RestaurantsLondonSohoW1D

Harden's says

Soho legend, The Gay Hussar (founded 1953 and RIP since 2018) has been rejuvenated by Noble Rot’s Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew and opened in September 2020. Even in its heyday, the point of a meal here was to polish off a conspiratorial bottle of wine or two rather than critiquing its stodgy Hungarian scoff. So its ressurection by a wine-focussed group feels like a true continuation of its former spirit. This sense of continuity is reinforced by its still old-fashioned decor, with dark wood-panelling and cartoons from Martin Rowson. Nice to have the old haunt back again. But the dishes are now (thank heavens) much better; even if chef Paul Weaver (with input from The Sportsman's Stephen Harris) does incorporate the odd Mitteleuropean note into what’s essentially a hearty, modern European menu.

survey result

Summary

£64
  £££
4
Very Good
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Replacement for the beloved Gay Hussar” – Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew’s 2021 resurrection of this famous Soho site has pulled off the amazingly difficult task of being almost as popular as their Bloomsbury original. “Everything about this establishment is wonderful, but the wine list elevates it to the exceptional”“the care that goes into it is astonishing” (“I could happily spend the rest of my life working through it!”). The hearty food is “always enjoyable” too and “expertly served” by particularly “knowledgeable” and “friendly staff” in “the delightful atmosphere of this gorgeous old restaurant, which has been brought back to life by the Noble Rot team”. Top Top – “amazing value set lunch”.

Summary

£59
   ££
3
Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“After decades of being a Gay Hussar regular I now find myself at this fine replacement run by committed wine experts...” – this famous Soho address was resurrected in 2021 by Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew and fans are “happy to report standards just as high as at their original site in Holborn”. Star of the show is the “gargantuan wine list”“a treasure trove of interesting bins” (albeit “with some jaw-dropping prices”) – “interpreted by knowledgeable and friendly staff”, who help maintain the “charming and quirky” atmosphere of this “solid and comfortable” site (which, as its predecessor, opened in 1953). The “food is not as exceptional as the wine” but the “gutsy and value-led menu” of “good ingredients, served simply” is generally well-reviewed for its “delicious and unpretentious” qualities. Top Tip – “excellent-value set lunch”.

Summary

£59
   ££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“An admirable replacement for the Gay Hussar and a great sibling to the original Noble Rot” – this legendary Soho site (founded as the Gay Hussar in 1953, and closed in 2018) has been rejuvenated by Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew and re-opened in September 2020. Even in its heyday, the point of a meal here was to polish off a conspiratorial bottle of wine or two, rather than critiquing its stodgy Hungarian scoff. So its resurrection by a wine-focussed group feels like a true continuation of its former spirit and “there is no end to exploring the wine list” which recreates the excellence of the first Noble Rot; as does its “warm, knowledgeable and impressively passionate service”. The interior was always “really lovely” and retains its still old-fashioned looks, with dark wood-panelling and cartoons from Martin Rowson. Meanwhile “the food quality has been transformed for the better” (thank heavens!) with chef Paul Weaver (aided by input from The Sportsman’s Stephen Harris) “maintaining a more-than-respectful nod to the past” by including the odd Mitteleuropean note in what’s essentially a hearty, modern European menu. “Love it!”

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 Noble Rot Soho?

2 Greek Street, London, W1D 4NB

Restaurant details

No dress code

Noble Rot Soho Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Noble Rot Soho Restaurant in W1D, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Noble Rot Soho restaurant.
Vaughan L
Decent menu and very good wine list. Unfuss...
Reviewed 2 months, 14 days ago

"Decent menu and very good wine list. Unfussy but interesting flavours"

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David F
This restaurant has a wonderful wine list b...
Reviewed 7 months, 5 days ago

"This restaurant has a wonderful wine list but the food is also good. Lemon sole at lunch was very well cooked and a rhubarb tart with brown butter was a tasty end to the meal. The waitress was very helpful in moving us to a downstairs table when my companion, who has a mobility issue, arrived."

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Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Lunch £22.00 £26.00

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£12.00 £23.00 £0.00 £11.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £23.00
Filter Coffee £3.00
Extras  
Service 12.00%
2 Greek Street, London, W1D 4NB
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm
SundayCLOSED

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