Cote Brasserie- Barbican in Islington

Great place to visit. Jem was very attentive and provide good service.

Amazing food and exceptional service. Special thanks to Jem for serving us!

Domas was as amazing as our steak frites

We were a large party and the staff were welcoming and friendly and accommodated everyone’s questions and issues in a friendly way. We had preordered and the food came out in a timely manner and was correct. All in all it was a good experience and all the party left happy with the service and the food which was delicious.

Lovely food. Friendly service.

New manager, who was very apologetic as I had requested a booth for my birthday lunch but this hadn't been seen. We were given free Cremant. My starter was not to my taste as the egg was undercooked, so the manager swapped it for another starter of my choice,which was a salad, which was delicious. Steak frites was tasty. Service was great and we were not rushed. A lovely lunch.

Excellent value for money and great service to have a meal before an event at the Barbican. The other restaurants inside the Barbican are terrible and very slow, so better go to Cote where they make sure they deliver the food in a timely manner. They could also tell me how many minutes were required for each item in the menu, and they delivered! Plus I got complimentary champagne as it was my birthday.

A pretty nice place to spend your time

We went after watching a movie at the Barbican. I was pleasantly surprised to note that they had a pre-fixe menu even for evening dinner. The service was cordial and friendly . They were not very busy at about 8.30 pm, though peeps were trickling in slowly. Opted for the two course 21 quid menu and orderered a steak, asked them to swap the frites for a salad which they did readily. Also ordered the onion soup as a starter, pepper sauce extra for the steak and dauphinoise potatoes also extra. Hubby ordered the seafood soup ( not on the menu)and dessert - chocolate tart with raspberry coulis and ice-cream. Everything was delicious and properly seasoned. We just came back from having spent a week in Paris, and were pleasantly surprised to have such nice French inspired food in London, at such great prices and taste and freshness wise, many levels better than Paris. Their wine list is also so extensive and several by the glass. The house red went very well with the steak.

We arrived, looked around and eventually talked to a guy who looked like a customer but happened to be the concierge. He didn’t seem to work there by the way he was dressed as well as his uninterested attitude. He asked if we had a reservation and as we said we didn’t, he found us a 2 seater by the window. Even though he served us water, he forgot to take our order and after 20 minutes waiting to be attended to we decided to leave.

Thanks to Domas, Jen and Christina for a wonderful early dinner before hearing the LSO. Memorable experience for our touring musicians.

Came for a meal before theatre so in at 5pm. Had minute steak and frites - I know it's not a particularly good cut of meat but very chewy and full of gristle. Free glass of bubbly as had a voucher. 2 small steak and chips with a cuppa £43 so pretty expensive

The food was delicious and the service was really great too!

We had planned a nice meal before the theatre, but it turned out to be an expensive and disappointing experience. While the atmosphere was quite good, the restaurant didn’t deliver on what it promised. The food quality was below average, and the hamburger was the worst I’ve had in London—dry, flavourless, and poorly prepared. Service was another letdown; some staff were overly informal and careless, mixing up orders and showing little attention. Given the high prices, we expected much better. Wouldn’t return or recommend.

Everything is below average. Bad food, undisciplined staff, poorly maintained restaurant. Paying a lot of money for nothing. Do not go!

Nice venue ,good food and a buzzy atmosphere.

We thought our hostess did everything to make our experience great, then we realised she did this for every customer, every shift, every day Her name began with a Y I lost my note I agree with another review that the minute steak was dry.

Thoroughly enjoy a pre concert meal here, we ate from the set price menu which was good value, good food and nicely prepared, despite the restaurant being very busy the staff were helpful , attentive and went the extra mile to make sure we received our food so we could get to the concert on time ,would definitely go again.

Large well-seated restaurant area. Very helpful service. Nice atmosphere. A couple of birthday groups were in and the birthday person gets that extra special treatment. Good menu choice. Chose the Cote Burger which looked good on paper but was OK, just not great. Similarly, the Warm Chocolate Fondant was OK,not great. The service could not be faulted. Toilets on ground level.

Had a pre concert meal, staff were very pleasant and attentive, even apologising and giving a discount because my wife's potato dish did not arrive with the main plate , a nice touch ! I thought my main of salmon bernaise and chips was perhaps a little on the drier side hence 4 stars

We had a reservation for 6:30pm on a Sunday and upon arrival we have entered an incredibly busy and crowded restaurant. The server quickly found our reservation while dealing with a guest complaint. We have noticed that multiple tables have not been served and the guests were trying to get the waitstaff’s attention. We had to wait a good 10-15 minutes before we could get our order in. Only one of our drinks arrived and our server apologized as it turned out one of our drinks were not available. Starter ok however the main arrived after a good 30 minutes late, with the side dish cold. That took some time to resolve. After we finished the meal, again we had to wait a good 10-15 minutes before our waiter came back to check on us. It was not a nice experience and even though the food was delicious, the crowded and chaotic organization did not make it a pleasant dining experience. It felt the restaurant had way more tables than they could handle.

