Joe Allen in City of London, Westminster

Really nice place where to have delicious ribs and a good Mac and cheese!! Highly recommend!!

Joe Allen is a place in New York. I go fairly often for a pre-theater dinner, so I thought it would be fun to do it while I was in London and on my way to a show. Worst restaurant experience I’ve had in a long time. The fact that the place was empty when I walked in should have been a red flag. Server took my order and I never saw her again until I had to chase her down to get my check to leave. Then she had no idea what table I was at or what I ordered. Tried to give me the wrong check three times before asking me what I had. At the beginning, I told her I would order wine with dinner, and she asked me if I wanted a bottle or carafe, which seemed a strange question. Because I was alone I said I wanted a carafe, but she never once asked what wine I wanted at any point. No one asked me if I wanted dessert, no one asked if I wanted anything to drink besides water. Someone cleared my plates and brought me a dessert menu but no one ever came back to ask if I wanted dessert. Sorry to have been such an inconvenience to the restaurant. Not to worry though - I will never be back to do it again. Fast food would have been a better choice. At least they usually say “thank you” when you pay.

Very disappointing, because in its former location this used to be a favourite of mine. Came for a long relaxed lunch with a friend. Despite the fact that the place was only 1/2 full, the plates for our starters were whisked away as soon as we'd finished eating, and the main courses arrived almost immediately, as if they wanted us to hurry up and finish so that we would free-up the table. The food was OK, nothing special. Not good value for about £50 a head, plus drinks, service, etc. In addition to a service charge, a charity donation was added to the bill.

It's a bit expensive, especially if you order any of the items that don't have prices listed in the menu, but the food is worth it.

We had a really enjoyable lunch here in one of our favourite places. Martha and Debbie were lovely and took good care of us. The food was delicious and we left very happy and contented!

Delicious food and attentive service. All staff made us feel so welcome but our waiter Max really made our evening - so funny and full of joy, just a credit to the team. Will definitely be back!

Thank Martha and Debbie for your hospitality. You were so friendly and kind to us and made my birthday extra special! I am a regular here and always feel so welcome with such warm people who work here.

Great atmosphere but the food isn’t what it used to be and one of the management team is a mixed bag between fantastic and completely unprofessional.

Joe Allen hosted ~30 of us for a work meal. The food was delicious and the staff were very friendly, attentive, and patient. Highly recommend, and would visit again.

We came to Joe Allen for our work Christmas do with 10 people. We were a big party but nothing felt like too much trouble and the service was excellent even though the restaurant was extremely busy. Our server Max was excellent, always smiling and checking to make sure everyone was happy. Our glasses were never empty and the food service was perfect. Thank you Max!

Our waitress was so lovely that I didn't want to wreck her evening by letting her know how disappointed we were with our £70 meal (no drinks/alcohol). To say it was the same as a school dinner would have been a compliment. a tiny piece of cornbread ea, 3 beets, some feta and walnuts to start, soggy Brussel sprouts, carrots? non descript meat or was it stuffing ?, liquid brown sauce, hardly gravy. Were there suppose to be potatoes? And a teeny tiny hard pumpkin tart, the pecan pie was finished. I won't be recommending going to Joe Allen's for a meal.

The food was incredibly good, and the staff was very nice!

Thank you so much Lex for being so fantastic with us during Friday lunchtime, great service and a wonderful lunch!

Went for Thanksgiving lunch, as my companion grew up in the States, and was looking forward to having some turkey, and an enjoyable time. The restaurant was decorated with the Stars and Stripes there was a buzzy atmosphere, - and it was full. We were shown to our table promptly, and the service was friendly and efficient. We chose the fixed Thanksgiving Lunch menu at £70 a head. There were three of us. The smoked salmon starter was meager and ordinary. Three tiny slivers of salmon, and not much more. Then the main course. One of us had steak and chips, which was fine. The turkey wasn't well cooked , and there wasn't much of it. A dollop of cranberry sauce , and brussel sprouts? Definitely lacking in trimmings, and not particularly well cooked. More like a rather mean institutional Christmas dinner. The desserts were the best, and perfectly acceptable, although they were nothing special. Four glasses of wine were drunk, and the bill came to over £300. I have been going to Joe Allen's since it opened in London in the 70s, and often eaten at the original restaurant in NYC. I doubt if I shall bother to return.

