Old Westminster Library, Great Smith St, London, SW1P 3BU
Harden's survey result
Summary
“In the memorable setting of Westminster Library” – “still with book-lined walls” – “few restaurants can beat the ambience of this old room” (one of the Top-40 most commented-on venues in our annual diners’ poll). Opened in 2001, it can genuinely claim to have helped ‘redefine expectations of Indian cooking’ in the UK, thanks to Vivek Singh’s “always-innovative cuisine using seasonal ingredients” (“calling it an Indian restaurant conjures up a misleading picture: this is fine cooking characterised by first-class ingredients and restrained spicing so that delicate flavours can still be enjoyed”). Staff are typically “courteously graceful” (though occasionally “unresponsive” this year) and “the unusual space makes for an atmosphere for calm enjoyment”. “It is worth mentioning the wine list, which includes some fascinating Indian wines that are well worth investigating”.
Summary
“Fantastic food in a fabulous building – what more could you ask for?” So say fans of Vivek Singh’s “impressive” HQ “in the beautiful setting of Westminster’s former public library”, which remains the most-mentioned non-European restaurant in our annual diners’ poll. The “progressive” cuisine is “perfectly spiced and brings together the best of Indian and European cooking” with “exquisite” results. The “lovely light, spacious and glamorous” setting “lends real class to the occasion”, but “it isn’t stuffy, and staff are very welcoming”. “It’s just a shame so many politicians eat here too!” Top Tip – “the lunch menu offers exceptional value for money”.
Summary
“The atmospheric book-lined walls of Westminster’s former public library are a highlight” and add “a lot of character” to Vivek Singh’s famous venue a short stroll from the Palace of Westminster: one of the Top 40 most-mentioned restaurants in our annual diners’ poll and the best-known top Indian destination. “It’s worth a visit just for the bar!” – where an evening often commences – but the prime attraction is “clever”, “high-end” nouvelle Indian food “that’s truly different” and with “very delicate spicing”. “The huge area can make service a challenge” but generally staff cope well.
Summary
“Amazing surroundings in the old Westminster Library, a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament”, provide a “very stately” backdrop to a meal at Vivek Singh’s acclaimed venue – still one of London’s best-known and most impressively located destinations. “Start with cinnamon-based cocktails” in the bar and then progress to the “gourmet-level” cuisine, which has “flavour packed into every morsel”. Amongst quibbles this year was the odd dish that “lacked zip” and a feeling that all the grandeur can feel “sterile”. But the final verdict – “this is true high-end Indian dining”.
For 33 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 The Cinnamon Club?
Owner's description
Re-opening in 2015 following a major refurbishment, Executive Chef Vivek Singh and Head Chef Rakesh Ravindran Nair have developed a stunning new menu that combines The Cinnamon Club’s signatures with new dishes and celebratory platters. The Cinnamon Club is committed to pushing boundaries and continues to evolve its trademark Indian dining experience.
Prices
 Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
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| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
The Cinnamon Club Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Great Indian food with lots of spice albeit a little bit pricey"
"If you don’t know exactly where it is, you won’t find it! No name outside so look for the carved stone lintel “Westminster Library). Very good value set lunch in an interesting and pleasant dining room. "
"The service was really bad when we went - dismissive and unresponsive, so much so that I probably wouldn't go back, in spite of the wonderful food."
"Sensible sized portions. Distinct flavours. Great dining room"
"Very good Indian food at lunchtime. A lovely space to eat in Westminster and reasonably priced. Service excellent. "
"All the dishes we had were tasty and enjoyable, but the presentation was a little bit dull and a couple of us in a party of eight complained about little or no choice of Indian mild dishes. The only non-alcoholic beer available was Peroni although Cobra was listed in the drinks menu and caused some disappointment. "
Old Westminster Library, Great Smith St, London, SW1P 3BU
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 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 | CLOSED |
