The Ivy in City of London, Westminster

A first visit to this legendary establishment. Fantastic food, delicious cocktails, perfect ambiance and friendly staff. Dorset crab, cheese soufflé, crab linguine and The Ivy Shepherds pie 🥰 We will be back

Nothing delicious. Service is bad, unattentive people. Almost rude! But the food is really non sense.

Lovely jazz music on a Sunday afternoon Great for a lunch and catch up with friends.

What a disaster. Booked a table via our hotel. They called to let them know we were running late. Got there - super rude woman at reception told me they had given away our table and she couldn’t accommodate us. There were about ten empty tables. To their credit, the restaurant comped our entire meal because what happened was so out of order. I called the girl up on her behaviour and she started yelling at me. Inappropriate in the extreme. I was there with my parents in their 80s - thirty minute cab ride to be told we don’t have a table. Appalling. Please sort out your staff. Please stop treating people like they are lucky to spend money in your average / touristy / riding on your laurels restaurant. Thanks for buying us dinner but you shouldn’t have to do that. Your staff should be respectful and accommodating. That’s what five star joints do. Get a grip.

One of our favorite restaurants in London (like the others in the same chain). We spent several evenings here and also a New Year's Eve. Interesting and elegant atmosphere, recommended seats at the counter for a more informal but more fun experience. Excellent food and varied menu. Good prices for the city average...

Food was ok but exorbitant prices for what it is. Loved the atmosphere with the soul music, super quirky. Service was the letdown, rude staff who were not attentive, we asked for the bill multiple times and were completely ignored and forgotten. Wouldn't go here again.

Disappointing experience overall. I have been to may Ivy's up and down the UK and not as homely as all the others visited

50th celebration meal post theater show, very reasonable prices for most main courses. Table for 8 a bit tight but had a memorable visit.

Needed good indulging comfort food after attending cringey cringey show - walked in on a Sunday with no reservation and got such a warm welcome from Carolina that we almost forgot about the disappointing play. She did her job as hostess to perfection, even making sure we had a very nice table. And of course food was delicious too

What a disappointment! Finally made it to the famous Ivy and left feeling like I'd been mugged. Food was ok. I mean it was perfectly edible and flavoursome. But certainly wasn't anything out of the ordinary or special. Service was slow and on reflection it kind of reminded me of one of those restaurants designed to mug tourists of all their hard earned cash. If you expect the worse, you might be surprised.

If you want to have a meal at an iconic restaurant then this is the place. You will experience the best service possible in the most delightful setting, ideal for the theatre or an unforgettable dining experience. It's not cheap but That does not matter as what you get is what you pay for. Everything I had was perfect and the choices were enough for me to find choosing difficult. Don't put off this experience. They really look after allergies with careful attention to gluten free choices.

Have been to several Ivy's, but the Bournemouth one was excellent. Staff first greeting front desk was very welcoming. Had lovely table ,service at table very good . Food was very well presented. It was our wedding anniversary so gave us a chocolate cake with chocolate anniversary on

For some reason I got food poisoning after eating fried chicken with truffle souce. Space is beautiful, but feels a bit crowded.

Taken here by my family for a birthday treat, really lovely atmosphere and decor - staff very attentive. Complimentary glass of wine as it was my birthday which was a very nice touch. Birthday dessert and experience as well as delicious.

Fantastic experience at The Ivy this week. Everything we ate in this light, fun atmosphere was great! I can personally attest that the steak tartare was very good and I’d definitely get it again in the future.

We were celebrating my son’s 10th Birthday. We were looked after by Vaida who made our celebrations really special. Thank you so much and my son loved his cakes…

I visited The Ivy on West Street over the bank holiday weekend to celebrate my mum’s birthday. The food — both the starters and mains — was pretty good, but the desserts were truly outstanding, especially the chocolate bomb! I highly recommend it. Though the seating was quite tight, the atmosphere was lovely, and what made the experience even better was the exceptional service. We were served by Francesco, who was absolutely fabulous!!! He was very attentive, friendly, and upbeat. He really elevated the whole experience, making it a definite 10/10!

All good, lovely place, tasty food.

Amazing experience with a fine dining feel! The service was perfection, I was made to feel like a queen, Klodi accommodated us perfectly and made the best cocktails :) Thoroughly enjoyed my time, will definitely go back again.

Top environment. Probably due to a lot of crowds we waited a long time before ordering and being able to have dinner. Friendly staff.

