Best British in Central London

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Bentley’s Fish Pie

Regarded as a classic with a 'piped and golden mashed potato top,' it features smoked haddock, salmon, and prawns in a 'mustard-boosted sauce.' Critics call it the 'essence of a PG Wodehouse novel' made by someone who 'understands the engineering of the dish.'

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Langoustine À La Nage

Universally cited as a masterpiece; huge, sweet crustaceans served in a rich, buttery sauce with bronze fennel.

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Confit Potatoes

Universally acclaimed as 'legendary' and 'famed,' these crispy, duck-fat fried cubes are considered even 'more glorious served in the restaurant' than from the adjacent deli.

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Black Truffle Buckwheat Crumpets

Described as 'unusual and lovely,' these starters are topped with 'curly slivers of truffle' and represent a defining signature of the restaurant's new identity.

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Twice-Baked Stilton Soufflé

Cited by multiple critics as the best in London—rich, cheesy, and perfectly crisp on the outside.

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Black Pudding

Described as 'seriously memorable,' this loose-grained boudin noir is likened to 'mulch and loam and fudge and blood in the most delicious way,' with reviewers suggesting they could eat it with a spoon like Nutella.

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Welsh Rarebit Crumpet

Described as 'heavenly,' 'light, fluffy and zingy' with the tang of good cheese and plenty of Worcestershire sauce.

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Roe Venison en Croute

Acclaimed as "simply the best venison dish" a critic has ever had, it features "huge chunks of stunningly good, ruby-red roe" paired with pickled red cabbage and a "wonderful" cep sauce.

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Cheese & Onion Croquettes

Universally praised as some of the 'best' critics have ever had, these golden, gooey bites of Montgomery’s Cheddar are described as 'sharp, flavourful and oh-so addictive.'

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Eggs Drumkilbo

The late Queen Mother's favorite dish; a legendary seafood cocktail packed with lobster, langoustine, and shredded eggs, topped with 'sparkling cubes of soft, savoury aspic.'

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BBQ Scallop with Peppers

Consistently cited as the meal's highlight; Andy Hayler named it the 'best dish' for its depth of flavor and 'gentle spicy heat,' while other critics describe the preparation with red pepper as 'outstanding.'

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Lobster Ravioli

Described as the sort of dish you "just sit and stare at," it is noted by critics for being "artful on the eye and brilliantly bold to taste" with its accompanying spiced lobster bisque.

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Smoked Eel Sandwich

Consistently cited by critics as a 'must' and a signature of the house, this dish is the cornerstone of Jeremy Lee's 'hearty, British, seasonal cuisine.'

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Truffle Pudding

A universally acclaimed Simon Rogan signature, this savory bread and butter pudding is often served with a black garlic emulsion and is described by Hot Dinners as a 'rather good' and highly desirable addition to the meal.

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Dressed Crab

The crustaceans are cooked and dismembered fresh every day on the premises; critics describe the result as 'irreducibly crabby' and needing nothing more than a squeeze of lemon and buttered brown bread.

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Set Breakfast

Described as the 'archetypal ideal of a Propa Caff,' this deal remains 'every bit as awesome as it’s ever been' with thickly sliced bacon, herbless sausages, and crisp hash browns that defy London inflation.

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Parker House Rolls

A long-standing staple of the menu; the wild garlic butter version is described as 'sublime' and 'particularly intense' due to the use of pickled flowers and stalks from the previous season.

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Hand-Raised Pork Pie

Jay Rayner describes this as a 'bold expression of pig' and a 'noble' example of the craft, served hot with a rich gravy made from calves' feet and reduction.

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Scottish Langoustine Scampi

Described as 'clever but also delicious,' this dish features whole langoustine tails served with 'far superior' crushed minted peas and tartare sauce.

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Egg Mayonnaise with Anchovy

Explicitly called a 'mainstay' on the menu, these are praised for their 'sunset yolks' and generous dollops of silky homemade mayo.

