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St. JOHN Smithfield, London,
Award-winning

St. JOHN Smithfield

4.8
4.8
3748 Reviews
£41 and over
British
Fergus Henderson’s original home of “Nose to Tail Eating” opened in a former smokehouse around the corner from Smithfield Market in 1994.

Celebrating the finest of indigenous British produce and making the most of what is seasonally best whilst applying straight forward cooking techniques, St. John is now celebrated as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World and in 2009 was awarded its first Michelin Star.

Nose to tail eating means that, where appropriate, every part of the animal should be put to good use in the kitchen and so along with Roast Beef and Lemon Sole, diners will find Rolled Pig’s Spleen, Kidneys and Ox Heart, Liver and Chitterlings as well as the Roast Bone Marrow & Parsley Salad, something of a ‘signature’ dish.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 32 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £41 and over
  • Cuisines
    British
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 6:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Phone number
    020 7251 0848
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Steve Darou
  • Private party facilities
    The Private Dining Room can accommodate up to 16 guests (terms and conditions apply). St. JOHN bar and restaurant is available for private hire. Please contact amelie@stjohnrestaurant.com for details.
  • Private party contact
    Amelie Andre: 020 7553 9844
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Farringdon
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Farringdon Station, Barbican Station
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 3,748 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • City of London

    Best Overall

  • City of London

    Best Food

  • City of London

    Best Service

  • City of London

    Best Ambiance

  • City of London

    Best Value

  • City of London

    Innovative

  • City of London

    Good for special occasions

  • City of London

    British

3,748 Reviews
  1. DarrenL

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    Overall3Food1Service5Ambience5
    Underwhelming food at every course, however space and service was great

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  2. MelvinH

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Still and will be one of our whole time favourite. Everything was just amazing and nothing was over the top. Just wish we could have stayed longer 4h is never enough at St John. Thank you

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Dinner was wonderful! Wait staff and managers were excellent and very helpful.

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  4. Expat

    St. Louis

    104 reviews

    5.0

    104 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    The food quality has remained exceptional over the years, and the prices are reasonable considering the quality. The wine list is also very good, and keeps changing, adding good value bottles under the St John label. Service is excellent and servers are knowledgeable about the menu. The menu continues to provide choices involving non-standard meats (recently ox heart and mallard) and fish (recently gray mullet and skate), so interest in such foods are helpful in negotiating the menu. One of our favorites in London.

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  5. willp

    London

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    fantastic food in a simple, paired back and relaxed environment.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience4
    Overall good experience and very professional staff

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    Great meal with interesting choices and good services. Enjoyed the bone marrow and Guinea fowl and am looking forward to coming back

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  8. RobinBroadhurst

    London

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2023

    Overall4Food5Service5Ambience4
    Don’t change. I like everything just as it is. Always enjoyable with an exciting variety of original dishes on the menu.

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  9. emcm

    Bath

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Fabulous, interesting food and immaculate, friendly service.

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  10. CharlesCarr

    London

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Superb as always, real institution. Already looking forward to my next visit. Hazaar

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Lovely experience. Great food and service. Cheers from Los Angeles.

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  12. JakeD

    Cambridge

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 27, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    My friend and I were treated like royalty and had an absolute laugh with Edwin. Both of us had been so eager to dine here and it lived fully up to the expectations. The Bone Marrow was an absolute Knock-out and truly worth the wait. I hope very much to dine here again!

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  13. DavidE

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 27, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Always quietly and understatedly wonderful. See you in the NY.

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  14. JamieC

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Simplicity as it’s absolute finest. A culinary masterpiece. Food, service, wine, environment all perfection. A bucket list restaurant for me, expectations exceeded.

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  15. LucaCullacciati

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Probably the best lunch of my life. incredibile atmosphere, every One was a top performer of his job and the confidence show tò the pubblic was Amazing. Keep pushing like that and continue tò set the level tò achive for every chef and maitre of the world. GIÚ IL CAPPELLO! LUCA and ALESSIA from Italy

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  16. Fantastic

    London

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Amazing as always - you would have to work very hard to have a bad time.

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  17. WilliamB

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    One of the best in London. A uniquely brilliant dining experience.

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  18. Byron

    London

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    Overall3Food4Service3Ambience4
    For the restaurant that all the chefs want to go to, I found it average tbh. Expensive too.

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  19. Jane

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    Overall3Food3Service2Ambience4
    We were so excited to eat here after coming all the way from the States. We’ve done our fair share of dining at Michelin-starred restaurants and this was unfortunately a miss for me. The food was fine. Service for me was okay but overall a miss—seemingly-harried and then one of our dishes (of course the only dish our son was really interested in) was forgotten or missed or who knows even after it was read back to us. Again, everything was fine but not worth the extra time and effort to get there and certainly not worth the price. Sure, it’s an institution but I expected better. Goes to show that stars aren’t everything.

    1 person found this helpful

  20. KonK

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service4Ambience5
    Dining at St John is a true gastronomic experience. You dont often get the chance to try offals, ox heart or guinea fowl cooked to perfection. Great ambience and relaxed vibe.

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  21. COralcmc10

    London

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service5Ambience5
    We would definitely return, the food was delicious, the pig skin salad being tastier than you could imagine. We shared the Pheasant and trotter pie for two, it was delicious but I could not eat a whole half pie and unfortunately did not have room to try a dessert and the dessert menu looked lovely. The green veg side was okay, it needed a heap more butter and seasoning for my taste. The service was very warm, friendly, accommodating and helpful and the atmosphere was lovely. I would return again and have a lighter main so that we could fit in desserts. The wine menu was immense.

