Joe Allen in City of London, Westminster

If you like theatre you'll love Joe Allen. Brilliant staff, delicious food and a bustling theatreland vibe.

My favourite bar . Old school theatre artsy glamour and a great vodka martini

We came here a while back for a drink and the service was awful. I didn’t actually know I was booking the same place when I reserved to dine. I would like to say Louis, the guy who served us was so so good! Good service is VERY rare these days and he has totally changed my mind about Joe Allen. He was professional, super friendly and very efficient. We had the best time and the food was great too, thank you,

Update: still as great as ever. Looked after by Vinita. ******" One of my favourite Central London haunts. Excellent food, great service and really electric atmosphere. It's also just off the beaten track so feels that little bit extra special plus they always manage to get me a table :-)

A nice and less formal place for drinks and food. Highly recommend the pork ribs - so tender and flavourful, melts in your mouth! The portions are very big too! Very packed and noisy on a Saturday evening.

Absolutely dreadful. Overpriced tasteless food. Service was terrible. Save your money for somewhere else.

My first visit for 20 year since when I worked in the Strand but very happy to be back. The place has moved slightly down the road but the theatre style atmosphere is as good as ever. The food as great and the cocktails excellent. I was happy to be back & will try not to leave it as long next time.

Great place. Made for a very good date.

Had a great time here, was just as Steve Allen described on his LBC show. We'll be back again soon.

A gem of a place, ideal for lunch - great food, atmosphere and service. We'll definitely be back

Fun and busy place. Service was friendly and prompt. Food was good, but not standout. Shrimp burgers were a nice change also and one of the signature items. Worth going for the American vibe, music, and art on the walls. Martinis were good, although the glassware did make it feel half empty!

Love the decor and atmosphere of this restaurant. It's a decent location too in the centre and easy to find. The service was prompt and waitor and waitress were attentive. The food was good, but just a bit overpriced. £25 for a jumbo hot dog, which, although it was lovely, it wasn't worth £25. The shrimp burger wasnt too bad, again just overpriced for what it was. The Mac and cheese was a hit and tasted amazing. The BBQ sauce was really nice too. I tried a blood orange soda which I didn't like, it was like sparkling water with orange flavoring and again way too overpriced at £5 for a small hiball glass. Overall, even though I felt it was a bit overpriced, I'd probably return to try the different dishes, and defo go back for the Mac and cheese! Oh and the fries were nice too! We didn't manage to eat everything but we did take it away with us.

Sublime. Wonderful atmosphere and the best caesar salad I’ve had in the UK

Disappointing food with a very average steak, poorly presented and virtually no service.

Just had the best meal and truly superb service here. Staff were lovely, Louie our waiter was exceptional. Have already booked another visit next month.

Fantastic meal post the lion king matinee. One of the only restaurants we could find with a children’s menu and they were very welcoming to families. Great food, fantastic cocktails, super friendly staff.

Visiting Joe Allen's in London recently was like stepping back in time for me. Growing up around the original venue in the late '70s and '80s, Joe Allen's wasn't just a restaurant; it was a backdrop to numerous fond memories. Understandably, its closure was a heartfelt loss. However, the rebirth of Joe Allen's in its new guise was a delightful surprise that I approached with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The new location has managed to capture the essence of the original Joe Allen's, albeit in a slightly smaller space. It still feels like walking into a treasure trove of theatrical history, with walls adorned with captivating posters and photographs that speak volumes of its rich legacy. This ambiance, so characteristic of Joe Allen's, sets a nostalgic yet vibrant scene for dining. The menu at Joe Allen's remains impressive, offering a lovely variety that caters to different tastes. The prawn cocktail, a standout for me, featured some of the largest prawns I've encountered in recent times—a testament to the quality Joe Allen's strives to maintain. Across the board, the food was very good, hitting all the right notes in terms of flavour and presentation. Service at Joe Allen's is exemplary, blending professionalism with warmth in a manner that makes guests feel both valued and relaxed. It was particularly heartwarming to see a few familiar faces from the original restaurant, embodying the continuity of Joe Allen's spirit and tradition. This human connection adds a unique layer to the dining experience, making it feel personal and genuine. Joe Allen's has always been synonymous with the theatre, and its current iteration retains this cultural synergy, making it an ideal spot for pre-theatre meals or post-show drinks and dinner. This aspect, combined with the restaurant's timeless appeal, ensures that Joe Allen's remains a staple in London's dining and cultural scene. Reflecting on my recent visit, it's clear that Joe Allen's continues to be a venue not just for dining but for creating memories. It's a place where stories unfold and good times are had, much like they were in the past. The restaurant has successfully bridged its historical charm with contemporary dining, making it a must-visit for both longstanding fans and new patrons alike. For me, the experience was a beautiful homage to the past, filled with reminders of the many happy moments spent within its walls. Joe Allen's, once again, proved to be a place where good stories come to life.

