Harden's survey result
Summary
“Viennese in style” – this “elegantly understated” sibling to The Wolseley sits on the easterly fringe of the West End, and is “very much a power location”: “the ambience is perfect for business meals – bustling but not too noisy – with well-spaced tables and comfortable seating”; and “obliging” service that’s “efficient and warm”. Its “Mittel European brasserie menu with schnitzel/goulash/wurst etc” is “nothing special, but it is consistent and very acceptable” and “with something amongst the selection of dishes that anyone and everyone can eat”. “Despite the loss of founders Corbin and King, it is mercifully unaltered under its new ownership” with ratings practically identical to last year’s. Top Tip – “fabulous for breakfast”, whether you are dealmaking or not.
Summary
“Calmer in tone than The Wolseley” (although still “tending to be noisy”): its “understatedly glamorous” sibling is even more in the “Austrian Grand Salon style” than the mothership. And being “well-located for the City and West End” (just off Aldwych), combined with “professional service” and “well-spaced tables”, all foster its massive popularity for a “textbook business lunch”, or the “archetypal City power breakfast”. True to the group’s culinary DNA, the food can seem “unimaginative”. Viewed more positively, “the undemanding but reassuring menu” is “solid” and “reliable” and the specials of schnitzel, tarte flambée and sausages add to a “pleasing and cosseting” effect that “transports you to Mittel Europe”. So, “even if it’s never going to provide a top gastronomic experience, a meal at The Delaunay always feels special”. Given the recent changes at The Wolseley Hospitality Group (as the business is now called), many reporters voice “trepidation” at the recent loss of the founders: “it’s an example of Corbin & King at their best… whither now that they’re no longer running the show?” That said, the ratings, here, actually improved on last year in our annual diners’ poll. Top Menu Tip – “wonderful gateaux to go with good coffee” either after a meal or during the day.
Summary
“They get all the important things right and the room is lovely and welcoming” at Corbin & King’s slightly less showy but equally “slick and professional” sibling to The Wolseley, just off Aldwych. It, too, is in the style of a continental grand café, and while its Mitteleuropean cooking “is not the most exciting in the world”, its comforting style somehow captures “an authentic taste of Old Vienna in the golden days”. Perhaps it “lacks something for the price you pay”, but it attracts little in the way of harsh critiques. In particular, “it never lets you down” for business entertaining; and also “just works for breakfast, be it personal or professional” (“really indulgent, it feels like a real treat to sit in one of the spacious booths”). “Delicious strudel and other delights served with great coffee” also make it an afternoon favourite, and there’s also Delaunay Counter – “a wonderful coffee place next to the main restaurant”.
Summary
Corbin & King’s “grand café”, just off Aldwych, is less showy than its Piccadilly stablemate The Wolseley, but nevertheless “a class act”, whose “luxurious” decor, “restrained acoustics”, well-spaced interior (“the large room never feels packed even when it’s full”) and “brisk”, “very professional” service make it “especially good for business lunches” in ‘Midtown’. But it’s also “fabulous for breakfast”, not to mention “a great option for pre-theatre” and a top choice for afternoon tea (“lovely cakes, scones… good choice of proper loose teas”). “The Mitteleuropean food isn’t the most gastronomically exciting, but there’s always something on the menu for everyone” (and with “lots of dishes rarely found in London: wild boar sausage, bratwurst, tarte flambé, etc)”. Top Tip – “the Delaunay Counter is excellent for coffee”.
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 The Delaunay?
55 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BB
Restaurant details
The Delaunay Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Wonderful atmosphere and endlessly helpful staff. The food is best at breakfast, when it is great, but is good at other times too."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.75 | £34.75 |  |
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| Dinner | £29.75 | £34.75 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £15.00 | £23.50 | £6.25 | £8.75 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £34.75 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.95 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 15.00% |
55 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BB
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am‑9:45 pm |
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