Galvin Bistrot and Bar

French, Modern European·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Galvin Bistrot and Bar

Bronze Award

The more informal counterpart to Galvin La Chapelle just next door, Galvin Bistrot & Bar pays homage to the bistros of Paris or Lyon. From the terrace outside amber light streams through half-height mesh curtains onto bentwood chairs and red leather banquettes. Chalkboards and mirrors adorn the walls and candle-lit tables flicker, draped in red-white chequered napery. It's casual and predictable, but it works.

On weekdays the bistrot is filled with City types, venturing from their glass buildings for business lunches or a quick bite after work into a busy world of French charm. Many come for the unpasteurised Czech pilsner, but it’s what comes out the kitchen, not the shining copper tanks above the bar, that captures our attention.

True to the Galvin brothers' style, menus are concise, offering a seasonal selection of skilful but straightforward gallic dishes. We opt for escargot de Bourgogne. Bathed in butter, they are rich, earthy and reason enough to indulge in a glass of gently bubbling Champagne. The burrata exceeds all expectations, its creaminess balanced by crisp toasted almonds, plump black figs, and a salty kick from a herbaceous salsa verde.

Mains are firmly settled in comfort food territory. Dry-aged bavette is streaked with rendered fat, masterfully seared and served with a beefy peppercorn sauce which we happily drown our chips in. Delicate flaky fillets of red mullet arrive lounging on a generous serving of intense, almost smokey, piperade, its skin puckered by the fierce heat of the pan. No visit to Galvin Bistrot & Bar is complete without a tarte tatin finale, which sees layers of apple nestled in flaky pastry so deeply caramelised the crisp buttery edge is more like a ridge of toffee.

Galvin Bistrot & Bar is romantic, reliable and blessed with confident affable service; it stands as an uncomplicated respite from the frenetic pace of London life. It’s not revolutionary, nor should it be, but a testament to the Galvin brand: respect for time-honoured dishes and confident flavours with just a touch of British sensibility.

Good to know

Spend SquareMeal Smart Vouchers
Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
French, Modern European
Ambience
Fun, Lively, Traditional
Food Occasions
All day dining, Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Terrace
Special Features
Dog friendly, Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Galvin Bistrot and Bar is a pub de luxe in Spitalfields, serving classic French bistro food alongside comforting gastropub fare, draught beers and a proudly French wine list. This site started life as Galvin HOP, but the new moniker ties Bistrot and Bar in with the Galvin brothers’ much-missed Marylebone restaurant, Galvin Bistrot De Luxe, which held a Michelin star for many years and was beloved as one of the best French restaurants in the capital.

The interior is a homage to that previous restaurant and French bistro culture in general, with its bentwood chairs, leather banquettes, blackboards, mirrors and wine posters. Tables are typically dressed with red chequered and white paper tablecloths, and there’s plenty of space to sit at the bar for a drink, or among the many tables throughout the restaurant.

Above the bar you’ll see large copper tanks which serve unpasteurised, fresh Pilsner Urquell for those who want to catch up with friends over a pint or three. Wine is also a prominent feature here - many of the bottles are sourced from small independent French producers, but Galvin Bistrot and Bar also has the same extensive wine list as you’ll find at Galvin La Chapelle, complete with a fascinating selection of rarities and great vintages.

The menu is packed full of classic bistro cooking, including charcuterie, olives, padron peppers and boquerones, as well as seared foie gras with scallops, grilled octopus with romesco and Bayonne ham with black fig and almonds.

If you’ve come here for some classic Galvin cooking, you’ll feel right at home with a great rib eye steak frites, Cornish plaice Grenobloise, or a famous Galvin tarte tatin with creme fraiche.

Galvin Bistrot and Bar is featured in

This venue also offers

Galvin Bistrot & Bar
Private Group Dining

Galvin Bistrot & Bar

Galvin Bistrot & Bar
Christmas Parties

Galvin Bistrot & Bar

Location

35 Spital Square, Spitalfields, London, E1 6DY

020 7299 0404 020 7299 0404

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-14:30
Tue 12:00-14:30
Wed 12:00-14:30
Thu 12:00-14:30
Fri 12:00-14:30
Sat 12:00-15:00
Sun 12:00-15:00
Dinner
Mon 17:30-21:15
Tue 17:30-21:15
Wed 17:30-21:15
Thu 17:30-21:15
Fri 17:30-21:15
Sat 17:30-21:15
Sun Closed
Bar
Mon 12:00-21:15
Tue 12:00-21:15
Wed 12:00-21:15
Thu 12:00-21:15
Fri 12:00-21:15
Sat 12:00-21:15
Sun Closed

Reviews

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9 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Chris H

11 June 2021   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Welcome return to City lunching

Have recently moved into an office around the corner from the Galvin Bistrot & Bar.  As the weather was glorious, we sat outside for a 3 course lunch and cocktails.  We felt very welcome.  Nothing was rushed.  Service, food and drinks excellent.  Will visit again.

Gustav G

06 June 2021   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4
Atmosphere 2.5
Value 3.5
great food and wine

had a lovely table inside, sadly there was a rather raucous table next to us, which spoiled the atmosphere of a  very special occassion, but that was unavoidable given the circumstances  - and surely not the fault of the restauant  - food and drink highly recommended 

James H

23 July 2018  
Amazing food and service,.

Deborah B

01 July 2018  
Burgers tasty, canapes were good, outside space intimate.

Maya N

30 May 2017  
Nothing can beat a classical French dish served with fresh ingredients in the middle of the City.

jeanpaul C

27 May 2016  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 3.5
first Galvin disappointment in 4 years.
After the visit, few months ago at La Chapelle. I thought it was time to pay a visit to the “Pub” of the Galvin brothers, near Spitalfield market. Once you step in the “HOP” your attention goes at the Pub counter, where a big beer copper tank, hanging near the ceiling, gives a warm eastern pub feeling to the room. The waiter wearing a traditional “Czech Republic ” leather apron, greeted me and took me to the table, where I sat down for my dinner. READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW http://dinewithjp.com/galvin-hop/

Karishma N

17 May 2016  
Excellent food and service.

Anon

31 March 2016  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 3
Atmosphere 3
Value 3.5
a lunch time favourite
I just like it. The service was not too quick this time but it's time away from my desk and in good company.

Anon

24 February 2016  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 4
Feel like hopping their again
My dinning companion and I had exactly the same food. We chose the lamb flat bread and chocolate choux. it was delicious and reasonably price. Perfect for lunch time fair. I'll go again for sure.
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