RestaurantsLondonSpitalfieldsE1
HARDENS CLUB PARTNER

survey result

Summary

£129
£££££
4
Very Good
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£121
£££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£111
£££££
3
Good
3
Good
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£104
£££££
3
Good
4
Very Good
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

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

Entertainments,Highchair,Menu,Portions
Yes
12
No trainers
120
Yes

Galvin La Chapelle Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Galvin La Chapelle Restaurant in E1, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Galvin La Chapelle restaurant.
Nat F
The restaurant is set in a grand and impres...
Reviewed 3 months, 14 days ago

"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."

Report this comment
Peter D
Brilliant birthday lunch, great relaxed atm...
Reviewed 4 months, 10 days ago

"Brilliant birthday lunch, great relaxed atmosphere."

Report this comment
Peter D
Excellent value lunch in a beautiful restau...
Reviewed 7 months, 25 days ago

"Excellent value lunch in a beautiful restaurant, superb service"

Report this comment
R H
Taste of January fixed menu fantastic. The ...
Reviewed 10 months, 11 days ago

"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)."

Report this comment
Have you eaten at Galvin La Chapelle?
Post your own review of Galvin La Chapelle and contribute to our annual restaurant review guide.
Post your own review

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
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
Monday12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9.15 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm
Sunday11:45 am‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm

Best French restaurants nearby

Galvin Bistrot & Bar
French restaurant in Spitalfields
£68
  £££
2
Average
2
Average
2
Average
Chez Elles
French restaurant in London
£65
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
Brasserie Blanc
French restaurant in City
£64
  £££
2
Average
2
Average
2
Average

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

Sushisamba
Japanese restaurant in City
£126
£££££
2
Average
2
Average
4
Very Good
Nobu Shoreditch
Japanese restaurant in Shoreditch
£132
£££££
4
Very Good
3
Good
3
Good
Sushisamba
Fusion restaurant in Covent Garden
£126
£££££
2
Average
2
Average
4
Very Good