Harden's survey result
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”.
Summary
“Still a classic” – this “elegant” destination in “Westminster’s lovely former library” has long been one of London’s most pre-eminent posh Indians; and its “interesting and idiosyncratic” cuisine has made it “something of an institution” (including amongst the politico classes – “being within division bell distance of Parliament, there’s a fair chance of spotting a well-known face or two”). Its enjoyment was “tempered by episodes of wobbly service” in the last survey, however, and those who found the staff “over-stretched” were more likely to judge it “too expensive”.
Summary
“Still a classic” – this “elegant” destination in “Westminster’s lovely former library” has long been one of London’s most pre-eminent posh Indians; and its “interesting and idiosyncratic” cuisine has made it “something of an institution” (including amongst the politico classes – “being within division bell distance of Parliament, there’s a fair chance of spotting a well-known face or two”). Its enjoyment was “tempered by episodes of wobbly service over the last year”, however, and those who found the staff “over-stretched” were more likely to judge it “too expensive”.
Summary
“It’s been around a long time and is perhaps now overshadowed by newcomers like Gymkhana”, but this posh nouvelle Indian remains one of London’s most popular grand restaurants (and still features in our Top 40 most mentioned ranking) and many folks’ “go-to fancy Indian”. Set in Westminster’s “fantastic” old Public Library it has “a lovely club-like feel, with the bookshelves reaching to the ceiling” – an incongruous but somehow fitting backdrop for Vivek Singh’s “beautiful, innovative, nouvelle-Indian food” (“lots of complex flavours and some bite”). This was not a vintage year for its survey results, however, with gripes about “variable food, and service that ebbs and flows, which just isn’t acceptable at these prices”.
For 31 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
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £30.00 | £35.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 38.00 | Dinner only | 3 |
| Menu2 | 90.00 | Dinner only | 8 |
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £4.00 | £28.50 | £8.00 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The Cinnamon Club Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Excellent service and good food"
"Great setting and efficient service but some of the food on the set lunch menu was disappointing, particularly the root vegetable biriani - a large bowl of rice with potato, carrot and onion. Very small accompaniments were good. Beetroot fishcakes starter was enjoyed but rasmalai cream brulee had a strange texture. Fish curry was unexceptional. Altogether did not represent good value."
"Exquisite saucing. Gastric after effects not quite so welcome. "
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 |
