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Riding House Café

restaurants•
London
London

Riding House Café

43-51 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7PQ, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Nestled in the creative heart of Fitzrovia, Riding House Café has carved out its niche as the neighbourhood's go-to all-day brasserie. With its signature burgerdict hybrid and bottomless brunch drawing crowds from Oxford Circus just five minutes away, this split-level venue promises Modern European cuisine with global influences in a setting that's equal parts bustling canteen and refined dining room.

Riding House Café: Fitzrovia's Buzzing All-Day Brasserie With a Burgerdict Twist

Where creative district energy meets Modern European comfort in split-level style

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The split-level design cleverly divides the experience between a bustling ground-floor canteen featuring communal tables and bar seating, and a more formal upstairs dining room complete with plush booths, exposed brick walls, and vintage lamps. The open kitchen adds to the theatrical energy, while the outdoor terrace (The Courtyard) provides a welcome respite from the indoor buzz. With energy levels hitting 7.5 out of 10, this place genuinely hums with the creative district vibe it promises. The sophistication score of 6.5 reflects its ability to feel both casual and refined depending on where you're seated. Expect a lively mix of creatives, shoppers, and office workers creating that authentic neighbourhood buzz, though the social group size score of 8.0 hints at the crowd-friendly atmosphere that can tip into genuine chaos during peak times.

Food & Drink

Executive Chef Henry Omereye's menu showcases seasonal dishes built around fresh British produce, day-boat seafood, and 28-day aged beef. The signature offerings tell the story: deep-dish pancakes, truffled portobello Wellington, and their famous burgerdict - a unique burger-benedict hybrid that's become something of a local legend. The hot chocolate brioche doughnuts round out a menu that spans from breakfast (£5-12) through brunch classics (£8-15) to premium steaks reaching £25-56. The truffled mac 'n' cheese shares claim-to-fame status with the bottomless brunch, suggesting comfort food executed with European flair. The kitchen caters thoughtfully to dietary requirements with extensive vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, while craft cocktails, global wines, and artisan coffee complete the beverage programme alongside fresh pastries.

Service & Experience

Service quality appears to be the venue's Achilles heel, particularly during peak periods when 20+ minute delays become the norm rather than the exception. The staff navigate a complex operation spanning breakfast through dinner service, managing both the casual canteen atmosphere and formal dining room expectations. While the venue offers private dining rooms and accommodates various dietary needs, the sheer volume during popular times - especially weekend brunch slots - seems to strain the system. The flexibility score of 5.5 suggests a somewhat structured approach to service, which may contribute to delays when demand peaks.

Value for Money

With a price level of 3 out of 4, Riding House Café positions itself firmly in the mid-range Fitzrovia bracket, though specific offerings provide varying value propositions. The bottomless brunch at £45-55 represents a weekend splurge, while the pre-theatre 3-course menu at £28 offers solid business lunch value. The breakfast price range of £5-12 feels reasonable for the location, just minutes from Oxford Circus, while brunch classics at £8-15 hit that sweet spot for the creative district crowd. The premium steaks stretching to £56 push into serious investment territory, but the day-boat seafood and 28-day aged beef suggest quality ingredients justify the pricing.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Avoid peak weekend brunch times unless you're prepared for serious noise levels and extended waits. The venue operates Monday-Friday 8am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, and Sunday 9am-5pm. For the famous bottomless brunch, aim for the 9am weekend slot to secure your 2-hour window before the crowds descend.

What to Focus On

The burgerdict hybrid and truffled portobello Wellington are signature must-try dishes that define the venue's creative approach. Don't miss the truffled mac 'n' cheese or the hot chocolate brioche doughnuts. For weekend visits, the bottomless brunch runs 9am-4pm with creative cocktails included in the 2-hour slots.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book the 9am weekend slot for bottomless brunch to avoid the worst crowds and secure your full 2-hour window with mimosa upgradesThe upstairs dining room with plush booths offers a more refined experience if you want to escape the canteen buzzThe outdoor terrace (The Courtyard) provides a quieter alternative during busy periods, and pets are welcome throughout the venue

The Final Verdict

Riding House Café delivers on its promise as Fitzrovia's buzzing all-day brasserie, with genuinely creative dishes like the burgerdict hybrid and solid Modern European execution from Chef Henry Omereye. The split-level design cleverly accommodates different moods and occasions, from casual communal dining to more refined booth service. However, popularity comes with a price - expect significant noise and service delays during peak times, particularly weekend brunch. The pricing reflects its prime location and quality ingredients, though value varies considerably depending on what and when you order. It's a neighbourhood institution that earns its reputation, provided you time your visit strategically.

Christoff's Rating:
7.2/10

Perfect For:

Creative professionals seeking a vibrant workspace-adjacent dining spotWeekend brunch enthusiasts willing to splurge for the bottomless experienceBusiness lunch crowds wanting mid-range Fitzrovia convenience with pre-theatre options

Quick Details

1

Riding House Café

⭐️ Bustling brasserie
🥞 Bottomless brunch
💼 Business lunch
⭐️ Creative district
⭐️ All day

Fitzrovia's creative heart beats strongest at this split-level brasserie where ad agency teams fuel up on burgerdict hybrids and truffled portobello Wellington. The bustling canteen downstairs buzzes with communal energy, while upstairs booths offer refuge for those longer business conversations. Executive Chef Henry Omereye's seasonal menu spans from deep-dish pancakes that Instagram themselves to premium steaks that justify the expense account. Weekend bottomless brunch transforms the space into pure hedonistic chaos - think creative directors celebrating campaign wins over endless mimosas. The exposed brick and vintage lamps create that perfect backdrop for both casual Tuesday lunches and celebration dinners that matter.

What's Great

✓ Signature burgerdict hybrid dish

✓ 2-hour bottomless brunch weekends

Keep in Mind

× Peak times bring serious noise levels and service delays

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Queue the 9am weekend spawn for bottomless brunch - 2-hour buff window with mimosa power-ups before the crowd aggros

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Fri: 8am-11pm, Sat: 9am-11pm, Sun: 9am-5pm"
📍43-51 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7PQ, United Kingdom
💷££££
📞+44 20 7637 1178
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Riding House Café has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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