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  22. JimU

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Amazing bucket list meal. We were well attended to and the server curated a great menu for us to ensure we had the best experience possible.

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  23. TobyL

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Brilliant service, delicious food. Faultless. If you haven’t been, go.

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  24. Belf

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 14, 2023

    Overall4Food3Service5Ambience5
    Chose the ox heart, radish and aioli, 3 whole radishes that were hard to spear or cut with the cutlery provided, sent with a cream sauce, not aioli but ox heart was delicious. Gurnard for main, couldn't fault it, cooked superbly. Treacle tart for main, fridge cold, would have been better warm. Service impeccable, drinks superb, atmosphere was a lovely buzz with the hum of the bar permeating the restaurant.

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  25. Antonio

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 14, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Era da tempo che volevamo venire in questo posto . E finalmente abbiamo prenotato e ci siamo riusciti . Posto fantastico da ritornare

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  26. Sean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Excellent restaurant, history, great food, great wine. Would definitely visit again.

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  27. GPisola

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Amazing meal as always.. the legendary Bone marrow salad never lets you down, enjoyed the cured Dexter with prune and horseradish, the anchovy dressing in the venison’s salad was perfect. Incredible selection of wines, service impeccable as always.

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  28. MollieL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    The service was impeccable. The best I have ever had in London

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  29. Outtolunch

    London

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Delicious food, knowledgeable and attentive service. Thank you.

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  30. SarahK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 8, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Absolutely wonderful experience. I’ve wanted to visit for years and finally made it for a friend’s 40th. Staff were extremely attentive and knowledgeable, it’s a cool, minimalist space and it was quiet enough to have a conversation. The food was stunning - unusual, flavourful, and beautifully presented. We had the best time and will certainly be back.

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  31. CatherineD

    Northampton

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Real, honest, hearty food with great service and atmosphere.

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  32. BernardoF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 7, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    St. John is a staple, a must go for everyone interested in modern cuisine and British cuisine. If you haven't been there, stop reading this and go book a visit. Now.

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  33. LunchingSwede

    London

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    A glorious, long lunch with friends. Much laughter, Champagne, perfect food and just the best service ever. What a treat!

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  34. JackK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Fantastic food, helpful, informative and very friendly service and an excellent dinner! Can't wait to return!

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  35. WillF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    St Johns is absolutely excellent. It is classy and cool. The waiters are polite, engaging and knowledgeable; they make you feel at home. The food is simple but delicious and high quality. I recommend it highly to everybody for a special dinner.

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  36. Olivia

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2023

    Overall4Food3Service5Ambience4
    overall it was good but the bone marrow was a little bland and the dexter beef not overly special. The smoked cod's roe, squash and welsh rarebit were delicious as was the bread and butter pudding.

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  37. HarryG

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Everything was good from the martinis to the desserts. Cooking was as precise as ever and service helpful and cheerful. St John continues to set the standard for the type of British cooking they invented here,

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  38. JanJ

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2023

    Overall3Food3Service3Ambience5
    The starters arrived about 20 seconds after the drinks. So I had a negroni with my bone marrow, which really is an acquired taste. My friend enjoyed his Tom Collins with his starter whatever that was. I informed the waiter what happened ,to which he answered that the drinks were from "a different station". I told him that I didn't quite understand what he meant by that, but that it was unacceptable to do this. I was about to order the wine, for the main course, but the waiter disappeared huffing and hissing and apparently asked for a new waiter to be assigned our table. So, a new waiter, a very nice one I might add, showed up and I ordered the wine and the evening ended without any other upheavals. Ok, I have been around for a while and done a few restaurants in my life, and I recognize bad when I see it. This was bad! Perhaps it was an "off night" who knows? But no, there was something else, like looking down on the guests, excusing mistakes where there should not be any excuses AND bone marrow bones, with or without Negronis, cannot be too thin - because then there is no bone marrow!! (A hint to the kitchen). The pork dish - and I get it - you use all of the animal, should not consist of 95% fat, not a good idea. Or, perish the thought; Perhaps this is exactly what you serve, a culinary Emperor's new clothes a la St. John!!

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  39. GracchusBabeuf

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2023

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
    Excellent if you want to binge on meat protein. Unsuitable for vegetatarians. Excellent service, staff very helpful. Restaurant was packed on a Monday evening. Quaint premises, converted industrial building. Lots of steps, stairs, unsuitable for wheelchair users, people on crutches.

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  40. JudyC

    London

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service5Ambience3
    Very traditional meaty British food, well cooked. Both mussels starter and lamb kidneys main course were excellent. Surroundings a bit basic but service good.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

St. JOHN Smithfield is rated 4.8 stars by 3748 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 32 times today
Google Map for St. JOHN Smithfield

26 St John Street, London, EC1M 4AY

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Farringdon
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 6:00 pm–10:30 pm
  • Price
    £41 and over
  • Cuisines
    British
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Farringdon Station, Barbican Station
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Steve Darou
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    020 7251 0848
  • Private party facilities
    The Private Dining Room can accommodate up to 16 guests (terms and conditions apply). St. JOHN bar and restaurant is available for private hire. Please contact amelie@stjohnrestaurant.com for details.
  • Private party contact
    Amelie Andre: 020 7553 9844
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