Join the rewards club for food lovers and unlock rewards

Chiltern Firehouse

International·
££££
·
Gold Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Chiltern Firehouse

Gold Award

For somewhere with such a fearsomely cool reputation, Chiltern Firehouse makes you feel cosy and comforted, even on light, long summer nights. With candles flickering on every table, panelled walls and plush velvet seating, the experience feels relaxed and familiar while retaining a high-end edge.

Staff are, as you’d expect, totally professional and able to reel off their favourite dishes while including notes on flavour nuances and drink-pairing suggestions in the same breath.

With its reputation as a star-spotting-hub par excellence, it feels only right to indulge in the image of an A-lister and dress up (and save up) to come here. The full experience comes at a hefty price, but an evening of multiple courses and cocktails is nearly guaranteed to leave you feeling spoiled, even if you’re footing the bill. 

Snacks are undoubtedly the best part of any menu and Chiltern excels here, so much so that it’s hard to choose. Just to be safe, we ordered nearly one of everything. The famous crab doughnuts are filled with sweet white meat, savoury curry oil and a pinch of crispy fried shallots. Elsewhere there’s corn bread that’s cooked in bacon fat, pillowy and soft like a cake, served with a sour cream dip laced with crisp bacon pieces and topped, of course, with caviar; or there’s the ultimate crowd pleaser: Korean fried chicken (or KFC to its friends).

The meal proper continues in the same luxurious vein. Order some lobster tacos pepped up with green salsa, made with curious vegetal and bright tomatillo fruits, before abandoning yourself to the house special of Iberico pork. Cooked so that the meat still blushes, this is accompanied by two almond-based molé sauces: a simple pairing that conceals the complex flavours of Mexican spices. 

To toast your ordering success there’s a wine list that galivants across the world and throws up bottles from Austria to Argentina (a dry, fruity 2017 Gruner Veltliner and an intense 2016 Malbec respectively). For those behaving themselves, we also enjoyed a ‘Lavender Fields’ mocktail that combined lavender and elderflower with lime and ginger ale for a tart take on the taste of Parma Violets – though really, this legendary party palace is not the place to abstain; excess on all fronts is the name of the game at Chiltz.  

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
International
Eat at Home
Home delivery, Takeaway service
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Fun, Glamorous, Lively, Luxury, Romantic
Food Occasions
All day dining, Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Terrace
Special Features
Counter dining, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celeb spotting, Celebrations, Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

When it opened in 2014, Chiltern Firehouse was the first restaurant since Scott’s to cross over from being a must-visit in the reasonably niche world of upmarket restaurant-goers to become a bona fide cultural event, its name known to the sort of people who might never dream of eating in a posh West End dining room.

The initial tsunami of celebrity may have slowed to a trickle but the hotel upstairs remains a favourite of visiting A-listers and means that you’re still likely to see a famous face in the dining room. But even if your meal isn’t dusted with a sprinkling of stardust, there’s still much to enjoy here.

Punters adore the clever outdoor-themed interiors and the lively atmosphere, which brings an infectious energy to proceedings. We also love the subtle nods to the venue’s original incarnation as a fire station, with ceiling patterns inspired by hoses and a fireman’s pole forming the centrepiece of one corner table.

Right on cue, the open kitchen serves up wave after wave of likeable successes. Snacks such as the famous coral-dusted crab doughnut kick things off nicely, but there are other highlights too: BBQ pork skewers are served with brown-butter mayo, flaky salmon is cooked tandoori-style and complemented by a puddle of cooling lime yoghurt, cucumber and puffed rice, while a plate of burrata is given a summery makeover thanks to piles of juicy heritage tomato and a lively chilli jam.

Early risers pack in for breakfast (courgette and spinach scrambled eggs topped with aged Parmesan), freelancers take advantage of the indulgent lunchtime offers (Ibérico pork with red pepper mayo and barbecued peach on toast, say) and we’d also recommend a pre/post-meal trip to the botanically themed bar for cheekily named cocktails (hotel guests are given priority, but it’s easier to slip in on quiet nights).


FAQs

Does Chiltern Firehouse have outdoor seating?

Yes, there is outdoor seating at Chiltern Firehouse. There's a large terrace where you can enjoy food and drinks but you may not be able to have the full main menu served here. It's worth checking with the reservations team before you book.