Not like the original, but pretty good for a bite.

Lovely quality food, drinks, and staff! Give it a try!

We were delayed getting out of the theatre matinee (due to the show being stopped for a while) meaning we were late for our reservation. I called them and they were able to move it back without any problems. The staff are always brilliant and the service is great. That’s why Joe’s is one of my favourite dining spots in London.

Great spot, perfect for a fast high quality meal before the theatre

A lovely evening - great food, nice vibe, loved our server Max - service was flawless and he was a joy. Highly recommend this place.

We’ve been to Joe Allen’s over the years and it’s been a favourite. We were excited about a return after a good few years. I was confused when I arrived. It wasn’t where I remembered and it seemed different. Turned out it’s moved but has been meticulously recreated in its new home nearby. Still has a fabulous atmosphere but what really stands out is the service from awesome staff, many recently graduated actors. Food is great. The well known Joe Allen menu classics. Highly recommend. Service standard leaves you spoilt - it’s hard to live up to. Can’t wait to return and - yes! Stranger Things was one of the best stage shows I’ve seen Great job.

Had a wonderful meal here with some ladies to celebrate bring 10 years cancer free! Our waitress was wonderful and helped us to celebrate.

Had a great time here, was just as Steve Allen described on his LBC show. We'll be back again soon. Went again on the 10th August, they remembered us! 😆 Staff were great especially camp Louis and constable Riley. Food was excellent again 😋

Absolutely fantastic venue. The food was excellent and portions were huge! But what makes it so special were the staff. Impeccable and attentive service. They are the stars of the venue.

We visited Joe Allen’s as a post theatre treat. The staff were very friendly and polite. The service was excellent and the meal choices were varied.

I had a fab time and experience with my family and the food was amazing and so was the staff !

Great food and service. We felt very well looked after as always!

"We arrived at 4:45 pm. We were not told that the menu for the fixed price was available and we ended up paying way too much for quite a simple meal of a burger and chips. I don’t think it’s good value. I think it’s changed. I’ve been coming to Joe Alan‘s now for about seven years and I think the menu has gone far too much than the chips and burger route, which is a shame ." They also add on a 15% service charge, which is very difficult to opt out of ! The staff were lovely generally, and the location is great for Covent Garden, but I won’t be coming back

Loved the food and loved the service... Ordered T-bone medium rare... Just melted in my mouth... ♥️

This has been my favourite restaurant for about 30 years. I busy less now as I’m not in London anymore. It’s slightly less ‘characterful’ than it was in Exeter Street with the pianist and the resting actors. But this is still my favourite. Good food (American) and cocktails. I had my first ever Caesar salad here 30 odd years ago and my first NY cheesecake.

It feels like home every time I come back to Joe Allen - the food is top quality the staff are excellent. I have never been disappointed.

Horrible place, service was appalling the manager is snotty and confrontational, I have NEVER been in such a poor restaurant. They claim this steak is acceptable and on top charge a service charge for it What!! When I challenge it the manager was very aggressive and when I asked if he had seen the steak he said NO… why would you not check it when a customer complains… AVOID this down market place.

What a terrible place. The food is overpriced and terrible. My steak was 90% fat and when I complained they just said”it’s a Ribeye”. Clearly they haven’t ever had a Ribeye before as that’s NOT what one looks like. When I challenged them the snotty aggressive manager, got VERY confrontational even threatening me. When I asked if he actually saw the state of the steak he said NO! Has to be one of the worst restaurants in the UK ! Avoid.

