About Simpson's in the Strand

Simpson's in the Strand has been offering classic British dishes to patrons for over 185 years. It began life in 1828 as a coffee house and chess club known as The Grand Cigar Divan, and soon became known as the 'Home of Chess' in London. It became famous for serving cuts of meat on silver trolleys, wheeled to guests' tables in order not to disturb chess games - a practice Simpson's still holds on to today.

Spacious interiors feature classic Victorian-style décor, while a regularly rotating menu encompasses a wide array of traditional roasts alongside some lighter bites. A range of private dining options is also available, as well as carvery classes, tutored by Simpson's master cook Gerry Rae. A list of notable former patrons include Charles Dickens, George Bernard Shaw, Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as his fictional creation, Sherlock Holmes.