Really a very highly recommended restaurant. I've been there twice now and it was great every time Super

We had a lovely lunch with friends from the US. Excellent service as one would expect and very accommodating I had a fabulous fish and chips and everyone enjoyed their dishes So glad that the Ivy Brasseries and Cafes haven’t changed the original

Delicious food, great service, special Vishal

Visited The Ivy Cheltenham in April but that isn't the reason for the review. It was a weekend shopping trip with my sister who has been very seriously ill. She fell in love with the floral display troughs outside the Ivy. On coming home, for her birthday, I wanted to help her recreate one of the troughs but couldn't quite remember which plants were in them. I emailed customer service with this query and today received a lovely response from Keith Squire. He'd contacted staff at Cheltenham who had photographed the floral displays, which he then emailed me. This is outstanding customer service and I'd like to thank Keith and the team at Cheltenham for this kind gesture Kaye Garwood

Delicious food, the service was also nice. A very complete menu for vegetarians. I had a vegetable curry, too spicy but tasty. The decoration of the place is chic!

Outstanding ,loved the service, food,lovely place,and people who served us,will be back on are next visit to london 😋

Had an enjoyable family get together. Really enjoyed the food and drinks but service left a lot to be desired. No one at the front desk when we arrived so had a wait to be seated at our table. No offer of drinks prior to food so had to ask. At the end of the meal we were just ignored and again had to ask for bill and payment. Service charged at 12% which equated to over £40 which wasn’t value for money. Would have asked for reduced service charge but puts a real dampener on the evening with our relatives. If it was just the two of us I’d have asked for reduced service charge. Just think the restaurant let itself down cos everything else was good.

Had a lovely evening here post-show. The crab linguine was amazing and the service was excellent

Never disappoints! Always fabulous! Love the old money vibe! 5 ⭐️

Upper segment, classic English pub. The ambiance is amazing, the food is great. Prices are a bit expensive, but it should definitely be tried once.

Son took me for my birthday ,waitress was excellent. Food was top quality 👌

The wonderful original Ivy restaurant in West Street London and still the best of the Ivy Collection. On a very busy Saturday evening in the West End (24/08/2024) it was an oasis of calm. Of course, it isn't as it was years ago when staff had individual roles, eg, a cocktail waiter, a sommelier etc., but our server was excellent as was the food and drinks. An evening at the Ivy doesn't come cheap but who would want it any other way. A place to go for a special occasion. Extras include service @ 13.5% + a £2 cover charge per person. Update 11/03/2025:- Came again for a celebratory evening and enjoyed another superb meal. Don't get me wrong our server was lovely but maybe not "quite" as professional as the one we had last year 🤔 It's a tiny criticism. We only had a cocktail each and no wine which brought the bill down considerably. Footnote of possible interest: my father, a young Frenchman living in London, was a cocktail waiter at the Ivy in the 1930s so it has a very special place in my family's heart ❤️ More photos added.

How wonderful Somil. He made our dinner fantastic. Polite; professional and charming

Wonderful food great service from yanita

Lovely! We visited in for my husbands birthday. The service was outstanding. All staff were lovely. (I was slightly put off by a male member of staff that seemed to be a bit grumpy with some of the very hard working ladies there. I have no idea what he could be grumping about - as we found them all delightful) Food was delicious - main and dessert. Everything arrived quickly. Cocktails were top notch. The 'Happy Birthday' truffles for my husband were a very nice touch- we were not expecting it at all - which made it even nicer!

I love the Ivy and have been to many of them across the country, I was disappointed with our meal at London City Garden though. We were offered water, which we expected to be a fair cost, but £11 for 2 glasses, felt totally unnecessary. Especially as the water retails at £1.50 a bottle. My starter and main meal (chicken Milanese) was very bland - I gave up half way through. My husband ordered a steak and a side of creamed greens which tasted off and he left them. The service was lovely, as was atmosphere. They were also good at receiving feedback and offered a refund on the items we didn’t like; but I have to say I won’t return in a while as the water price just felt like needless profiteering.

The food and vibe are fantastic, but know that service can be a bit slow. That being said for a night out on Soho it's the perfect place to start.

As always, our visit to the Ivy was brilliant. Super set menu, lovely atmosphere and perfect for a pre show meal!