Helpful? 0

Can you book Chiltern Firehouse?

Yes you can book Chiltern Firehouse. This is a popular spot in central London, so we'd always advise you book as early as possible.

Helpful? 0

Who owns Chiltern Firehouse?

André Balazs owns Chiltern Firehouse and is a hotelier with a few different properties across the world.

Helpful? 0

Is there private dining at Chiltern Firehouse?

Yes, there's a beautiful private dining space at Chiltern Firehouse. The room can accommodate up to 12 guests for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Helpful? 0

Do celebrities often eat at Chiltern Firehouse?

Yes, the Chiltern Firehouse is famous for drawing a well-heeled crowd thanks to its trendy interiors, high-end menu and central London location. The staff, guests and the surroundings are all discreet so it's very possible that you wouldn't know if there was somebody famous dining at the same time as you.

Helpful? 0

Location

1 Chiltern Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7PA

020 7073 7676 020 7073 7676

Website

Opening Times

Breakfast
Mon 07:00-10:30
Tue 07:00-10:30
Wed 07:00-10:30
Thu 07:00-10:30
Fri 07:00-10:30
Sat 08:00-10:00
Sun 08:00-10:00
Brunch
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri Closed
Sat 11:00-15:00
Sun 11:00-15:00
Lunch
Mon 12:00-15:00
Tue 12:00-15:00
Wed 12:00-15:00
Thu 12:00-15:00
Fri 12:00-15:00
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon 17:30-22:30
Tue 17:30-22:30
Wed 17:30-22:30
Thu 17:30-22:30
Fri 17:30-22:30
Sat 18:00-22:30
Sun 18:00-22:00

Reviews

Share your thoughts with other diners

Write a review


24 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

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

Great atmosphere, wonderful food. Would highly recommend to anyone for a special occasion!

Serena K

24 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Still feels special even though it may not feature in the tabloids quite as often as it once did.  Food is outstanding and consistent, service is slick and staff are great.  Great atmosphere.

Anon

12 August 2021  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 1.5
Atmosphere 0.5
Value 0.5
mr. h . isaaman ceo fruitique international 10 branches

i decided to send 3 managers as I was in America as a treat and one is a member at the chiltern firehouse  the meal was a very poor standard and after the meal they wanted to go to the bar I phone them as I caught a plne and arrive earlier than expected  so I went home took the car and went to the hotel but they had left I wrang them and said were are you the answer in the strand the hotel staff were like angels nothing was to much trouble if fact as one said to me its the last time I go there they ruined the evening after spending over £300 on a meal for 3 the bar was not full and they were refused to go in now you know why hotels have lost money they blame covid but its the staff sending away customers who have just spent over £300.

KW

26 September 2019  
Food & Drink 2.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 2
Staff with bad attitude

Our dining experience / evening was totally spoilt by rude staff with poor attitude. I can honestly say I’ve had far better customer service from fast food outlets. The food is ok though a little expensive. The ambience is definitely the draw card but definitely not worth the overall poor experience.

 

Anon

02 July 2019  
Ambience & service - food.

Sian D

28 June 2019  
Outstanding service and food quality.

Alana F

30 March 2019  
Always one of my London faves for the relaxed atmosphere, interesting crowd and laid-back charm. I love the hotel bar for a post-dinner drink and the ambience is lovely.

Catriona J

27 June 2018  
Fabulous food, great drinks and cocktails, really great dã©cor..and a charming outdoor area.

Alana F

27 June 2018  
It offers a cosy atmosphere and is a great place to connect with friends. I love the relaxed setting and the service is fab. I love that fact that you can remain in one place and have the option for counter dining as well as table dining (and head to the bar (or even secret hotel bar) for post drinks.

Donna S

27 June 2018  
Amazing food, good service, nice ambience and surroundings - loved it!
Delivery or takeaway

Order takeaway from Chiltern Firehouse by calling 020 7073 7676.
Book a table

Call Chiltern Firehouse to make a booking on:

020 7073 7676 020 7073 7676

Visit their website

Sorry, you cannot spend SquareMeal vouchers here yet.

Other restaurants we like near Chiltern Firehouse

Clarette
Marylebone

Clarette

Durrants Hotel
Marylebone

Durrants Hotel

Check availability