German Gymnasium

Afternoon tea, German·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of German Gymnasium

Bronze Award

Built in 1864 for the German Gymnastics Society, D&D London’s immaculate restoration of the German Gymnasium is a return to the mega-brasserie style of their 90s heyday, with brasserie-style food served on the ground floor (lunch, weekend brunch etc.) and a more refined menu available in the main restaurant. The vast ‘grand café’ space is a real spectacle with theatrical staircases linking the sprawling, marble-floored dining room to secluded tables tucked behind gleaming white architrave pillars upstairs. By contrast, the Mittel-European menu is more homely than awe-inspiring, although its stellar renditions of think-cut veal schnitzel, beef broth with calf’s liver dumplings, stroganoff with spätzle or crisp, gooey apple strudel are certainly no less memorable. Meat fiends will warm to Black Forest hams and ample wursts (including a curry version), while a ‘butcher’s plate’ loaded with steak, ox tongue, sausages and sauerkraut outshines the pedestrian rib-eye with crispy onions. Ambitious pricing is offset by lunchtime specials, and the German-led wine list is heaven for fans of Riesling and Spätburgunder. “Exceptionally friendly” suited staff match the stylish setting.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Afternoon tea, German
Eat at Home
Deliveroo, Home delivery, Supper, Takeaway service
Ambience
Cool, Fun, Lively, Unique
Food Occasions
Bottomless brunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating
People
Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

As the first ever purpose-built gymnasium in England, the German Gymnasium is steeped in history. Since its construction in 1865 for the German Gymnastics Society, the building has become home to a sophisticated restaurant, two bars and an outdoor terrace. Located in the heart of King's Cross, this venue is right at the heart of London's bustling epicentre. Spearheaded by executive chef Bjoern Wassmuth, the upstairs and more refined restaurant offers broad menus with Mittel-European classics.

Explore German cruising with a view of King’s Cross, starting with warming German options such as Bayrischer Wurstsalat (smoked pork sausage, gherkins, red onions, cheddar, chives and mustard dressing), Black Forest ham, goulash with beef onion, potato, peppers and sour cream, or herring “Hausfrauenart” with onion, apple and rye. Meatless starters are available, including burrata with squash and autumn leaves, vegan schnitzel or crushed avocado and crispy jalapeno balls.

Sausage connoisseurs can choose from four options, ranging from currywurst to Kasekrainer (smoked and grilled cheese pork sausage), each served with the ideal sides. Schnitzel, hot dogs and burgers are also available. Aside from this, mains include house fish and chips, tiger prawns in curry leaf and coconut milk or native breed grass-fed ribeye with bearnaise, peppercorn or red wine jus.

As one might expect from a German eatery, desserts are dangerously decadent. Guests can finish their meal indulgently with a Mont Blanc tart, warm apple strudel or Black Forest gateau, just to name a few. Those looking to save can enjoy a very reasonable two or three-course set menu. The drinks menu matches the food, with plenty of choices for all palates, alongside an excellent beer selection available in one or two pint portions. For any visitors who want to double down on a day of indulgence, cigars are also for sale. Regardless of the occasion, the German Gymnasium has what you need, right in the heart of London.

 

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FAQs

Does German Gymnasium offer vegetarian options?

Yes, German Gymnasium has an 'meatless' section of their A La Carte menu.

Helpful? 0

Does German Gymnasium have a dress code?

German Gymnasium have a relaxed dress code, they recommend smart casual.

Helpful? 0

Does German Gymnasium offer takeaway?

Yes German Gymnasium offer delivery services over Supper and Deliveroo.

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This venue also offers

German Gymnasium
Private Group Dining

German Gymnasium

German Gymnasium
Christmas Parties

German Gymnasium

German Gymnasium
Wedding Venues

German Gymnasium

German Gymnasium
Event Party Venue

German Gymnasium

Videos and 360 tours

German Gymnasium Virtual Tour
German Gymnasium

Location

1 King’s Boulevard, King's Cross, London, N1C 4BU

020 7287 8000

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 10:00-00:00
Tue 10:00-00:00
Wed 10:00-00:00
Thu 10:00-01:00
Fri 10:00-01:00
Sat 10:00-01:00
Sun 10:00-23:00

Reviews

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20 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Jonathan R

13 November 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Classy German restaurant

Firstly, we loved the building.  The cocktails were well constructed and presented.  The food was different insofar that we are not reguler attendees at German restaurants, but it was very tasty and well presented.  The goat's cheese starter was delicious as were the herrings.  German sausage was really delicious and the chicken moist and flavoursome.  Not too expensive either!

