RestaurantsLondonHolbornWC1

Breaking news

June 2022: pie supremo Calum Franklin has left the Dining Room "to focus on new projects".

survey result

Summary

£89
 ££££
2
Average
1
Poor
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

For a “good solid business lunch” it remains recommendable, but otherwise reports are uneven regarding this grand hotel’s ‘British brasserie’, where traditional pies are a big menu feature: the least enthusiastic diners feel it’s “disappointing, since it is supposed to be a five star”.

Summary

£83
 ££££
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

It’s not been a vintage year for this grand British brasserie, known for its Pie Room, grills and charcuterie. Feedback has been very unsettled, with poor ratings across the board and reports of “stodgy and tasteless dishes”, “breathtaking mark-ups”, and “famous pies that were poorly cooked and really not worth the hype or the money”. In June 2022, after the conclusion of our survey, the executive chef for the last eight years, Calum Franklin, moved on. Given that change seems to be afoot, we have left it unrated.

Summary

£78
 ££££
3
Good
2
Average
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

The “great pies” – from classic hand-raised pork pie to curried mutton or dauphinoise, black truffle and aged Comté – are “justifiably well known” at this “very well-situated” and very business-friendly dining room on the edge of the City, which also specialises in grills and British charcuterie. The imposing interior is certainly “grand”, although some find it “a bit cavernous”.

Summary

£78
 ££££
3
Good
2
Average
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Savoury pastry heaven”“outstanding pies, steak puddings and beef Wellington” are the orders of the day at this “fabulous” dining room on the edge of the City, where Chef Calum Franklin oversees a “great menu” also featuring British charcuterie and grills. The setting is “a little hotel-like” but “tables are nicely spaced” helping to make it a big hit with business types. Top Tip – “pick up a takeaway pie from the Pie Room”; and there’s “an excellent breakfast, to boot”.

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 Holborn Dining Room?

252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN

Restaurant details

Yes
Highchair,Portions
Yes
No dress code
180

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Pudding
£18.00 £30.50 £13.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £37.00
Filter Coffee £5.00
Extras  
Service 14.00%
252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN
Opening hours
Monday7 am‑10 pm
Tuesday7 am‑10 pm
Wednesday7 am‑10 pm
Thursday7 am‑10 pm
Friday7 am‑10 pm
Saturday7 am‑10 pm
Sunday7 am‑10 pm

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