Fancy eating where George Clooney, Uma Thurman and Idris Elba have been before, but at a more inexpensive price (just £35 for three courses)? Even better, with a Michelin-starred chef at the helm? Now we've got your attention. Discover Fitzrovia's Berners Tavern, and trust us when we say this was a real beaut.
Berners Tavern sure was classy with a capital C.
You know things are gonna be good when a restaurant is next door to one of the capital’s most luxurious places to sleep, The London Edition hotel. Just moments away from Oxford Street, but still surprisingly peaceful, the location couldn’t be better. Once we walked inside, we actually gasped at how strikingly gorgeous the Berners Tavern restaurant was, think grand, soaring ceilings, walls covered in classical paintings, huge oval statement lights hanging from the ceiling (both dazzling gold) and eight plush circular booths in the centre of the space. The baroque-style decor was extraordinary, from the regal stained glass windows to the elaborate fan detailing. I could see why it's so popular.
First things first, we could not fault the service we received here; Ginesse was friendly, knew the dishes inside out and always on hand if we needed anything. Quite something when you consider we visited on a very busy and bustling Thursday evening. As we popped in before 6:30pm, we opted for the Early Berners menu, setting you back a budget-friendly £35 each for three courses. Michelin-starred Jason Atherton heads up the kitchen, promising modern British plates with all the flair and flavour you would come to expect from the famous chef.
So, just to reiterate, you can try sophisticated, meticulously presented and downright delicious fare for basically the price of a Pret subscription.
The restaurant is a surefire hit, just take a look at the Berners Tavern reviews.
Having read up beforehand on the most popular plates from the Berners Tavern restaurant menu, I couldn’t help but order the mac ‘n’ cheese (£26) ...and let’s just say it was worth the hype. Just imagine a piping hot, gooey, decadent cast iron pot containing five different types of cheese, including gruyère, brought together with double cream, giant columns of pasta and toasted brioche crumbs on top. They even give you a spoon so you can devour every last bite. My partner’s prawn cocktail, considered another signature staple, was fancy as hell; from the cubes of lobster jelly and silky smooth avocado to the crispy shallots. The balance of wasabi was particularly clever too.
As for drinks, I’ll say two words. Champagne. Trolley. Yes, it really was the stuff of dreams. An expert sommelier glided around the room, pouring customers glasses of fizz as and when they liked. It was so lavish and fun, I ordered from there twice. The fresh, bubbly and elegant Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label (£23) slid down the throat nicely, while my dinner date’s alcohol-free Sneak Peak (£14) delighted with notes of mandarin and vanilla, almost sherberty-like until coming in strong with a delicious bitter aftertaste.
Browse through the Berners Tavern London menu and prepare to be amazed.
Our mains came flying out of the kitchen and, as a lover of all things veg, I couldn’t wait to try the roasted broccoli and saffron orzo, dotted with tangy tomato, alongside a lovely wild garlic puree. The pasta mixture was shaped into a neat quenelle at our table, a cool touch, plus the swirly green florets were beautifully presented. I also liked the fact the dish was vegan and zero waste, making sure none of the flavour-packed stalks went in the bin. Not sure whether to order Koffman’s fries (£6) as a side? Our advice is to just do it, as the fluffy, crunchy sticks were ideal for soaking up any leftover sauce. The plaice schnitzel piqued my boyfriend’s interest, as he’s only ever tried the pork version before. The best way to describe it would be the classiest fish ‘n’ chips you’ll ever have. There was a flaky fillet encased in a crispy coating, plus bursts of blood orange, charred lemon and fiery jalapenos coming from the accompanying salad.
As we sipped another booze-free tipple, the zippy cucumber and rhubarb Faux Pas (£14), our dessert landed at the table. Carrying on the sweet theme and in celebration of the UK’s freshest seasonal ingredients, we decided to share the rhubarb and crème fraiche mousse. It was brilliantly executed and, frankly, completely knocked it outta the park for us, think layers of poached, sharp fruit, velvety cream, rose sorbet and biscuit for that added texture.
The DesignMyNight Digest
You just need to scan the Berners Tavern photos to see that this place is a 10/10, having served everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Jourdan Dunn. But if, like me, you don’t have the budget of the aforementioned celebs, then the Early Berners menu is a true bargain. Tucked inside snazzy hotel The Edition Berners Street, this space delivered on stunning surrounds, VIP plates and fine dining; we simply didn’t want our evening to end.
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💰 The damage: A three-course set menu is only £35 per person, excluding drinks and sides. 📍 The location: 10 Berners Street, London, W1T 3NP. 👌 Perfect for: The mother of all date nights, before visiting the theatre. ⭐ Need to know: The Early Berners menu is available from 5pm - 6.30pm daily. |
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