Harden's survey result
Summary
“One of the handsomest dining rooms in London… and they serve EXCELLENT kedgeree!” – The Wolseley Group’s theatreland outpost is “a recreation of Vienna in London” and its “classy” and “impressive” interior is “buzzing” from early breakfast onwards, especially with “a lot of successful meetings”, as its well-spaced, cossetting and comfortable interior is “ideal for those ‘serious’ discussions”, making it one of the most popular venues in town for a business meal. (Its location, off Aldwych, makes it an ideally placed rendezvous, convenient to Legal Land, the City and the West End). As with its more famous sibling near The Ritz, though, its appeal is wide-ranging, and it also serves shoppers, tourists and – in particular – “makes a great option when popping to a show”. “Despite Jeremy King’s departure, the Delaunay has retained its level of service” and “the food has changed little, if at all”: “authentic Mitteleuropean” dishes that “aren’t setting the world alight but are very reliable”: “a formula, yes, but a good one”. “Prices are not as high as you might expect either”. There is also “an adjacent ‘counter’ area, serving coffee and pastries”. Top Menu Tip – “one day I will order something other than the schnitzel… but it is soooo good!”; “always finish (or start!) with their superb Black Forest gateau or their apple strudel, all of which are made to authentic recipes in their kitchen”; “fantastic eggs royale”.
Summary
“Smoothly run and charming – the Wolseley’s “grown-up” Theatreland cousin off Aldwych is “another Corbin & King former favourite that seems to be surviving pretty well under a change of management”, a switch that “doesn’t seem to have dented its consistent quality”. The “lovely surroundings are reminiscent of a coffee house in Vienna” and its “well-spaced tables and professional service make it a particularly classy choice for a discreet business lunch”. The Mittel European brasserie fare is “undemanding” and “won’t excite” (“it’s not about the food here”), but the menu provides “a wide choice” and “the overall package is pure quality and not too expensive for what it is”. In particular, “they make breakfast into an occasion” with an excellent selection of choices and coffee. Top Menu Tips – “Fantastic schnitzels”; very pleasant Veal Bratwurst with sauerkraut; or reasonable Chicken soup with spätzle”. At breakfast, “eggs royale is an indulgent choice”; and “you will never taste better kedgeree than theirs!”
Summary
“Viennese in style” – this “elegantly understated” sibling to The Wolseley sits on the easterly fringe of the West End, and is “very much a power location”: “the ambience is perfect for business meals – bustling but not too noisy – with well-spaced tables and comfortable seating”; and “obliging” service that’s “efficient and warm”. Its “Mittel European brasserie menu with schnitzel/goulash/wurst etc” is “nothing special, but it is consistent and very acceptable” and “with something amongst the selection of dishes that anyone and everyone can eat”. “Despite the loss of founders Corbin and King, it is mercifully unaltered under its new ownership” with ratings practically identical to last year’s. Top Tip – “fabulous for breakfast”, whether you are dealmaking or not.
Summary
“Calmer in tone than The Wolseley” (although still “tending to be noisy”): its “understatedly glamorous” sibling is even more in the “Austrian Grand Salon style” than the mothership. And being “well-located for the City and West End” (just off Aldwych), combined with “professional service” and “well-spaced tables”, all foster its massive popularity for a “textbook business lunch”, or the “archetypal City power breakfast”. True to the group’s culinary DNA, the food can seem “unimaginative”. Viewed more positively, “the undemanding but reassuring menu” is “solid” and “reliable” and the specials of schnitzel, tarte flambée and sausages add to a “pleasing and cosseting” effect that “transports you to Mittel Europe”. So, “even if it’s never going to provide a top gastronomic experience, a meal at The Delaunay always feels special”. Given the recent changes at The Wolseley Hospitality Group (as the business is now called), many reporters voice “trepidation” at the recent loss of the founders: “it’s an example of Corbin & King at their best… whither now that they’re no longer running the show?” That said, the ratings, here, actually improved on last year in our annual diners’ poll. Top Menu Tip – “wonderful gateaux to go with good coffee” either after a meal or during the day.
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 The Delaunay?
55 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BB
Restaurant details
The Delaunay Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Location is obviously good. Not distinguishable from chains like The Ivy or other similar venues or ok gastro-pub. I.e. food is reliable, but boring. Fish a bit over-cooked, but fine. Salsa verde was decent - not swimming in oil."
"A very pleasant restaurant for a quiet dîner à deux. The menu rapide (with tarte flambée) is particularly good value for those who enjoy Alsace ‘pizza’. "
"Very reliable, lovely attentive staff, great setting"
"Super set lunch, well executed with good service. Quite posh. Quite expensive with cover charge and service charge. Convenient for The Courtauld "
"A great breakfast venue"
"Maintains its standards year after year. Utterly reliable. Prices seem to be creeping up."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.75 | £34.95 |  |
|
 |
| Dinner | £29.95 | £34.95 | |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £26.30 | £31.50 | £11.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £36.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.95 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
55 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BB
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am‑9:45 pm |
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