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Rules
English Restaurant££££
City of Westminster, Covent Garden
Has a stamp of approval from Epicurious and New York Habitat
"Rules has the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in London"(6 Tips)
"Try the steak and kidney pudding downstairs - incredible."(4 Tips)
"Try the Sticky Toffee Pudding - Love it"(3 Tips)"Game, Roastbeef & Sticky Toffee Pudding!!!"(3 Tips)
101 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- cocktails
- pudding
- classic game cookery
- traditional british food
- desserts
- (15 more)
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Woolly KnickersAugust 13, 2012The Tradesman's entrance was created to enable a Royal rendezvous with an actress. Save room for one of their fabulous deserts, such as their current Chocolate & Caramel tart - glossy, dark and rich.
Rylan HoleyFebruary 12, 2015So happy we came here. They let us in late and we had an astonishing meal. Wonderful selection of Game dishes but I went for the delicous Pig Cheeks. Finish it off with Sticky Toffee Pudding! Bravo.
Bar upstairs open until 11:30 Mon-Sat and 10:30 Sun. Nice, calm place to have a well-crafted drink in a sophisticated atmosphere in an area of the city that can get a bit out of hand.
Paul GallagherJanuary 16, 2016Delicious British dishes! The steak and kidney suet pudding was delicious, just how it should be made. Venison carpaccio was excellent too.
Oscar TrellesNovember 25, 2014Oldest operating restaurant in London. Start with some native oysters, then have some rabbit, duck or some steak and kidney pie. The Golden Syrup Sponge Cake is a must if you have a sweet tooth.
Kevin DulinJune 10, 2017Lovely interior. The venison stroganoff was delicious! Great cocktails as well.
Eat Your WorldJuly 25, 2012It’s the granddaddy of authentic British eateries, spotlighting high-quality traditional cookery. Have a drink upstairs, then try the buttery potted shrimps, steak & kidney pudding, trifle, etc.
Halle FarajJanuary 2, 2014Booking is a must but they can accept late night walk-ins. The staff are really friendly welcoming and accommodating to specific taste. The mash potatoes was the best I've ever had in my life :)
The steak and kidney pudding is the dish I've been having here for 20 years. Each time I visit I tell myself I'll have something different and then can't bring myself to do it.
EpicuriousAugust 3, 2014The steak and kidney pie, the quintessential British dish, still comes served in a stiffly pleated paper ruff. The pie crust is golden and buttery, and it gives way to a velvety stew of tender meat. Read more
Steven WallerFebruary 13, 2016I recommend a cocktail on the upper floor of the restaurant. A tracheal authentic experience with a decent selection of drinks...
The Times and Sunday TimesOctober 1, 2014... the unreconstructed British cooking is top-hole, with a great steak and kidney pudding and unbeatable beef from their own Belted Galloway herd available every January-February. Read more
One of London's best (and quietest) cocktail bars. Chat to the bartender(s) about what you like — they're extremely knowledgable and happy to make a drink just for you.- EpicuriousAugust 3, 2014London's oldest restaurant, dates back to 1798 in Covent Garden and is as classic British as it gets, serving game, steak, kidney pie, and puddings. Read more
New York HabitatApril 10, 2012This might be the oldest restaurant in London, but that definitely doesn’t mean it’s antiquated! The service is fantastic and the classic game cookery simply delicious.
Simon WillisonDecember 16, 2017Best syrup sponge I've ever eaten - and it came with outstanding custard
Zoran LorkovicJuly 31, 2021Sugar Cured Bacon Chop. Top! Highly recommend it. But please be aware, you’ll struggle to have a pudding after that meal.
Nataly Cnyrim-KimmelJuly 29, 2013The oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food, specialising in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings. A Must!
Luke DeardsOctober 22, 2012Oldest restaurant in London. Established in 1798 by Thomas Rules, the restaurant specializes in traditional British food such as game, oysters, pies, and puddings.
Kristina BosakDecember 14, 2017Great traditional British Restaurant in the heart of London! Amazing meat choice, venison is highly recommended.- Mark MakinMarch 5, 2016Best place in London for Martinis. Try the steak and kidney pudding downstairs - incredible. Sublime service 5 stars!
James Pimentel-PintoAugust 18, 2012My grandfather was a world leading patisserie chef in the 40s-60s who worked in some of the best restaurants. He always loved Rules and so do I. Nostalgic and reminders of another ago of England.
JamesApril 22, 2016Great cocktail establishment upstairs, superb British restaurant downstairs - a must do when in London.
Stefan SvenssonOctober 28, 2016Nice drinks in the bar on the first floor, good getaway from the crowds in the pubs on street level.- EpicuriousMarch 24, 2015The creamy pheasant pie is good, though save some room for the raspberry trifle, which is anything but a trifling thing. Read more
Adam PepperNovember 2, 2011The cocktail bar above the restaurant is the perfect spot to escape the crowds and recharge with drinks and nibbles during a Covent Garden shopping spree. Bliss.
Martin TiedemannMay 20, 20122 August: Founded by Thomas Rule in 1798, this is London's oldest restaurant. John Betjeman described the interior as 'unique and irreplaceable, and part of literary and theatrical London.'
Sally Doris KimJune 15, 2013The slow cooked short rib was by far the most delicious meal. It was on a par with the short rib from Dinner (Heston)- The cocktail bar upstairs is a perfect place for a quiet drink and the cocktails are fab.
Kit&kafoodleOctober 18, 2014Very expensive but well cooked game meats, the venison was nice but needed mash to fill it out. Loved the foie gras terrine. Nice interior decor.
Nick RinkOctober 10, 2013If you've got room for dessert then you can't go wrong with the syrup sponge & custard. Proper tasty!
Kelly FergusobJuly 2, 2015The oldest restaurant in London. The food is nothing spectacular, but the experience may be worth the trip.
- EpicuriousAugust 23, 2010London's oldest restaurant hasn't changed much since it opened in 1798 and we aren't complaining. Try the traditional steak & kidney pie, buttery on the outside and tender on the inside.
Lauren Rubin TileyFebruary 19, 2012Technically a restaurant, and one of the oldest in London at that. Enjoy the history along with great drinks.
Kenneth SnyderJune 29, 2012Just thought people might want to see the menu (attached). I'm still waiting to order so no views on the food but the service is friendly.
Amber AldredAugust 26, 2011Don't go passed the cheese after dinner, it is a real experience, I have never had anything like it! Stilton to die for.
Stephen BonnerFebruary 11, 2012Start off upstairs in the bar for quintessentially old school cocktails. Venison always a solid item
Marcus IlesMarch 31, 2010Lovely restaurant, food's traditional but yum and the wine list is fantastic. The sort of atmosphere you could get lost in on a cold night in London.
Tim VetterFebruary 22, 2013When a man is tired of Rules, he is tired of Life. -- Samuel Johnson, if he had lived 14 years longer.- Natalia QuinteroMarch 19, 2016Operating since 1798, Rules has the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in London (as they point out, their existence has spanned the rule of eight monarchs).
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Rules
35 Maiden Ln (btwn Southampton St & Bedford St)
Covent Garden
Greater London
WC2E 7LB
United Kingdom
Covent Garden
Greater London
WC2E 7LB
United Kingdom
Closed until Noon (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- Noon–11:45 PM
- Sun
- Noon–10:45 PM
+44 20 7836 5314
View menu on https://rules.co.uk/menu
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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