Christoff.ai

Brat

restaurants•
London
London

Brat

4 Redchurch Street, London E1 6JL, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Housed in what was once a Shoreditch strip club, Brat has transformed 4 Redchurch Street into one of London's most talked-about dining destinations. This Basque-inspired restaurant earned its Michelin star within just six months of opening, creating a high-energy temple to wood-fire cooking that's equal parts theatre and gastronomy.

Brat: Where Michelin Stars Meet Shoreditch Swagger

A former strip club turned fire-cooking temple that earned its star in record time

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The wood-panelled first-floor dining room pulses with an energy level that hits 8.5 out of 10 - this is no quiet corner bistro. Tables are crammed closely together (making private conversations nearly impossible, as the data warns), but that's part of the convivial charm. The open-fire kitchen serves as the restaurant's beating heart, filling the space with smoke aromas and creating genuine theatre as chefs work the flames. The warm glow from the wood fires bathes everything in an Instagram-worthy light, while lively chatter bounces off the walls. It's sophisticated yet buzzy, earning a 9.0 sophistication score while maintaining that distinctly East London edge. The close quarters and high energy make it feel more like a dinner party than a formal restaurant - assuming you don't mind your neighbours overhearing every word.

Food & Drink

The Basque-inspired menu centres around that legendary whole turbot (£85) and beef rib (£48-£85), with the open flames creating genuinely spectacular cooking theatre. Sharing plates dominate, from grilled langoustines to smoked cod's roe on toast, roasted oysters, duck rice, and the signature burnt Basque cheesecake. But it's the bread with burnt onion butter that has achieved near-mythical status among regulars - apparently the ultimate starter experience. The wood-fire cooking isn't just for show; it creates those smoke-kissed flavours that have made Brat a destination. Everything's designed for sharing, which suits the convivial atmosphere perfectly, though expect mains to average £50-70 per person with wine.

Service & Experience

Here's where honesty matters: despite the Michelin recognition, expect variable service. The high-energy environment and packed tables clearly put pressure on the team, and it shows. The restaurant operates with the kind of structured approach you'd expect from a Michelin venue (flexibility scores just 4.5 out of 10), but the execution doesn't always match the ambition. Staff navigate the tight quarters with varying degrees of success, and the theatre of the open kitchen sometimes overshadows the front-of-house experience.

Value for Money

At price level 4 out of 4, Brat sits firmly in special occasion territory. With mains averaging £50-70 per person including wine, and a wine list ranging £50-80, this isn't casual dining. The Michelin star and unique fire-cooking experience justify the premium to some extent, but the sharing plate format means costs can escalate quickly. The tight seating and variable service make the value proposition more questionable - you're paying Michelin prices for an experience that doesn't always deliver Michelin consistency beyond the kitchen.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Book the 5:30pm Tuesday slot for optimal lighting according to insider advice. The restaurant operates Tuesday-Saturday 5:30pm-10pm for dinner, with lunch Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-2:30pm. Avoid peak weekend slots if you want any chance of conversation given the cramped quarters.

What to Focus On

Start with that legendary burnt onion butter bread - it's apparently the ultimate starter experience. The whole turbot (£85) is the signature dish that built the reputation, while the burnt Basque cheesecake bookends the meal perfectly. Given the sharing plate format, come with a group to make the most of the variety.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Try the burnt onion butter bread first - it's become legendary among regulars and sets the tone perfectlyThe 5:30pm Tuesday slot offers the best lighting for both photos and ambianceThere's a private dining room for up to 14 guests with set menus if you want the Brat experience without the sardine-tin seating

The Final Verdict

Brat delivers genuine culinary theatre with its wood-fire cooking and earned Michelin recognition for good reason. The whole turbot and burnt Basque cheesecake are genuinely special, and the energy is undeniably infectious. However, the cramped seating, variable service, and premium pricing create a disconnect between expectation and experience. It's undoubtedly unique (8.5 uniqueness score) and trendy (8.8 trendy factor), but whether it justifies the hype depends on your tolerance for chaos with your fine dining. The food is exceptional when it works, but the overall package feels incomplete.

Christoff's Rating:
7.2/10

Perfect For:

Michelin star collectors willing to overlook service inconsistenciesFire-cooking enthusiasts who prioritise culinary theatre over comfortEast London food scene devotees seeking Instagram-worthy dining experiences

Quick Details

1

Brat

⭐ Michelin starred
⭐️ Open fire cooking
⭐️ Theatrical dining
🎨 Shoreditch icon
⭐️ Sharing plates

The scent hits you before you even climb the stairs - wood smoke and charred fish mingling in the air of this former strip club turned Michelin-starred sensation. Brat's open-fire kitchen dominates the wood-paneled dining room, where chefs work over flames like culinary blacksmiths. The whole turbot for £85 arrives dramatically smoke-kissed, meant for sharing between two people who trust each other completely. Tables squeeze together so tightly you'll overhear marriage proposals and business deals, but that's part of the convivial energy. The legendary burnt onion butter bread arrives warm and sets the stage for everything that follows. Service can wobble under pressure, but when those flames are dancing and the room fills with aromatic clouds, you understand why people book weeks ahead for this theatrical dining experience.

What's Great

✓ Michelin-starred wood-fire cooking creates genuinely unique flavors

✓ Theatrical open kitchen provides dinner entertainment

Keep in Mind

× Tables are so close together that private conversations become impossible

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Book 5:30pm Tuesday slot for optimal lighting and try the legendary burnt onion butter bread first

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Redchurch St: Tue-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm, Wed-Sat: 12pm-2:30pm\nClimpson's Arch: Wed-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm, Fri-Sun: 12pm-2:30pm"
📍4 Redchurch Street, London E1 6JL, United Kingdom
💷£££££
📞+44 20 7729 6488
🌐Website

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