Simpson's Tavern

Plates were dirty and greasy and staff was so rude that made you feel unwelcome. Food was way overpriced, and the steak was overcooked. Staff was annoyed when I asked for the details of the bill. It is probably the worst restaurant I have ever been.

Simpsons Tavern, not to be confused with the more recently opened Simpsons in the Strand (1828) has been serving lunch to City folk for the last 250 years. There is nothing ‘eclectic’ or experimental about the dishes here, the waiters did not graduate from Le Cordon Bleu and the wooden ‘pew’ seating is damn uncomfortable but nobody seems to care.

Orders are shouted across the table, smaller groups of diners are seated together, conversations are loud as plates heavy with staple British grub are circulated to hungry men. Our table took crispy Pork Belly, Potted Shrimp and Smoked Salmon starters which did exactly what it said on the tin. This was soon followed with Roast Beef, The Mixed Grill, (a protein rich plate Steak, Sausage, Egg, Kidney, Bacon & Tomato) and Lamb Shank, then bravely fought on with a round of nostalgic Suet puddings with Custard and the famous ‘Stewed Cheese’ which tasted significantly better than its description.

Starters are priced between £3.85 – £6.00 and most main courses are also single figures so you will struggle to spend more than twenty pounds per head and in exchange for that, you will leave incredibly well fed.