Harden's survey result
Summary
“A couple of years after reopening they are now into their stride” at this resurrected, traditional Mayfair veteran – re-launched in late 2021, but with a long history from the 1970s onwards, which spans numerous owners (including actor Michael Caine) and with many highs and lows along the way as its performance has waxed and waned. Having started shakily, the latest regime now seem “a bit more “professional” than they used to be”, providing service that’s “friendly and attentive without being overbearing” which helps to bring out the “delightful” atmosphere. One or two reports do still accuse it of “trading on the reputation of yesteryear with prices that are difficult to justify”, but ratings staged a comeback this year and a more representative view is that the “enjoyable if not cheap” brasserie fare “has improved in the last couple of years” and that although “the overall style is actually quite different from that of the original, it is still very much a place to be seen and people-watch”. Top Tips – the business crowd still love the place for client entertaining, for which “the new ‘Upstairs at Langans’ club enhances the offering further” (with its bar, live music, and cigar terrace with retractable ceiling).
Summary
This large and famous “Mayfair institution” – site of 1970s and ’80s revels under late founder Peter Langan and once co-owned by actor Michael Caine – fell from fashion decades ago, but was significantly relaunched in late 2021. “The food was never that special even when Langan was in charge so that hasn’t changed, but the price has moved up substantially” since its rebirth, making it more than ever a case of “average everything, dressed up as chic”. There’s still the occasional report of “a great time over a long lunch” from its loyal band of client entertainers, but the majority view is that even its bubby conviviality is increasingly called into question: “this is nothing like the original: it’s Langan’s gone hedge fund”.
Summary
Were it not still considered “outrageously expensive” in over 40% of reports, it might be easier to recommend this “well-located”, old-faithful brasserie (est. 1976). When it was relaunched under new ownership in late 2021, it was widely derided for its poor standards. But even though its cooking is still too often dismissed as “standard fodder”, overall feedback on its food improved this year, with fans praising its “menu to suit all tastes, including many traditional and down-to-earth dishes”. And anyway, cost-be-damned, it’s “still the haunt of the business lunch crowd” thanks to its “long-established, buzzy ambience” and handy location near The Ritz.
Summary
“Not the old Langans by any means” – the relaunch in late 2021 of this treasured old-faithful brasserie (est. 1976) near The Ritz has proved “a little mixed” to say the least, and a return to its A-list past now seems a very distant prospect. One or two fans do “love the entire experience” of this business favourite and its plutocratic comfort food. But more common are those whose “excitement turned to huge disappointment in the face of abysmal service and astronomical prices” for staple dishes, to the extent that some diners loath the place: “arguably the most overrated restaurant in central London, made clear by all the Z-list celebrities I assume they get to dine for free…” – “should be rated zero zero zero!”
For 34 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 Langan’s Brasserie?
Stratton Street, London, W1J 8LB
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £30.00 | £35.00 |  |
|
 |
| Dinner | £30.00 | £35.00 | |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £19.50 | £47.50 | £14.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
Stratton Street, London, W1J 8LB
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
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