Harden's survey result
Summary
A vantage point atop Borough Market, partly formed from an iron-and-glass structure that was once part of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, provides a dramatic location for this well-established fixture. When it was first opened by Indian entrepreneur Iqbal Wahhab OBE in 2005, it was ahead of its time in championing traditional British cuisine, but its performance has never been reliable, and it’s always been open to accusations that it’s “a smart place let down by casual service”, “expensive…”, “doesn’t live up to the hype”; or that there are “many better places to eat in Borough Market”. All that said, its “decor and location make it a stand-out from the usual business lunch options”; an “excellent place to host foreign clients”; and also a romantic nomination. Top Tip – top breakfasts.
Summary
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, this attractive operation makes the most of its spectacular setting overlooking Borough Market from a dramatic wrought-iron and glass structure (that once formed part of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House). Flying the flag for traditional British cuisine – in particular steaks and Beef Wellington – it is most popular for business entertaining, and particularly well-established as a “reliable and enjoyable” destination for work breakfasts, with “decent food, professional service and strong coffee” (“just what you need when entertaining clients at 8am”). In terms of value for money, though, it loses out to numerous neighbours in and around the market.
Summary
The dramatic setting of a wrought-iron and glass portico – originally part of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House and now overlooking Borough Market – makes this “a great place for breakfasts or business lunches”. More generally, though, its retro-British cuisine generates limited enthusiasm (the main problem is “it costs too much!”).
Summary
Occupying in part a glazed portico that was originally part of the Royal Opera House, the “bright, airy location overlooking Borough Market” and “adorable room” make this restaurant “a great place to take colleagues or clients”. There’s generally more muted enthusiasm for the “overpriced” retro-British menu – prawn cocktail, beef Wellington, knickerbocker glory.
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 Roast?
Stoney St, London, SE1 1TL
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £39.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
Stoney St, London, SE1 1TL
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:45 am‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am‑11:30 am, 11:45 am‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am‑11:30 am, 11:45 am‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am‑11:30 am, 11:45 am‑10 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am‑11:30 am, 11:45 am‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am‑11:30 am, 11:45 am‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 11:45 am‑6:30 pm |
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