The Archduke in Lambeth

All we had was a carafe of red a d a sharing board, but the cheese and spinach artichoke dip left such an impression on me. I needed the recipe, and the waiter actually got it for me! I've been making it all year!

I am back dear followers! One artist, one objective and one love: enjoying memorable experiences around the jaw dropping Central London! Do you wonder where to go when fancying a posh British style dinner inda City, perhaps with your date?? Well, try this place but be careful with it. First of all, watch out for the host Katy. She looks so pretty and pleasant that you couldn’t see her mean manners coming. She brought me to a little table placed exactly in the middle of the restaurant, which was quite empty considering that was quite early (around 5 pm). Asking to move to the side due to my shyness she went quite nuts, saying that yes, a table was available but just until 7:30 pm. Thinking that more than 2 hour eating are enough, I decided to accept the mean offer of the scary host. Going ahead, I dared to order a classic burger with bacon with her. Looking at me with angry eyes, she asked me if I wanted it “just” with bacon. Well, I thought, do they offer just a bun and a slice of bacon in the menu in this place? Quite odd but brilliant, I thought. Having a look to the menu, I pointed the cheese burger with bacon. Wrong move. The host got really mad saying that that one was another burger. ‘That is fine,’ I replied shaking, ‘I’ll have it’. The burger was delivered quite quickly. It was okay. The atmosphere is quite romantic and the design of this place is absolutely lovely. Also, if you do not pay too much attention to the terrible sound made by the train up there it is also quite pleasant to dine! You will be deciding if you would come back…or not! Have a lovely night followers!

Very good experience overall with friends.

We went here to celebrate our anniversary together. We ordered 3 courses. The rum steak was delicious and tender. There’s jazz live music at 8 pm. We enjoyed our dining

Hit and miss. Our family all ordered fillet steak. My steak was very fatty, which given it was 6oz meant I didn’t eat quite a lot of it. I’ve never had a fatty fillet like that before at any other steak restaurant. The other steaks didn’t seem to have this issue. I feel like there’s a lack of quality control in the kitchen. Disappointing given the cost. Everything else about the evening was good but not spectacular. We will try somewhere else next time.

Good food, super atmosphere and superb location. 👌

The Archduke is becoming a bit of an institution. Good value food (for central London), friendly service and a quirky atmosphere. It's perfect for a pre-theatre meal or dinner with live jazz later in the evening. The only downside is the noise of the ventilation upstairs. It's louder than the trains rumbling on the tracks above, and is far less atmospheric.

Awful food, poor service. Never again

Lovely restaurant, good service, tasty food. Jazz quartet Saturday night were great, played some good old favourites. We enjoyed music and atmosphere very much! Well done!

A great little spot tucked away under Waterloo station, we went on a Saturday night when there was live jazz, food was excellent and staff brilliant we couldn’t fault it, great night

An amazing birthday dinner! We had the set menu with starters and mains and both were delicious! Portion sizes and value for money were excellent. The atmosphere was great with live music playing but it wasn't too loud upstairs so we could still have a conversation. Table by the window was lovely as we could see all the lights outside and it was cool hearing trains go over above. Staff were excellent and really attentive, they really made our evening. Thank you!

I was on my own and had an hour to spare before catching a train. I was made to feel extremely welcome and given a table which did not make me feel awkward being in my own. I had Beef Bourguignon which was one of the most delicious I have ever tasted. I will certainly return

Great steaks. The food was very good and the service was very attentive. Enjoyed the time here.

Great restaurant under the railway arches. Fabulous live jazz. We enjoyed the Louise Messenger Quartet. My steak frites were delicious. Friendly service.

Friday night 8pm dinner booking as first time visitors and we loved it. We sat very close to the musicians and cocktail bar and loved watching both. Excellent food at fair prices. Superb service. Great atmosphere. We felt very well looked after and had a great evening

A regular haunt when in the area, dependable and friendly :)

This is a steak restaurant that I discovered by chance. The staff were also very friendly. The French fries were especially delicious~

We went in because it was nearby and we were pleasantly surprised by its soft jazzy look and feel. The restaurant bar is nestled under train tracks and once in a while you hear the rumble but it gives the place a personality. (Someone in my party thought there was a flamenco class happening nearby! 😂) When we arrived there was a gentleman playing the piano which was lovely in the background. Our server was a very professional Spanish young woman who was attentive to our every need. They had a "tinto" from Rivera del Duero I really enjoyed- and the pricing was fair. I would definitely return!