Lovely pre theatre dinner, excellent service.

Visited on 1st March with my husband and our 2 children (12 & 14 years). Received a warm welcome when we arrived. Menu isn’t huge, but still has a good range of food choices. Cocktail menu is really good. The restaurant atmosphere is really nice, the food and drinks were presented well and tasted great. The staff are helpful, attentive and friendly.

Lovely restaurant with great atmosphere. Food is delicious and served quickly. Definitely will come back.

Efficient maitre d who is excellent and observant. Exceptional super friendly waiting staff. It's by far the most professionally run team.

Amazing restaurant tucked away in Covent Garden!! Made my Birthday special Fri 8th great food and atmosphere- amazing staff!!! Louis is just fab!! Made our visit very special complimentary dessert as a Birthday treat and got the WHOLE restaurant to sing Happy Birthday!! Love it 🍴🍸🥂🍾😘 huge thanks to all… perfect as usual

Can’t recommend this place enough. Such a warm welcome. Our waiter gave us a review of the menu helping us choose what to have. Chatted with us, so lovely. Wish we had got his name? Fabulous surroundings and a genuine goodbye from everyone. Highly recommended

We had a late meal here after seeing a show, we did have a reservation though at that time they were not overly busy. The staff were all lovely and welcoming and even though we were one of few tables, we weren’t made to feel like an inconvenience. Because it was so late we were just looking for a quick tasty bite to eat to wind down after seeing a great show, and that’s exactly what we got. The food was delicious and served fairly promptly, we were also pleasantly surprised with the cost when you consider the location. The steak and hotdogs were particularly good. I would definitely recommend!

Wonderful lunch today for my sister’s birthday. Excellent service from Louis give him a pay rise and promotion immediately! Alexandra was very efficient too! Thank you! Will be back soon

One of the worst meals I’ve had. Can’t believe I paid £25 for a saveloy and chips. Every dish was such bad quality we couldn’t even finish. Service however was good.

Had a lovely dinner with my family all staff were lovely especially James behind the bar and Louis I’d come back any time in a hear beat

Family group of 12 , great experience all round . The service was excellent and so was the food. The food leans towards expensive , but you get exactly what you pay for - quality and good size portions. The place also has a really good buzzing atmosphere.

So disappointing. I have been going to JA for 25 years but last night was nothing like previous experiences. We were given a table for 4 initially despite being 6. The maitre D' was fab and did move us but unfortunately the rest of the evening followed suit. The bar was overwhelmed and drinks were so slow that our food arrived well before an aperitif. The kitchen clearly had its act together and the food came out quickly. The floor staff seemed a bit headless except for the older seasoned waiters. A manager cleared our table eventually. We waited again for drinks that we wanted with food. It was a poor experience. It was a real shame as we took some overseas friends telling them what a great place it was. I would think twice about going back.

A great location for a pre theatre dinner. Service fast and waiters very professional. The food was mostly good but the expensive steak was not good, tepid and tough.

Good place, expect more food on the plate for the price it is. Very cosy and love the decorations!

We had a great time, from our lovely welcome, great servers and the food was really delicious, especially the calves liver. Will not leave it so long to return.

Simply the best pre-theatre meal experience. Highly recommended but do book

Yet another fabulous meal in this institution of a restaurant ! We have been coming here for years and the service is always outstanding and the food delicious. Today being no exception. Enjoyed the shrimp cocktail and the chicken liver parfait as starters and the calves liver and bacon and shrimp burger with fries entrees. A very palatable bottle of Chablis accompanied the food and two dirty vodka martinis kicked off the evening. The maitre d’ was welcoming and accommodating and always heads up an incredible team.

Once again a great return trip. How did they find out it was my wife’s birthday when nobody told them??? Food great as usual. Wine a little expensive

Always meet my friends from the Theatre when I'm in London (Sadly not as often as I would like) Great food and service, looking forward to seeing you all in January

Closing at 21.45 as we got there after the theatre, not impressed

I have been going to Joe Allen for years and decided it would be a good venue for a farewell dinner for my two eldest sons who are embarking on a two month tour of Asia, starting today. The food as always was very good - burgers ribs etc but all just what you want. But I have to say what really makes Joe Allen stand out is the service which was wonderful... attentive and friendly without being overly familiar or annoying. It is so important to get it right and it was just perfect! Thank you to everyone there on Sunday 4th Feb!

