The James

Sydney’s luxury hotel dining scene has welcomed a new arrival with The James, a contemporary British restaurant now open inside The Langham. The venue marks SRG Hospitality’s first move into the luxury hotel space as the group celebrates 25 years in hospitality.

Led by Head Chef Sam Tuchband, the menu takes classic British dishes and reinterprets them through a modern Australian lens—an approach shaped by his years working in London kitchens including Trinity London, Alyn Williams at The Westbury and The Dining Room at The Goring.

“My approach to the menu is to take British classics and refine them through my training and experience,” Sam tells Urban List. “I want to work with the very best ingredients I can find, because when you start with exceptional produce, it naturally leads to a better dining experience.”

Expect nostalgic British comfort food elevated with top-tier produce and a touch of theatre. Highlights include Wagyu Beef Wellington carved tableside, braised short rib with cauliflower and Madagascan pepper, and a dressed spanner crab Waldorf salad. Dessert is just as dramatic, with a sticky toffee pudding soufflé served warm with rich toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream.

“The Wagyu Beef Wellington carved tableside is the clear signature,” Sam says. “It captures what The James is about—a classic British dish elevated with exceptional produce and a sense of theatre. It’s nostalgic, generous and quietly dramatic.”

Tableside service runs throughout the menu, including a playful finale in the form of The James Knickerbocker Glory, a classic British ice-cream sundae assembled in front of guests.

The drinks program leans into the restaurant’s contemporary British identity, with a wine list championing Old World styles alongside Australian producers and a particular focus on English sparkling wine.

The dining room itself is just as much a statement as the food. Designed by SRG Hospitality’s Perry Drakopoulos, the space reinterprets classic British design references with bold colour, layered textures and a sense of playful drama.

“The James felt like a natural evolution for us and The Langham,” Perry tells us. “The hotel’s British heritage offered a rich foundation to build from, and even the name is an homage to Sir James Langham, the founder of The Langham.”

Inside, sweeping drapery, patterned textiles and sculptural joinery create a room full of character, while subtle design details reference traditional English interiors. A custom motif—an abstract reinterpretation of a British crest—appears throughout the space across menus, upholstery and timber joinery.

“We wanted people to say ‘wow’ and then keep discovering more as their lunch or dinner unfolds,” Perry says. “There’s familiarity to it, but also an element of surprise. Bolder colour, richer pattern and a level of visual energy that feels unexpected in the best way.”

Look closely and you’ll also find hidden details throughout the room—including a wall of vintage-style hotel key cubbies referencing the 96 rooms at The Langham, a playful nod to classic hotel reception desks.

“There’s a lot of subtle and quietly playful detail in the space,” Perry explains. “It’s layered in a way that encourages repeat visits—you’ll want to come back, sit somewhere new and notice something you missed last time.”

With theatrical tableside dishes, nostalgic flavours and a boldly designed dining room, The James brings a fresh take on British hospitality to one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels.

Image credit: The James | Supplied