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Cod and Chips

Described as the 'best fish and chips in Zone 1 by some distance,' featuring a 'light, delicate batter' and 'superbly moist' fish.

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Mince and Potatoes

Commonly cited as the restaurant's signature dish, it is a comforting British classic that embodies the 'thoroughly soothing experience' noted by critics.

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Fish Bhorta

The essential must-order item supplied by the editor.

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Terrine with Gribiche

A menu staple that defines their robust, rustic style; critics praise the kitchen's 'full-bore gutsiness' and 'rudely rustic' approach to traditional fare.

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Cornish Crab Salad

Retained for its consistent praise; described by critics as a quintessential Adam Byatt dish that is nicely presented with fresh, shell-free white and brown meat and cucumber.

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Macaroni Cheese

A signature twist on comfort food that uses 'fat paccheri pasta' and 'fried cauliflower' for crunch; it is so well-regarded that reviewers who miss out on it express genuine regret.

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Poached Native Lobster

This starter is highly praised for 'hitting all the notes' with a refined combination of shellfish cream, heritage tomatoes, and sweet olive.

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Egg Mayo with Anchovy Sandwich

Featured on the 'favourites' board, this sandwich features tangy mayo with dill and anchovies that add 'oiliness and depth.' It is served on thick brown bread that critics describe as 'perfectly springy' with the heft to contain the generous filling.

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Cured Cornish Mackerel

Acclaimed as the 'dish of the meal' by critics; it features a superbly balanced spiced nage consommé with lemongrass and lime, delivering 'cheek-tingling umami intensity'.

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Classic Fry Up

The quintessential, piping-hot traditional English breakfast served in what critic Tim Hayward calls a "dream-like, timeless, organically grown space" favored by local cab drivers.

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Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad

The legendary signature dish that defines the restaurant; served with sourdough toast and sea salt, it is a non-negotiable order.

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Potted Shrimps

Cited by Jay Rayner as a benchmark starter, it is served warmed through so it is easily spreadable on toast, with a 'measured' ballast of mace and nutmeg.

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All In

Regarded as the 'main purpose of the place' and the 'best deal for sharing,' this signature stack of beef, pork, and lamb is served over charred flatbread that soaks up all the juices.

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Meat Fruit

An almost iconic Heston invention where a silky and deeply flavoured chicken liver parfait is disguised as a mandarin orange (or plum), praised for its clever presentation and the way the citrus jelly balances the richness of the liver.

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Full English Breakfast

Reviewers praise the quality of the meat, noting 'nice thick rashers' of bacon sourced from the nearby Smithfield Market and 'delicious Cumberland' sausages.

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Chicken and Ham Pie

Regarded by critics as a 'flash of inspired cooking' that features fantastic pastry and a lavish, well-executed filling.

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Bacon Sandwich

Cited by Eater London as one of the city's best; a classic, no-nonsense arrangement of bacon on white bread that hits the spot.

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Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad

A legendary dish that has been on the menu for 26 years; the deeply fatty marrow is perfectly balanced by the crisp acidity of the parsley, caper, and shallot salad.

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Protein Power Breakfast

A classic combo of poached eggs, smashed avocado and toast and tomatoes

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Sausage and Mash

The quintessential order; pairs best with London Smokey sausages and traditional gravy for a classic experience.

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Salt Beef Baguette

An old-school slab of meat simply adorned with pickles and mustard, it is widely considered 'the business' and ranked among the best sandwiches in London.

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Egg Mayo with Anchovies

Listed on the 'favourites' board, this classic features mayo made tangier with dill and egg whites cut into thin strips for 'proper bite and texture' on thick, springy brown bread.

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Chicken Supreme

A generous piece of tender meat roasted in lemon and thyme, served as part of a 'feast for the eyes' that includes a Yorkshire pudding and fluffy roast potatoes.

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English Breakfast

This proper London caff sells exactly what you'd expect, serving traditional English breakfasts in a setting that has been a staple of Grays Inn Road since WWII.