Classic West End resturant with great food, drinks and staff

I have visited Joe Allen’s on many occasions over 40 years, often for birthday meals or celebrations, sometimes with a group or just for lunch on my own. After a break of some time this was my first visit to the new location. Whatever little nostalgia I may have felt for the old cellar bar was soon dispelled by the ambience of the new venue. The staff and the service were unrecognisable, in a very good way, the food delicious and the cocktails fabulous. The staff were attentive and prompt without being obsequious or suffocating, and their generosity providing a complimentary cocktail and making an old man’s birthday meal so memorable was wonderful. Of course, I shall return, perhaps not as often as I would like to, but as frequently as I am able.

I have visited Joe Allen’s on many occasions over 40 years, for birthday meals or celebrations, with groups or just for lunch alone. After a break of some time this was my first visit to the new location. Whatever little nostalgia I may have felt for the old cellar bar was soon dispelled by the ambience of the new venue. The staff and the service were unrecognisable, in a very good way, the food delicious and the cocktails fabulous. The staff were attentive and prompt without being obsequious or suffocating, and their generosity in making an old man’s birthday meal so memorable was wonderful. Of course, I shall return, perhaps not as often as I would like to, but as frequently as I am able.

Pre-theatre dining here is always a pleasure - excellent food and service and so much memorabilia - a must for anyone who loves theatre !

Delicious food, great service. I also had drinks at the bar and that was fun.

First impression good, ambience seemed good, food disappointing and not well cooked, prepared, minimum effort, overpriced. Waste of money.

Great atmos and service. Good range of cocktails, but be sure too all for ingredients for any of the special cocktails - the Basil Smash was rammed with sugar syrup and way too sweet. Food mostly good but the shrimp cocktail had far too little lettuce.

Great atmosphere and food. Very good service. Perfect for pre or post theatre. York. Always a pleasure Reminds me the one in new

Really enjoyable lunch here. Menu is good US food done well. Hot dog is one of the best I’ve had outside of USA and Po Boy was tasty too. Drinks a bit steep but food very reasonable.

Vinita was amazing in service.very kind very polite full and really respectful as well.

It was a memorable experience along with the many previous visits we have enjoyed whilst in town. We had a great street side table, the service was extra special and they noted it was my wife’s birthday. A great addition to a London Show! Thank you.

Went with 12 friends about 11 nights ago(Friday evening),great atmosphere,great food,great customer service waitress was very helpful and polite,not sure when I'll be back again BUT will definitely recommend it👍🏾

A very enjoyable evening, Louis who looked after us was amazing, so attentive and just had everything covered. Food was delicious along with the drinks. Everyone we encountered were a joy, so thank you. We will be back.

Always wonderful food and second to none service. A true institution.

We really loved the atmosphere of this restaurant - the staff were as friendly as you could get and the food was very tasty. We're not in London much but if we're watching a show at the Adelphi again or just happen to be in the area then this will be the first place we'll check out.

Loved it, wish they served a fillet steak though ! 👍

Delicious, fresh food, warm hospitality and a charming, retro mise-en-scene. Very Manhattan-esque! We came for a pre-theatre meal - the service was quick, efficient with Simon being an excellent host ❤️ I can't wait to return for more!

found this place and we were so glad we did great friendly service and food was perfect. would definitely recommend to anyone who love a bit of new york style eats

Our 4th visit, and still as fabulous as ever. Great cocktails, great service, wonderful food. Don't ever change!

Great atmosphere and food. Our service from Louis / Lewis was excellent, was very helpful and informative and went above and beyond.

Fabulous couple of hours spent here. Louis and the team spoiled us!!

Came as a group of three with a friend from outside of London. We arrived without a booking and were sat promptly in the dining room. The decor was very reminiscent of an nyc restaurant and had some genuine charm. The food was good on the whole; the chicken wings were incredible but the fish cake did leave something to be desired in terms of texture (still tasty though). The menu seemed to cater for a wide range of people making it a good choice for a larger group meal. Our server Louis made our night and was consistently friendly and outgoing across the whole meal. Overall very good and will probably be back.

Decent restaurant / bar with a welcoming atmosphere and staff. Accessible from the strand palace hotel where we stayed and we were able to book a table for the euro final at short notice. Food was good although limited choice I felt. Wine was good, no draft beers though. Staff and service were very good.

