Balthazar London | Legendary NYC Parisian-Style Bistro in London
There are, unfortunately, many things London will never do as well as New York.
Like bagels, late-night drinking, and tipping.
So it’s always interesting when the city gets its own reprise of a Manhattan institution – like, for example, Balthazar London: our very own version of the near-mythical NYC original.
Turns out, it’s a carbon copy.
As in, it’s literally the same place: the same dark wood and red leather banquettes; the bustling staff in white aprons; the huge mirrors; those distinctive, lit-up, rectangular, marble-clad pillars, and even the same cream-coloured ceiling. The layout’s also exactly the same, though the London restaurant’s marginally bigger and showcases its Fruits de Mer on ice next to the bar.
The large menu covers everything from breakfast and brunch (eggs royale with frites; NYC pancakes with a side of live jazz) through to the famous Balthazar Cheeseburger, the moules frites and the shareable Beef Wellington for dinner. And happily, you can swing by any time you get a sudden, unexpected craving for Crème Brûlée; or chocolate profiteroles, served with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce.
From 11am, the smartly turned-out bartenders will be ready to put together a distinguished classic cocktail for you, from Boulevardiers and French Martinis to the Cocktail À La Louisiane, which, in true Louisiana spirit will quickly have you up and dancing, with its vermouth, Benedictine, Lot 40 Rye, Absinthe, and Bitters. And from 10pm every night, they continue to honour their origins across the pond with a happy hour menu of ten £10 Manhattans…
…Which, luckily, it turns out London can make just as well.
NOTE: Balthazar London is open daily for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on weekends. There is live jazz on Wednesday evenings. To reserve a table, or find out more, click here.
Balthazar London | 4-6 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ
Love brunch?Check out our Ultimate London Brunch Guide.