Lovely place to catch a meal and some nice live jazz being played too. Staff attentive and looked after us very well. Reasonably priced for city centre. They did put a tip on the bill without letting us know.

This is a go to place for a great atmosphere, food and their cocktails

Love this place, last time I went there was a man came in and just played the piano, it was really nice

Have been going to the Archduke for years, for drinks and or food, and it is always a great place to meet friends. Good atmosphere, good service and enough food choice. The only area that should really improve is the availability of alternatives to cow milk. It is well known that allergies determine that other options are essential, and for a place as popular as this, it should be pretty basic.

We came here for my husbands birthday, and I mentioned it on the booking. When we arrived the front of house wished him a happy birthday which was lovely. We both had the ribeye steak with peppercorn sauce which was incredible. For dessert they even brought out his pie with a candle on top - they were so incredibly thoughtful and made our evening very enjoyable.

Perfect spot by London Eye and food was delicious!

Hospitable and friendly staff - adored their kind fast service

The Archduke is located in a dramatic space with a large arched window. The thumping sounds of the underground trains gave the place a unique charm. The front of house was impeccable. The host knew it was a birthday and greeted us warmly. The manager also greeted us at the table and checked on us several times. Our server was pleasant. The food was solid, except for the steak frites. The terrine pate was tasty if perhaps a tad over salted. My friend reported that his burger was well cooked and juicy. My experience was different. I ordered the steak frites, and it was flavorless and overcooked. Even a steak aged and served with a bearnaise sauce must be seasoned with salt—especially if the sauce is on the size. The chef managed a decent sear on the steak. However, I ordered the steak medium rare and it was served between medium well to well done. I did not send the steak back, nor tell the staff that the steak was overcooked because I did not want my friend whose birthday it was to be finished with his burger by the time the steak was returned to me. Steak temperature is something a steak restaurant should not get wrong. Under seasoning a steak should not happen at a steak restaurant. However, they are not the first or last restaurant who overcooked a steak and it won’t be the last. The manager recommended the rotisserie chicken but I chose the pix fixe menu which did not include the chicken. I also reasoned that a steak restaurant should be measured by its beef. And, in that respect, it fell short. We did not receive any special dessert for the birthday. We ordered an apple pie and it was solid. Overall, the experience was mixed.

Lovely welcome from front of house. Great food in a great atmosphere, clean environment and superb staff. Wasn't kept waiting for anything

Visited this restaurant with work colleagues for lunch and I must say, I was very impressed with everything. The food was outstanding. I had a vegetarian dish from the main menu with mushroom and cheese. This service was excellent and very quick. I would totally recommend this restaurant to anyone working nearby as well as tourists. I will also visit here again.

Welcoming atmosphere, friendly service, great food and when we were there for dinner, a live jazz band! Great venue near the South Bank, but away from crowds and chain restaurants!

Excellent staff it’s always a good experience and good value

We have visited previously and had a great experience. Last night sadly was the opposite. We sat in the glass area and sat next to, what was the outside air conditioning I it and the noise from it was terrible and really ruined the overall night. We asked about the noise and were told it was the air con unit.

I asked to be moved due to the train sounds that would impact on conversation Little atmosphere A lot of works outside currently which cannot help passing trade Food average sadly

Went for business lunch at 1PM on a Monday. Was dead quiet, but food was nice. At the back, which is the nicer area, there is some sort of machine thats buzzing extremely loudly making it quite hard to hear someone. Not the best for a lunch with a client or business partner. Could be better if you sit in the front and there's more of a vibe though. Steak was great and service was good.

Als we in Londen komen gaan we altijd eten bij de Archduke. Iedere keer is het weer prima eten voor een redelijke prijs. Zeker aan te bevelen. Op donderdag is er live muziek.

Excellent for, friendly service and great value considering it is a short walk from the South Bank!

Had a fantastic, leisurely lunch with friends. The set menu was good value. Excellent service from Jobi and colleagues- friendly, personable, helpful. Would definitely return.

Great place ,great food with live music we will visit again

Good food and service, nice ambience in a central location

Chose this place because of the stellar open table reviews. I clearly ate a a different restaurant. Except for the host who seated us, service was churlish from the start. The beef, ordered medium rare, was exceedingly overcooked. The server perfunctorily asked how the food was and when we said the steak was severely overcooked she just shrugged and walked away. The steak frites had no sauce whatsoever. The cocktails were quite good though. All in all, this is a tourist trap that did not care about quality. Open Table five star reviews of this place are not to be trusted.

