Balthazar in City of London, Westminster

We made a reservation for dinner and came. The oysters and mussels were very nice and fresh, but they brought the meat without resting it and left its juices behind, an image that does not suit a restaurant of this level.

We had dinner there tonight. The salmon was good but the steak frites were so tough as to be almost inedible. The service was incredibly rushed—the food arrived within 10 minutes of ordering, with no time to relax over a drink before dinner. Our plates were removed 15 minutes later, when I was still eating, and I had to physically hold my wine and water glasses to avoid losing them too! This was a Sunday night, so not pre-theatre. We have enjoyed several meals at the restaurant in New York, but this conveyor belt is something quite different.

Really sad to say this and feeling quite crushed. We arrived and had to queue before being taken to table (which was booked) we sat down - were given menus and then just left - the table next to us experiencing the same dilemma - we tried to attract Server's attention but to no avail 😔. However, a table further down had 2 lots of drinks before we had even ordered -

The food and the service are absolutely fantastic! The place is beautiful, in a great location. I will definitely return during a future trip to London!

I visited Balthazar with my 2 girlfriends for a lunch. And wow i wasn't disappointed. The servise was great and food was so delicious. I would recommend the set meniu of the day. The food selection is really wonderful. The servise was great u could see restaurant being busy. I would def come back again

Lovely staff and restaurant for lunch

Take a trip back in time. Gorgeous restaurant with architecture from a bygone era. Great food and drinks. A unique dining experience. Enjoy...

Good design & atmosphere, but let down slightly by poor acoustics, it gets very loud. Food + service was very good and the pricing was fair for the quality and location.

We had a reservation and still ended up waiting for 20+ minutes, no apologies. The service was slow, the food below average for the price. My recommendation - just avoid the place.

The finest brunch experience in London. A ritual now.

The food is really good! I went for lunch this time and had the lunch menu - had the mushroom to start, pork belly as main and the creme brûlée tarte as desert. The desert was really good! One of the beat deserts ever! The starter was really good too! The main was what you would expect from a roast pork belly. The service was exceptional! They put us on a high table by the bar even though the restaurant was empty which was a bit weird to be honest. The only major issue I have is that Balthazar is super overpriced for what it is sadly.

If you go to Balthazars in Covent Garden make sure you ask for Lahoucine to look after you! The food is excellent and wholesome portitions. Staff do a excellent job of ensuring your visit is a good experience. I look forward to going back in the future.

Second time at Balthazar and it was really good. Everything tasted fresh, oysters were yum fresh and delicious , salmon was perfect, crispy skin and juicy well cooked meat. If I had to give a critique it would be that the Vol-au-vent was a bit dense, and the sauce was overpowering the seafood, but it was delicious and a great potion size. We had the Guava and Cocnut mocktail and I was really really great. Our server was funny and engaging. A really great experience.

Superb dinner at Balthazar. Food was delicious, service was kind and overall experience was lovely. Don’t miss the Apple soufflé!

Lovely French place for food. Have a really nice meal and atmosphere was good. Would definitely recommend

There was very nice service and food however the atmosphere was not too loud.

We were pleased to see an improvement in the service since our last visit; there were no forgotten orders this time. The food and cocktails were all delicious, and Balthazar is a very pleasant space in which to dine.

I ordered the baked mackerel, but it was full of small bones, so many that I choked after just a few bites and had to give up on the whole dish. I mentioned it to the waitress (possibly the manager wearing black suit), but was told it was expected since it wasn’t listed as a fillet. I get that, but with that many tiny bones, it really should come with a warning. I usually don’t mind fish bones, but this was honestly too much to enjoy.

Dined here at 7pm on a Monday night. We found the service terribly slow and inattentive. We also weren't asked how our food was at any point. By the time our mains came we were kinda over it, so neither of us finished. We probably would have had dessert if things hadn't taken so long. A shame, as I liked the ambience and the food we did have was good.

Amazing place as usual, very busy so service can be confusing sometimes, had to wait at the bar after our original booking time as tables weren't ready, but still one of our favourites!

