Harden's survey result
Summary
“Calmer in tone than The Wolseley” (although still “tending to be noisy”): its “understatedly glamorous” sibling is even more in the “Austrian Grand Salon style” than the mothership. And being “well-located for the City and West End” (just off Aldwych), combined with “professional service” and “well-spaced tables”, all foster its massive popularity for a “textbook business lunch”, or the “archetypal City power breakfast”. True to the group’s culinary DNA, the food can seem “unimaginative”. Viewed more positively, “the undemanding but reassuring menu” is “solid” and “reliable” and the specials of schnitzel, tarte flambée and sausages add to a “pleasing and cosseting” effect that “transports you to Mittel Europe”. So, “even if it’s never going to provide a top gastronomic experience, a meal at The Delaunay always feels special”. Given the recent changes at The Wolseley Hospitality Group (as the business is now called), many reporters voice “trepidation” at the recent loss of the founders: “it’s an example of Corbin & King at their best… whither now that they’re no longer running the show?” That said, the ratings, here, actually improved on last year in our annual diners’ poll. Top Menu Tip – “wonderful gateaux to go with good coffee” either after a meal or during the day.
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”.
For 32 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
"Grand middle European pre-war interior, menu will appeal to fans of flavourful cholesterol, all in all a good destination for a good dinner. "
"First visit to this popular restaurant- early evening before the theatre. It was excellent. Very pleasant service and a great atmosphere. The food was what we had hoped. My wife had cheese soufflé, not the easiest dish to prepare. She thought it was as good as she has had in any restaurant."
"This is a review for the Delaunay Counter rather than The Delaunay Restaurant. An ideal lunch spot with friendly ambience, service quick but not rushed, and simple dishes well cooked, with an appetising choice of patisserie for dessert."
"Traditional fine dining. Excellent venue for an informal reunion. Elegant European food. "
"The surroundings, atmosphere and service at the Delaunay are why we go, but the food is good too even if this is in no sense a gastronomic restaurant. At a recent lunch, I was served two splendid Monbeliard sausages with potato salad and choucroute for less than £20. I left very happy!"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £29.75 | £34.75 |  |
|
 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £12.60 | £29.00 | £8.00 | £8.95 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £31.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| 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 pm |
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