Harden's says
The first solo restaurant from Andy Beynon, previously Jason Atherton's development chef. Behind is a chef's table restaurant - all 18 seats overlook the kitchen - and will serve an eight-course tasting menu focused on sustainable seafood. Next door there's also a wine bar and bottle shop.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Wow!” “Andy Beynon continues to produce superb, good-value cuisine in a relaxed and intimate setting” at his small venue, near London Fields: “an immersive experience, where the chefs prepare the food around you as you sit at the bar”. “There are no waiters: the chefs cover service, chat about the food and ferry each new course from the nearby open preparation areas”; and the team gives the impression of being “super keen and far from weary, jaded or sitting on their laurels”. “Sustainable fish is the clear focus here, and everything is on point in each exceptional dish”.
Summary
“Hackney’s newest foodie hotspot doesn’t disappoint” and “the passionate commitment of all involved shines through” at Andy Benyon’s year-old 18-seater, near London Fields. “Very friendly chefs serve you personally” at a counter overlooking the kitchen “allowing a view of the preparation of each course (it’s a bit like dining on the set of an episode of MasterChef: The Professionals)”. The focus is on fish and seafood, and “a succession of elegantly prepared dishes bring complex flavours to some of the most sustainable species on the market”, all adding up to a “superb” overall meal. Given its high quality, it’s not an overpriced venue at all: “you get amazing value on top of an amazing experience!”
Summary
“You can see why this won a Michelin star in 20 days” – Andy Beynon’s Hackney newcomer set a new record when it opened in October 2020, a short stroll from London Fields. Previously Jason Atherton’s development chef, his stylish, industrial-ish space is focused on a chef’s table with all 18 seats overlooking the kitchen: “a great place to get up and personal with the chefs”. “Watching the chefs put together the dishes is a pleasure given their quiet, efficient and impressively clean-cut working practices”; and the main man himself comes over as being very “approachable and personable”. From your perch, you sample a 12-course tasting menu focused on sustainable seafood. “Andy is seriously knowledgeable about fish cookery and delivers brilliant fish dishes and accompanying wines over the many courses”, and all at “a reasonable price”. Next door is a wine bar and bottle shop.
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 Behind?
20 Sidworth Street, London, E8 3SD
Restaurant details
Behind Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Best meal I have for ages. Every dish beautifully presented, bursting with flavours. Staff amazingly friendly. "
"Behind has fully converted me to seafood and fish! Great ambience, with Chefs serving the food themselves, which is a lovely personal touch and allows them to discuss the dish in full"
"Behind is completely excellent and currently fantastic value, especially given the intimate but spacious counter setting. A wonderful reinterpretation of elements of a classic tasting menu almost entirely with seafood, cleverly drawing attention to the contrasting flavours and textures possible. Unsurprisingly the desserts were the weaker part of the meal, but that's only relative to how fantastic everything else was. "
"This is one of my favourite restaurants in the UK. All the drinks and meals are presented by the chefs who prepare the food in front of you. The set menu is incredible value and is excellently executed. Andy Beynon is a talented and impressive chef. If you go drink lots as they make their money on them - not that they are over-priced simply the food is a very modest amount for its quality. Will return regularly. There is a smokehouse round the corner which sells ncredible smoked butter!!"
Prices
Drinks | |
---|---|
Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
Extras | |
---|---|
Service | 10.00% |
20 Sidworth Street, London, E8 3SD
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | CLOSED |
Wednesday | 7 pm‑11 pm |
Thursday | 12.00 pm‑11 pm |
Friday | 12.00 pm‑11 pm |
Saturday | 12.00 pm‑11 pm |
Sunday | CLOSED |
Best Fish & seafood restaurants nearby
Fish & seafood restaurant in Hackney Wick
Fish & seafood restaurant in City
Fish & seafood restaurant in Clerkenwell
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Southwark
International restaurant in Trafalgar Square
Japanese restaurant in Southbank