Brasserie Zédel

French·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Brasserie Zédel

Bronze Award

Piccadilly Circus may be best known for its raft of tourist magnet chain restaurants such as the likes of Pizza Hut and McDonald’s, but there are other ample opportunities for decent quality food in the area at prices that won’t break the bank.   

Proving our theory is Brasserie Zedel, an archetypal brasserie which provides Gallic staples at low prices, and according to one reader, is “just like being in Paris”. Taking up residence in the glitzy surrounds of a cavernous former ballroom dripping with marble-clad charm, Brasserie Zedel offers an extremely reasonable prix fixe at three courses for less than £15 (including steak frites for mains), while the à la carte is full of classic French brasserie dishes.

Start with a hefty bowl of soupe à l’oignon or a clutch of escargots slathered in parsley butter, before moving on to baked trout with almonds, smoked pork belly or something more exotic such as spicy merguez sausage with couscous. Steaks are also perennially popular, from good-value haché with pepper sauce all the way up to a luxe rib-eye with Café de Paris sauce. To finish, the likes of crème brulee and lemon meringue tart are must orders.

The separate gluten-free menu’s “wonderful choice” gets a special mention, while over 30 selections from the all-French wine list are sold in five measures. Accusations of “unexciting” dishes are not unfounded but, for those who want a good French meal in the West End at a reasonable price, Zédel is hard to beat – as one reader puts it, Brasserie Zedel is the place to go for “really good, unpretentious food”.

Factor in the polite and knowledgeable service from the army of wait staff and the bustling, convivial atmosphere and it’s easy to see why Brasserie Zedel remains one of London’s most popular spots for a casual, easy dinner.

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Good to know

Spend SquareMeal Smart Vouchers
Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
French
Ambience
Fun, Glamorous, Lively, Traditional, Unique
Food Occasions
Late night dining
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating
Special Features
Live music or dancing, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+]
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Brasserie Zedel is a grand Parisian style brasserie in the heart of Picadilly serving traditional and affordable French food in a large and welcoming setting with striking Art Deco interiors.  The restaurant’s food and exceptional value have made it an institution of sorts with culinary great Pierre Koffman labelling it “ the only real brasserie in London”. The restaurant is hidden away behind the ZL café in a building which also plays host to a classic American bar ‘Bar Americain’ and The Crazy Coqs, a popular live music and cabaret venue.

The a la Carte menu is available from 11.30am until midnight, perfect for pre or post theatre meals. Among the hors d’oeuvres Diners will be pleased to find all the French culinary stereotypes including Frogs legs with confit garlic mayonnaise, snails with garlic and parsley butter, steak tartare and of course French onion soup. Main courses are equally traditional with options such as braised beef and bacon stew in a Burgundy wine sauce with mashed potatoes; grilled tripe sausage with a mustard sauce; and grilled flat-iron steak with a red wine and bone marrow reduction.  Naturally desserts follow suit and guests will struggle to choose between the likes of lemon meringue tart; profiteroles with chocolate sauce; crème Brulee; or a caramelised apple tart for two to share. Every day a different plat du jour is added to the menu comprising French classics such as rabbit in mustard sauce, duck confit with white bean fricassé and salmon en croute with a butter sauce. On Sundays the venue offers a French take on a typical English roast.

The Prix Fixe menu offer astonishingly good value starting at £10.95 for two courses and £14.25 for a three. It usually comprises a shredded carrot starter with Dijon dressing, followed by chopped steak with peppercorn sauce and French fries and finished with a decadent Manjari chocolate tart.

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Brasserie Zédel is featured in

Events

£27.50Barb Jungr: My Best Valentine
Valentines Day
Barb Jungr: My Best Valentine

14 Feb 2025

The unmissable Barb Jungr returns to Crazy Coqs singing her favourite love songs from her 20 plus album releases and 40 plus collections. Join one of the most accomplished British singers of her generation to celebrate Valentine’s night, 2025.

“Britain’s finest interpreter of song” and “One of the best cabaret artists in the world” (Time Out New York), continues her love affair with the work of two of the most important songwriters of the 20th Century, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, alongside songs from Jacques Brel. Jimmy Webb, The Bee Gees, Neil Diamond and many more.

Barb will be accompanied by Jenny Carr on the piano.

More Details

Location

20 Sherwood Street, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1F 7ED

020 7734 4888 020 7734 4888

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 12:00-23:00
Tue 12:00-23:00
Wed 12:00-23:00
Thu 12:00-23:00
Fri 12:00-23:00
Sat 11:30-23:00
Sun 11:30-22:00

Reviews

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112 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Andrew M

10 January 2025   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 3
Atmosphere 4
Value 2
Service problems and extra charges on the bill

A fun place to be, great atmosphere. Serving staff were noticeably friendly and courteous, which was nice. But they just weren't very attentive. Drinks sometimes took more than ten minutes to arrive. Our table was too close to the next one, so I had to move my chair around our table to avoid leaning on the next diners. The bill for four people arrived with a 15% service charge on it. I don't think I've ever seen that in the UK. I didn't want to pay it but couldn't face arguing. I have no idea why there was also a cover charge given that we weren't offered any bread. 

Eddie E

09 January 2025   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Exceptionally French

Great ambiance, dedicated staff and scrumptious food!

Eddie E

09 January 2025   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Exceptionally French

Great ambiance, dedicated staff and scrumptious food!

Anonymous

26 December 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 4
Value 5
Boxing Day Treat

We arrived shortly after midday and were surprised to find the restaurant quiet.

We really enjoyed our lunch in beautiful surroundings , great set menus, authentic French bread, overall a great experience, thank you. 

Eddie E

29 November 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
A great night out

Best brasserie this side of Paris. Jolly  atmosphere, amazing food and impeccable service. A great night out.

Eddie E

29 November 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
A great night out

Best brasserie this side of Paris. Jolly  atmosphere, amazing food and impeccable service. A great night out.

Vidhya N

27 November 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Evening drinks

So lovely and posh. Totally recommend it 

Nick M

17 November 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 3.5
Great meal

Excellent meal in great venue for special anniversary 

Ben H

10 October 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 3
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Great food and menu. Reasonably priced too. Service was a 3 star as we asked to go at the end and the waiter said it was for 3 people and 5 minutes later sat 2 people there. 

Anonymous

09 October 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 5
Opulent dining room, great French food

Cheese souffle, steak & chips, all great.

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