Harden's survey result
Summary
With “stunning summer views from its large terrace towards the Royal Exchange, Mansion House and back to St Paul’s Cathedral” – this modern French restaurant atop No 1 Poultry from Evolv (fka D&D London) is currently riding high under executive chef Damien Rogollet and fulfilling its central mission as “a good upmarket City choice”. Staff are “really helpful and friendly despite the restaurant being busy inside and out” and if “a la carte is on the expensive side”, the “very good value set lunch menu” compensates; and while the “wine list is mainly aimed at high-spending corporate accounts, there’s plenty to be had for the layman without breaking the bank”. Top Menu Tip – “Rabbit terrine starter, stuffed with pistachio nuts, and with a little mustard… excellent!”
Summary
“Perfect for a slick business lunch” – “if the weather permits get an outside table” at this D&D London operation on the top floor of No 1 Poultry, where you eat just a minute’s walk from the Bank of England amidst leafy roof terraces. Despite the upheavals at its owning group (sold to new private equity owners in October 2023) it put in a stronger-than-ever performance this year. True, “it’s best when the meal is not at your own expense”, but perennial complaints were absent this year. Instead, “nothing but praise for the lovely staff and excellent kitchen”; and for the “consistently good” modern French cuisine: “I’ve taken numerous guests – all very happy!”
Summary
“Signs of returning normality with a full Coq!”. This “purring” D&D London operation sits on the top floor of No 1 Poultry – with leafy roof terraces in sight of the Bank of England – and is a well-established linchpin of the Square Mile lunching scene. For foodies, it can seem a disappointing experience, but for those packing corporate plastic it’s valued as a “great location in the heart of the City for a pricey-but-decent business lunch serving upmarket staples with a French twist”. Top Tip – “good for breakfast in the summer on the outside terrace”.
Summary
“The great location” atop No 1 Poultry, “in the heart of the City”, makes this D&D London venue “perfect for entertaining out-of-town business guests” (who might recognise it from the James Bond sequence in the opening ceremony of the London Olympics). It’s “slick and efficient”, too, which helps for scheduling “a time-critical business lunch”. On the debit side, “staff sometimes get overwhelmed by the number of diners”, and “the nosh is upmarket but predictable” – “glad I wasn’t paying for it!”.
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 Coq d’Argent?
1 Poultry, London, EC2R 8EJ
Restaurant details
Coq d’Argent Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Great service and a fantstic terrace"
"Lovel top of a tower reseraunt near to bank station "
Prices
| Wine per bottle | £39.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Service | 15.00% |
1 Poultry, London, EC2R 8EJ
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Best French restaurants nearby
French restaurant in Bank
French restaurant in City
Steaks & grills restaurant in City
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in London
British, Modern restaurant in City
British, Modern restaurant in London Bridge