Great place. Atmosphere good as was the waiter. Food was good, but a little rushed. Unfortunately 5 out of 8 dinners (All meat based) were warm not hot. We did get a discount, but slightly spoilt the occasion

Ordered the croque monsieur and the bread wasn't toasted on all sides and it was soggy. The French fries were pre-fried, not great for such an establishment. The service was ok but nothing wow. Tbh I was expecting more.

Service, atmosphere and food were all amazing, it smelled lovely in here too - like fresh vanilla pastries! We’re both foodies and have high expectations when it comes to eating out and would be more than happy to recommend coming here for breakfast!

Always my pitstop in London. Balthazar nails the French classics onion soup gratinée, steak frites, solid seafood too. Service is on point—present but never pushy. Whether you're just in town or call London home, it's an easy place to enjoy and unwind.

Oysters were iodine free when Jerseys rocks are supposed to be salty. Service was clueless, the tray planted in front of my face. Mussels the same, tasteless, no iodine, with a tomato sauce added at the end of the cooking. Rest was ok. London prices. Doesn't make up for a nice dining experience.

Seated quickly, luggage taken to storage. Food was very tasty; I had a sirloin, my wife had lobster fruit de mar. Very lovely and quick appearing. Dessert was a little let down but still tasty. Worth visiting and eating. Very good selection of drinks, whiskys.

Although the service felt rushed, but attentive, the food was great. Recommended.

Had an ok meal here. Staff tried to tell me that we couldn’t use our substantial gift card (£250) because it was only redeemable at a different Caprice restaurant. Then asked us to show them the ‘small print’ to prove that it was ‘redeemable at ANY Caprice restaurant’. Only then apologised and honoured the gift card. Totally unacceptable. If you sell £250 gift vouchers, deliver an EXCEPTIONAL service experience and don’t make the recipient feel like they have cut a coupon out of a newspaper. If you are given a gift and are then asked to pay for it, it kind of screws up the gift. Very Disappointing.

Der Innenraum ist sehr spektakulär und angenehm. Wir hatten ein Filetsteak, das ausgezeichnet war. Hallumi war auch lecker. Insgesamt sehr zu empfehlen.

Had a perfectly decent set lunch at a reasonable price. The restaurant itself is very grand. Service was OK. It was fairly quiet for a weekday lunch and we weren't rushed.

Had my birthday lunch at Balthazar today. Very impressed by the service, food quality and portion size, all at very reasonable prices. Bonus was that kids ate free for half term. We always loved Balthazar, but were reminded why again. Thank you for making my birthday lunch special.

Super venue. Very French atmosphere and very reasonable for the location. Deservedly popular.

Apparently privacy is a dealbreaker at Balthazar. Stopped by this morning for a quiet solo breakfast - silly me, I forgot this was MI6, not a restaurant. Despite plenty of empty tables, I wasn’t allowed to sit without handing over my phone number to the hostess. Love a bit of gatekeeping with my croissant. Maybe next time I’ll fax in a background check first. Went to Abuelo around the corner instead - great coffee, no interrogation.

What an excellent place to dine and drink right in the centre of Covent Garden. The staff were absolutely amazing and so friendly. Service was impeccable and the food and drink was first rate.

Balthazar was a delightful place to eat! The welcoming and cosy ambiance created the perfect foundation for an unforgettable brunch moment from the time we entered. The mussels - Moules Frites were definitely the highlight of the lunch; they were succulent, flavourful, and cooked to perfection. The competence and attention to detail in the kitchen were evident in every bite. And the outstanding service was what really made the experience better. The staff truly cared about making sure we liked our meal and was kind and attentive. They went above and beyond by making well-considered recommendations for food and beverages, which were excellent. The evening seemed unique because of the personal touch their suggestions brought. Balthazar is a must-visit if you’re searching for a restaurant that offers excellent cuisine and first-rate service. We are eager to return after leaving with full hearts and of course stomachs! 

Just rude. All a bit meh. Food was alright, but nothing to shout about.

I have been before and loved it... this time my steak was seared too much. This meant that my medium rare was more medium. I ate what I could and took it home for the dog.

Marco was lovely and helpful, made our experience here great :). Made an extra effort because it was our birthdays and the food was lovely as always!

