Riding House Bloomsbury

Bistro, British, International, Middle Eastern, Modern European, Steak, Vegan·
££££
·

SquareMeal Review of Riding House Bloomsbury

Warm, welcoming staff, trendy interiors and a cool, relaxed vibe can all be found at Riding House Bloomsbury the moment you walk through the door. Such an eclectic menu at first left us puzzled – mac and cheese, miso-grilled sea bass and chana dal sit side by side on this globetrotting menu.

Staff were on hand with some flame-grilled sourdough while we perused the menu. Paired with an artichoke dip that came with a crispy, cheesy top-layer, the sourdough lent a hint of bitterness, and served as a handy scoop. To start, we settled on salt cod fritters with a satisfying crunchy batter; avoiding being overly greasy. The citrus mayo cut through the salt, aided by the added touch of fresh, tart, coriander on top.

For mains, including a side of cassava chips, we opted for the lobster lasagne and soul burger. Be prepared to unhinge your jaw for a thick, toasted brioche bun sandwiching a beef patty, streaky bacon, melted cheddar, jerk quince mayo plus a sweet and salty blend of ackee and callaloo. Sadly, the lobster lasagne dipped below expectations; combining rich bechamel with decadent seafood proved simply too much and was easily overshadowed by the cassava chips. Beautifully spiced, the chips were delicious on their own but the addition of a curry mustard dip was a masterful union of flavours.

Squeezing in dessert left us waddling out of the restaurant stuffed, but, incredibly satisfied. Rich vanilla meets tart rhubarb in a thick slice of cheesecake while the hot fudge sundae combined vanilla ice cream with sponge, macarons and a hot, fudgy, chocolatey sauce; all topped off with a sprinkle of honeycomb that provided a necessary crunch.

Dining in a light, airy setting filled with trailing plants, macrame chandeliers and an open kitchen creates a great experience for all ages and occasions - indulge in elevated plates of global cuisines served in a comforting, homely ambience.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Bistro, British, International, Middle Eastern, Modern European, Steak, Vegan
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Glamorous, Luxury, Quirky, Widely spaced tables
Food Occasions
All day dining, Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Terrace
Special Features
Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Special occasions

About

Following on from founder Adam White’s first and much-loved Riding House Café in Fitzrovia, which has become a popular brunch spot in the capital, is neighbourhood restaurant and café Riding House Bloomsbury. The modern brasserie offers a members-club like atmosphere, with the aim of bringing diners together in an accessible, welcoming and lively setting. 

Located in Brunswick Centre, the interiors have been overseen by White who wanted to create a contrast between its stark exterior and the warm, wood panelled surfaces inside, in order to create its club-like feeling. Offering 165 covers indoors, the space is roughly the same size as the Fitzrovia site, and is filled with natural light, a crucial element to reflect its flexible all-day dining style. Guests are also able to dine in an extensive, beautifully designed terrace outside during the summer months, with seating for up to 65.  

The menu offers a wealth of Riding House Café staples, including international, fun and unfussy plates with a focus on healthier mains, bowls and skewers. For lunch and dinner, favourites include a lobster lasagne with crab claw and garlic sourdough, and red miso chicken with chestnut bisque, wild mushrooms and crème fraiche.

But what we really want to know is what its brunch offering looks like – which is the reason Riding House gained fame in the first place.  Dishes from the brunch menu include cajun pepper stew with egg, avocado, christophine and okra, as well as its popular pancakes with toasted marshmallows, coconut clotted cream, white chocolate and banana maple syrup. 

Executive chef Henry Omereye, who has run the kitchen at Riding House Café for four years, leads the team at this Bloomsbury site, while front of house and the bar are overseen respectively by Gian Marco Carla and Harry Hughes from the Ned. 


FAQs

Is the restaurant dog friendly?

Yes, there's even a bowl of treats at the entrance for your furry friend.

Helpful? 0

What's the closest underground station?

The closest underground station to the restaurant is Russell Square.

Helpful? 0

Are there gluten-free options?

Yes, gluten free dishes are available.

Helpful? 0

This venue also offers

Riding House Bloomsbury
Private Group Dining

Riding House Bloomsbury

Riding House Bloomsbury
Christmas Parties

Riding House Bloomsbury

Videos and 360 tours

Virtual Tour

Location

1 Brunswick Centre, Bernard Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AF

020 3829 8333 020 3829 8333

Website

Opening Times

Breakfast
Mon 09:00-11:45
Tue 09:00-11:45
Wed 09:00-11:45
Thu 09:00-11:45
Fri 09:00-11:45
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
Brunch
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri Closed
Sat 09:00-15:45
Sun 09:00-15:45
Lunch
Mon 12:00-15:30
Tue 12:00-15:30
Wed 12:00-15:30
Thu 12:00-15:30
Fri 12:00-15:30
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon 17:30-10:00
Tue 17:30-10:00
Wed 17:30-10:00
Thu 17:30-10:00
Fri 17:30-10:00
Sat 17:30-10:00
Sun Closed

Reviews

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3 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Helen C

30 March 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 2.5
Service 5
Atmosphere 3
Value 3
Poor

Great looking space and good location near King's Cross. Attentive servers who were accommodating to my friend who had a baby and pushchair. The disappointment was the food. We chose the house pancakes with berry compote and bacon. They arrived drowning in compote so you couldn't taste anything else with very tough pancakes.  Coffee was OK.  Wouldn't go back, based on the food.

Darren G

09 November 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Fantastic lunch at RH Bloomsbury food was delicious and very interesting and we were looked after very nicely by the staff 

Laura B

04 November 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
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