VIBE

Riding the gastropub wave sweeping Britain, Great Queen Street is all about great eats in a strenuously unpretentious atmosphere. Worn wood floors, basic wood tables (no tablecloths), and plain-speak menus, they get their minimalist point across, though with long waiting lists and foie gras on offer, it’s perhaps not as proletarian as all that. Nonetheless, the hearty home-style cooking is great (can be adventurous–some offal included), the service–while sometimes spacey–is charming, and the buzz is an often happy one. We’ve heard that Sunday lunches, which are served family style in a single seating, are well worth checking out.

CROWD

The young and hip in-crowd, foodies, and gastropub fanatics.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

It’s pretty casual. We’d wear jeans and add a piece of chunky jewelry.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; a date; family

WHY WE LIKE IT

The food is wholesome and hearty, and the convivial pub atmosphere lovely. A great way to warm up on a rainy London evening.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

It can get really crowded–so crowded in fact that you can get bumped from your table for taking too long. While this is typical London practice, the Americans in us think it would be better to control numbers and let diners get through their meals at their own pace. Also, for us it was a bit dark and depressing for a daytime meal like brunch on a sunny day.

GOOD TO KNOW

The bar is a good hangout if you arrive early, and for after dinner there’s a new bar (Dive Bar) in the basement. Menu is limited with some offal served, so finicky eaters don’t always do well here.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Anchor & Hope (London)

CLOSEST COMPS

The Thomas Cubitt (London)

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