Archipelago reviews
I had been meaning to go to Archipelago for quite some time as I live very close by and had always wondered what it was like. I have to say I was very disappointed with the experience.
We were seated in a tiny little cramped table near the window, where we had to move several times to let other people in. The service was reasonably friendly but more in a scripted way than genuine. I always got the feeling that the waitresses were more interested in trying to get you to order as much as possible rather than make you feel welcome.
I ordered the sweet potato won-tun soup to start, which was cold (and meant to be) but this is not mentioned on the menu. It was gloopy and far too thick and not particularly tasty.
My partner ordered the ostrich to start, which was not bad.
I then ordered the gnu (wildebeast), which was well cooked but a little bland. The root vegetables that accompanied it were inedible. The mushrooms were greasy and the root vegetable horrible. Our waitress offered us sorbets between courses and then added £5 to the bill. They were like flavoured crushed ice and extremely bland. My partner ordered the zebra, which again was not bad. It came with noodles which were also ok. The wine list is way overpriced for the wines that are listed. I ordered a Pinotage at £31 and it was very average.
There are many, many great restaurants in Fitzrovia and I have been to a lot of them. Unfortunately Archipelago is not one of them. If you simply want something different, then that is what you get... but top food you certainly don't. They also add 12.5% automatically to the bill, which is a bit cheeky.
All in all, I will not be going back to Archipelago as it is overpriced and overrated.
by mcolqu, 09 Jun 2010
We were seated in a tiny little cramped table near the window, where we had to move several times to let other people in. The service was reasonably friendly but more in a scripted way than genuine. I always got the feeling that the waitresses were more interested in trying to get you to order as much as possible rather than make you feel welcome.
I ordered the sweet potato won-tun soup to start, which was cold (and meant to be) but this is not mentioned on the menu. It was gloopy and far too thick and not particularly tasty.
My partner ordered the ostrich to start, which was not bad.
I then ordered the gnu (wildebeast), which was well cooked but a little bland. The root vegetables that accompanied it were inedible. The mushrooms were greasy and the root vegetable horrible. Our waitress offered us sorbets between courses and then added £5 to the bill. They were like flavoured crushed ice and extremely bland. My partner ordered the zebra, which again was not bad. It came with noodles which were also ok. The wine list is way overpriced for the wines that are listed. I ordered a Pinotage at £31 and it was very average.
There are many, many great restaurants in Fitzrovia and I have been to a lot of them. Unfortunately Archipelago is not one of them. If you simply want something different, then that is what you get... but top food you certainly don't. They also add 12.5% automatically to the bill, which is a bit cheeky.
All in all, I will not be going back to Archipelago as it is overpriced and overrated.
by mcolqu, 09 Jun 2010
I came here for lunch last year and didn't think much of the 'atmosphere', which included being seated at a tiny table with so many unnecessary decorations that there was barely any room for the plates. The food was good, but not amazing. People should have mentioned the very unusual menu for which this restaurant is famous (insects and other strange animals). For example, there was a pudding which was decorated with honey bees!
by bobbypants "top london reviewer" (53 reviews), 15 Jun 2007
by bobbypants "top london reviewer" (53 reviews), 15 Jun 2007
Beautiful decor. Adventurous and absolutely delicious food. Perfect for fun-loving people. Had a wonderful time!
by Candy07, 26 Apr 2007
by Candy07, 26 Apr 2007
Half the charm of this place is its 'differentness'. It makes a change from minimalist restaurants with no atmosphere.... this place is full of atmosphere. The food was amazing, and yes, pricey, but well worth it. One of the best London restaurants I've been to. I'm saving up for a special occasion to go again!
by Miny, 03 Dec 2005
by Miny, 03 Dec 2005
Went to Archipelago last weekend and I must say that this place is excellent with a nice and unique setting, delicious food (especially peacock, crock and insects) and excellent service. Expensive, but worth the money and I recommend to everyone.
by Malteser, 21 Sep 2005
by Malteser, 21 Sep 2005
Archipelago is now my favourite restaurant in London. The food was fabulous and I warmly recommend the crocodile and "the visit to the doctor's" at the end of the meal. Service and decor are also both excellent. A real find.
