Rules Restaurant

First off: if you go make reservations online. You’ll get an email that you might be tempted to ignore, thinking it’s just an automatic confirmation… which it is, but it also tells you when you have to leave your table and that you need to reply to confirm your reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
In short: the staff isn’t worth it.
So after a phenomenal experience at Amsterdam’s oldest restaurant I decided to check out London’s oldest restaurant, too, thinking this would be a nice little tradition wherever I travel. Wrong. Live and learn. The food was good (if overpriced, but I was okay with that), the place was lovely, but the service had a bit to be desired. It’s obvious the restaurant wants to pride itself on being classy, but don’t do what it takes to fully get there. The staff was not friendly or genuinely kind, and a bit standoffish. After I ordered a main course (that cost 30 pounds) the waiter asked if I wanted a starter. I said no, but he pointed to some anyway, and told me that the meal took 40 minutes to make. I told him that was fine and I would drink my wine until then. Of course, the small meal only took about 15 minutes to arrive and I did not appreciate the obvious up-​sell. It was delicious but small, which again I was okay with, but if I’m paying for an overpriced small meal I expect the staff add to the experience, not detract from it. Also I noticed that they only had male servers, which didn’t sit right with me in this day and age.
I would have been happier in a traditional pub with friendly people. Live and learn. And only go to De Silveren Spiegel in Amsterdam when I’m in the mood for an upscale yet cozy dining experience with service second to none.

A very solid 3-​star. Definitely not a bad rating. They are not the trendiest, and décor is quite worn. But food is great, with the pies probably the best around.

Food is mediocre and the service is not good at all. I understand this is the oldest restaurant in London, but I was underwhelmed. I was really hoping this would be good since I live in the US. This meal has messed up my night. I paid $ 62 US dollars for this… sigh…

The food was very good I have to say, but a little too pretentious for me and I would not return based on the atmosphere and experience.
They food was expensive as well for the amount served like we ordered the rump roast and they only served 3 measly thin slices of beef with overabundance of Yorkshire pudding.
I ordered the pheasant and it was perfectly done and rich. My other friend ordered the pig cheeks and they were very tender and well done, too.
I did enjoy the sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Excellent! I loved it since coming in, beautifully decorated from history. We arrived before our reservation and they took us in early. The food was amazing, it’s raised on their own estate. I had the shoulder and filet of hare, it was perfectly done! The dessert was one of the best I’ve ever had. Definitely coming back!

Rules has a claim that it’s the oldest restaurant in London, its other claim is that is can do ‘English cuisine’ very well… Well, it has every right to both claims. We couldn’t get a seat until 9pm on Saturday but still worth the late dinning. Service was very good, and cheerful (our waitress was), décor comfortable and fun (even the Thatcher paintings). The menu really did have wide range to choose from, and what we had ordered was cooked to perfection and tasted delicious. This is a ‘must do’ restaurant, you will not be disappointed.

Espectacular restaurante en Covent Garden
Ambiente puro inglés desde que entras con el botones que te abre la puerta. Única pega que tardan una media de 40′ en servir desde que pides …

Classical English food in a rather ornate setting, Rules has been around for decades. It’s a great place for a celebration and the restaurant looks brilliant. However I think it relies more on it’s reputation now than the food itself.
We had starters which were excellent, game terrine, potted shrimp and a game broth. They were all well prepared and delivered by an immaculately attired waiter.
The main course however, could have been better, The roast beef, their special was a little too well done, and the amount that you receive is a little lacking, especially when compared to the vegetables provided. The Yorkshire pudding was overdone as well. The horseradish was delivered in a huge spoonful for my plate though, slightly overdoing it as I didn’t even eat half.
The lamb was similarly received but the partridge was loved by the recipient. No room left for dessert however so we skipped it and went upstairs to look at the bar, one of the oldest around and very ornate.
Not needing another drink, we headed for the entrance, picked up our jackets, were bid goodbye by the doorman and headed off into the evening.

Had Sunday lunch at rules. This place is a classic old school establishment. Everyone was so damned polite without being cheesy.
We ordered the wild game terrine to share with extra bread. The wife had the Sunday special which was pork roast. I had the wild rabbit braised. She had the chocolate tart and I had the syrup soaked sponge cake with custard. I’m not going to bother with commenting on each as all were excellent. I will say the sponge cake and custard was over the top. It was clearly designed by a fat man at 2am. It was out of control. The service was top notch. I wished I knew our waiter’s name so I could recommend him. We were at table 18 which is a corner table near the bar. I could go there again.

It is more tourists than locals now, but still a necessary stop on any trip to London. Except for perhaps vegans, as the best parts of the menu will certainly involve animals. Although you could enjoy it for the cocktails alone. I have dined there twice on two different trips and both times it was well worth it. It is an experience in history as well as gastronomy. Meaning you’re going there for reasons other than the food. But the food is still great. If you are looking for the most amazing food of your life you need to go to The Fat Duck in Bray. For but great food and great experience you will not only certainly enjoy but remember for a long time, Rules is a sure bet.

