Galvin La Chapelle

One of London’s most enduring fine dining monuments, Galvin La Chapelle has been around so long that it’s a little out of place in Spitalfields - a part of London that is trying so hard to be modern that La Chapelle feels like a stark contrast. The entrance to this stately old restaurant is low-key, but as soon as you walk in, the room opens out into a huge, airy, magnificent chapel, complete with brickwork, skylights, and an imposing vaulted timber ceiling that towers above you. Polished marble columns stretch up from the floor, supporting a series of large stone arches. There’s no doubting Galvin La Chapelle is an impressive space - perfect for a special occasion, sure, but it’s ever-so fine dining.

If Galvin La Chapelle hasn’t changed much in the 15 years it has been open, it’s easy to see why. The Galvin brothers have a magic touch when it comes to classic French cooking, one that is still clearly popular in London. La Chapelle’s well-drilled staff are also masters at making you feel special, whether it's via the Champagne trolley that glides up to the table just moments after you’ve sat down, or the easy, good-natured banter.

All that pomp comes with a price of course, and with a la carte starters starting at £25 and mains starting at £48, that price is considerable. Even by London standards this is a significant outlay, but dishes are uniformly excellent and executed with precision. A crab raviolo is stuffed to bursting with fresh crab meat, with beurre blanc and roe generously spooned over the top. Iberico pork is beautifully cooked, with a gently rosy pink middle, dressed in charred friggitelli peppers and deeply satisfying sauce cassoulet. The Galvin tarte tatin has been cooked perhaps tens of thousands of times in this kitchen, and its bronzed apples hide deep layers of flavour. Staunchly old-fashioned, well-dressed and luxurious, you know exactly what you’re getting at Galvin La Chapelle - no wonder it’s still one of London’s most popular restaurants for a special occasion.

Magnificent arched windows, soaring stone ceilings and sophisticated decor provide a beautiful backdrop in which to indulge in Michelin-starred dining at Galvin La Chapelle. Like all Galvin outposts, La Chapelle provides high-quality cuisine designed by brothers Chris, Jeff and David Galvin alongside luxurious surroundings and warm and hospitable staff, making it a popular choice for celebrating special occasions.

Galvin La Chapelle majors in modern French cuisine crafted from produce sourced fresh every day from Covent Garden Market. Seasonality is of huge importance to the Galvin family, so expect ever-changing dishes on their range of menus, which include vegetarian, vegan, tasting and special menus for high days and holidays, such as Valentine’s and Father’s Day.

As you’d expect from a Michelin-starred French restaurant, the food here is exquisitely presented. Diners wax lyrical about the beautiful presentation of each dish before going on to praise the taste and textures. Wonderful combinations come together in starters like Dorset crab lasagne with beurre Nantais and pea shoots, and velouté of Ironbark pumpkin served with seared foie gras, Lyonnaise onion and bacon crumb.

Mains take the form of dishes such as grilled Cornish red mullet with cuttlefish, orange-braised fennel, pine nut purée and sauce vierge, or roast loin of Icelandic cod accompanied by crushed Charlotte potatoes, cauliflower and a warm raisin dressing, while desserts could be anything from blackberry soufflé and milk ice cream to mandarin parfait made with hazelnut, cocoa nib crumb and Valrhona chocolate ganache.

The set Menu du Chef offers excellent value when you consider Galvin La Chapelle’s Michelin Star credentials, though if you’re really looking to push the boat out, you ought to consider the Menu Gourmand – a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairing that can be enjoyed in the main dining room or on the private dining mezzanine for that extra special experience.