The seabass was very good, nicely fried. The mussels were sweet so as the broth. The steak was up to job but not sure if wad the best. The oyster was a pleasant surprise. The steak Tartare was OK. The ambient was very good, so warm and elegant, but a little bit noisy. Services were good.

Service is good,atmosphere very noisy.Food average.We didn’t finish our portion.

I really enjoyed all the French touches, and the dinner, drinks, and desserts were beautifully served. The Crème Brûlée with Lemon Madeleine and the Onion Soup are a must-try. Mr. Beynur was very kind at the bar—thank you for everything!

An excellent restaurant!!! Great thank you!! Pleasant music for entertainment, old school style

Without a doubt, a place I will return to. Ideal for a quiet dinner, highly recommended. The waitress Juanita was very friendly☺️. I will definitely come back! I'm from Morocco 🇲🇦❤️

Cannot fault the food; the service however, is awful rushed and very amateur.

Appetizers were phenomenal! Make reservations in advance and enjoy a night out with your girlfriends, significant other and Bon appetite!

It’s one thing to be served a dry mozzarella, it’s quite another to be told by the surly waiter that you are wrong!! I politely asked them to take it away, declined a replacement only for the waiter to bring another mozzarella plonked onto to the same plate. The cheeseburger was dry, the bun inedible….. nice place, poor service and terrible food.

Greeted lovely on the evening of a special occasion with my partner and mother. After first order, the service became so unfriendly and rude, Uncleared and ignored. Dealt with extremely poorly and made us feel a problem. My mother even asked if we had done something wrong. Then we watched the staff gossip and laugh about the issue once we brought it up.

Food and services top of the industry, love the place and definitely coming back

Came here for pre theatre meal at 6pm. Food was very good but service for mains was slow so no time for a pud! Will book earlier slot next visit.

It’s a beautiful place, in central London, I had the steak, they didn’t offer a nice salad, I thought they could have offer more, it’s a big place, so very busy, and the waiters are too busy to serve you, so you have to be patient, the dessert were very nice.

Excellent quality dishes. Really good with children. Amazing atmosphere. The service was good but considering the number of staff still had wait for table water etc. Definitely worth a visit.

Some portion sizes are too small. Good atmosphere.

Mother’s Day lunch. Really good time.

Food was stunning, had a lovely lunch time meal, system was down and you could see that it did impact certain things, however all the staff seemed like they worked really hard to push through, was served by a gentlemen name Marco, Thank you for your great service 👍🏻

Nice place to have a traditional European food in high quality

Amazing food and staff. Especially Wade on the front door

A lively atmosphere, great French food —definitely worth a visit!

First class personal and friendly service from Eni. Thank you.

I went for dinner. The restaurant was super packed and great atmosphere. Service was very slow - like 20 minutes for a server to come to the table to offer us water. The food was really, really bad. My husband had fish and I had mussels both tasted so off, we didn’t eat them.

Decent onion soup, but nothing special. Baked cod was the blandest thing ever: no salt, no pepper, no sauce. Nada. Avoid. And a bunch of red-shirt staff but had to wait so long for the check that had to get up and leave and ask the front of the house for the bill. Good atmosphere tho, and excellent location.

A fantastic experience! Great food, treat experience, great location. Our waiter was Marco, what a unique personality. Very attentive and a great personality! Really loved the duck confit, steak and creme brulee. The non alcoholic cocktails are treat. Ten stars for Marco!

Good portions here (especially the risotto!), so worth the money. Lovely atmosphere and decor. Would go back again 🌱

Great food and service. Celebrated birthday here and charged a corkage fee for bringing my own wine which is fair. Lovely staff and super tasty food

We reserved a table for 9 people last Saturday at 5:15 PM. Unfortunately, I didn't catch the name of the gentleman who served us, but I wanted to leave a review to thank him for going above and beyond. It was my partner's birthday and the whole Balthazar team made the evening so special - thank you so much!! Food was delicious too!

The employees are very kind. The food was delicious. Prefer to make a reservation before going.

Lively atmosphere. Nice service. Food was meh. The crab avocado starter was delicious. The main dish was the one that was meh.

Lovely place, and the service was excellent, we only came in for drinks, but we will come back to dine there for sure, the place is beautiful!

