Harden's survey result
Summary
“The magic has gone” for many critics of this Theatreland icon whose ‘chainification’ under Richard Caring (who put the Ivy group he created up for sale for £1bn in January 2024) has reduced this original site to “living on its past celebrity status”: “everything is slightly better than at the café and brasserie spin-offs found in humdrum regional shopping centres and other backwaters… but not much”. It’s certainly “a lot easier to book than it used to be” – the A-listers are long gone and “the clientele seems less highbrow, with more sportswear and baseball caps”. But – to be fair – its ratings are middling, not terrible; and many diners feel that “while not as special as it once was, we still enjoy it”. Though more “corporate” in atmosphere, it still has a “beautiful interior”; service is “a little bit patchy” at times, but mostly gets it right; and the menu of “British classics with a smattering of Continental and Asian dishes” – never the prime attraction – is “acceptable”. Top Tip – “Can’t go wrong for a business lunch” that’s “reliable if nothing special”.
Summary
The eclipse of this former icon of Theatreland by the nationwide chain it spawned (and its adjoining club) is continuing, and the volume of feedback it inspired sank significantly this year. A fair amount of glam still remains, but the A-listers are long gone, and standards are “hit and miss nowadays” to the extent that it too often delivers an experience that’s “overpriced, formulaic and mediocre”.
Summary
“It’s just so, so comforting… out-of-towners, especially those north of 50, always find it magical!” This “always buzzy” and still-famous Theatreland icon (‘rolled out’ by Richard Caring over the last ten years as a national chain) is, says fans, “still a wonderful experience”. Such advocates often feel that “it never fails to impress” (even if the A-listers moved on a few years ago) and – for business occasions – appreciate the fact that “clients love it!” Even such boosterism often acknowledges, however, that “these days better food can be found elsewhere” (“it’s not remotely going to challenge or educate your palate”). And, while it’s long been accepted that “you don’t come here for its comfort food”, its ratings nowadays support harsher critics who feel that “it’s just become an overworked cliché” – “the food is moving to the disappointing level of the chain… and service too”.
Summary
“Nowhere near as exclusive as it once was, but still a formidable competitor” is perhaps a fair summary of the disparate views on the original Theatreland icon that Richard Caring used to inspire his national brasserie chain. That it’s “now no better than the lookalikes across the country” certainly carries a lot of weight when it comes to its middling comfort food: “there was plenty of sparkle and fun amongst our fellow diners but none on the plate: I’ve had better pub food!”. Still, it continues to inspire an impressive amount of feedback, especially amongst romantics who feel “its seductive interior is still great for dates” (“not the glamour spot it was, but can still impress!”).
For 34 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 Ivy?
1-5 West Street, London, WC2H 9NQ
Restaurant details
The Ivy Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Not what it was"
"The alure of the Ivy has diluted the experience. We have visited over the years and enjoyed the kudos of telling people we have booked to eat here. That though has changed. Its is now a victim of its own success and it certainly feels very chain based dining, with an average menu, serving average food. Its always busy meaning the atmosphere is good but it lacks something."
"First visit in 20 years, no buzz nowadays and pretty expensive for run of the mill food. The room, however, is splendid."
"Better than the diffusion version with a little buzz left, but still faded from its glory days"
"Just can't stay away from this icon of the past. Flagship restaurant with flagship service and ambience. The roll out copy cat restaurants are just fake. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £26.95 | £31.95 |  |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £13.75 | £33.80 | £6.00 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £33.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 13.50% |
1-5 West Street, London, WC2H 9NQ
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:30 am‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:30 am‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:30 am‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 11:30 am‑11 pm |
| Friday | 11:30 am‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑10:30 pm |
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