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Summary
“One of the legends of the London food scene” – the Hart Bros’ ‘Grande Dame of Dean Street’ is some reporters’ “all-time favourite in the capital – especially now the dining room has been enlarged and transformed to feel much comfier”. (At the end of 2022, the Harts reclaimed the space in this “beautiful, historic building” that had been given over to Barrafina for a few years, to return QV back to its former capacity). “Now with the refit, the environment has caught up with Jeremy Lee’s dishes” – “fine British fare using seasonal ingredients” that’s “top cuisine, without feeling too ‘restauranty’” – all delivered in a “convivial atmosphere which takes us back to classic Soho days”. “Superb all round” and “low-key in a good way, so ideal for business”. Top Menu Tip – “that eel sandwich is still a winner”.
Summary
“Jeremy Lee continues to deliver seasonal excellence in elegant surroundings with an atmosphere to match” at the Hart Bros’ “delightful” and “unfailing” bastion of old Soho (which also incorporates an eponymous members’ club for the foodie in-crowd on the upper floors of this rambling property, whose blue plaque celebrates former tenant, Karl Marx). Lee’s deft British cooking is “always thoughtful and cheering” and “the wonderful room is compact enough to ensure great service”.
Summary
Dining in the “grande dame of Soho restaurants”, now edging towards her centenary year, is “always a treat”, with “wonderful ambience”, “small but perfectly formed menu” and “fine cuisine” from Jeremy Lee. There is also a slightly more cautious school of thought on the place, which says: “the food doesn’t knock your socks off, but overall it’s a great place for a meal”. These days it shares the premises – formerly a brothel and home to Karl Marx – with a private members’ club and the Hart Brothers’ Barrafina.
Summary
“It feels small now that Barrafina has taken up half of the original space” following a re-jig a year ago, but the Hart Bros’ “gorgeous” landmark (est 1926) remains a “discrete”, “comfortable” and “fun” oasis from the bustle of Soho. Chef Jeremy Lee’s seasonal menu “is frequently refreshed with innovative dishes” and, at its best, delivers “unusual but superb” riffs on British cuisine, alongside a list of “interesting wines” and “fine cocktails”. Top Tip – “a bangin’ place for a traditional breakfast in classy surroundings”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Quo Vadis?
26-29 Dean St, London, W1D 3LL
Restaurant details
Quo Vadis Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Love this restaurant. Food is pricey but worth every penny. The restaurant has a fabulous atmosphere and the food is always excellent."
"Some fair priced red wines. We like restaurants which don’t kill red wines too young. Nice service. Good food with small menu which changes regularly (perhaps monthly)."
"A creative take on British style classics with rare ingredients. The signature smoked eel sandwich is a must. A cosy, classy dining room in a soho institution."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £60.00 |  |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £12.50 | £33.80 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £41.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
26-29 Dean St, London, W1D 3LL
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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