Harden's survey result
Summary
“One of the most pretty and impressive dining rooms in London” – an “amazing and beautifully lit” space often mistaken for a church, but in fact originally a late-Victorian girls’ school – helps underpin the appeal of the Galvin Brothers’ long-established destination, near Spitalfields Market. Although its ratings have come under pressure since Covid struck due to some uneven reports, this remains an “all-round treat”, much nominated for both important business and romantic occasions thanks to its “well-spaced” interior; service that is “spot-on”; and “fantastic French cuisine”, with numerous diners voting for it in our poll as their top gastronomic experience of the year.
Summary
The “breathtakingly magnificent” setting – “a Grade II listed girls’ school built in the late 19th century, with soaringly magnificent high ceilings and a plush fit-out” – makes the Galvin Brothers’ Spitalfields destination “a great place to celebrate or to take clients”, and is nowadays the City’s No 1 destination for business entertaining. And it helps that the service is “utterly professional, discreet and attentive”, too. When it comes to the “high-end, well-executed” Gallic cuisine, it has more often seemed a tad more “unambitious and rather expensive” of late (“I adore this restaurant, but they do need to keep the prices in check”). The winning view, though, is that “you always feel special when coming here” for what’s “an exceptional dining experience”.
Summary
The “most enchanting setting” – “an out-of-this-world conversion of an old church” (to be precise, the chapel of a Victorian school) – makes the Galvin Bros’ Spitalfields HQ one of London’s most “beautiful” restaurants. It provides a “special” backdrop “for keen business deals, or to impress your new love-interest” (and is “a particular attraction for guests from overseas”). There are “high standards across the board”, including “fantastic” modern French cuisine; a “classy wine list”; and “smart, swift, discreet service”.
Summary
The “most enchanting setting” – “an out-of-this-world conversion of an old church” (to be precise, the chapel of a Victorian school) – makes the Galvin Bros’ Spitalfields HQ one of London’s most “beautiful” restaurants. It provides a “special” backdrop “for keen business deals, or to impress your new love-interest” (and is “a particular attraction for guests from overseas”). There are “high standards across the board”, including “fantastic” modern French cuisine; a “classy wine list”; and “smart, swift, discreet service”.
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 Galvin La Chapelle?
Restaurant details
Galvin La Chapelle Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A stunning dining room with top notch Gallic inspired cuisine. Prices mean an expense account is very handy…"
"Reliably good. Food was technically perfect. Had a problem with the wine but resolved very quickly. Felt like they cared about us and was far better than we expected. Great for occasions. "
"Faultless service and delicious food in great surroundings "
"Perfectly executed as expected. Discreet excellent service, great signature dishes such as the crab ravioli and Cumbrian beef fillet or Miso Cod matched with fine wines - in this case a Cote Rotie."
"Superb service and attention to detail. Set menu very good and food and wine delicious "
"Fine dining in an engaging location which is "well worth a detour". A memorable experience for a West Londoner on a visit to East London"
"Despite some difficulties in staffing, standards are still high. The Lunchtime Prix Fixe menu is still the same price as the last few years but for the first time there are now "supplements" for some courses. Understandable given the inflation setting."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £43.00 | £48.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 110.00 | Always available | 5 |
| Menu2 | 125.00 | Always available | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £27.50 | £38.00 | £15.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 13.50% |
35 Spital Sq, London, E1 6DY
Opening hours
| Monday | 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9.15 pm |
| Sunday | 11:45 am‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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