The host was rude, didn’t bother greeting me instead fired questions like reservations? Bar? Food or drink? Then told me I only had an hour at the bar. The servers on the other hand were kind. I ordered a burger, wasn’t good. Not well seasoned.

Amazing care and service when I was in, Katerina was fantastic and a joy to be served by

The Ivy is a fantastic place that serves British food. I loved the atmosphere and there was live music during our visit. We tried the main 2 dishes: shepards pie and haddock & chips. Both were tasty and their portions are big.

Everything as expected - great food, great service. Definitely recommend.

5 stars for everything. Shepherds Pie is really good and presented beautifully. Even saw a Celebrity 😀

Loved this restaurant. We had a fantastic meal and the service was impeccable. It was our first time away as a couple and this restaurant made it all the more special 😊.

Top place we ate all week. Fantastic. Busy though so plan ahead.

Beautiful place, friendly staff. The food was delicious although some of it was a bit pricey, but everything we got, we liked! When we go back, I want to get the fish and chips this time, my husband got it and it was great!

Underwhelming. Had burger. Very dry. Could do with homemade coleslaw as a side. Waiter seemed confused by the order of soda with lime. Overall disappointing experience.

Fantastic food. Not cheap but it is in London!

A birthday gift from my wife, our first visit to The Ivy, and definitely not our last. The whole experience from start to finish was wonderful food drinks staff the restaurant itself all totally brilliant. Thank you to everyone at The Ivy. See you again soon, oh and thank you for returning my umbrella that I left there.

Barry served our breakfast.. would go back just for his service 🤗 I ordered eggs Benedict.. the hollandaise sauce was to die for! Can’t wait to go back 🥰

Really nice staff and good quality food.

Perfect visit with a wow effect. Quickly stop for a steak while passing through. The ambience is just as inspiring as the well-groomed audience. Exemplary attentive service and then excellent food. The menu offers something for every taste. Everything that was served on the neighboring tables also looked great.

The fish and chips were just alright.

A great Mother’s Day meal at this Ivy, even added the extra touch of giving mothers a small bouquet of tulips. The roast dinners were incredible, the beef was immaculate. Salmon starter is a must, along with the tempura prawns. Great atmosphere too, the restaurant was full and the ambience perfect for the occasion.

5 Stars – A Polished Lunch at The Ivy A thoroughly enjoyable lunch at The Ivy – elegant setting, well-executed food, and smooth, professional service. Lauren was a fantastic host and the chocolate box at the end was a perfect finish, especially as a belated Mother’s Day treat – beautifully presented and just the right indulgence. Everything ran like clockwork, making for a relaxed and memorable afternoon.

Came for food- food and atmosphere was lovely. Jamie was very professional and attentive really made the experience welcoming.

I had researched best places to go for a meal in the West end and The Ivy kept popping up. We had dinner reservations before a show and we were sat promptly. Service was a bit delayed and we had about 4 different employees over at our table throughout the meal. Not sure who was our actual server. Drinks took awhile to arrive and my appetizer never came. Dinner was fine....not good, not bad, just fine. For the cost (very expensive), it was very underwhelming. I would skip this one.

For starters, We had Spring green vegetable soup and beef tartare. For mains, we had crab linguine, fish and chips and beef burger. I was in awe of the attention to details put into food preparation and presentation. To ensure the soup and the pasta were served pipping hot, a heated bowl/ plate is placed on the table before the servers fill it up with soup/ sauce. It was unexpected as food is more often than not, soups and pastas are served complete once in goes to the table. At Ivy, I get to see the fresh ingredients that go into my food before they get combined with soup/ sauce. If you like raw beef, the beef tartare is highly recommended. It’s one of the best food I have ever had! The beef was so tender, flavours so balanced, forming a perfect contrast to the bread. The vegetable soup was equally incredible. Leek, croutons, garlic, thyme, broad beans, potatoes, were in a bowl, after which the soup will be added. You can taste the unique ingredients distinctly, unlike, soups that are made to have one consistency- like cream soups. The mains were also good. Personally, I found the crab linguine a bit blend, so I added some cheese. But texture and freshness wise, hands down! You may want to order a glass of white wine to pair! Overall, the price is justified for the quality of food and level of service provided. Highly recommended to try!!

They have some great vegan options and the service is great.

Although the portion is quite small everything else was really good.

