
Rules
Advertisements
Quick info
About Rules
Rules is a British restaurant on Maiden Lane in London that has operated since 1798, serving classic British food with game as its focus. The Edwardian dining room spreads over several floors, with a bar upstairs and walls covered in old paintings, portraits and photographs, set against dark wood and red upholstery. The menu runs to 120 dishes, including Potted Shrimps and grouse as a game dish. At the bar, classic cocktails sit alongside the Black Velvet, a mix of champagne and Guinness. Reservations are required. Private rooms with set menus are available for groups.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingParking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs
- DietaryVegetarian options
Advertisements
Menu & Prices
120 dishes · mains £6–92- Chilled Leek & Potato Soup£11.95
- Baby Gem Salad£16.25
- Potted Shrimps£19.25
- Hertfordshire Short Rib & Ox Cheek Terrine£17.95
- Salad Of Dorset Crab£22.95
- Black Velvet - Champagne & Guinness£21.95
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention grouse, steak and kidney pudding, ribeye steak and black velvet cocktail.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention grouse, steak and kidney pudding, ribeye steak and black velvet cocktail.
Customer Review Summary
Most reviewers come for the setting, describing London's oldest restaurant as like eating in a museum or stepping back in time, with dark wood, portraits and old paintings across every floor. Of the food, the grouse draws the most mentions and divides opinion. One diner called it delectable and another found it different and enjoyable, but a third found its strong gamey flavour the most disappointing part of the meal and felt the food did not live up to the room. Steak gets steadier praise, from a medium-rare ribeye to a steak and kidney pudding and the shin of veal with mashed potatoes. Others single out the chicken, leek and mushroom pie, pork belly, dressed crab and the signature black velvet served in a silver tankard. Service is called professional and accommodating, and one party of eight enjoyed a private room. Several mention the bar for cocktails. One diner who arrived two hours early for a reservation was seated at the bar until a table opened.
Customer Review Summary
Most reviewers come for the setting, describing London's oldest restaurant as like eating in a museum or stepping back in time, with dark wood, portraits and old paintings across every floor. Of the food, the grouse draws the most mentions and divides opinion. One diner called it delectable and another found it different and enjoyable, but a third found its strong gamey flavour the most disappointing part of the meal and felt the food did not live up to the room. Steak gets steadier praise, from a medium-rare ribeye to a steak and kidney pudding and the shin of veal with mashed potatoes. Others single out the chicken, leek and mushroom pie, pork belly, dressed crab and the signature black velvet served in a silver tankard. Service is called professional and accommodating, and one party of eight enjoyed a private room. Several mention the bar for cocktails. One diner who arrived two hours early for a reservation was seated at the bar until a table opened.
Featured reviews
- Dannell W
“The whole experience was outstanding. We were a bit early for dinner, so we were escorted upstairs to the bar for a drink. When our table was ready, we went downstairs and had a fabulous dinner. Our waiter was outstanding and attentive. Everyone’s meal was exquisitely prepared and presented to us elegantly. The chicken, leek and mushroom pie was so flavorful and tender, isle of Mull salmon was perfect, and the fresh grouse was delectable. Dessert was also outstanding. We shared the apricot crumble. It was also my birthday and they brought out a cup of their house made vanilla ice ream.”
- Artem Donets
“Had a great experience at Rules. The grouse was something different and really enjoyable, but the steak and kidney pudding was honestly one of the best I’ve ever eaten. The whole place has such a special atmosphere and feels like a real piece of London history. Also, a special thank you to our waiter Tudor — he was fantastic and made the whole experience even better.”
- NgA SwEeT
“One of the best food journey experiences!! Love the decoration and the food! I tried pork cheek one and rabbit, and kidney pie! I prefer the pork cheek one rather than pie! Love the rules sponges cake rather than toffee pudding! Love their chips too!”
- Guowei Shou
“Rules is worth visiting for the atmosphere and history alone. The dining room is beautiful, with dark wood, red upholstery, old paintings and photographs everywhere. It genuinely feels like stepping back into another era of London, and the atmosphere was probably my favorite part of the experience. Unfortunately, the food didn’t quite live up to the setting. I was especially looking forward to trying the grouse, given Rules’ reputation for traditional British game, but it ended up being the most disappointing part of the meal. I understand that grouse naturally has a strong, gamey flavor, but personally I didn’t find it particularly enjoyable. Service was professional and we still had a pleasant evening overall. I’m glad I visited such a historic London institution, but for me the experience was much more about the beautiful setting, history and old-school British atmosphere than the food itself.”
- Philip Elder
“I mixed up my reservation time and arrived two hours early (24-hour time always gets me) and they were lovely about seating us at the bar first until a table opened. We had a marvelous experience, what a beautiful dining space and delicious food! Excellent service”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Established in 1798, serving classic British food (especially game) in Edwardian surrounds.”
- Fireplace
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dine-in
- Vegetarian options
- Bar onsite
Show more amenities
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Late-night food
- Private dining room
- Highlights· 6
- Fireplace
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Rooftop seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 3
- Historic
- Romantic
- Upscale
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Planning· 4
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Usually a wait
Location
Restaurants near Rules
- Cora Pearl4.69490 mi£40–90Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
mille-feuille style chips, watermelon feta salad, sea bass
- 0 mi
tempura oysters, grilled octopus, fresh crab
- The Port House4.61,7750.1 mi£20–70Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
manchego burger, arroz negro, cod croquettes
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RulesVegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible · Reservations | 4.63,868 | — | — | grouse, steak and kidney pudding, ribeye steak |
| Cora PearlOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.6949 | 0 mi | £40–90 | mille-feuille style chips, watermelon feta salad, sea bass |
| The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen | 4.51,875 | 0 mi | — | tempura oysters, grilled octopus, fresh crab |
| The Port HouseOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.61,775 | 0.1 mi | £20–70 | manchego burger, arroz negro, cod croquettes |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Restaurants nearby
More to explore in London

1,436 places
Restaurants in London
Photo: Royal Nawaab Perivale · 4.7 · 57,274 Google reviews
See all 1,436 restaurants in London
4.5 · Bun House ChinatownChinese restaurants
127 places
4.6 · Chicago Grill Shepherd's BushFast food restaurants
23 places
4.5 · Honest Burgers South KensingtonHamburger restaurants
33 places
4.7 · Dishoom Covent GardenIndian restaurants
60 places
4.8 · Ave MarioItalian restaurants
91 places
4.5 · Hot Stone LondonJapanese restaurants
47 places