We had a great night at Joe Allen’s. Brilliant. The Old Fashioned was a revelation.

Always a wonderful experience. Staff are friendly and the service is attentive yet unobtrusive. Food is great and the whole place has a great theatre land vibe to it.

Disappointed. Wanted to go to Joe Allen’s for ages so booked this evening to eat before the theatre. I booked for 6pm but it was after 6.20 when we were finally shown to a table and even that was only because I asked what was happening. We had to make quick choices and then eat at speed. When the lacklustre waiter cleared our plates he asked if we wanted anything else in a tone so jaded that we actually laughed. We said we’d look at the menu but that we didn’t have a lot of time. He never came back so we sought someone out, got the bill and legged it, arriving in our theatre seats two minutes before curtain up. Felt cynical and disinterested, shame because the food was good. We won’t be going again sadly - £130 for two courses and two drinks felt harsh after the lack of care we were shown. Sorry, Joe Allen, you need to do a lot better.

Nice atmosphere. Good food. Pricey.

Advise to pre book this very popular iconic restaurant. We used to visit at its previous site and this was the first visit to the new premises. They have created,(moving many architectural look’s), the same homely fun atmosphere and employ the same people friendly staff who will do anything to please. Everything is fun about this place great to visit being a Londoner or European..guess Americans have many such restaurants in their own country! Food and wine was great..look at all the photos on the walls to see past and present personalities that love Joe Allen’s I wish them many more successful years here at new premises ( I say new I think it was 2017 when we first found out it was ,after 40 years) moving to Covent Garden)..time flies with Covid inbetween!

Just like the NYC original. A great hit of nostalgia with the excellent food and service you’d expect.

Louis our waiter was great and really made the night.

Good negronis, excellent calves liver and mash and pleasant wine. Service was really attentive. Surroundings, including Theatre posters are an interesting diversion.

Went for my son's birthday, before going to the theatre. What a wonderful place to start an evening out. Plus the staff sang happy birthday to him.

Louis was a great waiter... made the experience even more memorable

Been here a few times now and I have to say, this was possibly the best. Service is fab, food is delicious and atmosphere was pleasantly busy and buzzy. We all enjoyed it very much.

Its just great to go to a place with good wine, great food and a fantastic atmosphere, top that off with tentative staff and you can see why Jo Allen is so successful. Bravo!! Can't wait to return again.

Great food and service - a little noisy, but that’s to be expected in the week before Xmas.

Food was lovely. Especially the burgers. We will definitely be back

Very expensive but lovely staff and good vibes

We were a large group booking eating late so not an easy booking to manage. The team were superb throughout as indeed were both the meal and the service, the staff really are excellent. Can't wait to return to one of my favourite London Restaurants. Bob

Great meal on Saturday, both went for the bar steak absolutely delicious. Negroni's also on point and a fab bottle of pinot noir. Our server Maria was very good!

What a great place. From the minute we walked in the door. Friendly and efficient service, great atmosphere and delicious food - would totally recommend

Overpriced & bland food, cost so much for so little quality.

I used to go to this restaurant in it's original location and loved it back in the day. A nostalgic first booking at this venue. I wasn't disappointed. The place was packed but the service was superb and the food and drinks were faultless. I'm sure I will be back next time in London.

We had an impromptu meal here. The staff were amazing, Louis stood out with his fabulous personality and attentiveness. The food was tasty and the ambience gr8. Highly recommended!

We came for the Thanksgiving lunch and it was delicious!!! A memorable 3 course experience: pumpkin soup, turkey with sweet potato dauphinois, and NY style cheesecake.

Great spot for dinner. Good vibes and crowded! Servers were friendly and happy to see us.

The food was excellent and really good value. But what made it extra special was all the staff. They were amazing. The chef even spoke to us at the table. It was a wonderful experience and we will be back soon

Visited after going to the savoy theatre. It’s a nice enough venue but the food is average at best and is over priced. We had steak, which was ok, and ‘salmon’ fish cakes, which were little more than a mound of sweet potato. At £75 per person for one course, I won’t be going again. Finally, I’m not a fan of waitresses (in our case) calling customers darling.