While visiting London last during an extended layover, we decided to spend an evening enjoying dinner and a show. Looking to experience a classic yet unique British/ French dinning experience is what lead us to select The Ivy, on West St. We were very impressed with the atmosphere and upscale experience provided by the staff. Unfortunately the food was not as elevated as the rest of our experience here. While atmosphere is important, we really try to make an extra effort to visit restaurants with quality foods to enjoy while exploring a new city. I won’t go into detail about what we ordered as the menu has changed. To keep this even shorter, superb vibes, clean restaurant, and excellent staff. However I would not return due to the lack lustre quality of the food that was served.

There is a reason that the IV in the west end is famous! Great food, and such a fun atmosphere. We were absolutely lucky to get reservations right at the bar just prior to our viewing of The Mousetrap, and it was the perfect combination for a wonderful evening.

We dined on a pre theatre menu on 19.03.25. We were seated by 5pm. The food was fair but the service was very slow throughout and we were left chasing up staff to clear our mains and bring our desserts and bill. We were left in an awful rush to pay and get to the theatre in time. Staff were quite aloof and all in all it jaded the evening which was my daughters 30th birthday. We booked months in advance and were very much looking forward to our visit. Sadly it didn't meet our expectations and it was only later after we had left the restaurant that I realised a £17 service charge had been applied to our bill!!! I was not a happy customer.

The server Nelson was very helpful funny and kind

Beautiful place. Ate very well and drank even better. Staff welcoming and friendly. I hope to return soon.

Amazing food! Arancini was to die for, absolutely delectable. Highly enjoyed every course, absolutely worth the money

The food and atmosphere were great, but the service was disappointing. It was my girlfriend’s birthday on the day we visited, so I requested a birthday plate in advance. Even though I double-checked both by phone and online, they completely forgot. On top of that, they also forgot our order, which caused a delay and made us late for our musical. Honestly, the service wasn’t worth the service charge.

The Ivy is a London dining icon, combining classic elegance with a welcoming atmosphere. The service is smooth and attentive without being intrusive. We began with the Twice-Baked Cheese Soufflé, rich and indulgent, and the Crispy Duck Salad, which had a great balance of flavors. The Shepherd’s Pie, a house favorite, was deeply comforting, while the Blackened Cod Fillet was perfectly cooked with a flavorful miso glaze. For dessert, the Chocolate Bombe was both a visual and culinary treat, melting under a warm caramel sauce.

A group of us popped in for lunch. Very attentive staff, amazing food and lovely decor. Fantastic experience.

Cannot state how much we loved this place. Makes a mockery of some 5 star restaurants elsewhere. Food exquisite, atmosphere fantastic

The first Ivy. You can feel the history in the upstairs room.

Very good food and outstanding service! We'll be back!

What an experience, food was lovely

Good food, some errors in the service. Good style vintage location

Very quiet for a Sunday?? Had the 2x Sunday roasts at £32 each? When it came, it was cold and overcooked. Complained and was told a fresh one would be prepared. But in reality, they nuked it and brought it back out? Complained a second time and had roasts taken off the bill. Nice staff, but it's not a toby carvey at those prices. Be a toby next time.

The Ivy is the most amazing place. Everything about it is absolutely perfect. The food,the cocktails,the service,the ambience are all just wonderful

Great venue! Classy and historic!

Amazing place, beautiful and cozy design. Even the restroom is worth a visit. Delicous food! Wonderful staff. The waiters are top class. They are caring, nice, open and very attentive. I had my birthday dinner there and I could not imagine better place to celebrate it. You made my day and created memorable dining experience 🥰

We visited The Ivy last Thursday to celebrate our wedding anniversary, our server Iryna was an absolute delight from start to finish. Thank you for making our evening so relaxed and for the heads up on the sticky toffee pudding - delicious.

What a wonderful spot. The staff were absolutely fantastic. The food was amazing, the drinks. I could not recommend this spot more!

Lovely simple food, classy joint which was worthy of our special date. Buzzing atmosphere, excellent service

Went to The Ivy thinking it was going to be something special, however, the tables are placed so close to each other I could hear the conversation from the tables either side of us - it just felt so clostrophobic. I'm guessing the tables are so close so they can get as many covers in as possible but this ruins the atmosphere. You just cannot talk in a normal voice, you have to whisper unless you want the tables either side of you knowing what you're talking about. Shame really. The food wasn't that special either. Been there, done that. Tick in the box but will not be going there again. There are far better places in London and cheaper than The Ivy to eat.

Very nice service, great service and extremely attentive… the food was great!

