Celebrated table

Quo Vadis

Step into a century-old Dean Street venue where Jeremy Lee crafts seasonal plates amid original stained glass and lively member company.

The story

Quo Vadis London: A Historic Soho Landmark Serving Modern British Cuisine

The kitchen and its creator

Quo Vadis in London anchors its reputation on a daily rotating menu driven by Jeremy Lee. The tall Scottish chef practices a grounded approach to Modern British cooking, drawing directly from his preference for Britain’s finest regional produce. He joined Sam, Eddie, and James Hart after they took stewardship of the building, which Pepino Leoni originally named in 1926. Their combined focus on hospitality ensures every table receives steady attention without losing the room’s relaxed pace.

Seasonal plates and breadsheet menus

The printed menu showcases the kitchen’s take on Modern British cuisine, complete with hand-drawn sketches and playful side columns. You will find straightforward preparations like crumbed lamb’s sweetbreads tossed with fresh peas, almonds, and mint alongside a simple artichoke vinaigrette. Heavy mains shift toward skate served with browned butter and capers, or a marinated lamb rump resting on a sweet cabbage hash. Even the occasional cannelloni filled with fennel and winter greens stays firmly rooted in the current harvest.

Stained glass and Soho energy

Original stained glass windows still filter daylight onto the main dining floor, anchoring the space in its Edwardian past. Former residents include Karl Marx, who drafted early chapters of Das Kapital in an upstairs study, while the ground floor now operates as an exuberant private members’ club. This commitment to consistent quality recently earned the restaurant a Good rating in The Good Food Guide, confirming what regulars already knew. Guests consistently note the unforced warmth of the service staff as they navigate the packed floors.

Drinks and dessert pairings

The wine cellar leans heavily toward classic French regions while offering plenty of by-the-glass selections for quicker pacing. Guests often finish the meal with a portion of lemon posset or a scoop of bright gooseberry sorbet. The kitchen also prepares its own version of profiteroles filled with dark chocolate custard for those seeking something richer. These desserts complement the broader British cooking framework without overpowering the lighter flavors served earlier in the evening.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
The Good Food Guide
Good

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good
Cuisines Modern British
Services Breakfast, Catering, Dinner, Events, Fine Dining, Lunch, Outdoor Seating, Private Chef, Private Parties, Private Room, Table Service

History

On the record

2026
The Good Food Guide — Good

The Latin moniker harks back to a time when this veteran Dean Street site was home to a grandiose, old-school Italian restaurant of the same name. A great deal has changed since the old days, although some original features such as the dining room’s distinctive stained glass front windows remain intact. With the Hart brothers and long-serving chef Jeremy Lee running the show, the food is a sprightly mix of reworked British classics, leavened with French bistro standbys and the occasional Mediterranean riff, while ‘the attention to quality and seasonality is second to none.’ The menu is a joy to behold – a mock-up broadsheet replete with jokey line drawings and special boxes advertising everything from the much-lauded smoked eel sandwich with pickled red cabbage to the mighty ‘pie of the day’ and specials such as spiced beef with artichokes and Parmesan. Opening salvos given an idea of the kitchen’s repertoire, which spans everything from artichoke vinaigrette to crumbed lamb’s sweetbreads with peas, almonds and mint. Mains of skate with black butter and capers or marinated lamb rump accompanied by sweet cabbage hash and green sauce uphold the British tradition or you could speed off to Italy for a serving of cannelloni, fennel, winter greens and three cheeses. For dessert, sticky toffee pudding has its moment (served with custard and cream); otherwise, consider gooseberry sorbet, lemon posset or ‘les QV profiteroles au chocolat’. The wine list takes diners on a whistlestop world tour, although its heart is in the classic French regions, with plentiful by-the-glass options for those on a strict budget. Overall, regulars confirm that the place is still a Soho diamond: ‘No matter when you visit, you can always be assured of an extremely warm welcome and superb service.’

Established

Location

Find us

26-29 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3LL
London, United Kingdom
020 7437 9585
info@quovadissoho.co.uk
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Map showing Quo Vadis