Harden's survey result
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!”).
Summary
“An old favourite, but the diffusion-brand has tarnished its name” – it feels like this Theatreland legend is steadily being sacrificed for the greater good of its growing stable of spin-offs. Many supporters do still feel its “comforting” menu delivers “reliable, traditional British food” in a “classy and buzzy” setting and that the trip is “still worth it (especially if you can get into the adjoining Ivy Club)”. But scores here are heading inexorably south across the board, supporting the many former regulars who feel the place “misplaced its soul, serving food that’s decidedly average at best” and “lost its caché” to the extent it’s “a shadow of its former self”.
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 The Ivy?
1-5 West Street, London, WC2H 9NQ
Restaurant details
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 | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑10:30 pm |
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