RestaurantsLondonSohoW1

Harden's says

On the former West End site of the Rainforest Café (RIP), this boozy Mancunian import – a ‘bier palace’ and ‘cook haus’ providing ‘recreation, indulgence, pleasure, and debauchery” – is to follow up on its spin-offs in Liverpool and Brum with this London debut in early 2024, on the site of Rainforest Café (RIP).

survey result

Summary

£56
   ££
3
Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A very welcome addition to the West End” – all reports hail the arrival of this Mancunian-based schlockfest: a national chain which successfully channels the animal spirits of Bavaria into a ‘Bier Palace & Cook Haus’ experience that launched near Piccadilly Circus in late 2024 via Birmingham and Liverpool. It could be easy to hate, but all reports say it’s “a great place with friendly and welcoming” staff; and that when it comes to the German food and beer it feels “authentic” enough, while “portion sizes are off the scale and worth every penny”. The Times’s Giles Coren is a fan, even if to his refined tastes it’s “a noisy, rollicking bear-pit of a venue”.

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Have you eaten at Albert's Schloss?

20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1V 7EU

Restaurant details

14, 17, 25
360

What the Newspaper Critics are saying

The Times

Back in London after his summer hols, Giles Coren went in search of the fabulous – and fabulously inexpensive – cooking and beer he had enjoyed in Bavaria. Much to his surprise, the new central London branch of this Manchester-based group came much closer than he had expected.

His favourite Bavarian dish, the splendidly named ‘schweinshax’n’ (or more prosaic pork knuckle) “was as beautifully done as in Tegernsee, with a lovely, rich beer sauce. At £19.50 it was considerably more expensive, but … again, would have fed two. I think that’s cracking value.”

Albert’s is not for the faint-hearted, though – it’s a noisy, rollicking bear-pit of a venue, Giles warned: “Don’t come here if you’re over 35 or easily startled by loud noises, table dancing and public sex (to be fair I did come on a Friday night, which is no time to be in Soho). But if you’re planning a hen do, dig a live Lionel Richie cover and have never had a roasted crispy pig’s knee, well, this is your lucky day.”

Giles Coren - 2024-09-15

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Pudding
£7.30 £18.00 £7.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £27.00
Filter Coffee £0.00
Extras  
Bread £5.00
Service 10.00%
20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1V 7EU
Opening hours
Monday10 am‑2 am
Tuesday10 am‑2 am
Wednesday10 am‑2 am
Thursday10 am‑2 am
Friday10 am‑3 am
Saturday10 am‑3 am
Sunday10 am‑10:30 pm

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