Harden's survey result
Summary
“What a fantastic building!”. This D&D London bar/restaurant occupies a “huge” and “interesting” former Victorian gym – “handily located, slap bang next to King’s Cross” – and despite a tendency to feel “cavernous” and to become very “loud” (“you can feel a bit like you’re eating in an aircraft hanger”) provides a “stunning” location. Its intriguing focus on German cuisine, and wines in particular, does win it gastronomic recommendations, but all too often the “stodgy” food “is really nothing special”. Even so, as a watering hole, a business rendezvous, or brunch spot, it has a big following.
Summary
“The location is stunning (albeit loud when it fills with customers)”, but – when evaluating this D&D London operation, housed within a “fantastic 1860s building in King’s Cross” – there are just “too many missed opportunities in this grand space”. “Because of the sheer size of the place (probably) the service is dreadful, which detracts from the experience”, and when it comes to the “not-strictly-German cuisine” then “prices feel way too high” for an offering that’s too “uninspired”. As a business venue it has its fans, though, and also for the “great brunch menu with free-flowing bubbles”. And “the bar’s very good” too.
Summary
“What a stunner!” A former Victorian gymnasium right next to King’s Cross station was converted two years ago into this “impressive and unique” D&D London venue, and, especially given its unusual Teutonic formula, it has all the elements for a smash hit… except the execution: too often the “solid German fare” feels “average and significantly overpriced”, which – not helped by “slow” service – can create “a let-down given all the hype”. Still, there’s always solace in the “joy” of a wine list – being focused on Germany and Austria “forces you to veer away from the standard and what discoveries that brings”.
Summary
The “jaw-dropping building” – “a high-ceilinged, former Victorian gymnasium” next to King’s Cross station – provides an “amazing setting” for this D&D London yearling. Its reception has been mixed however – staff are “charming” but can be “slow”; and the German cuisine (“wurst and other classics”) can seem “interesting”, but is too often judged “beige”, “heavy” and “not very tempting”.
Restaurant details
German Gymnasium Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Great noisy restaurant plus bar"
"Lovely room and very convenient for Kings Cross station. Largely meat based menu, not enough vegetarian options but excellent value set menu."
"Underrated in Hardens and worth a review! We went more for the location after arriving late at Kings Cross but it turned out well. We had the Evening Standard set dinner at £30 which was far from stodgy. Only "German" to the extent you choose. One of us did choose sausage and sauerkraut but others had fish and vegetarian dishes; Starters included tasty salmon tartare. Deserts had a (light) strudel and excellent ice cream selection. Glass of decent wine included too"
"Service lets this lovely building with a great roof down"
"Useful location if using King’s Cross but not worth a detour"
"Fantastic buzzy atmosphere. It was heaving on Friday evening. We ordered white asparagus and tomahawk wiener schnitzel served with lingonberry compote, warm potato salad and a cucumber salad. The whole meal was completely delicious but we were so full we couldn't manage a dessert. Lovely friendly service. A very special evening."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £15.00 |  |
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| Pretheatre | £25.00 | £30.00 | |
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| Brunch | £28.00 | £35.00 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £10.50 | £24.50 | £4.50 | £8.50 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.35 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
1 King's Boulevard, London, N1C 4BU
Opening hours
| Monday | 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm |
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