Fantastic, I celebrated my birthday with my wife and both the treatment and the food were spectacular. We will be back for sure.

El trato del personal fue excepcional, fui con mi mujer para celebrar mi cumpleaños y los camareros me cantaron el happy birtday to you. Fue una sorpresa muy agradable. La comida buenisima, la carne me la sirvieron al punto que yo pedi. En mi proxima visita a Londres seguro que volvere.

Normal food, great location music was very nice, the hosts were energetic and attentive

Fantastic burger and fries they also serve Japanese beers

Confusion caused by name: 'Black and Blue' Waterloo appears too near on Google Maps and the name Archduke is more important. fwiw I think the name 'Black and Blue' is awful - connotations of a punch-up!

Quiet but a good lunch time venue near Waterloo. Good service, good food and good atmosphere.

The chicken was as excellent as ever, the chips also lovely. I will never understand the appeal of eating them off a block of wood, but if that's how they want to do it.. I would have loved an ice cream sundae for dessert, but didn't really have time. There was a moment's confusion when she brought the bill for the next table, by mistake - but overall, service was excellent. By the end of the meal, a jazz singer and pianist had started up downstairs - it was very loud, and TBH, not that great, and I was glad to be leaving.

One of my favorite restaurants, great food and cocktails, and fun hearing the odd train rumble past above. Highly recommended.

we used to come here for the Negronis yesterday they were insipid and full of ice isn't £13.50 a bit much? But the place is great and the food is good

Great place. Good food, service efficient and friendly.

Great spot food and service faultless great music !!

Lovely meal, great steak and wonderful wine choice.

Great food, great drinks, great service, great location, and at lower prices than I'd expect.

The food was excellent. Our group at a variety of different meals from steak to vegetarian and all were at least 8/10. We ate in an alcove which was secluded enough that we were a group unto ourselves but also within a wider environment. The staff dealt with our pecadillos (e.g. needing the most dilute tea ever made) well. The jazz later on was great. The trains going overhead did interrupt our flow once or twice, but nothing too bad.

Fantastic jazz trio set. Great cocktails. Excellent service. Steak had far too much charcoal sear - expected better at the prices they charge.

This is a little hidden gem in a good spot near Waterloo. Very good food sharing options and always a pretty decent wine list with carafe options. A firm favourite plus some nights you are spoiled with live jazz. Outside seating for when the weather plays along. Great value.

Nice location, food was excellent, service was outstanding. Had a nice bottle of Italian wine.

Met friends for a steak meal, the restaurant is under some railway arches so on occasion you can hear the train rattling by but that doesn't spoil the evening. We all had steaks, which were extremely tasty and cooked to order, the accompanying sauces were delicious and the salad had walnut halves which added a great texture and flavour. The staff were extremely attentive and everything was served in time and together. There was a jazz singer on during our meal who was really good, it was rather loud but didn't spoil the evening and added a feel good element to the night out,

Reliable, convenient for Waterloo and South Bank Sometimes has evening live music

Asked for a medium rare steak, got an almost well-done steak. Also, the portion was tiny for £22.

Excellent evening, great food, service and music, would definitely go back

We had filets and potatoes with dessert. The service was outstanding and we loved the live music at 7:30!

Booked for a late, post-theatre supper, when most diners had already left. We were made to feel welcome, the staff were attentive and courteous and I can’t praise them enough. Food was perfect for a late meal and good value for money.

absolutely loved our experience at Archduke - great food, excellent service, and good live music as well!

Steak and rotisserie Chicken we great. Nice atmosphere

Always great food and lovely attentive, polite staff. Did a nice discreet happy birthday rendition for my friend, which we did not expect.

We always have a lovely meal here. The menu isn’t extensive but as a family who enjoy steak and other grilled food, it is ideal! The staff are very friendly and efficient and we love the atmosphere under the railway arches. Given the other choices along the South Bank, it’s well worth a visit.

Fab location well put together menu value for money

Very good cocktail menu for a good price during happy hour. Staff were very friendly and attentive. I had to leave my credit card at the front which was weird. I’ve never had to do that in the UK.

Delicious food (I had a sirloin steak) and good, swift service. Nice setting under the arches with occasional trains rumbling overhead. Very convenient for Southbank and Waterloo Station.

Went to celebrate my husband’s birthday and everything was perfect - food very nice, atmosphere good with talented jazz band and friendly staff. Will definitely return.

Friendly service and quick enough to get us to our gig across the road on time. I had the rotisserie chicken which was perfect, the “comeback” sauce was very tasty and the chips were delightfully crisp. Not overpriced and a great experience all round.

