The London — Restaurant in Antwerp

Stepping into The London at midday felt like pressing pause on the city’s rush. The dining room, with its clean lines and big windows, gave us a sense of space and calm, perfectly framing the afternoon light. It’s refined without being stiff — exactly what we wanted from a long lunch that balances business and pleasure.

We chose the lunch menu, which offered a concise but inspired selection. The amuse-bouche already set the tone: a delicate bite where texture and acidity danced in balance. Our starter — North Sea shrimp with a citrusy espuma — was fresh and lifted, a nod to local produce elevated with finesse. The main course, a perfectly cooked piece of cod with seasonal vegetables and a subtle beurre blanc, reminded us why simplicity, in the right hands, can feel luxurious. Each plate was not just food but a composition — flavours clear, presentations elegant but never pretentious.

The service deserves its own note. Attentive without hovering, the team anticipated our needs before we even voiced them. Water glasses were quietly refilled, bread replenished at just the right moment, courses explained with genuine enthusiasm. Even the wine pairing — a crisp white from the Loire — felt thoughtfully chosen, enhancing rather than overshadowing the dishes.

What struck us most was the rhythm of the lunch: unhurried, yet efficient enough to return to an afternoon schedule without stress. We didn’t lose half a day here, but we did walk out with the feeling of having treated ourselves to something special.

Yes, The London is not the cheapest lunch in town. But for the quality of the cooking, the elegance of the setting, and the sheer pleasure of being so well looked after, it feels like money spent wisely.

Verdict: An excellent address for those who want a lunch that’s both refined and memorable. We’ll happily return — next time with friends, to stretch it into a...

Heavily overpriced and not meeting my expectations…My wife and I went there after reading a lot of very positive reviews, but we were actually disappointed…. As the tasting menu was not convincing for us we went “a la carte”…my wife had the oysters for starters and I had the past from the main course menu….It said “with truffels…..” but actually the truffels were dried ones and there was no really truffel taste in the dish….at the end it was pasta with a creamy sauce and some pieces of chicken and some dried truffel pieces on top of it….for more than 40 Euros? Really?….For main course we had fish and the wagyu steak….Ok but nothing I will remember afterwards….Wine by the glass…well-meant explanations by the waiter but 18 Euros for a mediocre glass of red wine? Come on…. ( Sorry this was my bad - 18 Euros was a glass of Champage…The wine was 10 Euros) Don’t get me wrong..I am absolutely ready to spend a lot of money for a great experience but if that is not the case I am more critical….Bottom line: OKish evening, decent dishes but overpriced…there are better...

Loved the lunch menu. Very welcoming staff. Delightful amuses. The first course (different tomato preparations) was full of well balanced flavours. The main course (skate wing/roggevleugel) was top notch, served with tasty vegetables and a wonderful sauce. We took the cheese platter instead of dessert: 5 great cheeses (nice detail: a note with some background info on the cheese producers). I had the non-alcoholic pairing, my companions the wine pairing. Both were excellent. We’ll definitely go there again to try out the tasting menu (which is also available for...