The Ivy at West Street is one of the most well-known restaurants in London, partly due to being in the culinary business since 1917. Situated between the iconic Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square, this London restaurant is right in the heart of the West End theatre district. It promises a delicious and memorable dining experience with famous dishes.

The Ivy is surrounded by theatres such as The Palace, The Sondheim, The Gielgud and The Apollo; all within walking distance that you would enjoy whether you are a fan of theater plays or just want to discover and take a look at the different splendors in the streets that became a part of the history of the place.

Many consider The Ivy as one of the best restaurants in London. But what made it reach 100 years in the industry and open 30 spin-off restaurants forming the Ivy Collection?

We went straight to this London restaurant to experience everything firsthand. And in the experience, who knows, we might get a glimpse of one of The Ivy’s celebrity regulars.

The Venue and Ambience

The Ivy isn’t a haven for the rich and famous for no reason. Its European interior design is totally astounding. It is designed with the signature Harlequin stained-glass windows, famous contemporary art collection, oak panelling, leather banquettes, and its attention-stealing, oval central bar and seating, keeping the whole place in style. The center bar can also accommodate customers without reservations through its no-bookings policy, where they serve A La Carte and Set menus.

Its sophisticated lighting along with each table’s Victorian decors, bring a nostalgic, comfortable atmosphere to the place, all with the touch of the 21st century. They also have a private room upstairs reopened after the restaurant’s refurbishment last 2015. The room can accommodate you for a private dining experience. You can also book it for special occasions.

Despite the fancy venue, The Ivy only requires a smart casual dress code, and we’ve indeed refreshingly seen people wearing tailored shorts as we dined. Their staff is also well-trained to handle situations such as busy times and fully-booked nights too.

If you are a local, you could easily locate The Ivy from the nearest tube station at Leicester Square. A little stroll would tour you to the splendid view of Covent Garden.

After eating, the billing process we went through was as convenient as we could hope. Having a flexible payment option such as American Express or Mastercard if you don’t have cash is a lifesaver for people who don’t like bringing cash when they travel.

The Food and Drinks

Whoever visits The Ivy would absolutely want to try the classic dishes that won them admirable ratings in the Michelin Guide despite not earning a Michelin star yet. Their menu features the top chefs in the capitol’s masterpieces. Chef Gary Lee did a great job of creating a menu that mixes the Ivy classics such as Shepherd’s pie, Bang Bang Chicken, and Ivy burgers along with modern British dishes.

They also have Asian dishes, salads, a “sea and shells” section, vegetables, steaks, and a menu for vegans and vegetarians. They make sure to present their meals delightfully so their customers will enjoy not just the taste but the overall environment as they dine.

Their dishes display the quality that puts them to the standard as a centenarian restaurant while not looking over the top.

Bar Manager Darren Ball and his team make sure that the restaurant’s champagne and wine collection doesn’t disappoint, too. A fine Bourgogne or a Bruno Paillard champagne completed our experience at this iconic London restaurant, and we have no complaints. However, despite letting customers get a last-minute slot in their central bar, they don’t allow customers to order drinks without food.

Summary

For many tourists and locals, trying out the original Ivy restaurant is one of the many things they wouldn’t want to miss doing when visiting London. We were glad that we grabbed the opportunity to experience this level of fine dining. Even when there was no sighting of Tom Cruise or any famous icons during our stay, we were superbly satisfied by everything else.

If your trip includes passing by the Covent Garden and you want a restaurant that’s flexible, has a lively atmosphere, comfortable, classy, but not too pricy, The Ivy West Street is your choice. You can visit their website to view their full menu or reserve a table or a private dining room.