Harden's survey result
Summary
For a “quintessentially British” meal, it’s hard to beat this Dickensian icon in Covent Garden (London’s oldest restaurant to operate continuously on the same site – since 1798), which has a “beautiful” Victorian interior; and which delivers an archetypal mix of grills, game and stodgy puds. To an impressive extent, it has avoided pure Tourist Trap status; and many regulars have “so many happy memories here, going back decades” thanks to its “comforting” formula. No denying, however, that it has become “very overpriced” in recent years and increasingly risks “living on its old reputation”. But, for the time being, the overall verdict remains that “it’s one of a kind and the world would be poorer without it”.
Summary
“If one wants to wow a visitor to London” then this superbly atmospheric Covent Garden “old timer” – the capital’s oldest restaurant to operate continuously on the same site (since 1798) – is just the ticket. The “amazing”, “traditional” panelled interior is “very impressive”; and although the “classic British cooking” (rib of beef, game in season, steak ’n’ kidney) is decidedly “not cheap” and doesn’t please everyone, it mostly makes a decent fist of flying the native culinary flag. Given its prime location, it can inevitably be “overrun with tourists” at times, but it’s still a big hit with many locals too.
Summary
“If one wants to wow a visitor to London” then this superbly atmospheric Covent Garden “old timer” – the capital’s oldest restaurant to operate continuously on the same site (since 1798) – is just the ticket. The “amazing”, “traditional” panelled interior is “very impressive”; and although the “classic British cooking” (rib of beef, game in season, steak ’n’ kidney) is decidedly “not cheap” and doesn’t please everyone, it mostly makes a decent fist of flying the native culinary flag. Given its prime location, it can inevitably be “overrun with tourists” at times, but it’s still a big hit with many locals too.
Summary
“Like stepping into a time warp” – London’s oldest restaurant (in these Covent Garden premises since 1798) is a magnificent period piece, complete with a gorgeous panelled interior. Inevitably it’s “very touristy”, although many Londoners also harbour a very soft spot for the old place. That said, its “old-school British cooking” has been better in living memory and many reporters continue to find “prices are high for rather indifferent food”: “our American friends were happy, but we were not impressed and the steak ’n’ kidney pudding was not as good as we remembered!” Top Tip – “unbeatable game in season”.
For 31 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 Rules?
Restaurant details
Rules Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Always good to have the traditional cooking at Rules. Steak and Kidney Pie is always great."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £39.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
35 Maiden Ln, London, WC2E 7LB
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
Best British, Traditional restaurants nearby
British, Traditional restaurant in Strand
British, Traditional restaurant in Strand
British, Traditional restaurant in Covent Garden
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Covent Garden
British, Traditional restaurant in Strand
British, Modern restaurant in Covent Garden