What a great coincidence! Great food!! Tartar exactly on point. Sirloin steak perfect, it took a second attempt here, the first one was too firm. But even in this situation, service is extremely professional. The curry duck is delicious, great combination of taste. And the cocktails, best Expresso Martini ever! Great place, authentic, carefree, very good food, top service! We can only recommend it. Thank you so much ☺️

Had a fantastic meal here, the food was amazing and certainly worth the money, try the Shepherds pie which is to die for. The staff were efficient and did all they could to speed our meal up before the concert. A truly perfect meal, Thanks to the manager Karim.

I was taken there by my son and daughter for my 80th Birthday. I have been to a lot of restaurants in London through the years but The Ivy stood out for me. The most pleasant staff fantastic food and good value too.I loved it so much.

The chicken satay was brown chicken meat which wasn’t good, they should change that to chicken breast as it was very chewy , the burger wasn’t anything special, I actually think McDonalds does them better…. A lot of things to improve on for sure! Service was good, and the lady and men receptionist were fabulous and friendly, they looked after our bags and took a great care of us. Thank you

The employee who served us was not up to date. The environment and reception were very friendly, the employee must have been tired on Sunday night.

Been a few times now and it's always an amazing experience amazing food! Just wish they wouldn't upsell so much!

He estado un par de veces ahora y siempre es una experiencia increíble comida increíble! ¡Ojalá no vendieran tanto! Gran vino también! Recomendaría la hamburguesa o el pastel de pastor!

Var och åt igår kväll. Mycket bra mat, vällagat och snyggt serverat. Varit i Thailand många gånger, men inte ofta man får så bra mat. Vi köpte med oss två lemon curde hem till kvälls te. De var bara så goda att man ville ha mer

Great vibe, excellent service, excellent traditional English food, exhaustive cocktail menu. Very well located for an evening out in the West end art district.

I took my Korean friend to have a good experience of British dinner. We had a two course meal with complimentary bread. We had a wonderful time catching up on our lives and a good1 meal.

Had s lovely meal the wife's beef Wellington was under cooked but they quickly replaced it and didn't charge us for it . Would definitely go back lovely atmosphere and friendly staff.

Attended a lovely event at the ivy on piano loft bar and enjoyed fantastic cheese soufflé tonstaty followed by absolutely superb shepherd's pie which lived up to it reputation from a longstanding ivy member followed by.dessert accompanied by a nice bottle of malbec and tea to finish the evening off. Absolute delight and wonderful ambience.

From the moment you step inside The Ivy, you are greeted with an atmosphere of classic elegance and charm. The restaurant’s sophisticated interior, paired with impeccable service, makes for an unforgettable dining experience. The Culinary Highlights Starter: The smoked salmon was a delight—fresh, buttery slices adorned with cucumber, microgreens, and crème fraîche, complemented by dark rye bread. A light yet flavorful beginning. Main Course: A beautifully cooked steak, topped with a rich béarnaise sauce, served alongside crispy golden fries. A perfect balance of indulgence and refinement. Dessert: The crème brûlée was a masterpiece—silky smooth custard beneath a perfectly caramelized, crisp sugar crust. A divine way to end the meal. With an atmosphere that blends history, sophistication, and culinary excellence, The Ivy truly lives up to its reputation. Every bite was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality, making this visit an absolute delight. Would I return? Absolutely!

Very disappointed with our visit to west street Ivy after we had good experiences at Tower Bridge , Canary wharf and Covent Garden sites. Arrived for our booking at 6.15pm at 6.10 pm told a bit early and table not ready. Shown to bar.We was still waiting after 20 minutes with no drink or anybody acknowledging us, so walked out and went next door to Louie were we had a fantastic meal and great service.

I had booked for a Sunday lunch, it was a special occasion, meeting our grandson who was on a work experience in London. When I booked I specifically informed the young lady it was for Sunday Lunch, she offered us a table for 17:00, when we arrived we were shown to our table, we had drinks and ordered 3 Sunday lunches only to be told that they had stopped service for that at 16:00, why the hell we weren't told that in the first place, God knows!! Disappointed or what.

Great restaurant lovely atmosphere and food was really good

Brilliant experience from start to finish. Lovely greeting at reception, amazing food, we treated ourselves to the beef wellington and we were not disappointed. Special mention to our waiter Paul for his friendly service and excellent recommendations for dessert