Upstairs Bar and Restaurant

Upstairs really is a hidden gem in Brixton. The food, the atmosphere and the staff are all fantastic. We had the 6 course taster menu for £30. I'm not sure if it's offered regularly but if given the opportunity, it's definately the way to go. We tasted all 3 starters, 2 mains and a dessert from the set menu and loved everything. My only criticism would be that as the 'taster' portions were a touch on the large side for a tasting menu although i still waddled home a very satisfied customer.

Make sure you arrive a bit early and enjoy one of the delicious cocktails in the bar before your meal.
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Lucy
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 20, 2008

I went to Upstairs last night for the first time and have to say that the whole atmosphere, setting and food was superb.

You could quite easily miss the restaurant if you didnt know where it was, but once inside you climb some stairs to the first floor where there is a lovely bar with open fire comfy seating and friendly staff - we waited here while waiting for our table to be ready and had a drink.

We then got called upstairs to a small dining room, but certainly not cramped - again the atmosphere was lovely, the staff friendly and we never felt rushed at any point.

The menu itself is very limited with only a choice of about 3 starters, 3 main and 3 dessert with option of cheese and crackers extra how ever in the party of 4 we managed to try everything on the menu and with the exception of the apple crumble (the apple wasnt cooked properly) everyone really enjoyed their food.

3 courses is a set price of £25 or you can have 2 courses or just 1 course (i cant remember the price) wine was reasonably priced with house wine starting at £13 a bottle.

All in all, a lovely little restaurant with great food and a real shocker to find in Brixton!!!
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, August 08, 2008

The food, atmostphere and service are all exceptional. A choice of only 3 for each course is great too if you are not so good at making your mind up. Veggie, Fish and Meat. Spent all evening in there, got there hour and half early to enjoy the bar, called upstairs for a meal and then were the last couple left to leave. Brilliant place, modest location and reasonable price for the quality of food.
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SA
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 31, 2008

Surprised to hear people saying this is expensive - I thought the prices were quite low for food of this ambition. I say ambition because not everything we ordered worked perfectly, but it was one of the most interesting meals I've had in London recently - certainly south of the river. The atmosphere is very cool, the menu well thought out, the wine list reasonable and the service friendly and proficient.

I'll be going back - and taking friends....
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 14, 2008

Just loved it! the food was amazing as was the service and the atmosphere. It's a beautifully romantic place that we will be returning to for sure! :-)
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Katie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Friday, February 01, 2008

We were blown away by this little gem of a restaurant. Everything we had was stunning. Well what can I say but top food from Chef Daniel Budden. Both Romain and Benedicte do a fantastic job front of house. This is on my list of revisits and I haven’t been able to stop raving about the place to all my friends.
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Nigel Swainson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Upstairs is a great place to spend the evening with someone you love, and want to be very special to her or him. The decoration, atmosphere and service are perfect to make yourself confortable and relax before to enjoy the food and the wine. Romain and Benedicte are upscale professional people who know how to treat a customer and turn a dinner into a memorable moment.
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Michel
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, September 08, 2007

We went to Upstairs last night to celebrate my father's birthday. Having heard and read very good things about the restaurant i was really looking forward to it. Service was excellent as was the atmosphere and decor, bu the food was not. The Dorset crab salad starter consisted of little gem lettuce leaves drizzled with marie rose sauce and none of our party could see or taste trace of any crab. The asparagus were drenched in hollandaise and my main of sea bass was slightly over cooked and not particularly flavoursome. The prices are high and i expected a wow factor to match. I won't be going back which is a pity as there are few decent restaurants in the area and i'd really hoped upstairs would become a regular haunt.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

After one previous attempt to get a table failed, went last night for my birthday. 'Upstairs' is everything a restaurant should be - fabulous food, excellent wine list and good service, whilst being intimate and friendly. You can also watch the sun set over South London for good measure.

The entrance down a side street off Acre Lane is redolent of a speakeasy and the stairs up to the first floor bar will certainly deter the arthritic. The menu is short (2 or 3 choices at most, bream or guinea fowl last night), but that just ensures everything is fresh.

Upstairs is a revelation - get there before the hords arrive from North of the River.
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Iain McNeish
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, April 28, 2007

I've never felt inclined to submit a review for any restaurant but feel an overwhelming obligation to review 'upstairs'.

I've now eaten here twice and have had a fantastic experience both times. My last visit was on New Years Eve, and the entire evening was perfect.

Pre-dinner drinks were served in the bar area and we were sat next to the coal burning fire. The cocktail list was short but mixed with care and panache. After which we were led upstairs to the dinning room. The food was fresh, uncomplicated and well executed, though admitadly it was perhaps a bit too rich. Each dish on thier own was superb but together as part of a 5 course menu were maybe not ideal. A bit more balance would have been preferred (the NYE menu was a set five courser, every other night you have the choice of 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 deserts).

But what I really love about upstairs is the honesty of it's owners who have successfully created a very stylish, ambient rich dinning experience which is underpinned by loveingly created drinks and masterful cooking. The guys here really care about what they're doing and bottom line profit doesn't seem to be their driving purpose. Upstairs is a real gem and deserves all the success and plaudits it rightfully enjoys.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 02, 2007