A West End tent-pole for 101 years, from Coward to Cumberbatch, this is where London thespians pretend to slum it, lifting hamburgers alongside cognac beneath its iconic wood paneling and harlequin mullioned windows. “The Ivy is like a safari park in which the rare and exotic creatures are nurtured,” wrote the Guardian. At its sumptuous flatiron bar—you can drink at it, but you’re required to eat something, too—spotting celebrities, should there be any (try after 9pm), is made all the more subtle. The menu of Ivy classics (lobster macaroni, shepherd’s pie) has been embellished with Asian-ish notions (barbecued squid salad, Togarashi popcorn rock shrimp), which only increases the bohemian affect. From the glass jug on the bar, order a “100 Year Legacy,” which is a never-ending cocktail—a Martinez, an archaic variation of a Manhattan made with gin—dispensed from a communal spout and added to as time goes on. It’s an experiment that only began in 2017, but if anyplace has the wherewithal to nurture an eccentric quirk into long tradition, it’s The Ivy.
London
Travel Guide
London› Restaurant
The Ivy
1–5 West St., WC1
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Leicester Square
Hours
Mon–Wed noon–11:30pm;Thurs–Satnoon–midnight;Sun noon–10:30pm. Reservations recommended.
Transportation
Tube: Leicester Square or Covent Garden
Phone
020/7836-4751
Prices
Main courses £15–£20. Set menu(Mon–Thurs2:30–6pm and allday Sun) 2 courses£24, 3 courses £28
Cuisine Type
Traditional British
Web site
The Ivy
Map
1–5 West St., WC1 LondonNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.