Fantastic food. Great value for money. Also the staff is amazing! Super recommended

Service and the restaurant itself were great, staff members lovely. Unfortunately, it seems the food has suffered for one reason or another. Bland, tasteless food that really did not stand up to the price tag. Shame really. Expected better.

I really enjoyed my meal, the place had great atmosphere and very friendly staff.

Nice place very close to Barbican. Enjoyed a nice dinner with good food. Modern interiors.

We dined there before heading to the Barbican for a concert. Service was brilliant despite a very busy restaurant and the food was delicious. We will definitely go again. The atmosphere was great but as it got later in the evening the larger tables became quite noisy. Not a criticism of the restaurant though. I also enjoyed spotting some celebrities in there..

Great location, nice and cosy atmosphere, and very good services! Also the pre-booking is easy, we changed the appointment time and it was arranged pretty well. Certainly recommend if you visit Barbican!

A lovely place to spend your time

Such a lovely dinner ! I loved the atmosphere and the service. also the pre theatre menu is really good value. Highly recommend!

Great service, great food, loved my time here. Speedy and efficient.

A very enjoyable evening with friends, where we had great food and service. The Men's toilet needs a bit of maintenance.

We went for a meal following our daughter’s graduation my steak wasn’t cooked enough for me so I asked if it could be cooked a bit more which they did. Unfortunately it still wasn’t right so I didn’t eat it. The waitress looked at my plate and looked really disappointed asked me why I didn’t eat the steak and said she’d speak to the manager who promptly came over and apologised and said he would give us a discount off the meal. I have to say I was very impressed by the manager it was very good service. Everyone else’s meals were lovely. I’d recommend this cote as the service and quality of food is spot on. Cote generally is of a very high standard.

Incorrect drink & incorrect salad brought to the table. Scallops were cold. Ribeye was virtually inedible, so much fat, you couldn't even cut through it. Ordered a burger instead, which was pretty good. Received a £5 discount on our bill by way of apology. Busy evening, maybe a little understaffed. Service was friendly.

We went to Cote Barbican for a pre theatre dinner but it was sadly not a great experience and not what we’ve come to expect as a family from the Cote chain of restaurants. The staff were in such a hurry to get us out and free up the table that they slammed plates down when serving us and they took away, and attempted to take away, glasses and plates that we hadn’t finished eating or drinking from, so that some of the party had had their things cleared away whilst others were still eating. For example, they took my father’s wine glass when he still had a sip left in it and did not bother to ask if he would like more. It felt very rushed and was not an example of good customer service. Moreover, at the end of the meal, our server was in such a hurry to get us to pay and to clear what was left on the table that he knocked my sister’s chair - she is partially sighted - causing her to drop her cane. Luckily, the kind people at the next table helped her to retrieve it as our server didn’t even seem to notice what he’d done. So, all in all, not the experience we had hoped for.

Good experience and amazing food

Absolutely loved the place. The staff is very kind and helpful, we came to spend two days with meetings back to back and they were very accommodating. Will definitely come back!

Loved the place, amazing vibes, great food! Vinzenzo did a wonderful job!! Also, lovely waiters. We will definitely repeat it again :)

Lovely Pork Belly and delightful Chocolate Mousse (off the Prix Fixe menu!)

After looking at the food available in the theatre and they were no good options, I ran with 25min to spare into Cote and ordered what came out quickest at the bar. To my surprise it was the most perfect steak frites! Thank you to the waitress who recommended it. I was super hungry and would have not had as much fun at the theatre with my stomach rumbling.

Amazing food, excellent staff Eduardo

Smooth service and friendly staff. The Steak frites was Great!

Do not go here with allergies!! I have celiac disease, and despite ordering from the gluten free menu, I had a severe reaction to their food.

A great spot with a variety of tasty meals. The service is friendly, and the setting is perfect for a nice night out. Highly recommend it

Alright-ish, but very plain food. Had much higher expectations based on the excellent quality of the Cote at Home meals. I’ll leave it to the readers to decide whether or not the steak below is, in fact, medium well.

Nice food and wonderful environment ♥️🫰

Recently ordered a selection of dishes, all of them were fantastic.Great variety and quick delivery time. Highly recommend

Too noisy (dining room), too slow (service), too untidy (waitress), too cramped (space between tables).

