Claude’s Kitchen may be located moments from one of London’s most popular tourist hotspots – Leicester Square, known for its theatres, cinemas, and shopping – but this stylish restaurant feels far from the flashing lights and bustling crowds of this central spot.
Claude’s Kitchen is a refreshing restaurant by a team who know exactly what they are doing. With relaxing, photogenic interiors and a refined menu that shies away from fuss, this restaurant instead serves up delicious and comforting plates of roast meats and grilled fish. Claude’s Kitchen is a spot you’ll want to share (and re-share) with family and friends.
In partnership with Claude’s Kitchen.
The Lowdown
Turn off the busy throngs that cover London’s tourist-attracting main squares and head down the quieter, restaurant-lined Irving Street, where this pedestrian-only spot is decorated with vibrant terraces (heated for winter al fresco aperitifs) including the blue-awning covered Claude’s Kitchen, the street’s stand-out spot. It’s refreshing to see an independent restaurant here. The heated terrace shrouded in greenery alone is enough to entice you to stop by for a carafe of red wine in the company of a good friend. After, let the restaurant’s new menu and elegant interior draw you inside. Claude’s Kitchen first opened in August last year, and since then has welcomed a covetable crowd of guests. Frequented by those with a discerning eye that knows how to pick out a one-of-a-kind bistro amongst a flurry of chain-owned restaurants, Claude’s Kitchen upholds a sophisticated vibe, from the New York-style interiors to the bistro menu. Exposed brickwork paired with deep blue paint and industrial-style lighting makes for an artistic backdrop to the meal. Across the restaurant, sketch artwork by Tim Webb Jenkins peppers the wall detailing characterful impressions of bistro-goers, that almost feel like real-time snapshots of diners enjoying their evening fare. The artist loft in Soho-slash-modern French bistro ambience has been cleverly crafted by interior designer Mika Kanayama with dim mood lighting and sleek wooden bistro tables and caramel-toned leather sofas. It’s a space to sink into, allowing each course of the menu while away a few hours. At the back of the restaurant, a greenhouse-style glass roof floods the tables with natural light for a peaceful oasis that couldn’t feel further from the nearby teems of shoppers. Greenery enshrouds these tables too as well as warm orb lighting that gleams like small-moons when the night arrives.
Christmas shopping on the agenda this week? Tie in a meal at Claude’s Kitchen – it’s the spot worth heading to.
What To Order
Claude’s plays on the best of French fare with hints to Italian plates. And the recently unveiled new menu is proof: a pared-back array of dishes that focus on the classics. Start with the fried cauliflower florets – perfect for sharing – delicately doused in a herby chimichurri for a fragrant opening to your evening. Don’t skip the Hampshire free range pork belly, cut bite sized, braised and seared so well each piece melts away in the mouth, served with a spicy mango jam and apple and fennel salad. The mains are just as pleasing, with the likes of Cornish rack of lamb served with potato term and lamb sauce, caesar salad sourdough, as well as a plant-based burger for vegan diners. Of course, you can tell a lot about a modern European restaurant by its frites, and the French frites at Claude’s Kitchen are especially good – fluffy on the inside with a fine crisp on the outside – made to dip into the white wine mussels.
Both the wine and cocktail list are extensive, and Claude’s Kitchen offers all the classics, excellently crafted and poured. A standout on the drinks list is the bar’s signature Banana Old Fashioned made with caramelised bananas for a sweet take on the whiskey classic. Or, opt for the makito mojito for a sake-twist. Even if you’re swinging by for a drink en route to the theatre or for a post-shopping aperitif, don’t skip out on the bar snacks, especially the salmon taco served with ginger soy and avocado. It has just the right level of spice to kick-start your evening.
Who To Bring
During the winter season, London’s theatre district truly comes alive, and with a show worth watching every night of the week, Leicester Square is the place to be. Make the most of Claude’s Kitchen’s delicious menu and location and book in for a pre-show dinner. For a restaurant so central, the space is expansive, with room to accommodate groups of people whether its friends or the whole family, from the cocktails (and mocktails) to the laissez-faire but vibrant ambience inside. Plus, Claude’s Kitchen is open seven days a week, so it’s a spot you know you can always rely on.
Still looking for New Year plans or an exciting way to celebrate your next birthday? Claude’s Kitchen also has a spacious private dining room at the back of the restaurant available to hire for celebrations.
The Dress Code
Informal, smart-casual, dressed-up – it all goes here. While Claude’s Kitchen has no strict dress code, it’s a popular spot for those enjoying a special day out in London, so go for something a little smarter than usual. Embrace the bistro vibe and nod to Parisian chic with straight-leg jeans, ballet flats, and a sophisticated blouse.
All photo credit: Claude’s Kitchen
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?