Harden's survey result
Summary
A period piece from 1964, this Pimlico institution has barely changed since the Swinging Sixties, when the Beatles, the Mamas & Papas and Julie Christie all ate here. The original wood panelling is still in place, along with the signature dish from Day One – fillet steak with a caramelised mustard and brown sugar crust. Founder Jeremy Friend, now 90, still lives just down the road and pops in several times a week – as do politicos from nearby Westminster, who sit downstairs where they can’t be overheard. Top Tip – the mark-ups on wine (including half bottles) is generous.
Summary
“An institution that’s been there forever” (well, since 1964) – this “fun, local bistro” is a “go-to in Pimlico for ‘cheer-you-up’ comfort food” from a menu that has barely changed over the decades (moules marinière, fish pie with piped potato, calves’ liver and bacon, crème brûlée). The original wood panelling is unchanged, and “the very friendly team have also been there since the dawn of time!”
Summary
Little has changed at this “unstuffy” Pimlico bistro since it opened 60 years ago (except that, back then, a couple could eat here for under £3!). The original wooden panelling and furniture are still in place, the fish pie is still topped with piped potato, and pricing is still “cheap ’n’ cheerful”. It also does a “great Sunday lunch for the kids”.
Summary
This “cosy, traditional and relaxed bistro” celebrates its 60th anniversary next year, and is proudly resistant to change: the wooden furnishings remain intact from the original £300 fit-out in 1964. It makes for “an unstuffy environment where you feel at home from the moment you walk in”, and the food – solid, old-school British bistro fare – is “excellent” by the standards of “cheap ’n’ cheerful” scoff.
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 Grumbles?
35 Churton St, London, SW1V 2LT
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £18.95 | £22.50 |  |
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| Dinner | £18.95 | £22.50 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £14.80 | £25.00 | £7.00 | £9.25 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.75 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £3.95 |
| Service | 12.50% |
35 Churton St, London, SW1V 2LT
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:15 pm, 6 pm‑10:15 pm |
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