Harden's survey result
Summary
“The OG” of ‘nose-to-tail’ British cuisine and recherché offal-related dishes – Trevor Gulliver and Fergus Henderson’s Smithfield icon is “as brilliant as ever” after all these years (it opened in 1994). Occasionally reports accuse it of “complacency”, but for the most part they pay awed homage to its “top cooking and fine ingredients” delivered by “superb, genuinely engaging and caring staff”. There’s an “excellent wine list” too. “The matching stark white dining room” of this converted smokehouse “still has that Scandi-chic feel, but is oh-so-loud – perhaps the worst acoustic of any restaurant ever!”. Top Menu Tip – “Worth it for the roast bone marrow alone”; suckling pig is a favourite for a group celebration; and “it’s one place you must never pass on pudding!” (“amazing Marmalade Bakewell, Rhubarb Trifle, Steamed Sponge… all excellent)”.
Summary
“Still love the place…” – Trevor Gulliver and Fergus Henderson’s icon of British cuisine coined the concept of ‘nose-to-tail dining’ and hasn’t missed a beat since it opened in 1994, in a “stark-but-chic” ex-smokehouse, near Smithfield Market. Known for its “sometimes challenging menu (not least for its selection of offal dishes)”, it continues to deliver “totally brilliant”, “straightforward” dishes (“the cuts may be humble, but the results are of the highest grade”) from “good old-fashioned recipes” in its distinctive “white-walled, down-to-earth” setting, whose ultra-utilitarian style is livened up by “entertaining” service that’s “very kind and personable”. Top Menu Tip – “puddings are to die for (I don’t have a sweet tooth but this is the only restaurant where I ALWAYS have a pudding)”.
Summary
“Not for the faint hearted… you need to have some courage to eat at St John with its challenging menu and stark industrial aesthetic” (complete with “harsh acoustics”). But the “uncompromising ethos” of “nose-to-tail eating at its very best” is what’s carved the international renown of Trevor Oliver and Fergus Henderson’s ex-smokehouse near Smithfield Market. “No wonder many of the best chefs in the UK are alumni of this amazing kitchen”: fans feel “this is the only place that treats every part of the animal with respect” and it remains an “all-time favourite” for very many diners (“been going for over 25 years, faultless food and personally I love the minimalism of the décor too”). Ratings did slip quite a bit this year, though, with one or two reports that “menus have been more routine of late, with execution below old standards”. Perhaps the general strain of these post-Covid and post-Brexit times?
Summary
“Uncompromising in all respects… and worth a visit” – “the original nose-to-tail restaurant” has become “a pure London institution” for very many of those who take part in our annual diners’ survey: “timeless… fabulous!” The top draw is the “hearty”, offal-filled menu (“dem bones, dem bones are to die for!”) which is “heaven on a plate” for more adventurous palates. But the masochistic appeal of its “stark, white, industrial interior” has also achieved iconic status over the years – the atmosphere it creates being pepped up considerably by the very professional and personable service.
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 St John Smithfield?
26 St John St, London, EC1M 4AY
Restaurant details
St John Smithfield Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Afraid of offal? Fear not, for you are safe in the hands of the skilled team at St John. A restaurant where tripe, kidney and heart all become something sensational. Knowledgable service and excellent own label wines too. "
"As good -- if not better -- the never. Not to everyone's taste, but brilliant for untheatrical, music-free, perfectly cooked food and super wines. It never disappoints."
"Excellent functional bar/restaurant that does exactly what it says very well. "
Prices
 Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
26 St John St, London, EC1M 4AY
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am‑9 pm |
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