentations
- Impeccable and attentive service (according to some)
- Pleasant and decent wine pairings (according to some)
Common Complaints- Overhyped and didn't live up to expectations (according to some)
- Robotic, impersonal, and lacking enthusiasm (front-of-house staff)
- Overpriced and not worth the hype (according to some)
Value Perception- Cost justified by the quality and experience (according to some)
- Culinary pilgrimage and a once-in-a-lifetime experience (described by some)
User Recommendations- Culinary pilgrimage
- Once-in-a-lifetime experience