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.

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.