Harden's survey result
Summary
“Restaurants are part-theatre, part-food” and most reports dwell on the trade-off between the two at this famous scene in Marylebone. For fans, “it’s easy to see why celebs love it”: “there’s always a frisson of excitement in the dining room” and “service and food don’t disappoint as they do in other ‘in-crowd’ places”. At the other end of the spectrum, there are one or two who see it as “crazily overpriced, yet decidedly average and full of absolute tossers”. A fair middle view is that “the Chiltern Firehouse excels at the performance, especially if you sit in the huge outside with large open fire, majorly effective heaters, and awnings if it rains. The food is only OK, but the ambience and people-watching are stellar!”
Summary
“It may not be quite as high on ‘places to be seen’ lists as it used to be”, but – “having made a name for itself as a celebrity hotspot” – this beautiful-crowd haunt in Marylebone is proving surprisingly enduring. “You’re paying a pretty hefty premium for the trendy location”: “the food/price ratio is off kilter, as the food really is not good and outrageously expensive”. But does anyone care? For its many fans “you can’t go wrong with the Firehouse – it always feels like a treat!” (“Our daughter was excited to spot one of David Beckham’s sons and his girlfriend, so extra brownie points for me. LOL!”)
Summary
“Blindingly expensive, but unforgettable” – “you’re paying for the experience not the food” at this sexy and enduringly fashionable Marylebone operation, which “everyone knows is about the ’scene’ and rubbernecking the clientele”. When it comes to its long, luxe-brasserie menu (burrata, oysters, steak, tuna tartare, pizza…), results are “OK, but not worth the cash, unless you are as super-rich as the rest of its customers”. Top Tip – “go for breakfast, to get a sense of the ambience”.
Summary
“A place to be a guest, not the host!” – this splashy Marylebone scene still attracts “the smart set” on account of its gorgeous decor and “stunning gardens”, but over half of reports on it are votes as London’s most overpriced restaurant. “The food takes second place to the venue”, while service – though friendlier than in its heyday – “can at times be rather amateurish”. All in all, it’s “a pleasant enough place, but £80 a head for a one-course Sunday brunch is a bit much. More than a bit much, in fact…”.
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 The Chiltern Firehouse?
1 Chiltern St, London, W1U 7PA
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
1 Chiltern St, London, W1U 7PA
Opening hours
| Monday | 3 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 3 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 3 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 3 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 3 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 3 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 3 pm‑10 pm |
Best American restaurants nearby
American restaurant in Mayfair
American restaurant in Soho
American restaurant in St James's
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Italian restaurant in Marylebone
British, Modern restaurant in Mayfair
Fish & seafood restaurant in Mayfair
