Daphne’s of Chelsea celebrates turning 55 in great style

Fifty-five years ago, Daphne Rye, a prolific theatre agent in London, started up Daphne’s in Chelsea. It’s the place locals and visitors go for assured quality Italian fare, right in the heart of London in a style all its own.

This year, Daphne’s celebrates its anniversary and they’re doing it in a number of must-see ways.

Daphne’s is made up of three spaces, the restaurant, bar and conservatory, all of which will play their part in helping the institution make the most of its special time of year.

The drink

Daphnes’ bar team has designed the aptly titled, 55 Years Young, a new cocktail which can be ordered alongside the restaurant’s unique birthday dessert, Young at Heart, seasonal fruit encased in a chocolate box.

Chelsea Flower Show

In a unique take on how to celebrate the city’s renowned Chelsea Flower Show, Daphne’s has teamed up with Wedgwood, the fine bone china folks. Wedgwood was started in 1964 and so celebrating its own anniversary this year, too.

Makes sense for the two brands to join forces – floral influence included – and so have done so by creating a special dessert and outside installation collaboration. Wedgwood’s Iconic Wild Strawberry design will serve as the inspiration for the dessert; a wild strawberry inspired dessert, available throughout the week from Tuesday 21 May to Saturday 25 May that will be served on the wild strawberry design plate. Iconic.

Floral installation

Considering the Chelsea Flower Show, Daphne’s will cover the restaurant’s Draycott Avenue facade with a quintessentially British floral display.

Daphne’s talks

They restaurant will also go out with a range of talks called Daphnes Presents that’ll be held in The Conservatory.

Given it’s a naturally lit haven of effortless charm, it’s in high demand since it kicked off in January and hosts a range of people talking about a range of things. For example, some of London’s leading dermatologists discussed the ins and outs of their field, with tattler Beauty Director, Francesca White, most recently. More are planned, too.

Find Daphne’s at 112 Draycott Ave, Chelsea, London SW3 3AE