We weren’t too hungry, so went straight for the mains. We shared an aged rib of beef with some good old fashioned Yorkshire pudding and potato. The meat was cooked wonderfully, it had the perfect smoky and crispy texture on the outside, very moist and tender from the inside and really well seasoned. Deseret of rum Baba was also a winner, the aroma of the rum was defined. It had the perfect balance of bitter sweetness and I especially enjoyed the black cardamom, which it really lifted up the warmth spice element on the plate without being too dominating, it was indeed a very fine winter pudding.

Classic English cuisine in a classy setting in London. I went here on the recommendation of a British friend and wasn’t disappointed. Atmosphere was classy and mildly «stuffy» but in a good/​traditional way. I didn’t feel out of place in my business casual attire (no suit/​tie retired), but I wouldn’t come in with anything less.
We had a couple glasses of wine each, and traditional English game-​focused dishes. Topped it off with some custard desserts that didn’t disappoint.
Definitely consider making a reservation as it was pretty crowded when we were there (Sunday night, November).

This place makes me LOL. On one hand the food was decent. On the other, the service was probably the most pretentious, snobby, nose up in the air @#(%@, that I have ever experienced. Seriously, I could have practically tasted the waiters nose hairs if he came any closer to us. It’s not like we weren’t well dressed, or spoke sh*tty english… it was just Mr. Belvedere doing his PMS thing.
Based on this, I couldn’t recommend coming here but the food was actually decent.
While the meat dishes we we ordered were solid, the shining dish was actually the dessert. I guess caramel soaked cakes (sticky toffee pudding) really kicks my ass.
While we were able to snag a table without reservations, they didn’t seem to happy that we walked in without one.
3 stars.

The rib of beef for two and the sides was delicious and enough for two. Traditional British food. Awesome environment.

Traditional English restaurant, excellent food and service, delicious dishes. To my personal opinion, this is a must go restaurant if you are visiting London. Prices are fair for the quality of food and service provided. Ask their waiters for any reference needed.

I was very disappointed, first with the reception and then with the meal.
As for the maitre d’ reception: I presented at 6 PM to arrange a table for later that night. He made a rude face, then haughtily declared that nothing would be available until 10:45. I explained that I would be happy to wait until then, and would return later. He looked surprised that he had not discouraged me, then said begrudgingly that perhaps something would be available by 10:30. I returned at 9 PM, and asked to sit in the lounge where I might have a cocktail while I waited. Once I was settled with my cocktail, I was not surprised that at only 9:15 my table was ready. By 10 PM about a third of the tables were empty and it was obvious that the maitre d’ had simply lied about the late table availability. I’m a well dressed and professional woman who dines internationally on a regular basis. He had no reason to try to turn me away other than simple ostentatious rudeness.
The meal: Rules appears to have cooks but no chef. I ordered a steak and received a hunk of beef completely unseasoned, slightly overcooked (I ordered medium rare) and completely ungarnished. It was the least appealingly plated steak I’ve ever had. The waiter then glopped a thick and fairly tasteless sauce on the side of my plate. The beef itself was of good but not outstanding quality. A side of beets in a plain metal bowl were also completely unseasoned. The chips (fried potato wedges) were chewy rather than crisp, with a highly starchy interior, and completely unseasoned. In total, the meal was cooked but bland.
So, why 2 stars? One for the bar tender and his excellent scotch cocktail, which was well balanced and generous. One for the décor, which in the end is likely what keeps this otherwise uninspiring restaurant open. It’s really too bad, as a more imaginative chef (or at least a pantry that includes a few herbs and spices) could make this a special place worth the currently outrageous price tag.

We came here just for the sticky toffee pudding (which was sublime), but enjoyed the rest of the meal just as much.
I had the filet, and while it wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, it was enjoyable, juicy, and flavorful. The salad was fresh and made with quality ingredients.
A cozy place, decorated like the living room of a fine manor staffed by people with a similar disposition. Definitely not the most relaxed place in the world. It was quiet and a tad stuffy, but we never felt uncomfortable. The waiter and maitre d’ were both gracious and attentive.

Many Unilocal reviewers point out that this restaurant often advises they have promised your table to another guest by a certain time and seem slightly, if not completely put off by this. This is part of managing a busy restaurant and honoring reservations. If they walk in and can get a table, they’re lucky! And if they had made reservations and were required to wait, they might be even more incensed. So get over it.
Rules is gorgeous. Wood, tile, fireplaces, plush draperies, framed art, cut-​up cozy spaces and loads of history. For this, I would gladly return.
The Maitre ‘d was polite and accommodating. The service adequate. The food – Veal and Morel Pie for lunch – delicious!
I would ask that patrons not take children here, unless they are consistently well-​behaved in public. The quarters are close and this is the kind of place you want to feel is special.

