Harden's survey result
Summary
“Step back in time at London’s oldest restaurant” – on this site, in Covent Garden, since 1798 – “where the best of British resounds in its decor, menu and ambience”. “Sometimes derided for being outdated or a tourist trap” (“fellow guests were either Yanks or elderly Brexiteers”), it actually remains remarkably “popular with the locals” and its large fan club says “a visit should be on everyone’s bucket list”. Hollywood would be proud of the decor (“it looks like the kind of place you dine in before deciding to conquer a remote land in the name of the crown”) and – though some of its antique furnishings are vaguely “preposterous” – the “special time warp” that’s created is “enchanting”. The “classic” menu has a fair share of “old-school-boy favourites” featuring a good amount of meat and game; and although it is “expensive” and “won’t blow you away”, it is “done well”. “The wine list is OK if not great (sort of gentlemen’s club level) but at least the mark-ups are reasonable”. “Don’t forget to visit the hidden gem of an upstairs cocktail bar to get the full experience”. Top Menu Tip – “the old fashioned steak and kidney suet pudding with rich extra gravy in a silver boat. Crisp on the outside, meltingly soft on the inside with gloriously tender pieces of meat”.
Summary
“What’s not to like about the oldest restaurant in London?” – in continuous operation on the same Covent Garden site since 1798. Of course, it’s “popular with tourists”, but its “quintessentially British” style makes it an “old favourite” for many Londoners too, and it provides “a beautiful, traditional experience”. The atmosphere of the beautiful dining room is “exceptional” and the “old school cuisine, with an emphasis on meat and game”, is very dependable; and backed up by an “extensive, if quite expensive wine list”. Top Menu Tip – “lovely steak ’n’ kidney pie”.
Summary
“It could so easily be a tacky tourist trap and is a bit pricey”, but there remains a whole lot of love for this Dickensian landmark in Covent Garden (London’s oldest restaurant to operate continuously on the same site – since 1798). The “beautiful” period dining room is “steeped in West End history and character” and the menu is “proper old-school” too – “no surprises, nothing extraordinary, but well-cooked and professionally served” grills, game, pies and puds. “And they do wonderful cocktails upstairs” too in the “splendid bar”. Top Menu Tip – “well worth it for old favourites like steak ’n’ kidney pudding followed by sponge pudding”.
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”.
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 Rules?
35 Maiden Ln, London, WC2E 7LB
Restaurant details
Rules Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Slightly preposterously old-fashioned but if you are in the mood, it’s a lovely way to spend a couple of hours pretending it’s the 1970s. "
"The steak and kidney pie remains a winner"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £37.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
35 Maiden Ln, London, WC2E 7LB
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
Best British, Traditional restaurants nearby
British, Traditional restaurant in Strand
British, Traditional restaurant in Covent Garden
British, Traditional restaurant in Covent Garden
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Covent Garden
British, Modern restaurant in Covent Garden
British, Modern restaurant in Covent Garden