Our waitress was incredibly kind. We loved her so much! Green beans were wonderful and the garlic butter is a showstopper.

A really enjoyable meal in a great setting. We visited quite early on a Monday evening, so it was fairly quiet, but still the restaurant had a nice feel to it. Service was friendly & efficient.

We wondered in here after a day out in London and in need of some food. Wasn’t sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Starters, mains, desserts and drinks were all great. Our waitress went above and beyond also.

Nice table in the conservatory area, drinks arrived quickly 3 course meal waitress was friendly & helpful Roast chicken was moist & lovely & salad & fries Great service & food

We visited Archduke for the first time and was not disappointed. The service was outstanding. The staff were very pleasant and helpful. The food was lovely. There was a jazz quartet and the place had a lovely atmosphere. We will definately be back.

We had a great night celebrating with friends, food, service and surroundings were fantastic. We will be returning 👍🏻

Spacious and bright restaurant where we enjoyed excellent burgers. The desserts were also very popular. Excellent value for money

Pre theatre meal service was good and the food was excellent.

Really enjoyed it. Great service and really friendly. Live music and was just what we were looking for. Had the steak and chips, the steak (pave) was really tasty, cooked perfectly. Great evening

Good food. Loud atmosphere with being under the train.

This is a lovely restaurant with a very nice atmosphere. The staff were all very friendly, helpful, polite and attentive. The food and drinks selection on offer was great and the service speedy and pleasant. The food was delicious, nicely presented and good sized portions. We ate there before going on to The National Theatre and it was a perfect close by restaurant for this. The staff were really helpful about making sure we had our food in good time for getting to the theatre as well. I have been to this restaurant a few times before over the years and always really enjoyed the visit. I would very much recommend this restaurant.

Great atmosphere and set up, friendly, attentive staff and delicious food at reasonable prices. Will definitely be back again.

Food is a very good value for the area. Overall, all 4 of just liked our meals. They were good and pretty straightforward nothing stands out as exceptional.

Pleasant place very friendly with fair food. Smallish portions with little garnish.

Great place to meet friends. You are better off downstairs if you want to chat.

Great simple food which is well cooked. Nice service where you do not feel rushed. Great venue in Waterloo

Second time visiting in as many months. Food is amazing. Service is great. Will be back again.

Cutest place, great food, wonderful live music! Highly recommend

Lovely location next to bustling Waterloo, with excellent service and food.

Easy access from Waterloo Station, delicious food, amazing service and free jazz. Doesn’t get better than that!!

When we came, the hostest was a bit short with us and he the server was also…..seeming unhappy. Nothing major just was not overly welcoming. The food and the location and everything was exactly as I remember. Every time I come to London it is my first booking as I love the venue and the food, I have recommended everyone I know over the 15 years since I first came to the arch duke. Keep up the good work and we will be back.

The food is missing something to have five stars. The service and atmosphere are top notch.

Very good food, cool restaurant. Next door construction was a bit loud though

Visited this place for lunch with an old friend based on memory of it as an above average wine bar & bistro back in the day. Now it has more of an up market chain restaurant vibe and menu. The prix fixe lunch is good value in theory but you get what you pay for. Other diners' lunches which were on the main menu looked much better. The occasional train rattle was quite atmospheric given the "under the arches" location but the air-con was very loud, yet the upstairs area still seemed rather stuffy.

I arrived with a friend after seeing an early evening performance of Underdog at the National Theatre slightly earlier than booked but were welcomed, shown to a table and soon had a refreshing glass of wine in hand. Servers were patient and our meals, once ordered, arrived in timely fashion, were very tasty - salmon for my friend, steak and frites for me for the first time in ages and the steak was good and rare as I had asked. We hung around quite a while but noboby made it plain they wanted us out so they could go home. A very good evening all round.

What a lovely end to our day in London. Perfect to eat and enjoy music with great service and food. Thank you so much to the The Archduke’s team.

Great evening with cocktails, meal and early evening jazz. Lovely, attentive staff on both floors who couldn’t do enough to help. Really tender steak cooked perfectly for everyone at the table. It all made for a super birthday celebration. Been going for years and this was one to remember.

I would have rated a little higher except for the fact that one of our group had a tree nut allergy, this information was clearly mentioned to the server, yet the salad was served containing walnuts. It was corrected yet this is very concerning as to what the consequences could have been if we had not noticed.

Great steak, great service. The special part is the beautiful live jazz throughout your meal. Can’t wait to go back!