Absolutely amazing staff. I was curious about this place when I saw it on my birthday yesterday after seeing a ballet at the royal opera. Wade and Katia were so attentive, warm and welcoming, making my birthday special for me. I received a beautiful dessert, and they presented it to me not long after learning it was my birthday. 100/10 service, staff here deserve a raise ☺️

Had an amazing experience at Balthazar tonight! Sitting in the bar area was perfect, and Mariia made it even better with her attentive service and spot-on recommendations. She made this evening feel truly special. The food was incredible, every dish was bursting with flavor. Can’t wait to come back!

A very fancy French restaurant in Covent Garden, London. The food is very delicious - you must try the escargot. Very nice atmosphere and amazing service. There was a live music performance.

It was the best food I have ever ate went to London and ate there every night and the service was excellent

My friend and I had a glass of wine after the opera and we were served by the most polite staff member, Maria. Maria gave excellent recommendations on which dessert wine to select and made our evening a very pleasant one! Thank you, Maria!

We booked a table on OpenTable. We were welcomed warmly, led to our seats, and the restaurant staff paid us just the right amount of attention. The food was excellent. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Overall, a definite must visit.

Really nice. The food is very delicious without being spectacular. A very large restaurant with good and attentive service. In the center of Covent Garden, it is a luxury to find this restaurant. Price according to the location and London. What we ate was good but the quality can be improved. Very attentive and professional service. We will return.

Awesome girls lunch! The prix fix menu is such a good deal!

Lovely flavours, just a bit disappointed at having to pay extra for any sides and lack of classic bit of bread to start as one would actually get in France . As much as service was good I also like to offer tip at my own discretion rather than automatically in the bill.

For the price and a discretionary 13.5% service charge, I expect top notch everything. But the food was good, but average, nothing special, and the service was good until our server went off duty then we got no service. It was a pleasant evening in a lively environment, but I don't think I'll bother again.

An absolutely fantastic dining experience at Balthazar! From start to finish, everything was well-executed, from the quality of the food to the attentive service. To start, the French onion soup was nothing short of phenomenal—rich, deeply flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Easily a 10/10 dish and a must-order for anyone dining here. For mains, we opted for the Roasted Chicken Supreme ‘Chasseur’, which was beautifully cooked—tender, juicy, and complemented by a fantastic, rich jus that brought everything together. We also added skin-on fries, which were simple but crisp and satisfying. For dessert, we went all out and tried a selection: Rum Baba – Well-executed, beautifully presented, but quite strong in alcohol, which may not be for everyone. Paris-Brest – A classic done right, with a light, nutty praline cream that was both indulgent and balanced. Gâteau Opéra – Intensely rich, with deep coffee and chocolate flavors—definitely one for those who love a strong, bold dessert. We’d recommend all three depending on your taste! To drink, we were pleasantly surprised by the Pineapple & Vanilla alcohol-free cocktail, which was refreshingly sweet yet well-balanced—definitely worth trying. Despite the restaurant being completely packed, the atmosphere never felt overwhelming or uncomfortable. The waitstaff were attentive and professional, always on hand to assist without being intrusive. The only slight downside was the wait at the front desk, but given that we dined at peak time, it was to be expected. Overall, Balthazar delivers high-quality French brasserie-style dining at very reasonable prices for the location and experience. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fantastic meal in Covent Garden!

Went in for late night dessert and cocktails... Cocktails were fab couldn't, go wrong. The dessert on the other hand was terrible! And we try two options... The frangipani plum tart (was way too hard to cut for a tart) and the blackberry souffle (tasted the egg more than the blackberries!). The serving staff was kind enough to remove the dessert from the bill.

Lunchtime menu was at best bland.

Really nice French restaurant to have lunch or dinner. The onion soup was really good! Really crowded, so try to make a reservation, specially if it’s a large group!

Everything is good except a bit noisy

Very few options. Average food expensive for its menu.

Excellent meal, friendly service. Steak tartare was super good. Definitely worth a visit.

It's not as good as it used to be and a very unfriendly hostess but excellent table service. Tasty food, especially good French onion soup.

