Berners Tavern, while a bit of a scene, is a must-do simply due to its grand decor. The Fitzrovia restaurant doesn’t have a meal I can’t live without, or even a menu of amazing options I can’t decide between, but, boy, is it pretty. 

I don’t even think pretty is the right word. It’s glamorous. And grand. Like you’re stepping into an old Hollywood hotel for dinner and not a London hotspot. Rich colors, chandeliers, circular leather booths, high ornate ceilings, a grand illuminated bar, and then, there’s the wall decor. The walls are dressed with hundreds of paintings in gilded frames of different shapes and sizes with unique detailing. It is a sight to see and seems simple with this common structured theme, yet wildly decadent. I will continue to visit Berners Tavern so it can continue to set a romantic tone for special nights with my husband or to impress guests with the grandiose scenery you will not find anywhere else.

 

If only the Berners’ menu could be as eye-catching as its decor. I went with a group of people and every single person got the steak. The meal was good, not-over-the-top outstanding, but good. It really stood out to me, though, that no one was really willing to try anything else. Even my husband and I will usually get different items so we can swap half-way through, but nothing at all stood out to us. So beware. It is a heavily British, traditional menu, so if British fare is not your thing, you might get stuck.

After the mediocrity of dinner, we braced for dessert. The Flaming Alaska was beautiful and tasty, but my dessert, the berry pavlova, was awful. So over-the-top sweet that we only could have a few bites. The meringue, berries and the berry coulis was all too much. A complete overload. They should have cut the berry sweetness with some type of a pastry cream filling, a whipped cream topping, or a creme anglais drizzle. Anything, but what was served. 

As you can see, our night had a lot of hits, like the decor and attentive service, but just as many misses, with food and a menu that just didn’t meet my expectations. Berners is still a definite “do” with its beauty and charm, just keep everything else in mind!
Berners Tavern
10 Berners Street
London W1T 3NP