Breaking news
RIP Skye Gyngell, who passed away on Sat 22 November 2025, aged just 62.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Quiet culinary bravura paired with both genuine respect for food and wonderful staff, and all served in one of prettiest rooms in London” maintains a very high level of popularity for renowned Aussie chef, Skye Gyngell’s “very elegant” chamber – a big, airy, light-filled space in the distinguished surroundings of Somerset House, that “always brings a sense of occasion”. Often tipped for romance, there’s just one complaint – “it was all fine… except for the prices!”. Top Tip – “their scratch supper menu is one of the great bargains of all time… as well as being delicious!”
Summary
With “light streaming through the windows”, this “big, airy space in Somerset House” is “such a beautiful dining room”: “not cosy” but “very elegant” and with “luxuriously spaced” tables, it’s a really “great choice for an intimate conversation”. Skye Gyngell’s cuisine “is not in-yer-face gastro, but simply thoughtful, beautiful and heartwarming”; and together with the “personal” service it adds up to a “delightful” overall package. Top Tip – “the set lunch and early bird ‘scratch’ menus are good value” (utilising food that would otherwise be wasted).
Summary
“Simplicity and style are in abundance” at Skye Gyngell’s dining room in Somerset House – not only “an absolutely beautiful space”, but whose “seamless service” and “wonderful food” make it “a delightful experience from start to finish”. Skye’s cuisine has a deft delicacy of touch, but the most popular option is the ‘Scratch’ menu – “lovely reimagined ‘leftovers’ from earlier services, provided from a no-choice menu between 17.30 and 18.30 at £25 for three courses” (“designed to reduce food waste, it’s a great idea and useful for a post-shopping pick-me-up before the train home or a pre-theatre supper”). Although this is the kind of venue that’s “gorgeous for lunch with a visiting mother”, it’s actually most nominated as either a gastronomic highlight or for client-entertaining: “the slightly zen nature of the food and purist environment makes it a brilliant choice for a certain type of business”; and “clients are always impressed with Spring”.
Summary
“One of the prettiest chambers in London” – Skye Gyngell’s “wonderful, light and airy venue” has a “lovely and calming vibe” and makes “beautiful use of the Somerset House dining room”. Her “assured and imaginative” modern cuisine makes it a major favourite, although it was much less often recommended this year for hitting the peaks of gastronomy. Top Menu Tip – “the ethics, creativity, utility and value for money of the ‘Scratch Menu’ are brilliant!” (“delicious reimagined ‘leftovers’ served from a no-choice menu between 17.30 and 18.30”).
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Spring Restaurant, Somerset House?
New Wing, Lancaster Place, London, WC2R 1LA
Restaurant details
Spring Restaurant, Somerset House Restaurant Diner Reviews
"My best dining experience this year. The food was sublime. Everything was impeccable, and its rare one can say that. Also, the sommelier offered us half carafes of fantastic wines that were left over from the previous night, and which were provided at less than half cost."
"A very enjoyable meal."
"A really beautiful dining room but slightly know-it-all service. Very good but expensive italian menu."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.00 |  |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £22.00 | £36.00 | £12.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £36.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 13.50% |
New Wing, Lancaster Place, London, WC2R 1LA
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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