601 Queen's Road — Restaurant in London

Anniversary brunch & Wimbledon warm-up at 601 Queen’s Road – Great food, cool rooftop, a few details to improve.

📍 Occasion: Anniversary brunch before heading to Wimbledon.

📋 Food ordered:

🥚 Eggs Benedict – £14.95 A well-executed classic: perfectly poached eggs with creamy yolks, smooth hollandaise, and—finally—none of that harsh vinegar taste you find in too many places. Score: 8/10.

🥯 Dirty Breakfast Bagel – £13.95 Surprisingly good. The bagel was toasted but still soft (not easy to find), the sausage patty juicy and well-cooked, the egg was ok, but the real highlight was the bacon jam: sweet, tangy, and the perfect finishing touch to balance the dish. Score: 9/10

🥂 Santa Fosca Prosecco DOC Veneto – £8.95/glass – £39.95/bottle A perfectly average prosecco. Nothing wrong, nothing exciting. £8.95 per glass is fine for London, but £39.95 for the bottle feels overpriced—as is often the case in bars and restaurants. Score:3/10

🏙️ Location & decor: Set on a rooftop with curved glass walls, the space gets great natural light and offers a unique view, much better than your typical street-level brunch spot. Inside: a circular bar at the centre, rustic wooden tables, a few well-placed sofas—nice vibe overall. However, the bare walls and intentionally rough “unfinished” plaster style feel a bit too empty. A few paintings or hanging plants would easily elevate the space.

🌿 Biggest downside: the plants. Inside, the only greenery came from potted table plants—broad-leaf varieties that were poorly maintained, with several visibly dry or yellowing leaves. Outside on the terrace, there were taller potted plants placed directly on the ground, almost like small ornamental trees. Unfortunately, they looked neglected, with the vibe of a garden someone left to survive the winter and never revisited. It gave the otherwise pleasant outdoor space a slightly abandoned feel—a pity, considering the potential.

✅ Final thoughts: Tasty food, friendly service, bright space and a great brunch vibe. The location has serious potential, but would really benefit from a few finishing touches—especially when it comes to greenery and decor. Recommended, especially on a sunny day… just don't look too closely...

We headed to 601 Queen’s Rd on a sunny day, looking to enjoy a relaxed family lunch on the terrace. The interior is sharp and modern, with a central bar that gives it a bit of a trendy, lounge feel. But the real draw is the outdoor seating, bright, open, and perfect for a sunny afternoon.

A staff member greeted us and showed us to our seats with a casual warning: “Those are the seats, just be careful, they’re very hot, and here are the menus.” Not exactly warm hospitality, but at least we were acknowledged. Things seemed promising when our waiter arrived, chatty, friendly, and quick to bring over tap water, making us feel at ease. But that early momentum didn’t last.

From there, the service slowed to a crawl. It took far too long to place our order, and even longer for the food to arrive. When a place has this many staff on a quiet day, there’s really no excuse for dragging things out this much.

We ordered a jug of their house lemonade (£20), said to serve six. Realistically, it barely served four. For that price, you’d expect a bit more than a couple of small glasses each.

For the kids, we went with the tomato maccheroni. One child ate it without comment, he eats anything. The other pushed it away, saying it needed cheese. And honestly, he wasn’t wrong. A sprinkle of Parmesan, especially in a pasta-focused kitchen, would’ve made a big difference. Simple fix, easily missed.

I ordered the Niçoise salad, which came with grilled tuna. Unfortunately, the tuna tasted off, not in a food safety way, but just odd. Dry, slightly metallic, and completely out of place. Even more confusing, the salad arrived without olive oil. When we asked, the response was, “Sorry, we don’t do olive oil.” A restaurant that serves salads but doesn’t have olive oil on hand? That’s a serious miss.

All in all, 601 Queen’s Rd is the kind of place that looks like it should be better than it is. If you’re just after a drink in the sun and aren’t too picky about food or service, it might do the job. But if you care about what’s on the plate, and how long it takes to get there, you’ll likely leave frustrated.

It’s a beautiful space, but when the food and service fall this flat, even the sunshine...

I adore the ambiance and location of this bar, but my recent visit left much to be desired. Only one steak option was available from the menu, and it arrived almost cold. Additionally, I was taken aback by the aged and wrinkled salad leaves. Despite the disappointing food and plate decoration, the gentleman who waited at our table was a delight. Matt was very friendly and polite, and his drink and cocktail suggestions were spot on. Thank you so much, Matt, for your beautiful smile and lovely hospitality. Update 7th of May 2024 I want to extend my appreciation to the management of 601 Queens Road for their exceptional response to my previous review. Following my feedback, they promptly reached out via email, expressing sincere apologies for the less-than-perfect experience I had during my recent visit. It was heartening to see their proactive approach and genuine concern for customer satisfaction.

In just a matter of days, they not only acknowledged my concerns but also went above and beyond to make things right. Their generous offer truly exceeded my expectations. It's evident that they value their patrons and are dedicated to delivering memorable dining experiences.

This level of care and attention to customer feedback speaks volumes about the management's commitment to excellence. I must admit, I wasn't expecting such a swift and thoughtful response, but I'm delighted to say that they have proven me wrong in the best possible way.

Their actions showcase the epitome of British customer service culture, something I hold in high regard every time I travel abroad. The care and dedication exhibited by the team at 601 Queens Road are truly commendable, and I feel compelled to share my gratitude here.

Thank you once again to the management and staff for turning my initial disappointment into a positive and memorable interaction. I look forward to revisiting soon and experiencing the exceptional hospitality that you...