Why did I not know about this amazing restaurant until this last Saturday evening?! Introduced to it by friends who have been dining there for years. Amazing buzzy atmosphere, excellent quality food and service that leads the way. Our waiter Louie could not have done more to take care of us, he is hilarious and made us feel like VIPs. So rare nowadays to be so well looked after in restaurants. Louie you're a credit to the business, thanks for all your fun and looking after us so well. Can't wait to come back to see you! Matt, Donna, Keith and 60 year old Nige!

We love this place!! Best cocktails in London!!!! Absolutely delicious! Honestly, you can't go wrong with their cocktails. We keep going back and we are staying I'm Islington. Servers are so nice!!

Excellent everything was 1st class, food really good, staff were pleasant & gave a 1st class service. I will definitely be back

Very nice atmosphere, we ate burgers on the recommendation of a friend. Wasn't the right choice. The burgers were decent but nothing more. The Pisco Sour was good and the service was sensational. Friendly and nice. I had N.Y. for dessert. Cheesecake that deserved its name.

Lively spot, decent food, a bit pricey but not so surprising for central London. The best attentive, friendly service from everyone and tasty cocktails!

Love this place. Food is great, really tasty. Staff are so friendly. Service is very quick. Great atmosphere too

Food and service was very good but restaurant was very quiet for a Friday evening

We always go to Joe Allen’s as food is great, good choice and great value for money with friendly service. However, it went really down hill last year but we gave it another try last week and it was super! Really enjoyed our night out. Couldn’t fault a thing. Thank you!

The old man of theatre dining. American fare.

Still a great experience 40 years on

Great restaurant environment and a lovely staff!

Great place. Asked 3 times for my wine. Then for mayo. It was busy and staff very friendly. Food was OK nothing to rave about.

Nice food, however the wait staff applies the tip amount automatically for you, whilst in other pubs they ask you politely if you want to pay for it or not.

Great food and staff. Was expensive, but a lovely pre-theatre treat

Great night, excellent food, very attentive service.

Our waiter last night was Louie (I think this was his name)He was extremely attentive to all customers last night. Always with a smile on his face and chatted to all tables. His service to everyone never once slipped. A credit to the establishment and made our visit a memorable one indeed. We will not hesitate to go back when we are next in London. The food was excellent and cooked to perfection. We both had the Ribeye steak which was probably one of the best I have tasted.

Brilliant service and excellent food

I had a very enjoyable time. The service was excellent, very friendly, and attentive, and the food was outstanding. I'll definitely be back!

Great place. We have been here a few times now and it is always good.

Really good American food, recommend!

Great staff & service, we all had a good time.

I chose the chilli with nachos, guacamole and sour cream and whilst the chilli was absolutely delicious I could count on one hand the number of nachos served with the chilli. I would have expected a few more and was quite disappointed. My husband’s meal was a good size and delicious.

Decent food, decent service and not bad prices for London post Covid

Because we got lost (!) we arrived v late and had to rush because we were going to the theatre. The staff did everything to ensure we ate & weren't late & the food was perfect, delicious. There are few soft furnishings so the popularity & busyness of the place made it noisy & hard to hear the other three at the table. Hence 4, not 5, stars.

Not the easiest to access if you have mobility difficulties or a baby in a buggy. Nice setting/decor and really felt like a local NYC brasserie. Overall food was good but the Salmon fishcake was overpriced and I didn't feel it matched other meals. Minor grievance - felt the pecan pie was more of a tart...

A classic New York musical theatre diner type place. I wanted to give a special mention to our waiter - he was absolutely sensational - called Lexi and full of charisma, charm and positivity - it's not every day you see a waiter like this there days, and with good reason, but Lexi was an absolute star and should be rewarded for his flawless, charming, good-humoured service - we were talking about him for the rest of our evening 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Fantastic place to drop into for a classic cocktail, the bar food and restaurant are really good and the atmosphere is relaxed with super friendly staff...

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,

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.

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 :-)

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.

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.