Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus

Bars, Burgers, Ice Cream, North American, Steak, Tex Mex, Vegan, Vegetarian·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus

Bronze Award

In tribute to its birthplace on Park Lane, the now global Hard Rock chain (185 outposts and counting) has opened this second London Café in Piccadilly Circus. The location in London’s equivalent of Las Vegas could not be more perfect for a brand that has come to symbolise commerce as much as cuisine and a ground-floor shop bigger than many West End flagship stores sells an array of branded merchandise to Hard Rock your world.

The dining room is downstairs, a huge basement space which stretches away at one end to private dining areas, with the best seats at the other end in a row of alcoves. A video screen pumps out better-than-expected rock and pop classics (Arcade Fire as well as Aerosmith) while the walls are lined with everything from Geri Halliwell’s platform shoes to Ed Sheeran’s waistcoat and teeny-weeny dresses from Shakira and Rita Ora that make you suspect they are not frequent diners here.

Large portions of American comfort food are what the place is about. Nachos come loaded with cheese and jalapenos, decent-sized prawns are deep-fried in a crisp batter and slathered with a tangy sauce not a million miles from the creamy spicy sauce at Nobu, a dense-textured burger is sandwiched in a bun along with an onion ring and bacon while a rack of ribs, nice and meaty, is smothered in a sweet barbecue sauce.

Huge portions mean you might not make it as far as pudding but we’d suggest starving yourself all day so as not to miss out on the hot fudge brownie beneath a mountain of whipped cream; boozy milkshakes make a marginally lighter alternative.

The cocktails are just as fun, with sweet, brightly coloured concoctions of the sort we hadn’t seen for 20 years – Mai Tai, Blue Hawaiian – served in large quantities in tall glasses.

No one is here for haute cuisine but what Hard Rock Café does, it does very well, though admittedly at prices that are pitched at families up in town for a treat rather than a spontaneous drop-in. But enter into the spirit of the place and a good time is pretty much guaranteed.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Bars, Burgers, Ice Cream, North American, Steak, Tex Mex, Vegan, Vegetarian
Eat at Home
Deliveroo, Just Eat, Takeaway service
Ambience
Cool, Fun, Lively, Quirky, Romantic, Themed, Unique, Widely spaced tables
Food Occasions
All day dining, Breakfast, Dinner, Late night dining, Lunch
Special Features
Gluten-free options, Live music or dancing, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

It’s rocked up all over the world since opening its now-famous doors in London back in the seventies, but the Hard Rock brand has come full circle thanks to this Piccadilly Circus branch. Vibrant, loud, and full of unique music memorabilia, it’s as rock and roll as any of its other branches, and then a bit more.

With features including curved TV screen tiles that blare out music videos, London Underground-themed booths, and a digital ceiling that flows over the staircase, tourists might just find the enormous video display and neon signs of the Circus outside disappointing by comparison. The collectables that adorn the walls feature items once belonging to icons such as Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, displayed alongside those of current pop stars Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding.

Food-wise, the menu reads as a homage to classic fast food with a range of steak burgers, sandwiches, wings, nachos and more. Bring your appetite for the likes of jumbo wings tossed with your choice of sauce and served with a celery and blue cheese dressing, while main courses are geared towards burgers and fries. Don't miss  its original ‘legendary’ (its adjective, not ours) burger, which come with Applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onion ring, lettuce and tomato and its signature steak sauce.

After that, extravagant desserts beckon – from milkshakes covered in sprinkles, to cheesecake and apple cobbler. Kids, fuelled by noise and E numbers, will revel in the opportunity to run riot, but there’s plenty of good stuff on the beer and cocktail list to keep grown-ups energised or pacified - depending on the circumstances.

The café's 7,500-square-metre 'Rock Shop' claims to be the largest in the world, meaning diners can buy all manner of souvenirs, or simply make use of the space for a much-needed post-meal walk.

