Harden's survey result
Summary
“Simple… seasonal… superb” sums up chef-patron Ed Wilson’s approach at this East London fixture, near Columbia Road flower market – and after 15 years, “the food is better than ever”. “Despite the carnivorous name (and logo!)” the menu also incorporates “impressive and delicately cooked fish and seafood”. Natural wines are a big theme – “uber cool, weird and wonderful bottles that taste better than they look” – “but there’s lots for the traditional palate, too”. Top Tip – “go on weekday lunchtimes to avoid booking”.
Summary
“Not missing a beat and at the very top of its game” – this culinarily renowned East End fixture, near Columbia Road flower market, scored highly all round in this year’s annual diners’ poll, putting any doubts about its staying power to one side. Its Med-influenced, superior bistro cuisine delivers “extraordinary flavours”, service is very “charming” and all in all, it’s “a delightful, unpretentious neighbourhood place”.
Summary
This former icon of East End gastronomy is starting to look like a handy stop-off point near Columbia Road flower market, but not much more. The odd fan still hails its Med-inspired food and funky wine list as “exceptional all-round”, but – as Ed Wilson and his team have diverted effort to Sargasso in Margate – interest seems to be on the wane here (and, given the surprising paucity of reports, we’ve left it un-rated this year).
Summary
Next to Columbia Road flower market, this East End outpost of the Caves du Pyrène group is “the perfect neighbourhood restaurant” – albeit one which attracts custom from far and wide for its “benchmark small plates” of Mediterranean food and “clever wine list with lots of natural/biodynamic options”. It remains “very hip” after a dozen years, “always buzzing” with “delicious dishes from Ed Wilson’s kitchen, served by knowledgeable and friendly staff” in a “lovely light-filled room”.
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 Brawn?
49 Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
49 Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 5:30 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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