We came as a couple having lunch with a friend. The ambience and character of the restaurant is interesting, has a late night american dinner, jazz feel. and is really relaxed. Nice friendly welcome , good service from our young waitress, the food was really good quality, the secret burger was really nice, as was the no flour chocolate cake. Slight disappointment with the service at the end as after receiving the bill the staff were all chatting in a corner, and we watched our server leave for the day, so would have been nice that we didn't have to chase for service again, but not a major issue. We will come again

Had an amazing meal here - definitely go for the chicken Milanese! The interior design of the place is very cool and the service was very quick and helpful. Will be returning in the future!

Wonderful experience and a favorite of my father

Had a lovely lunch with friends yesterday. The cocktails are refreshing as always. It’s got a great atmosphere and the staff are all lovely. The chicken Milanese was sublime. The chocolate fudge cake, cheesecake and cheese plate desserts were great!

Great spot for a pre show dinner! There’s a real buzz here & it has an authentic New York feel, with framed photos of performers and show posters dotted around the restaurant. The ambient lighting lighting and background music add to the atmosphere! Our waiter Louis was great, humorous and helpful from stater to finish. Ask for the secret burger, it’s delicious! Great cocktails too.

Perfect place perfect diner ! Thank you to Louis for having hosting us so kindly 😊

The food was fine, but the service was not good. Our drinks was billed to the neighbouring table, the waiters placed a lot of water bottles, dry bread and olives on the table whitout asking if we wanted it, and thereafter billed us for it. Several of us either had to reorder items that never came, or did not get the correct sides for the dish. All in all the experience was that the service is lacking accuracy and leaves the customer to pay for it.

What’s happened to Joe Allen’s? It’s been over two weeks since I had a post theatre dinner with friends there. Sadly my friend was hit with food poisoning and spent the weekend being violently sick in his £3,000 per night suite. Not exactly what we had planned! These things can happen but it’s how they have dealt with us that had compounded our negative experience. Especially as we had traveled from our homes in Barcelona. I have called the restaurant several times but the manager was “in a meeting” or “nobody is picking up the call” I left my number and I have not, to date receive a call back. I did receive a lame email in response to the two I sent that included; “Paul, I'd like you to know that hospitality and making my guests happy is important to me, and I do not take negative feedback lightly. Please allow me some time to regroup with my team to further look into your experience.” I have not received any communication since then. This has been the same experience for my friend who has also tried to contact the restaurant directly. It was my choice to book Joe Allen’s as a trip down memory lane as it were, for all the wonderful times I had been there during my years in London. Given the number of alternative restaurants I could have chosen, I feel terribly responsible. The general consensus within our party of five, was that our meals were mediocre at best too feeling terrible for our friend. Also as an after theatre booking we felt rushed by the staff to finish and leave. I remain very disappointed and wished we had gone somewhere else.

Have eaten at Joe Allens many times over the years. Each time it has disappointed that little bit more. Tonight the meal was terrible and extremely overpriced!! Will not be returning!

After a long overdue visit we had the most fantastic night in Joe Allen. The cocktails, the food, the service, the ambience were all perfect. It was the best meal we've had in London in a long time and we can't wait to return.

An amazing experience. Staff, food, drinks, ambience all excellent. A really warm welcome. Couldn’t fault it. Don’t um and ah about booking a table - book it now, you won’t regret it!

I give this place five stars for atmosphere alone. We came in to try their London Cocktail week cocktail which was really good actually (they have two choices they've made and we tried both.) The bar is so cool and definitely decked out with a lot of fun NYC and Theater memorabilia. It feels like you're in a celeb fave hidden gem spot just steps from Broadway. Our service was a little lackluster, but we had a lot of fun sitting at a table by the piano and being serenaded by the talented Lee. He made our night a true gem! All in all this place is lovely and I would def come back here again when I get to visit in the future.

Food was very good and service couldn't have been better

Brilliant and authentic Theatre restaurant and place to go. Ask for the secret burger and the cocktails are great

Just enjoyed dinner at an old favourite and it did not disappoint! Fantastic food in a restaurant with a vibrant ambience. Our server Amy was the star turn of the evening! First class customer service; truly professional and delightful !

very nice I strongly recommend it to you

Wir waren am frühen Nachmittag im Joe Allen und wurden sehr freundlich von den Mitarbeitern begrüßt. Das Ambiente war angenehm entspannt und wir haben uns wohl gefühlt. Das Essen (Burger, Risotto und Dessert) war lecker. Es hat gepasst.