Fantastic Atmosphere & Great Food I’ve been coming to Balthazar in Covent Garden for years, and it never disappoints. The lively, bustling atmosphere is a huge part of its charm—always busy, always vibrant. The front-of-house staff can be a little formal at times, but that only adds to the classic brasserie experience. The food is consistently excellent, the cocktails are top-notch, and whether you’re sitting at the bar or in a booth, the service is always friendly and efficient. Definitely worth a visit—don’t forget to check out the fresh fish on display!

Amazing service by vini! Such a great guy. Also the food was brilliant. I’ve been here a few times and it never disappoints

Friendly place, great staff and atmosphere. Food is exquisite with great portion sizes and price.

A very cool place and excellent service from start to finish. Without a doubt a place to go if you like good food and want to live an experience that makes you want to repeat. Delicious food. I had the mushroom, truffle and goat cheese risotto. Afterwards, an incredible and gluten-free blueberry soufflé! They serve it with vanilla creme anglaise. I have celiac disease and when we arrived the first thing they asked us was if we had any allergies or intolerances and that made me feel much calmer. They have many dishes that are naturally gluten-free that are delicious but the truth is that it was a pleasant surprise to find this gluten-free soufflé. The first soufflé of my life and an absolute delight. I will definitely return when I pass through London. Thanks again to the service, they were very friendly, fun and welcoming. Thank you so much!

Enjoying a fantastic lunch here! I ordered seafood like snails, mussels, half lobster, and shrimp. The quality and portion sizes are impressive. Plus, the service is top notch!! the server Vini was incredibly nice, patient, and professional. Definitely a memorable dining experience!

The interior looks beautiful and the drinks and a great atmosphere.

Fantastic food and very personable service. The whole bream particularly excellent.

Dining at Balthazar was an absolute delight! From the moment we walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the tone for a memorable evening. The star of the meal was undoubtedly the Steak Frites—perfectly cooked, juicy, and bursting with flavour. Every bite was a testament to the kitchen’s skill and attention to detail. What truly elevated the experience, though, was the exceptional service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely invested in ensuring we enjoyed our meal. They went above and beyond by offering thoughtful suggestions on dishes and drinks, which turned out to be spot-on. Their recommendations added a personal touch that made the evening feel special. Whether you’re a steak enthusiast or simply looking for a restaurant that combines great food with top-notch hospitality, Balthazar is a must-visit. We left with full hearts (and full stomachs!) and can’t wait to return.

Loved this restaurant, food and service was great and the bonus was my surprise birthday desert.

Very cozy enviroment with good food served by the man the myth the legend Marco. Wonderful experience and entertainment😉🙌

Love Balthazar. As usual 10/10 service from our server who was excellent. Also a buzzing atmosphere as usual on a Saturday night and people were queuing to be seated. My starter of crab avocado cocktail was sublime. Really special. My veggie main of risotto was however very disappointing - very stodgy and quite bland. Champagne and wines we selected were superb. Didn’t have time to have dessert because we were politely booted off our table and out as a group, which felt a little unfair. The timings for a group of ten weren’t quite right from the restaurant’s point of view (we were on time) but we were asked to miss our dessert to make room for other people. I understand needing to free up our table for bookings, (and we weren’t offered an overflow area) but I don’t think it’s right to have asked us to leave at our expense because of people who walking in without a booking… That’s putting commercial imperative above true service. I probably would avoid a Saturday night as a group next time and I’ll definitely avoid risotto!

Marco made the evening ; he was engaging and made us feel like royalty. He was extremely attentive to food preferences amen talked us through the menu. Atmosphere classic , food amazingly fresh and generous portions

One of the best experiences, from the food to the server Marco, exemplary service and ensured we were looked after for all our needs, would recommend to anyone got a great night with great service.

Balthazar serves a variety of different types of food, so it is easy to find something one would like. Macro was very attentive and he ensured we got everything we ordered. One would need to book early as it is always full.

We celebrated my birthday, and our evening was made truly special thanks to our server, Marco. His attentiveness, friendly demeanor, and great sense of humor added a personal touch to our celebration. Marco was not only professional but also sociable, engaging us in light conversation that made us feel right at home. His warm and welcoming service enhanced our experience, making it a memorable night for all of us. Highly recommend asking for Marco if you have the chance!