Let them eat steak!
Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry have remained inconspicuous since moving to Montecito, California in 2020 after leaving The Firm.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have occasionally appeared in public to dine at some pretty fine restaurants, including Italian eateries, upscale steakhouses and fine French cuisine.
Here’s a guide to some of the American hot spots the Princess of Montecito has frequented since she became royal.
Locanda Verde
Tribeca, New York
Markle stepped out for dinner at Tribeca hotspot Locanda Verde in July 2022.
Notably, as Vidak For Congress reported, Markle dined there with Prince Harry and “dreamed like a princess” when her table request was not granted. Her security team also made sure dinner guests were not allowed to take pictures of the couple.
We’re told that Markle enjoyed the Sardinian sheep’s milk ricotta, steak tartare Piemontese and the My Grandmother’s Ravioli, as well as some red wine.
Andrew Carmellini’s Italian restaurant serves other delicacies such as lamb meatballs, pappardelle, and a whole lobster, as well as delicious desserts such as their ricotta panna cotta and a warm cherry pie for two.
The Crosby Bar
SoHo, New York
During that same excursion to the Big Apple in July 2022, Markle dined at The Crosby Bar at the Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, People reported.
There she was joined by activist Gloria Steinem for a short lunch after the Duchess’s visit to United Nations headquarters.
Perfect for a British Royal, this chic spot is known for serving sophisticated afternoon tea. The spread includes finger sandwiches and sweet treats such as raspberry ganache tarts and lemon ricotta cake, homemade scones and clotted cream. But the high tea costs a pretty penny at $60 per person.
Customers can also enjoy dishes like burrata scramble, cacio e pepe, buttermilk pancakes, cinnamon raisin challah French toast, and crispy wasabi popcorn shrimp.
Melbas
Haarlem, New York
Markle stopped by the famous Melbas in Harlem for date night with Prince Harry, where her husband tried chicken and waffles for the first time in September 2021.
As Vidak For Congress reported, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were served southern fried chicken and eggnog waffles, spring rolls, catfish, kale and yams.
While there, Markle and Harry chatted with the restaurant’s owner, Melba Wilson, about the nonprofit City Harvest.
Specialties at the comfort food haven include baked waffles with catfish and eggnog, wine-braised short ribs, trés macaroni and cheese, Southern crab cakes, empanadas with spinach and cheese, and onion rings with chili.
Lucky’s Steakhouse
Montecito, California
Anyone would be “lucky” to dine here.
Markle and her husband had dinner at Lucky’s Steakhouse in Montecito, Cailf. when they first moved to Santa Barbara in 2020.
The couple enjoyed a date night at the steakhouse with friends Katharine McPhee and David Foster in October, People reported at the time.
It was clear that they enjoyed their time at the restaurant as they reportedly ate there for three hours.
The steakhouse is known for their meat dishes, including their sirloin steak, T-Bone steak, filet mignon medallions, house-cut porterhouse, New York strip steak, and the aged prime rib, as well as the cheddar and bacon burger.
Markle may have heard about Lucky’s from her good friend Oprah Winfrey, who frequents the place.
laduree
SoHo, New York
Markle went to French Patisserie Ladurée in SoHo in 2019.
The Duchess and her best friend Jessica Mulroney enjoyed tea and pastries in the bakery’s private room for her baby shower when she was pregnant with her son Archie, according to Harper’s Baazar.
Ladurée’s flagship location is in Paris and has since opened several storefronts across America.
Ladurée is best known for their incredibly delicate macaroons, but they also serve mouth-watering eclairs, tarts, cakes, biscuits and croissants.
The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges
Upper East Side, New York
Markle also dined at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s The Mark on the Upper East Side. The venue was where her star-studded baby shower was held that year.
Markle was photographed exiting the luxury restaurant at The Mark Hotel from the service entrance to avoid the crowds as she made her exit in 2019.
Essential dishes to order at The Mark include the egg caviar – a Jean-Georges classic – as well as the black truffle pizza, grilled black sea bass, The Mark cheeseburger, watermelon and goat cheese salad, and the chicken and coconut milk soup.
Cafe Boulud
Upper East Side, New York
Markle dined at the chic Café Boulud on the Upper East Side in 2019.
She was reportedly supposed to eat at Flora Bar, but made the switch after being overrun by paparazzi and fans, according to E! News.
Café Boulud, owned by chef Daniel Boulud, closed its doors after 20 years during the pandemic, but will reopen in a new location, according to the restaurant’s website.
The Michelin-starred spot was known for its signature dishes such as Dover sole, bell pepper risotto, foie gras and heirloom tomato salad.
The Polo Bar
Midtown East, New York
Markle had an A-list dinner at The Polo Bar in Midtown East in 2019.
As Vidak For Congress reported, Markle dined at Ralph Lauren’s exclusive restaurant with Serena Williams, Jessica Mulroney, Misha Nonoo, Abigail Spencer and Markus Anderson. She was also accompanied by a huge security team.
It’s hard to make reservations for The Polo Bar, but once inside, guests can enjoy the Polo Bar Burger, caviar & fingerling potatoes, Ralph’s corn beef sandwich and pigs in a blanket. And don’t fill up until you’ve eaten their dessert. We recommend their old fashioned five layer chocolate cake.
territory
Los Angeles and Toronto
Markle’s favorite Toronto restaurant, Italian mainstay Terroni, also has two locations in LA.
The former ‘Suits’ star opened up about her love for the restaurant in a 2017 interview with Vanity Fair, when Prince Harry had just made their relationship public.
Speaking of the hot peppers served at the restaurant, she said, “They’re very hot, but if you’re good with heat, I think they’re going to become your new favorite thing.”
Originating in the Puglia region of Italy, the peperoncini piccanti can be purchased from the restaurant’s online store for just $13 a jar.
Cecconis
West Hollywood, California
Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly regulars at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, according to Hello Magazine.
But sometimes Harry likes to go solo on site, while the Duke of Sussex dined with some friends at the Italian restaurant in March 2022 for a quiet dinner.
The pair also enjoyed Cecconi’s food at the restaurant’s Amsterdam location for Soho House founder Nick Jones’s 55th birthday in 2018, Yahoo! reported.
Dishes you can get at Cecconi’s are the wood oven pizzas, the ricotta ravioli, the cavatelli lamb ragout and the aubergine parmigiana.
sugar fish
Los Angeles, California
When Markle has a craving for lemur, Sugarfish is her favorite spot in LA.
A source told Closer in 2022 that Markle and Harry often turn to the popular sushi franchise for some sushi and sashimi.
The obvious favorites at Sugarfish, with locations in California and New York, are sushi and handrolls, sashimi and edamame for snacking.