Earlier today with a total of 9 family members I paid a return visit for lunch at Joe Allen’s at Strand Palce Hotel. We had reserved a nice quiet table and - in common with the rest of our party - I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch (Chicken Caesar Salad starter followed by Liver & Bacon). Service by Andrea throughout our stay was excellent. All in all, a most enjoyable return visit - one I should be more than happy to repeat.

For steak-lovers a great place, the vegetarian options are limited but good. Will come again!

The most fantastic night, actually felt like the old Joe Allen ❤️❤️❤️

Oh the steak was delicious!! really enjoyed my meal there, staff super friendly! Thank you

Lovely lunch. Two courses good price good choices.

I brought my mum, mrs & son. The service was brilliant, so nice to my family. Food was class. This restaurant really made my mums birthday Thank you so much for everything

We visited tonight as a family of 5 adults. Firstly the staff. We received exceptional service from a number of fabulous, attentive and hardworking members of staff. It was a real treat to be seated by Jules, who was so warm, welcoming and chatty. It was a joy to meet him. Secondly the ambience. The restaurant was full and had a wonderful buzz to it. It’s hard to explain, but it just felt really wonderful to be there. So now the food. So so delicious! For starters we sampled the Bang Bang Chicken and the Prawn Cocktail between us. So tasty and well presented. The prawns were HUGE. For mains we tried the Crispy Shrimp Burger, the Bar Steak, the Ribs and the Loaded Skins. All were generous in terms of portion size, perfectly cooked and really delicious. Special mention for the fries which were not your bland standard, rather crispy and utterly yummy. Two of us shared the Pecan Pie for dessert. We didn’t need it; we were full. But It was divine. You really must visit this lovely restaurant. We can’t wait to return.

Everything went brilliantly the staff all went out of there way to make us have a great time and made to feel special having the waiter sing happy birthday made my day.

Went to Joe's for late birthday meal for my Dad. My mum and dad are really cautious with trying new places, and i am so happy they were over the moon with how the whole vibe of the restaurant was and how attentive the staff were. The staff who we spoke to were Fran - lovely receptionist, Chris - has excellent knowledge of the drink menu (recommended great wine to go with my dad's main), Simon (had great chat with my dad and he has got great humour) and lastly Eliska nothing was too much when we was ordering our meal always asking if we needed anything aswell as Simon. Thank you to everyone who made my mum and dad feel at ease when coming into your restaurant. As we was leaving my mum said we will definitely be back so be on the look for us. Thank you again for all staff at Joe's

Went to Joe's for late birthday meal for my Dad. My mum and dad are really cautious with trying new places, and i am so happy they were over the moon with how the whole vibe of the restaurant was and how attentive the staff were. The staff who we spoke to were Fran - lovely receptionist, Chris - has excellent knowledge of the drink menu (recommended great wine to go with my dad's main), Simon (had great chat with my dad and he has got great humour) and lastly Eliska nothing was too much when we was ordering our meal always asking if we needed anything aswell as Simon. Thank you to everyone who made my mum and dad feel at ease when coming into your restaurant. As we was leaving my mum said we will definitely be back so be on the look for us. Thank you again for all staff at Joe's

Service was good. Food was very overpriced and poorly prepared. Much better places to eat in central London for the same price

Had a wonderful evening, everything was perfect, can't wait to return.

The waitress Helena was superb at our lunch. Great sense of humour, really helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Pre lunch cocktails great as always, the burger was excellent and the house red was lovely. This place really is super for a reasonably priced lunch in a great environment off the Stand. A London classic.

This is a great place to eat. And the food is good. I got the ribs.

ストランドパレスホテルに隣接してあります。劇場街にあるので関係者も多いのか装飾品もそれにちなんだ物がおおいです。料理もワ インも種類は豊富でした。アメリカンスタイルのリブアイのステーキは美味しかったです。

A great atmosphere with great service and a wonderful place to meet friends. Joe Allen never disappoints. Our dear friend the actress Lynda Bellingham introduced us to Joe Allen and we think of her whenever we visit

I have been visiting Joe Allen for years , in it's old location too. Have always loved the atmosphere, the service and food. I have been very disappointed by my last two visits however and wonder why it has changed so much😢. The second visit...

I’ve been to Joe Allen in Paris and Los Angeles (before it closed). The London restaurant did not have the same quality food or service that I expected. Sad.

We’ve been here four times during our stay in London. Something that doesn’t usually happen. But the service is amazing and very welcoming, the food delicious and the drinks a class of their own. Already looking forward to returning here next time we’re in town.

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