Harden's survey result
Summary
“A stunning venue with top-notch Gallic-inspired cuisine”: the Galvin Bros’ “beautiful” operation has all the elements for a “memorable experience” and – though its City-fringe location by Spitalfields Market makes it a huge hit for expense-accounters (“when you want to impress with a very elegant meal”), it’s also a “romantic favourite for the most special occasions”. Often mistaken for a converted chapel, the “dream location” of its ecclesiastical-style space was actually constructed to house a late-Victorian girls’ school, and was superbly stylishly converted by the Galvins in 2009. “Despite the striking surroundings, the staff manage to make it feel relatively informal”: “they are attentive but give you space and time”. And the food? “first class”, “precise French cuisine” that’s fully priced of course, but few begrudged the bill this year. Top Menu Tip – “Always try the magnificent Crab Lasagne: to die for!”
Summary
“One of the best dining rooms in London”, the Galvin Bros’ “impressive” Spitalfields venue occupies a “spectacular” space that looks like a church, but which was actually part of a late-Victorian girls’ school – a “real special occasion place” both for romantics or for an “unbeatable, proper business lunch in the City”. It won improved ratings this year for its “fabulous”, “classic” cuisine, its “professional” service and its “refined” wines from a “huge book of vintages”.
Summary
“One of the most pretty and impressive dining rooms in London” – an “amazing and beautifully lit” space often mistaken for a church, but in fact originally a late-Victorian girls’ school – helps underpin the appeal of the Galvin Brothers’ long-established destination, near Spitalfields Market. Although its ratings have come under pressure since Covid struck due to some uneven reports, this remains an “all-round treat”, much nominated for both important business and romantic occasions thanks to its “well-spaced” interior; service that is “spot-on”; and “fantastic French cuisine”, with numerous diners voting for it in our poll as their top gastronomic experience of the year.
Summary
The “breathtakingly magnificent” setting – “a Grade II listed girls’ school built in the late 19th century, with soaringly magnificent high ceilings and a plush fit-out” – makes the Galvin Brothers’ Spitalfields destination “a great place to celebrate or to take clients”, and is nowadays the City’s No 1 destination for business entertaining. And it helps that the service is “utterly professional, discreet and attentive”, too. When it comes to the “high-end, well-executed” Gallic cuisine, it has more often seemed a tad more “unambitious and rather expensive” of late (“I adore this restaurant, but they do need to keep the prices in check”). The winning view, though, is that “you always feel special when coming here” for what’s “an exceptional dining experience”.
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 Galvin La Chapelle?
35 Spital Sq, London, E1 6DY
Restaurant details
Galvin La Chapelle Restaurant Diner Reviews
"The lunchtime deal is possibly one of the best value in London. Very very good cooking served by a very friendly and enthusiastic team. General manager Arnaud deserved particular credit as he is a wonderful host"
"The lunchtime deal is possibly one of the best value in London. Very very good cooking served by a very friendly and enthusiastic team. General manager Arnaud deserved particular credit as he is a wonderful host"
"The restaurant is set in a grand and impressive room. Service was good, warm and friendly from the start, but felt a tad impersonal and rushed at times. We dined on the 5 course tasting menu which was very good overall, with good timings between dishes."
"Brilliant birthday lunch, great relaxed atmosphere."
"Excellent value lunch in a beautiful restaurant, superb service"
"Taste of January fixed menu fantastic. The Truffled Brie de Meaux creme brûlée for dessert should be a signature dish. Very good value matching wine flight (4 wines for £32)."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £44.00 | £49.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 125.00 | Always available | 5 |
| Menu2 | 140.00 | Always available | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £27.50 | £42.00 | £16.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 14.50% |
35 Spital Sq, London, E1 6DY
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11:45 am‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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