Been here 3 times and none of them felt right, sorry! First time we were told the place was fully booked and to “go check other restaurants nearby” (literally). It was odd, we asked to book us in for later and we returned. When I checked OpenTable, they did have spaces left 👀 I know sometimes I may pass as a tourist, but I am never offended if reception asks! Second time, Christmas menu. It was ok. Not bad neither mind blowing. The tag for a couples dinner with it all and coffee was about £120. Third and perhaps last, I had another tasting menu which … I don’t know what was I expecting for a £20 tasting menu, but this felt like low quality food. Final bill for a quick dinner, £43. I just know with the same budget, as the first receptionist said, there are plenty of options nearby… A shame, nice ambience and spectacular location, it needs a revamp!

This cozy neighborhood bistro, Cote Barbican, consistently delivers exceptional quality food with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu is thoughtfully curated with a mix of classic dishes and creative twists, and the service is friendly and attentive. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it a great spot for a romantic dinner or casual catch-up with friends."

I like this restaurant because of their service and they food. The food there is amazing and delicious. The waiters are friendly. Beautiful environment for family and parties.

Côte Barbican is a gem in the heart of London. From the moment you step in, the warm ambiance and welcoming staff make you feel at home.The steak frites was cooked to absolute perfection, tender and flavorful, paired beautifully with their signature béarnaise sauce. The crème brûlée, with its perfectly caramelized top and creamy interior, was the ideal way to finish the meal.

We had a great post Barbican visit drink at Cote yesterday. The service was superb and made our evening special. Thanks to Vinnie the manager for looking after us.

Was ok for quick pre theatre meal, nothing special.

I booked a table for lunch to celebrate my friend's birthday. I have visited this restaurant many times and was greeted like an old friend. We were given a lovely table by the window and the manager arranged for 2 complimentary glasses of Cremant to be sent to our table as it was a special occasion, which was a lovely gesture. Our waitress was very helpful when we said we would like 2 starters each instead of a starter and a main and she timed when to let the kitchen know when we were ready for our second starters. My friend started with French onion soup which looked delicious and I had crab. Mine was tasty and I have ordered it before but I thought that the portion size was smaller and not great value. My friend then ordered calamari with a side of cauliflower cheese. She loved them both. I ordered cheeses souffle, which was perfectly cooked but not quite cheesy enough. The service was excellent, despite the restaurant being full with Christmas party diners and we had a lovely lunch.

Great atmosphere, lovely staff and great food. Highly recommended! Even when the restaurant it’s busy, they do the best to give us a good service.

The staff are fantastic, really friendly and welcoming. The space has a great atmosphere and is easy to sit back and relax for a few hours. Thanks to Viola who served us during our visit, looking forward to coming back!

Bad idea. 1hr to receive the dishes. Above all, don't order the yuzu macaron, which is hard as a rock...

Went here after an exhibition at the Barbican with a friend. Great cocktails and friendly staff! Would recommend visiting

We're regulars at this branch of Cote, the food is consistently good. More often than not we get served by Giacomo who's service is impeccable and always comes with a smile. Joyeux noel et buon anno.

Great service and do a great Christmas dinner menu - the food is good too but maybe would expect slightly better for the price point but would come back here

The food is delicious as always. Great service.

Nice atmosphere, was not bust. Staff attentive, good selection and food was tasty.

it was very good experience at cote barbican staff there was very friendly

Entrance door not working and no staff on hand to open it. Overall slightly low lit Cote and staff number seemed to be low vs the number of tables. Food standard if not overpriced.

Cote restaurants were enjoyed by us on many occasions but sadly, no longer. Last night’s dinner was disappointing. Jam packed with diners. I understand it’s Christmas but there’s a limit to how many can be squeezed into a space. The food arrived within minutes, literally under 5 minutes. So it’s been made beforehand which results in unsatisfactory food. Two meals were sent back as it was cold. The replacement dishes weren’t a lot better. This isn’t quite good enough and we won’t rush back. A positive, the serving staff were great! Couldn’t fault them. But Côte should up their game!

The food is excellent the serving time is quite fast !! A really nice place to spend your time

Cassoulet was bland but starters and pork belly was nice.

Excellent French restaurant, good feast experience.

A little disppointing. Felt like the chain experience that it is. Food cold.

Really impressed with the quality of the steaks. My rib eye was delicious and cooked exactly as I had asked. Fried were delicious as well. My friend really enjoyed his calamari starter and my cheese soufflé was good although I wasn’t clear if the salad dressing that was served on the side was to be poured over - no matter. Deserts were average, but fine for the price point, ditto the bottle of pino noir we shared. Would definitely return again either before or after another outing to the Barbican.