Menu Highlights

Starters
Wings - £12.95

Our signature slow-roasted wings tossed with your choice of classic Buffalo, sweet & spicy tangy orhouse-made barbecue sauce, served with celery and blue cheese dressing.

Classic Nachos - £12.95

Crisp tortilla chips layered with ranch-style beans and a four-cheese sauce blend, topped with fresh pico de gallo, spicy jalapeños, pickled red onions, melted Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and green onions, served with sour cream on the side.

Main Courses
Original Legendary® Burger - £18.95

The burger that started it all! Fresh steak burger, with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onion ring, leaf lettuce and vine-ripened tomato

Famous Fajitas - £19.95

Classic Tex-Mex-style fajitas, served with fresh pico de gallo, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, house-made guacamole, sour cream and warm tortillas

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad - £17.95

Chicken breast, grilled and sliced with fresh romaine tossed in a classic Caesar dressing, topped with Parmesan crisps, croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese.

Moving Mountains Burger (v, vg) - £18.95

100% plant-based patty, topped with Cheddar cheese and a crispy onion ring, served with leaf lettuce andvine-ripened tomato.

Dessert
Hot Fudge Brownie - £11.95

Warm chocolate brownie topped with vanilla bean ice cream, hot fudge, chocolate sprinkles, fresh whipped cream and a cherry

Homemade Apple Cobbler - £10.95

Old-fashioned apple cobbler with warm Granny Smith apples, baked until golden brown and topped with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce.


FAQs

Is there a kids' menu?

Yes, there is a child-friendly menu.

Helpful? 0

Does it offer takeaway?

Yes, the menu is available on Deliveroo and Just Eat.

Helpful? 0

Does Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus offer gluten-free options?

Yes! We have gluten free options available on our menus

Helpful? 0

Can you book at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus?

Yes, we take reservations and walk ins. For group bookings, we cannot accept over 10 people on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings

Helpful? 0

What is the dress code at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus?

Casual

Helpful? 0

What is the menu like at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus?

All-American cuisine, it's what we're famous for!00

Helpful? 0

This venue also offers

Videos and 360 tours

Venue 360 Tour

Events

£Party like a rock star and celebrate New Year's Eve in style!
Live Event
Party like a rock star and celebrate New Year's Eve in style!

31 Dec 2024 until 01 Jan 2025

Join us for an unforgettable night at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus, our European flagship, in the very heart of London.

Dine from our exclusive New Year's Eve Menu with our classic Hard Rock twist!

Reservations can only be made by purchasing one of our New Year’s Eve packages.

Full Details

Location

Criterion Building, 225-229 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1J 9HR

020 7287 4600 020 7287 4600

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 09:00-22:00
Tue 09:00-22:00
Wed 09:00-22:00
Thu 09:00-22:00
Fri 09:00-23:00
Sat 09:00-23:00
Sun 09:00-22:00

Reviews

Share your thoughts with other diners

Write a review


15 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Geoff G

02 November 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4

Emma M

03 September 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Great atmosphere.

Great atmosphere great service just a little over priced on drinks. 

Antoinette J

16 August 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

They made a wonderful time for my 6 year old nephews birthday, he was so happy with it and loved his burger

Amy R

05 August 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Allan F

22 July 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
A great night out for the kids

Took the kids for that special night. Staff were amazing . Very attentive explaining the menu . Kept checking on us . Good price for London.  A great experience 

 

 

Elaine L

15 July 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 3.5

A really great experience at thd hsrd rock cafe. Food was so good. Waiter service was excellent and just do helpful. 
Will teturn soon

Daniel C

19 May 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Everything was perfect.

Laura B

11 May 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Clare L

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4.5

Love going here, staff always super friendly and food amazing 

mavis G

18 October 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Book a table

Find a table
Delivery or takeaway

Order takeaway from Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus by calling 020 7287 4600.

Sorry, you cannot spend SquareMeal vouchers here yet.

Other restaurants we like near Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus

Jumak39
Leicester Square

Jumak39

Brasserie Zédel
Piccadilly Circus

Brasserie Zédel

Check availability