Harden's survey result
Summary
Just behind Buckingham Palace (and where the Middleton family stayed before Wills and Kate were wed) – this posh five-star was built by Otto Goring in 1910 and has been run since 2005 by his great grandson Jeremy Goring. With its peerless service and “very well spaced” tables, it’s the perfect bastion for traditionalists and an excellent choice for a “pricey but classy” old-school experience. The main dining room’s cuisine has moved with the times, but is still in a fairly traditional mould well-suited to “formal family lunches or business”. Another attraction is one of the best breakfasts in town. Head to the adjoining lounges for “afternoon tea at its best”: “beautifully made cakes and sandwiches, and just a special and lovely experience”.
Summary
“Still glowing from its Royal Wedding connection” (and nowadays with a Royal Warrant to show for it) – this once-sleepy, nowadays increasingly fashionable, traditional British five-star hotel is situated conveniently behind Buck House. Established in 1910, it is still run by the Goring family, who have been investing heavily of late, with the relaunch of the hotel’s bar and a new restaurant space in 2019 (where its partnership with Nathan Outlaw, branded ‘Siren’, was very short-lived). The “delightfully old-school” main dining room is a “perennial stalwart”, whose “quintessentially-British menu” was slightly bizarrely starred by Michelin a few years ago. That’s not to say that the cooking is not “traditional and of high quality”, but the real reason why this is the perfect venue for lunching your maiden aunt or “wowing visiting prospective clients” isn’t the food, but its “impeccable”, “old-fashioned” service and the “impressive surroundings” of this “light, elegant and high-ceilinged” chamber (whose “roomy tables allow for serious business discussions”). No surprise that prices are a tad “steep”. Top Tip – afternoon tea in the adjoining lounge can be “crowded” but otherwise is as it would be done by Disney – “like a fantasy step back in time” – “we went wild for the sandwiches and scones which were offered in abundance!”
Summary
“Still glowing from its Royal Wedding connection” (and nowadays with a Royal Warrant to show for it) – this once-sleepy, nowadays increasingly fashionable, traditional British five-star hotel is situated conveniently behind Buck House. Established in 1910, it is still run by the Goring family, who have been investing heavily of late, with the creation of Siren (see also) and the recent relaunch of the hotel’s bar. Its “delightfully old-school” dining room is a “perennial stalwart”, whose “quintessentially-British menu” was slightly bizarrely starred by Michelin a few years ago. That’s not to say that the cooking is not “traditional and of high quality”, but the real reason why this is the perfect venue for lunching your maiden aunt or “wowing visiting prospective clients” isn’t the food, but its “impeccable”, “old-fashioned” service and the “impressive surroundings” of this “light, elegant and high-ceilinged” chamber (whose “roomy tables allow for serious business discussions”). No surprise that prices are a tad “steep”. Top Tip – afternoon tea in the adjoining lounge can be “crowded” but otherwise is as it would be done by Disney – “like a fantasy step back in time” – “we went wild for the sandwiches and scones which were offered in abundance!”
Summary
For a “quintessential English experience” in London, it’s hard to beat this “wonderful family-owned and managed hotel in the heart of Victoria and its marvellous dining room”. “Perfect, courteous and caring service” is at the heart of a formula which feels like “a trip back to yesteryear” and which is “class personified”. As such, though not at all corporate, it’s “a first-rate way to wow potential clients (especially Americans!)”, backed up by luxurious traditional cuisine that’s “old school and all the better for it”. There’s also a “fascinating wine list, with many entries chosen personally by Mr Goring on his travels”. This is also the location for “the most civilised breakfast in London”, and there’s a “marvellous, sumptuous afternoon tea served in the opulent lounge at the Goring: enveloping cosy chairs, fine china, an extensive selection of teas, sandwiches, scones and the prettiest of cakes, plus Champagne options. A total treat best saved for special days”.
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).
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Restaurant details
The Dining Room, The Goring Hotel Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Hooray for The Goring. The only negative was the presence of drunk idiots in the bar."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
15 Beeston Pl, London, SW1W 0JW
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
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