Loved the food, service was a bit slow and could have been warmer but it was very busy

We came for our team's early festive lunch following a training day at a local law firm. The food was amazing, the servers were polite and attentive, the wait between courses wasn't too long (which is the case sometimes with other establishments). I would highly recommend COTE to friends and family

Had dinner pre theater. The burger was a little small and a little dry. The server was not interested and only did the basics. The other staff seemed more friendly. It was also not cheap for the level of service and food.

Really good atmosphere, our waitress Christina looked after us brilliantly. The food was really of too. Would highly recommend.

Nice place, tasty food and a great service as we were lucky to have one of the best waiter we meet in London. I'll never forget her smile, her lovely mood and her name, Cristina Bobeica. For sure on the next trip in London we'll join again this place.

Elena is a very hard working individual, she is very kind and enthusiastic. The delivered fantastic service with a lot of joy.

We got here at 7pm and it was packed with pre-theatre/concert diners. However, it emptied out pretty quickly and was much quieter later. The food is good quality, was served quite quickly and the cost was reasonable by London standards. However, I found the staff quite unfriendly and disinterested. I was keen on soup to start but the only soup on the a la carte menu was not vegetarian. I asked if I could have the vegetarian soup form the Xmas fixed menu and the response was no. So, none of us had starters and the restaurant lost income. A good restaurant who was interested in their customers would be more flexible.

Amazing food. Amazing staff. Amazing atmosphere. Elena was phenomenal and took excellent care of us. Will be sure to come again.

Excellent food and great service especially from waitress Elena.

Amazing environment. Friendly staff and the waiter (Elena) was so kind.

Good food, nice service, but when paying we were informed that we can't pay with cash. It's some kind of a bad joke, I would understand not being able to pay with a card, but with cash.

Standard Cote experience in the heart of London. Good food, lovely wine and lots of healthy and hearty meal options. Doesn’t disappoint.

I recently dined at Côte Restaurant and had a delightful experience. Our waiter, Saif, was attentive and knowledgeable, making excellent recommendations that enhanced our meal. His friendly demeanor added to the enjoyable atmosphere. The manager, Domas, was equally impressive, ensuring everything ran smoothly and checking in on us to guarantee satisfaction.

Very good food and location. The service was a little slow to take the order but the food was delivered quickly.

Nice food Nice restaurant nice service☺️They give free candle for my bbf birthday cake, Grazie Giacomo！

had a very good meal before seeing a show, Giacomo was amazing and recommended us the best glass of muscadet ever! Thank you !

Everything was very correct, very professionalism, interaction with the customer to ensure their satisfaction with the order

Amazing food and super service thank you Giacomo

Food was excellent, only snag was a glass of white wine that ended up on our bill that we hadn't ordered. Felt like it was grudgingly removed when we pointed it out. Rest of the service was excellent.

Am a big fan of Cote for simple, reliable brasserie food, but over the years the service at this branch was consistently distracted and poor. Until now. It's a perfect location before / after an event at the Barbican and the current team give excellent, personalised service. We gave this branch another try last night and were delighted by the service from a great team. Huge credit to them as they were run off their feet pre-theatre. Despite it being packed until the pre-theatre crowd left, we had little difficulty hearing our conversation, and at 7.15 peace descended. The food was possibly not as strong as the best Cote food I've had but my usual does vary in quality at different branches so if that happens again, I'll simply change my order as the experience here was the high point of our evening; the team made it so enjoyable to eat there. I hope this lovely team stays together as the risk for this branch is that the captive market and lack of competition doesn't encourage effort.

Giacomo took care of us tonight, he was knowledgeable and no request was too much for him. He managed to accommodate more friends that joined us later even though the place was crowded. He served us all evening with a smile and made us feel comfortable and welcomed. The food was good, but not excellent. I liked that there were a couple of vegan choices and my food was good, however my fiance's burger was mediocre, especially the bun was dry and did not taste fresh. Giacomo also gave me good suggestions for the drinks and was quick and attentive.

Met some friends here recently, great food, good wine and service in a convivial environment

Always love to come here, amazing food, service and ambiance.

Amazing service! The manager lady Jenny was very cheerful and professional. Can't wait for next time.

Delightful service by Beaula, very attentive to details and super friendly.

Consistently slow to get food out.

Excellent service and good food

Great experience at Cote as a coeliac. The gluten free menu is extensive, the food is delicious and they take dietary requirements vey seriously. One of my go-to restaurants!

Arrived for brunch and place isn't open sign up to say unforeseen circumstances not open until later ??? Really

Good food, pleasant service, reasonable value - what’s not to love?