Charming and elegant, I highly recommend Rules Restaurant. I visited recently for dinner with a few friends and we all thoroughly enjoyed our evening. The décor is a major part of the experience and was beautiful; think Downton Abbey with some bonus antlers on plaques. The food was very good and reflected a clear respect for the classics. We sampled a few of their heirloom beef specials, the foie gras terrine with blood orange coulis, venison carpaccio, the roasted beef rib and yorkshire pudding for two, the chocolate fondant, and the rhubarb crumble.

Unilocal strikes again! After being turned away from many traditional (and highly rated on Unilocal) British pubs because we were dining with a minor, Rules Restaurant saved the day. Despite the fact that our family was clearly under-​dressed compared to the other patrons and the wait staff, they didn’t turn us away. While my husband and I do prefer to dress appropriately when we dine, we also realize that our money is green (or multi-​colored as the case may be) like everyone else, our son very well mannered, and our appreciation of good food hard to beat.
While I would have loved to stay for an entire fixed menu, the host had made it clear when we arrived that the only table he had for us was reserved by another party in 2 hours, so we settled for a salad and main course.
All was delicious! Clearly, my somewhat low opinion of traditional British food was formed by eating at all the wrong places! All of our salads (green and a beet/​goat cheese) were as fresh and crisp as could be and perfectly dressed. Our «main» courses (daube of beef, the rabbit hot pot, and the wild boar pie) were simply out of this world delicious! And the wine… oh the wine. Perfectly paired, and perfectly French.
Overall a very nice experience with excellent food and wine and a pleasant, if reserved, wait staff. Next time I find myself in London looking for a quiet, relaxed place to dine I will know exactly where to go.
(PS I marked this restaurant as «not good for kids» despite the fact that our 10 year old son enjoyed his meal and experience. He is an unusual boy with lots of dining experiences under his belt and incredibly good restaurant manners and presence. If yours are the same, then by all means bring them!)

Rules is an experience that you need to have at least once. It’s the oldest restaurant in London. It’s featured in Downton Abbey. My father was in town, so we treated ourselves to check it out. Yes, it is sometimes labeled as a tourist trap, but there are plenty of the higher members of London society also dining.
It was established in 1794 complete with tons of stories about the royals and celebrities surrounding the establishment. There’s actually a secret entrance for the royal family as well as a private club to be invited too. The walls are decorated with photos, paintings, clocks, etc. from over the years. The atmosphere was elegance left over from the days gone by. And, the food was divine!
I ordered the Kate Middleton 29 signature drink to start with before switching to wine with my father. Absolutely amazing.
We had course after course including filet, crab cake salad, and plenty of options for dessert.
I highly recommend the experience!

très beau (le décor), très bon (le menu), so british. Un peu cher, mais vous en aurez pour votre argent.
Je conseil.

Really nice restaurant! Awesome food, good value and great service.

Last year during my visit in London I tasted the delicious food of the Rules.
It’s a very nice place with a great variety of food and a excellent service.
Of course it’s expensive — but a evening in this elegant English restaurant is also a event — and worth every single penny.
One thing is sure: during my next trip to London I’ll be back in the Rules …

Estampillé plus vieux restaurant de Londres, Rules est un établissement chic proposant de la cuisine traditionnelle British dans le quartier de Covent Garden. Beaucoup de viandes au menu (notamment du gibier), les assiettes sont appétissantes et copieuses. Les prix des vins sont hélas trop élevés. Service stylé et professionnel. Cadre superbe avec ses boiseries et ses murs couverts d’affiches et photos vintage. Réservation indispensable le week-​end (possible sur leur site internet). Prévoir 50 euros par personne.

A Londres vous aimeriez manger anglais?
alors c’est le restaurant qu’il vous faut.
Animé comme une brasserie de chez nous, avec un zeste de distanciation et un cadre très british.
Nourritures de qualité (mais oui!) mais un peu couteuse quand même, heureusement la livre a baissé et j’y retourne volontiers. Toutes les infos (y compris les prix!) sur leur site.
Réservation recommandée si vous né voulez pas stationner confinés dans le bar du premier étage qui lui manqué un peu de charme (aux mêmes tarifs)

Temple de la gastonomie British
Rules est le plus vieux restaurant de Londres (créé en 1798) et certainement un des meilleurs (je n’ai pas tout essayé…). Le menu est un hymne à la cuisine britannique, on y retrouve tous les grands «standards» de cette cuisine, mais ce qui fait la grande différence avec d’autres restaurants c’est la grande qualité des produits et la finesse avec laquelle ils sont préparés, rien n’est jamais roboratif. Le gibier est chassé dans le domaine du Rules à Lartington Hall Park au nord de l’Angleterre, le saumon fumé par leurs soins (il est divin !), bref tous les produits sont puisés là où ils sont les meilleurs et surtout les plus authentiques. Parfait, comme tout le reste, le service est stylé et discret, mais reste très accessible. Si vous allez à Londres, passez au Rules, et si les prix vous semblent un peu trop élevés, le restaurant propose parfois des menus moins chers à certaines heures de la journée.