The Lobster Pot

Clearly, the chef-proprietor Herve and his charming wife do what they do because they love it., and that is what makes this place utterly special. My wife has a medical condition that requires an extremely specialised and difficult diet, a challenge to which Herve rose in masterly fashion last night with an extraordinarily inventive eight-course surprise menu that didn't miss a beat. The food that other people had off the regular menu also looked and smelled brilliant.

This friendly and welcoming place has been family run throughout its 20 year life, and it shows. It is a completely delightful place to spend an evening. The food is brilliant, the wine list simple and well chosen, and everything about it designed to make you happy and satisfied. That's how my wife and I felt, anyway.

As for prices, not the cheapest, but certainly far cheaper than the Mayfair equivalent, and we would happily have paid more for this.

Best seafood restaurant in London, by a mile. Probably the best restaurant, too.
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JP - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 22, 2012

Went to their 20th anniversary celebratory lobster dinner last Thursday-amazing lobsters, scallops, creme brulee pancake
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Pippa and Matthew Oakeshott
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 12, 2011

We went for a meal at The Lobster Pot after reading the rave reviews on here. Our table was 3 inches from the next table (obviously a seating for 4 split into 2) and the table cloth was stained from a previous diner. The bread was really nice, our cooked oysters were a bit rubbery, the lobster thermidore was chewy and bland and the monkfish was just warm. No wine tasting was offered after the bottle was uncorked and we topped up our own glasses throughout the meal. Other tables seemed to be enjoying different dishes and some of the portions did look generous. All in all we were disappointed and our experience didn't match those of previous reviewers. I've had much better seafood in France.
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philip - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Visited for the first time last night as one of a party of eight. We all opted to have the taster menu. I was amazed when the Chef was prepared to accommodate food preferences among our group. A couple of the other reviews mention waiting a while for the food to be served. The food didn’t come out of the kitchen immediately but we certainly weren’t neglected while we were waiting and for the ravenous there was a plentiful supply of delicious bread to nibble on. It was clear from the quality that the food had been freshly prepared for us. Each course of the eight courses were a delight. We had two French nationals with us and they were equally wowed by the quality.

It is rare I venture out of the centre of town to dine, however, this place is a gem and certainly worth a few minutes travel. I will definitely be back and have already recommended it.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Im a canadian national,,and travel to london 6 times a year for business. I discovered The Lobster Pot on my last visit to UK in Feb. It was out of this world, probably one of the best meals i ever had for the last 10 years, and i do eat out twice or three times a week. I started with a plateau de fruits de mer with crab,oysters,shrimps,welks,prawns,langoustines etc....So fresh! My partner had their homemade fish soup served with little croutons with rouille and cheese, followed by Dover sole. I, on the other hand couldn t resist a medium lobster, grilled and served with all the trimmings,garlic,butter and vegetables. I was full up by then, but could not leave without trying one of their pancakes which had a creamy brulee type custard inside, they told me this dish has been on the menu since day one back in 1991........Wohh! 20 years

The table next to me had the 8 course surprise menu, they seemed to enjoy it.

So I know what I m having for next time. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. My dinner was fabulous and whenever I come back in London, I will go to see them time and time again......until they retire !
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 27, 2011

On the spur of the moment we went to the Lobster Pot on 22 /3/2011. We discovered this gem a few years ago but hadn't been back for about 9 months.

The standard hasn't changed. It was super. Oysters were large. Scallop, prawn

and mushroom entree had great flavours and the Nile Perch main was perfect with a slight Thai flavour sauce.

Previously we have had their 8 course taster menu and enjoyed immensely. I notice it is still an option. For a seafood restaurant it has to be one of the best in London. Good value and French into the bargain. The sea sounds and decor are quirky.
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Chris
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 24, 2011

I do not normally write reviews but following one of the most superb evenings I have had in a long time - I felt compelled to write.

The food at the Lobster Pot is second to none - the freshest of ingredients and a chef that is clearly a master of his trade. The langoustines were to die for, the mussels exceptional and the lobster and perch that came as a main - phenomenal!

The service was slick and friendly but not at all over bearing and the restaurant itself a real little gem of a find.

I will be back without a doubt and I would recommend this restaurant as the best fish restaurant in London. Forget the Ramsays and the Pierre Whites out there this really is the place to be.
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Alessia
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 03, 2011

I am part of the 99% happy people, the Chef of the Lobster Pot is talking about in his answer to the previous reviewer.

I can only comment about my personal experiences, I moved to Kennington 7 years ago, I came many time to the Lobster Pot with my business partners and sometimes with my family, I cannot remember having a bad meal. Only once my main course was a little cold, I sent it back and everything was sorted within 5 minutes. It is a family run restaurant, and, this is my personal opinion, they do care a lot, they just open next door the Toulouse Lautrec, it is managed by their three sons, it is fab too, especially with their jazz bar upstairs.

As this chef said, it is a shame this site is mainly used by people who want to complain. My advice would be: if you are not happy with the food, say so, not after your meal, not on a site like this one 2 days later, but say so to the chef at that time, and knowing this restaurant for many years, I am sure something positive will be done within minutes to make sure you leave happy. By the way, their 8 course surprise menu is very interesting...I love it ! The best evening out is to come to the Lobster Pot early for dinner and to finish next door at the Toulouse for some musical coffee & brandies!
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Jessica Mc Donald
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 02, 2011

We went to the Lobster pot last Friday. The decor is slightly kitsch but it adds to the charm and the atmosphere is nice. The problem was the food, I had the lobster gratin with wild mushrooms and it was bland. My Spouse had the seafood platter and she enjoyed it. For main course we had the skate and the grouper and I must say it was not eatable. Both fish were overcooked. The chef came to apologize and explained that normally English people do not see the difference and he should not have sent the dishes out and that we should have chosen a different fish ! When I'm going to a fish restaurant I'm expecting the fish to be cooked properly. To apologize he offered us some bubbly wine and tiny portion of chocolate cake. Although I appreciate the gesture, i would have preferred to taste my fish. Overall it was a bad experience. The quality of the food was bad and poorly executed. It seems the only good dish is the seafood platter. It was the first time I went there and when we arrive the restaurant was quite empty so I can't even find the excuse for the chef being too busy to forget the fish in the oven. Maybe we had a bad experience but then it was a pricey one. Not sure I'll go back to see if the chef can cook fish.
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LT
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Monday, February 28, 2011

My wife and I researched the best seafood in London while planning our trip from th U.S. Neither of us had ever been there (the U.K.) before, and we were going for our anniversary. We found the Lobster Pot, and read about their 8 course meal. We were intrigued, so we made our reservation, and ate their on 08/09/10.

The experience was wonderful, from the moment we were seated, to the moment the taxi picked us up to go back to our hotel. The food is brilliant; the service, too. It is truly the best seafood either of us ever had the pleasure to enjoy, and we are life-long seafood enthusiasts!

The evening began to wrap up as they escorted us from the Lobster Pot to their jazz bar upstairs. Live music while enjoying our dessert was a very classy touch.

The eight course meal was 50 Pounds each, but the food and the hospitality made it all worth-while! We would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
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Mark and Diana Davidson
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, November 20, 2010