Harden's survey result
Summary
“Always impressing anyone who visits” – the Galvin Bros’ “elegant and professional” destination by Spitalfields Market boasts one of London’s most “glorious” dining spaces: “a high-ceilinged Victorian room that seems far too grand for its one-time use as a girls’ school”. “To accompany this wonderful atmosphere is a menu that really showcases fabulous international dishes focussing on the classics”, alongside “a wine-list offering plenty both at the high end for celebrating and at the lower end for when you need to stick to your expense-budget!”. (The cellar has “the largest collection of La Chapelle outside of the Rhône”, with a complete selection of vintages back to 1952). Boosted by its City-fringe location, it is “perfect for business entertaining” with just the right “serious tone” but also with a bit of a bounce to the occasion. “The food can misstep when it’s trying too hard, but the more traditional dishes are really very good”. Top Menu Tips – “an absolute winner is the crab lasagna: divine!”: “excellently slow- cooked Herdwick lamb shank and tarte tatin properly infused with a Calvados caramel”.
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.
For 34 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
"Enjoyed it here a lot. Crab raviolo; monkfish, potatoes and onion; chocolate/ pistachio ice cream. £457."
"À very good meal from the set lunch menu, served impeccably. The wine list is lengthy containing a wide variety of wines at à wide variety of prices. The venue is also highly original"
"Glorious dining room, albeit somewhat dominated by city folk on expenses. The food had a few missteps where it’s trying too hard; the more classical dishes are very good."
"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"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £49.00 | £55.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 130.00 | Always available | 5 |
| Menu2 | 145.00 | Always available | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £31.00 | £53.50 | £11.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 14.50% |
35 Spital Sq, London, E1 6DY
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:45 am‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:45 am‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:45 am‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Thursday | 11:45 am‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Friday | 11:45 am‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11:45 am‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11:45 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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