Is it the Thames, or the Seine? If it weren’t for the enviable, quintessentially British views of Tower Bridge that are on display from the outdoor dining area at Cote Brasserie Hay’s Galleria, it would be hard to tell. This experience is contrasted nicely by the classic French feel of the indoor decor, with leather booths and a mirrored bar suggesting Parisian Café life, and of course, the traditional French cuisine on the menu.
Breakfast is served 9am until noon, with a menu consisting largely of creamy French egg dishes, the classic power-couple: Croque Monsieur and Madam, as well as Gallic influences on English breakfast classics. For lunch and dinner, Cote Brasserie Hay’s Galleria serves dishes comprising of high-quality ingredients. Most meals are meat based, with a strong emphasis on steaks and burgers, and a reputation for a reliable steak frites. However, if you’re desiring of something lighter but authentically French, then you have classics like Magret de Canard, served pink with hispi cabbage and raisin pesto, an appetising Moules-Frites, or a rich Beef Cheek Bourguignon with mushrooms, lardons and pomme puree.
If you want the full Brasserie experience, the wine list offers a variety of French reds, whites, and roses. There’s an emphasis on Champagne for brunches, with a Champagne Brunch special offer on weekends and bank holidays. There’s a tempting array of after dinner drinks that could pair up with or replace your chocolatey or creamy dessert.
Cote Brasserie is vegan friendly, with a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu, offering twists on their main fixed menu like celeriac steak frites and vegan cote burger. The restaurant is child friendly, with its petit menu serving smaller, but no less French, meals. This restaurant is ideal for a pleasant lunch on a day out, or a family meal with great photo opportunities.