The Archduke

Restaurants, Contemporary European South Bank
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The Archduke
Venue name: The Archduke
Contact:
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Address: Concert Hall Approach
South Bank
London
SE1 8XU
Price: £££
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Average User Rating

3.5 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:1
  • 4 star:2
  • 3 star:2
  • 2 star:1
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|6
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tastemaker

Looking for somewhere to eat along the Southbank on a Saturday afternoon that wasn't too busy and we stumbled upon the archduke. From the outside it seems like any other steakhouse but felt a lot more upmarket once inside.


There was a jazz theme with posters of jazz stars adorning the walls and looked very modern with the exposed brickwork and high ceilings. The seating was really comfy and it had a nice atmosphere.


I wouldn't say the food was really anything special, we had burgers and roast chicken leg and the meat seemed quite bland. At £65 for three of us to eat a main meal with a cocktail and two soft drinks I thought it was pretty pricey and think you are definitely paying for the setting.

Tastemaker

The Archduke has long held a fascination over me. Its combination of steak, cocktails and jazz is fairly unique on the south bank, and I've been interested to try this interesting mixture for years.


Finally, I've achieved this goal. It’s certainly bustling on a Friday night, and you’ll want to book in advance. There’s a mixture of normal tables and comfy booths. We were seated in the latter, which we’d initially booked for five people, but luckily someone dropped out as it would have been a squeeze for five. There’s certainly a convivial and bustling atmosphere, but if you go primarily for the jazz be aware that you can struggle to hear it from some seating areas.


Our party ordered a variety of steaks and a burger between us, alongside a few desserts. We were all pretty satisfied with our meals, although nothing stood out. My fillet was tasty, but pretty fatty at one end – and I was disappointed that our server in an American-style steak restaurant didn’t understand my request for a “Chicago-rare” cooking style (though perhaps that’s a little too picky!) They were certainly generous with their portions of salad, providing a massive bowl of a walnut/Caesar concoction that was fairly tasty.


The service was slow, but as it was a relaxed catch up we were in no rush. In all, I’d recommend it. It may not have lived up to my expectations, but its convenience, comfort and generous portions will deliver an enjoyable evening, if not the most favourable cost-value ratio!


Always happy to eat here. Cocktails very good, atmosphere always buzzing and  food more than acceptable. Never cost a fortune either . Steaks always good .

"title"


Ate here with a friend before going to see a show at the National Theatre. We didn't have a reservation but we were seated straight away. We went for the set dinner three courses for £20. Amazing food. I had the beetroot/ goats cheese starter, fish cakes and choc brownie washed down with a glass of Viognier. Very good value for money with a good view of Big Ben and the Eye. We came back later in the evening to sit in the bar and listen to the live jazz. I have given it 4 and not 5 as we had to wait a long time for our drinks when we came back a second time but they were extremely busy.


I knew the Archduke in the early 1980s when it was a wonderful and affordable place which offered galettes and cidre bouché as well as more standard wine-bar fare, so I was sorry to find that its current incarnation has not only vastly expanded space - although the glassed-in ground floor is welcome - but lost its originality, due no doubt to having been taken over by a chain steakhouse. We only came in for an early evening drink but they were good about letting us sit for ages over a couple of glasses of pleasant, if unremarkable and rather pricey rosé. No view worth contemplating on that side of the ground floor but we weren't there for that anyway.


This is a really pleasant restaurant, service is good and quick, food is very nice and there's a band playing live jazz music which makes the whole thing even more enjoyable. Definitely worth trying!

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