Do You Want Your Dinner Smelling Like Grapefruit? Jo Malone Thinks Yes

Let’s be honest. If your guests can taste your candle, you lost the plot. That’s why scented dining candles make me twitchy. The new Jo Malone Grapefruit & Rosemary Townhouse Dining Candles try a smarter route: bright citrus plus green aromatics that read clean, not cloying.

Grapefruit at the table is risky yet thrilling. Done right, it smells like cool pith and effervescent zest, a wink of bitterness that keeps everything crisp. Rosemary brings a savory, piney edge with camphor that clears the palate rather than sugarcoating it. Together they suggest chilled white wine, shaved fennel, simple grilled fish, maybe a citrusy roast chicken. If you’re plating truffle pasta or a dense braise, this will argue with the food. For seafood, salads, late brunch, or the first course of a long dinner, it makes sense.

These are tapers, which matters. Tapers usually project less than jar candles, so the scent should hover at low to moderate intensity. That’s exactly what a table needs. You want a hush of aroma that tidies the room without turning the room into a perfumery. The included holders keep the look polished and vertical, less visual clutter than jars. It all reads cool, minimal, unfussy.

Now the part that pricks: £132 at Harrods for two candles with holders is a statement. You’re paying for the pairing, the presentation, and the particular profile of grapefruit plus rosemary that feels intentional for dining. If you want heavy throw or gourmand comfort, these will disappoint. If you want a clean, palate-sharpening atmosphere that respects the food, this combo is one of the few that might actually work.

Verdict from a dinner-obsessed nose: grapefruit and rosemary is a gutsy call that lands in the safe zone for a modern table. The price is high, the concept is disciplined, and the result is elegant without perfume-flavored soup. If you’ve ever wished your dining room could exhale, Jo Malone aimed at that precise moment and nailed the brief.