Harden's survey result
Summary
Firmly established after more than a decade, highly rated chef Steve Williams’s no-frills canteen is attached to a biodynamic wine warehouse in a railway arch behind London Bridge station. It’s “always busy, but the trek is worth it for the food” – seasonal ingredients transformed in a basic-looking open kitchen and served “with a smile and a laugh”.
Summary
With its “carefully sourced and imaginatively prepared seasonal ingredients complemented by natural wines”, this spartan venue in a Victorian railway arch behind London Bridge station has become a pilgrimage site for foodies in the past decade. Chef Steve Williams’s menu is chalked up on a board each day, and there’s no coddling of guests in what is still primarily a warehouse operated by the Gergovie biodynamic wine import business, who provide the in-house wines. A small minority feel the whole experience is “a bit overhyped”, but there are no complaints about the quality of the food.
Summary
This Victorian railway arch behind London Bridge station has earned a stellar reputation for its stripped-down gastronomy, with “carefully sourced seasonal ingredients transformed into imaginative dishes by Steve Williams and his team”. After ten years, there’s still no concession to comfort for either cooks or customers, just a chalked-up menu of the day’s dishes and some functional furniture. The arch also serves as a warehouse for the Gergovie biodynamic wine import business, so there’s an “interesting all-natural wine list” to accompany your meal.
Summary
This “natural wine bar with excellent food” has become a “must-eat fixture” for London foodies, where chef Steve WIlliams produces a daily chalked-up menu of “incredible” small plates, to be consumed in the no-frills surroundings of a Victorian railway arch on the lines into London Bridge station, which houses the Gergovie biodynamic wine import business. There are “interesting gems” on the wine list, “but don’t try to navigate on your own – explain to the sommelier what style you’re looking for and take the advice”. As for the food: “genuinely the most impressive ‘sausage roll’ I’ve had in my life – I was truly in heaven, and had to have two”.
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 40 Maltby Street?
40 Maltby St, London, SE1 3PA
Restaurant details
40 Maltby Street Restaurant Diner Reviews
"No booking, no chairs (tall stools only) and it’s a 10 minute hike from London Bridge. Get there before 6.30 to have a hope of getting a tall stool. The food, service and vibe are worth the trouble. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £2.50 |
| Service | 10.00% |
40 Maltby St, London, SE1 3PA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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