Jem C

31 May 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Martin P

10 May 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 2.5

Katie H

30 March 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4.5

Great service, good food. It's a big restaurant so be ready for some noise!

Heather P

20 March 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 3.5
Lovely staff in a lovely space

Visited on Mother's Day for an afternoon treat. The staff were welcoming and friendly. The atmosphere was beautiful. The tea was served in a lovely silver teapot. My only gripe was that I require a gluten-free diet and there weren't any gluten-free cakes available. I had vegan / GF chocolate mousse. At the end I was presented with a little gift of handmade chocolates - which was a lovely touch but they weren't gluten free either!

Joanna K

01 February 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
5 star experience

Lovely restaurant with attentive staff and amazing food. Will definitely return. 

Dan Brinkley

28 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Great food, good atmosphere and lovely old building. 

Christian G

21 July 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 3
Atmosphere 3
Value 2.5

Great location, food and service Ok but not outstanding. Bit pricey for sausage and mash

Gary Shields S

18 March 2022  
Food & Drink 3
Service 1
Atmosphere 3
Value 1
Do not hold an event here

On 25th September 2021 we held a 60th Birthday event at German Gymnasium. The event had been postponed twice due to Covid restrictions and the organisation of it fraught with anxiety. As the final date approached my wife and I travelled from the Midlands to London to check agreed details for the event. Understandably, it was also important to sample the wine, prior to the purchase of enough bottles to satisfy 30 people on the night for the whole evening. This would be in addition to copious amounts of champagne which we knew our family and friends would consume.  You might imagine our dismay when we were not allowed to sample the wine, despite offering to pay for a glass. The waiter was adamant that it was not possible to buy our chosen wine by the glass and despite pressing the matter, he would not move from his position. My wife started to become upset and so I decided to leave it and take the matter up with management when we left the restaurant.

I initially raised the issue with the Events manager, James Furnell, who apologised and promised to pass the matter onto the General Manager, Olga Gay. The 25th came and went without event. We had booked a semi-private area, separated by  wooden screens from the other diners upstairs and had paid for a range of canapes and champagne to be served at one end of a horseshoe balcony above the main downstairs seating. With hindsight I would not have done this. The very narrow strip across the landing makes it very difficult for guests to talk to each other and people are in constant fear of catching their ankles on a sharp-edged radiator stretching the floor length of it. The food was alright without being a fine-dining experience. The building is interesting and quirky but is fast losing its appeal, as it becomes encircled with a strip of unattractive high-rise buildings. It is also not actually situated in Coal’s drop yard and therefore lacks the buzz and vibrancy of that setting.

Even after the event, I had to write to James and Olga several times to get a response. Initially Olga pretended that she did not realise I had required an answer or response. When I disabused her of that notion, she came back with an answer that indicated that the refusal to allow the wine sample was due to a poor employee, who had since left and that she was sorry about that. It was as if management had no responsibility for the actions/inaction of their employees.

I complained to David Leowi, the Chief Operating officer of D and D group, which owns German Gymnasium and he wrote back with a series of corporate platitudes, relating to their commitment to customer service and feedback and the same empty apology that I had received from Olga. In my earlier email to Olga I had made it clear that I expected them to at least send my wife a bottle of wine or some other gesture for the distress that the incident had caused her. 6 months on and they are still refusing to rectify the disgraceful behaviour of one of their employees.

Organising a large gathering is always a stressful task and frequently the best laid plans will go amiss. It is therefore important to be able to trust an organisation to put things right and to make any celebration a joyous occasion and one to remember. You need to ask yourself whether you could trust the D and D group/German Gymnasium to ensure that your overall customer experience was a positive one and whether you could trust them to act honourably if things did not run as smoothly as they should have done. Our experience is that it cannot be so trusted. You also need to ask yourself whether you would want to be associated with an organisation that would not send a bottle of wine to a woman in her 60s, who had spent several thousands of pounds of her savings, on her husband’s significant birthday. They occupy a site directly opposite St. Pancreas Station and it is clear that they think they do not have to try or otherwise expend any effort to retain customer loyalty. There are numerous better venues to host a celebration in London and we would urge you to choose them above this one.

Kathy H

03 November 2021   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Great food and atmosphere

We ate here early evening, and there was a great buzzy atmosphere- it was packed! Delicious food too. I had the herrings and sour cream on rye bread, and the prawn and coconut curry and was completely stuffed full, but both courses were excellent. Very convenient for St Pancras for my train home too! Will definitely return! 

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