Harden's survey result
Summary
“They get all the important things right and the room is lovely and welcoming” at Corbin & King’s slightly less showy but equally “slick and professional” sibling to The Wolseley, just off Aldwych. It, too, is in the style of a continental grand café, and while its Mitteleuropean cooking “is not the most exciting in the world”, its comforting style somehow captures “an authentic taste of Old Vienna in the golden days”. Perhaps it “lacks something for the price you pay”, but it attracts little in the way of harsh critiques. In particular, “it never lets you down” for business entertaining; and also “just works for breakfast, be it personal or professional” (“really indulgent, it feels like a real treat to sit in one of the spacious booths”). “Delicious strudel and other delights served with great coffee” also make it an afternoon favourite, and there’s also Delaunay Counter – “a wonderful coffee place next to the main restaurant”.
Summary
Corbin & King’s “grand café”, just off Aldwych, is less showy than its Piccadilly stablemate The Wolseley, but nevertheless “a class act”, whose “luxurious” decor, “restrained acoustics”, well-spaced interior (“the large room never feels packed even when it’s full”) and “brisk”, “very professional” service make it “especially good for business lunches” in ‘Midtown’. But it’s also “fabulous for breakfast”, not to mention “a great option for pre-theatre” and a top choice for afternoon tea (“lovely cakes, scones… good choice of proper loose teas”). “The Mitteleuropean food isn’t the most gastronomically exciting, but there’s always something on the menu for everyone” (and with “lots of dishes rarely found in London: wild boar sausage, bratwurst, tarte flambé, etc)”. Top Tip – “the Delaunay Counter is excellent for coffee”.
Summary
Corbin & King’s “grand café”, just off Aldwych, is less showy than its Piccadilly stablemate The Wolseley, but nevertheless “a class act”, whose “luxurious” decor, “restrained acoustics”, well-spaced interior (“the large room never feels packed even when it’s full”) and “brisk”, “very professional” service make it “especially good for business lunches” in ‘Midtown’. But it’s also “fabulous for breakfast”, not to mention “a great option for pre-theatre” and a top choice for afternoon tea (“lovely cakes, scones… good choice of proper loose teas”). “The Mitteleuropean food isn’t the most gastronomically exciting, but there’s always something on the menu for everyone” (and with “lots of dishes rarely found in London: wild boar sausage, bratwurst, tarte flambé, etc)”. Top Tip – “the Delaunay Counter is excellent for coffee”.
Summary
“Like The Wolseley, minus the poseurs and food-tourists” – Corbin & King’s “very professionally run” outpost on Aldwych is “not as hectic as its sibling” and boasts “uncramped surroundings” and “classy” comfy decor that make it particularly “perfect for business”, be it at breakfast (“feels like you’re being really spoilt”), lunch or dinner. It’s a natural for “sophisticated pre-theatre meals” too. The “ersatz Mittel-european dishes” (schnitzel, for instance) are “satisfying” to fans, but even some supporters concede “the menu can be a little pedestrian”, and a borderline-concerning number of visits were really “not very inspiring” food-wise this year. Top Tip: “marvellous Viennese afternoon tea at £19.75, with all the silverware and trimmings”.
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 The Delaunay?
Restaurant details
The Delaunay Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A pleasant, clubby atmosphere and the food is good but unremarkable. "
"Beautiful locations and very kind to the children"
"Excellent - but will it stay that way now?"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £27.50 | £32.00 |  |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £13.40 | £25.30 | £5.00 | £8.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.75 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
55 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BB
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am‑5:15 pm |
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