Harden's survey result
Summary
“Like stepping back in time” – this “prehistoric eatery in the City” (est 1757) has “an incredible atmosphere” and is “old-fashioned in a way we can rejoice in”. The Dickensian menu of “traditional English” chops and roasts, steak ’n’ kidney pies and ‘stewed cheese’ on solid ratings in the last survey – and is “not for those with a small appetite”. Top Tip – “this ancient spot dishes up a top Full English”.
Summary
“Like stepping back in time” – this “prehistoric eatery in the City” (est 1757) has “an incredible atmosphere” and is “old-fashioned in a way we can rejoice in”. The Dickensian menu of “traditional English” chops and roasts, steak ’n’ kidney pies and ‘stewed cheese’ wins solid ratings this year – and is “not for those with a small appetite”. Top Tip – “this ancient spot dishes up a top Full English”.
Summary
“Olde English tradition lives on” at this ancient chophouse down a picturesque alleyway: a City institution dating from 1757. “It could be a museum of the British restaurant” with its “engaging service that treats you like one of the boys”, Dickensian interior and “authentic period food”, including daily roasts and house special ‘stewed cheese’.
Summary
“I imagine Billy Bunter would have enjoyed Simpson’s!”. This “City institution” dating back to 1757 is tucked down a Dickensian alleyway and has “barely changed for a century”, making it well worth a visit, even if the food – “simple British stodge” – “is not really the point”.
For 30 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 Simpson’s Tavern?
Restaurant details
Simpson’s Tavern Restaurant Diner Reviews
"You eat with a sense of history in this authentic chophouse from the 1700's. Cheek by jowl with strangers is the norm, but covid careful these days. Solid Anglo-Saxon fare at an amazingly low price in the heart of the city."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £21.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
38 1/2 Ball Ct, Cornhill, London, EC3V 9DR
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:30 am‑3:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am‑3:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am‑3:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8:30 am‑3:30 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am‑3:30 pm |
| Saturday | CLOSED |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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