Breaking news
April 2019: to the bitter disappointment of many, it has been announced that this Soho institution is now only open to Soho House members (unless you are staying in a room there).
Harden's survey result
Summary
Despite its cosy and historic charm, it’s tempting to omit this cosy Soho landmark which dates from 1867. It once was a major West End destination, and still has a gorgeous Champagne bar, but Soho House (owners since 2016) seem to have been mostly interested in converting its upstairs event spaces into 33 bedrooms, leaving the downstairs dining room run to be run in partnership with a North London pub (The Clarence Tavern x Kettner’s): “the food is average but it has a nice setting”.
Summary
Dating from 1867, this fine Soho landmark should be famous, but has slipped off the restaurant map in recent years: initially due to its indifferent standards; and then due to Soho House’s purchase of the building, and its closure to non-members since 2019. In July 2023, the club once again threw open its doors to the hoi polloi, with a food operation now run by the team behind the Stoke Newington pub The Clarence Tavern. Fingers crossed, this promising partnership helps it recoup some of its old mojo, rather than descending once again into the Theatreland tourist trap mode that’s dogged it since PizzaExpress founder, the late Peter Boizot, sold it on in 2002.
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 Kettners?
29 Romilly St, London, W1D 5HP
Restaurant details
Kettners Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Last time I lunched here pizzas were on the menu and I loved it. This time, after it's refurbishment and new lease of life, I am not too sure that they've got it right. Firstly, I was shown to the wrong table full of strangers. After we worked out that there was a mix-up, I did get to the right table. Then, it took 40 minutes to find out my beer was unavailable and I had to re-order. My mussels were fine and the hake was very good but everything seemed to arrive independently and we had several different waiters, so everything was a bit of an unknown. We knew who ordered what but non of the serving staff did. Not great. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
29 Romilly St, London, W1D 5HP
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 7:30 am‑12 am |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am‑12 am |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am‑12 am |
| Thursday | 7:30 am‑1 am |
| Friday | 7:30 am‑1 am |
| Saturday | 7:30 am‑1 am |
| Sunday | 8 am‑11 pm |
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