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Great Queen Street

32 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AA Full details & map

Restaurant: British

Time Out says 7 Users say 4/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 13 2011

In an area strangely devoid of many top-notch eating options, Great Queen Street shines out as a central London beacon of civilised dining. The long, low-lit space filled with rough-hewn tables is suited as much to drawn-out lunches as it is to post-work meals. Relaxed staff confidently attend to a varied range of customers, from food-lovers drawn by the Anchor & Hope connection (the owners' gastropub in Waterloo), to tourists who found the place simply by wandering past.

As at the sister venue, food is stripped-back British, with a strong emphasis on seasonal produce. Prosecco and strawberry fizz made a fine aperitif, despite its unhurried arrival, complemented by a rustic pair of flavourful starters: borlotti beans with peppers from Kent; and cockles, peas and bacon.

Next came mains of fried breaded pig's cheek and broad bean purée, and hake with lentils and green sauce (aka salsa verde); the hake, in particular, was both hearty yet full of summery vibrancy, while the pig's cheek was like an old-school school lunch, but somehow in a good way.

Wine available in a range of measures (from 125ml) is another plus, and desserts of chocolate tart and brioche summer pudding left us perfectly contented, with a resolution to return.

Tags: European, British, Hip factor, People watching, Central, Holborn, Mid-range, Restaurant

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Great Queen Street details

Address

Great Queen Street

32 Great Queen Street WC2B 5AA

Transport Covent Garden or Holborn tube

Telephone

020 7242 0622

Bar Open 5-11.30pm Tue-Sat. Restaurant Lunch served noon-2.30pm Mon-Sat; noon-3pm Sun. Dinner served 6-10.30pm Mon-Sat

Main courses £10.80-£22

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 4, pavement ), Babies and children welcome ( high chair ), Booking advisable, Disabled ( toilet )

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Comments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 7 ratings)

By Manuka2020 - Mar 8 2012

1/5

I really don’t understand these glowing reviews. I ordered a very lacklustre rabbit and snail with Spanish rice, and my friends ordered rib eye steaks that came out dangerously rare (with what appeared to be McCain Oven Chips). I also had an orange, honey and thyme sorbet which, I’m sorry, was revolting. That in addition to the ever-present, apparently bi-polar, barman jabbering in our ear all night, made for an unpleasant culinary evening.

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By lucy - Nov 20 2011

5/5

fabulous meal in this very busy restaurant last night but service professional, attentive and friendly, food is inspired -good sized portions very reasonable prices and great house wines.
just love it!

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By Sarah Smithson - Oct 27 2011

5/5

LOVE IT.
Huge portions, great food, they have their own cured meat platter which is amazing....

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By AnnaL - Oct 24 2011

1/5

I really don’t see what people see in this place. After booking a table for 8pm and arriving a bit early we were finally seated at 8.45 (we waited in the bar where the barman was friendly – the only positive part of the night) and by this time half the food had been taken off the menu. We ordered a roasted duck crown and were advised it would take 40 mins and would come medium rare, a friend order the hare ragu.
Over and hour later or ‘roasted’ duck arrived and was unceremoniously dumped on the table by our waiter who swiftly walked off. The ‘roasted’ duck was barely warm, thoroughly over cooked, the skin was soggy and flaccid and the fat definitely hadn’t been rendered off. The accompanying chips were over salted and luke warm and our side of greens must have fallen into the mustard pot and left on the side to chill before serving. Quite frankly all unacceptable and revolting.

After being asked to speak to the manager (in took 5 mins to get any attention) we were told this is how it was served and if it was a problem we would have to wait another hour before our food would be ready. She also gave the excuse of ‘were busy’ (it was a Saturday night surely you would expect to be busy!!) The manger then walked away and returned to tell us that duck was always served cooked and pretty much told me I don’t know what I am talking about. What every happened to the customer being right??

On top of this my friend that ordered the hare was also given food was luke warm. This time the hare ragu basically tasted like it had been mixed with Cadburys drinking chocolate. Disgusting.

Needless to say our plate went back to the kitchen basically full no apology given and we then were charged top whack for the pleasure.

I wouldn’t recommend this place if you paid me, and I DEFINITELY won’t go back, in fact I just want to warn London not to eat here, there are so many fabulous places that are better and cheaper.

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By SteveR - Oct 11 2010

Went in for a quick after dinner drink Friday in the basement bar and ended up staying for a couple of hours. Excellent downstairs bar, where you can get good food, good cocktails and great barman

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By SteveR - Oct 11 2010

Went in for a quick after dinner drink Friday in the basement bar and ended up staying for a couple of hours. Excellent downstairs bar, where you can get good food, good cocktails and great barman

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By Tim - Aug 4 2010

I went to 23 Great Queen Street last night, not expecting much - but it was easily the best meal I've had in a restaurant. The food was incredible - and very cheap for the quality. Atmosphere was good as well. Everyone I was with agreed. It was the kind of meal you think about long into the next day (and I still am!).