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Harden's survey result
Summary
“Simplicity and style are in abundance” at Skye Gyngell’s dining room in Somerset House – not only “an absolutely beautiful space”, but whose “seamless service” and “wonderful food” make it “a delightful experience from start to finish”. Skye’s cuisine has a deft delicacy of touch, but the most popular option is the ‘Scratch’ menu – “lovely reimagined ‘leftovers’ from earlier services, provided from a no-choice menu between 17.30 and 18.30 at £25 for three courses” (“designed to reduce food waste, it’s a great idea and useful for a post-shopping pick-me-up before the train home or a pre-theatre supper”). Although this is the kind of venue that’s “gorgeous for lunch with a visiting mother”, it’s actually most nominated as either a gastronomic highlight or for client-entertaining: “the slightly zen nature of the food and purist environment makes it a brilliant choice for a certain type of business”; and “clients are always impressed with Spring”.
Summary
“One of the prettiest chambers in London” – Skye Gyngell’s “wonderful, light and airy venue” has a “lovely and calming vibe” and makes “beautiful use of the Somerset House dining room”. Her “assured and imaginative” modern cuisine makes it a major favourite, although it was much less often recommended this year for hitting the peaks of gastronomy. Top Menu Tip – “the ethics, creativity, utility and value for money of the ‘Scratch Menu’ are brilliant!” (“delicious reimagined ‘leftovers’ served from a no-choice menu between 17.30 and 18.30”).
Summary
“Brilliant, beautifully presented combinations of fresh ingredients”, elegantly served “in a lovely space in Somerset House”, show a restaurant really hitting its stride – with chef Skye Gyngell now matching in central London the accolades she earned over a decade ago at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, with “fabulous, simple Italian-themed food”. Top Tip: it’s a romantic venue, too: “recommended this restaurant to my son for an early date – he’s now happily married and we have a grandson!”
Summary
“A lovely use of a beautiful space” – “with delicate light flowing in, and a cream-focused colour scheme” – this “open and airy room”, within magnificent Somerset House, properly “lives up to its name”, and “is the perfect setting for the light, fresh and wonderful dishes” created by Skye Gyngell from her “fine, seasonal” menu. That it’s “not cheap” is noted, but seldom with rancour. “Courteous service” completes a “superb” and “romantic” experience.
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 Spring Restaurant?
New Wing, Lancaster Place, London, WC2R 1LA
Restaurant details
Spring Restaurant Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Very elegant room and excellent service. Nice and quiet to talk. "
"Such a beautiful dining room and with imaginative cooking to go with it"
"We went to try their "scratch" menu which is supposed be left- overs. As it is offered to everyone without choice, I cannot see that it can be leftovers. That said it was pretty nice and at £30 much cheaper than the other options. Presentation of the food is not their strength. Some dishes at other tables looked quite unattractive - the rabbit was a mess. Ours was less dire but overall surprising. Service is fine as it should be with the number of staff on hand Ambiance is controversial. Some find it too internal and lacking atmosphere. "
"This was always good but the food has now gone up a notch. Quite exceptional. Never been there for lunch before and took a business colleague. He was impressed and, of course, you can hear each other speak. Room beautiful with the winter sun streaming in. waiting staff perfect, great wine. A very good experience "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.00 | £33.00 |  |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £22.00 | £31.00 | £22.00 | £13.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.00 |
| Service | 13.50% |
New Wing, Lancaster Place, London, WC2R 1LA
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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