(CNN) — "Oysters... pies... pudding." These three words are inscribed in shiny gold lettering on the windows of the historic Rules restaurant, which proudly holds the title of the oldest restaurant in the British capital, London.

With its bright red flags and umbrellas adorned with gold trim, it's almost impossible not to notice this historic restaurant located on Maiden Lane.

The restaurant is located in the Covent Garden area of London, the British capital. Credit: Chris Dwyer

Originally, the restaurant opened as an oyster bar by Thomas Rule in 1798. Since then, over nearly 230 years, it has hosted prominent figures from around the world, from literary giant Charles Dickens to music stars like Madonna and David Bowie, as well as Queen Elizabeth II.

A Hollywood Favorite

If the interior design looks familiar, it might be because you've seen it in a film or TV show, such as the James Bond film Spectre or the series Downton Abbey.

The restaurant's walls are decorated with pictures of famous patrons from over the years. Credit: Chris Dwyer

As soon as you step inside, you feel as if you've instantly traveled to another era. Antique mirrors, statues, and busts cover most of the wall space, along with a large collection of drawings, caricatures, and paintings.

Visitors can also spot pictures of several famous patrons throughout history, including Laurence Olivier, Buster Keaton, Clark Gable, and Charlie Chaplin.

The restaurant has only had 5 owners over the centuries it has been open. Credit: Courtesy Rules Restaurant

"Quiet Evolution"

Ricky McMenemy has overseen the management of Rules for 37 years, starting his career there as a manager before becoming its owner in 2022.

McMenemy said: 'Rules has become like a surrogate child to me. If you don't have passion for this place, you shouldn't take on this experience. There's something about it that touches the heart and captivates you. It's a truly exceptional place, and it has a way of drawing people in.'

When McMenemy arrived at the restaurant in 1993, Rules needed a real rescue operation that required investments totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

He said: 'We didn't want the place to remain static or stuck in the past. We adopted a quiet evolution to ensure it continues to improve.'

The deer antlers hanging on the restaurant's walls reveal its long history of serving game dishes. Credit: Chris Dwyer

Game Rules

Luxurious red leather seats surround tables covered with crisp white tablecloths, while dozens of mounted deer antlers hint at the restaurant's specialty in serving wild game dishes.

During World War II, Rules restaurant served customers for only two hours at lunchtime, offering meals that complied with mandatory food rationing.

Although government restrictions limited available food options, the restaurant managed to overcome supply shortages by offering wild game such as partridge, venison, and rabbit.

Today, thanks to its exclusive partnership with wild game supplier Andy Dent, Rules sells more of these types of meat than any other restaurant in the United Kingdom.

The menu reflects a clear love for the British Isles. Starters include fresh lobster salad from Dorset, preserved shrimp with toast, and Uig Lodge smoked salmon from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.

Main courses include steak and kidney pudding, a roast beef rib served with Yorkshire pudding for two, and a variety of savory pies.

The restaurant is famous for its savory pies. Credit: Chris Dwyer

The restaurant has not always received critical acclaim.

In 1975, the Good Food Guide criticized the service staff, describing the waiters as lacking vitality, while another critic thought the vegetables 'looked as if they had been preserved since 1798'.

But that was a different era, when British cuisine was the subject of ridicule around the world.

Today, London is widely regarded as one of the world's top food capitals, and Rules has successfully kept pace with this change while holding onto its identity and long-standing traditions.

The desserts maintain their traditional character without any attempt to follow trends. The menu includes rhubarb crumble covered with custard and sticky toffee pudding.

For drinks, guests can order a Black Velvet cocktail or explore a wine list rich in red Bordeaux.

Upstairs, the Winter Garden cocktail lounge offers drinks that evoke old-world charm. Credit: Courtesy Rules Restaurant

Royal Secrets

The restaurant's bar also hides many secrets. It was once home to 'the most famous table for two in London,' where the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, dined and drank with his mistress, actress Lillie Langtry.

Royal connections dominate the current drinks menu, which includes the Duchess of Cambridge cocktail, a blend of Audemus pink pepper gin, Lillet, Grey Goose vodka, citrus, and rose and violet powder.

The restaurant maintains a loyal base of local customers who have been returning for decades.

Among them are John and Alexandra Powell, who visit from the suburbs of south London and have been dining there roughly once a month for 25 years.

They always request table 204, which is in a corner that gives them a special view of the entire dining room.

Powell said: 'You won't find another place like it. There are many attempts to imitate it, but they are just pale copies. Eating here can be expensive, but you get value for your money.'