by manoo, 07 Sep 2005
by manoo, 07 Sep 2005
Our favourite restaurant! I've dined at the likes of Le Gavroche, but for an overall dining experience you cannot beat Archipelago. Service is excellent, food adventurous and well prepared and the vibe is, well, special. The negative review below is simply confusing! What an unhappy person. Such a shame that some people just have a negative view on life. Try this place - it will lift you spirit! (But avoid in really hot weather!)
by Rob, 14 Jul 2005
by Rob, 14 Jul 2005
We always have the most fantastic time eating here. Be prepared for a very different time. But very worth the experience.
by Anonymous, 08 Apr 2005
by Anonymous, 08 Apr 2005
We had an absolutely wonderful experience at this restaurant recently. The food was delicious, full of flavour and beautifully presented. The staff were attentive but not overpowering.
Reading the last review, I have to remark, made me puke. Captain outraged is obviously very fat and ugly and very unhappy about it. No sex for a very long time also comes to mind, but hey, I'm glad I wasn't next to their miserable table. Archipelago is very special, so don't let sad angry people put you off!!! Vanessa Anderson x
by Anonymous, 07 Jan 2005
Reading the last review, I have to remark, made me puke. Captain outraged is obviously very fat and ugly and very unhappy about it. No sex for a very long time also comes to mind, but hey, I'm glad I wasn't next to their miserable table. Archipelago is very special, so don't let sad angry people put you off!!! Vanessa Anderson x
by Anonymous, 07 Jan 2005
I have looked through the other reviews on this website,and am at a loss to understand how anybody could say anything positive about this restaurant, unless they had been paid to do so. In my opinion, it's probably one of the worst places I have ever eaten at, and a classic example of a London rip off: High prices, poor service, lousy food, and cheap gimmicks.
The location could hardly be worse: It's tucked away up a windswept side street miles from anywhere, near Goodge Street Station. Things don't improve when you arrive. The place is the size of a broom cupboard, and the lack of space is made worse by the fact that it's crammed full of what can only be described as junk. Carved African heads juxtaposed with plastic Buddahs, and the like. There is no theme here: It looks like the contents of someone's attic. The result is an uncomfortable eating experience, where you find yourself crammed up next to your fellow diners. If you are broader than average, forget it!
The food is also hardly memorable. I have had much better at my local greasy spoon. I had some Mexican dish, one of the only vegetarian options, and received a tiny packet of tasteless rice wrapped in vine leaves, and a very uninteresting, tiny portion of vegetable stew. This was served on a large plate, placed on top of a piece of slate, on top of a piece of wood. This was all about presentation, and not food.
The service was also a joke: It took them 3 hours to serve 3 courses! They didn't seem very interested in us, despite the fact that, as a group of 12 people having our Xmas office party, the bill was not much short of £1000.
In short, avoid this rip off establishment like the plague, unless you like overpriced, tasteless food, or you are a moron who likes to pay through the nose for nothing.
by captainoutraged, 02 Jan 2005
The location could hardly be worse: It's tucked away up a windswept side street miles from anywhere, near Goodge Street Station. Things don't improve when you arrive. The place is the size of a broom cupboard, and the lack of space is made worse by the fact that it's crammed full of what can only be described as junk. Carved African heads juxtaposed with plastic Buddahs, and the like. There is no theme here: It looks like the contents of someone's attic. The result is an uncomfortable eating experience, where you find yourself crammed up next to your fellow diners. If you are broader than average, forget it!
The food is also hardly memorable. I have had much better at my local greasy spoon. I had some Mexican dish, one of the only vegetarian options, and received a tiny packet of tasteless rice wrapped in vine leaves, and a very uninteresting, tiny portion of vegetable stew. This was served on a large plate, placed on top of a piece of slate, on top of a piece of wood. This was all about presentation, and not food.
The service was also a joke: It took them 3 hours to serve 3 courses! They didn't seem very interested in us, despite the fact that, as a group of 12 people having our Xmas office party, the bill was not much short of £1000.
In short, avoid this rip off establishment like the plague, unless you like overpriced, tasteless food, or you are a moron who likes to pay through the nose for nothing.
by captainoutraged, 02 Jan 2005
Total waste of money. Staff seem to think this place is the best thing since sliced bread - go and you will be sorely disappointed.
by Anonymous, 25 Oct 2004
by Anonymous, 25 Oct 2004
Have we missed a great restaurant in London? Let us know.
Photograph © Archipelago
