28-32 St Martin's Ct, London WC2N 4AL, United Kingdom
J Sheekey is an iconic London restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden and the West End, serving the best seafood, fish, shellfish and oysters with al fresco dining on the terrace. The restaurant is close to the vibrant quarters of Soho, Leicester Square and The National Gallery.
It was my second time visit J Sheekey seafood restaurant in Covent Garden. It seems like they would serve quicker for those pre-theater guests. We were waited for sometime. Underwhelmed by the food which was pricy. ▪︎Pumpkin risotto was good ▪︎Crab burger was okay ▪︎Fish curry was ordinary ▪︎Mixed Oysters can be better ▪︎Parmesan fried Courgette was good ▪︎Roasted Chorizo was good ▪︎Atlantic Prawns not worth to try Service was pleasant, friendly staff . Total bill : £192.
Went there for a birthday party over the weekend. I was not impressed with the service as this place was considered as a 5 star-typed restaurant. Food: The choices are good with different options. Service: bad. The waitress serving us was looking like she doesn't understand our order and we have to keep repeating our order a few times. On the drinks side, we've put in our order once we were seated as we know what we want to drink. However 15 minutes later, there were still no drinks on sight. We've to ask about where are our drinks. Another point was the seating, the table that we're placed was small, cramp and in a traffic flow area were waiters snd waitresses walk passed you ALL THE TIME! While we saw a couple was place in a corner with a bigger table where more people can sit around. Not very clever in their seating plan. We've made reservation in advance, surely you would have thought the restaurant would have a better seating plan. Atmosphere: it was spolit by the cramped seating table, with lots of waitering traffic flow around our table.
This place was awesome. The chili jalapeño prawns were yummy. Also the cheese soufflé was the dish of the night ! The picture doesn’t do it justice - delicate with an amazing cheese sauce Loved the fish and chips - specifically the mushy peas were better than most places. The fish pie is creamy and comforting The basque cheesecake with cherry was perfect !
Legendary place on London’s culinary scene. Still up to it's hype and glory. We were very pleased with everything. The service was attentive, friendly and non obstructive. The food was tasty, well prepared, cooked and came with great timing. The ambient was like in traditional, classic old fashioned restaurant in the 60ties. The crowd was full of eccentric, interesting individuals (lots of them dressed in very flamboyant manner). All in all it's a place to be, to see, to be seen, to hang out and enjoy lively Central London in all it's glory. Definitely a place for many regular visits, holding history and many fantastic memories. One of very few in London still being it's own league. Well done J Sheekey!!!
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with such warmth and hospitality that it set the tone for a fantastic lunch. Even though we didn't have a reservation, the staff managed to find us a cozy spot. We chose the classic fish and chips, and it was an absolute delight and the portions were incredibly generous. The fish was perfectly cooked with a light, crispy batter and the chips were golden and delicious. If you’re on the hunt for the best fish and chips, I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant. A truly memorable meal in a welcoming atmosphere
Truly special place that oozes class. After a very warm welcome we were taken to our table - beautiful booth, opposite the bar. Exquisite food - difficult to suggest any improvements to anything we ate. It was all absolutely superb. A must visit!
My recent visit to J Sheekey in London was nothing short of exceptional. Nestled in a narrow street that evoked a sense of old London, the atmosphere felt as though I had stepped back in time to a historic era. The surrounding pedestrian traffic was dense, adding to the lively and classic London charm, while inside, the ambiance was calm and inviting. From the moment I sat down, the service was fantastic. A young waiter, in particular, stood out. His attention to detail was impeccable; he anticipated everything we needed, and we never had to call him over – he was always ready and present. This level of care and professionalism greatly enhanced our experience. We indulged in the best fruits de mer I’ve had since Paris. The quality of the seafood was incredibly high, making for an unforgettable meal. Every bite reflected the freshness and careful preparation of the ingredients. J Sheekey has certainly set the bar for excellence in seafood. On top of the outstanding food and service, there was also a sense of warm hospitality that made the evening feel special. The entire experience at J Sheekey was a perfect blend of tradition, high-quality cuisine, and attentive service. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a true taste of classic London dining.
All round excellent. Went pretty all out on the food as it was a celebratory meal but could have been cheaper if selected differently. It's expensive but for a premium fish and seafood experience in classic ambience with great service it's worth it. The cheesecake to share for dessert and banana Carre cocktail really impressed. Service warm and efficient.
Fabulous restaurant. Great food and great service. Loved everything about it.
Attentive service. Great location. Slightly disappointed with the seafood platter on this occasion.. more of the infill (e.g. cockcles) at the expense of the main players (oysters, snails) in my opinion.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options were not indicated on the menu...but staff seemed knowledgeable about which dishes could be adapted Recommended dishes
The overall experience is amazing. The interior design is wonderful and so is the service. The food was slightly too sweet for our personal liking (burger and salmon dishes). Food
Always celebrate our anniversary here, my favourite place to eat when in london. Every visit the food and the staff are amazing.
not often do i arrive at my table and then a staff member bump into me and then lean in to headbutt me! all is very clearly on the cctv and the manager of the evening also witnessed it. a very surreal experience at such a great establishment. this waiter then carried on serving us drinks by putting them on our table as quickly as he possibly could each time, which resulted in him spilling it. other staff very good and food was nice but ive never had anything like that happen to me before. very surreal experience
Sheekey is a must. Every year we go to London and we even book before leaving. This evening, excellent service from Falimat. ¡ Much Gracias for your service!
Best. Fish and chips ever had
It was lovely, one of Londons oldest and best restaurants. Great food. Loos clean for such a high traffic place. Good atmosphere. I recommend the fish pie and Staff absolutely fantastic, highly recommend.
Went here during a date to arouse her culinary palate as I knew she liked fine dining and good food, I have always wanted to eat here too, so a no-brainer as we were walking around the west end. Didnt book and just walked in, we had an hour wait, but they accommodated us. The service was great, and the food was delicious as expected. The only problem was that sitting outside in the covered area was a bit cold for a December evening, albeit that there were heaters, but my dates conversation soon warmed me up. Did not disappoint as a great experience was had by all.
Lovely food, fresh seafood and fabulous service! Will definitely be coming back again
Beautiful Restaurant, Service & Food. My sister and I ate there last night and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Really great seafood and a good selection of dishes on the menu. Fantastic setting for a family celebration in an intimate section of the restaurant. This coupled with jazz music created just the right ambience for our get-together. The service is outstanding, attentive but unobtrusive. I highly recommend J. Shelley s.
If you cannot get a table sit at the bar! Fantastic!
An exceptional experience. Beautiful.
All the staff were excellent, service was the best I have had in a long time. Food excellent, gotta get the recipe for the scallop sauce! Desserts excellent. Location fantastic, makes the maintenance of standards all the more impressive with so many potential one time passing customers... I will be going back asap!
We celebrated my mother-in-laws 90th birthday and all staff were fantastic. Sarita in particular was very kind, attentive and funny, she made our evening very special. Thanks Sarita!
Vastly overrated, after having drinks at the bar we waited an age to be shown to our table. Where we were seated must have been the coldest area of the restaurant,we asked on 3occasions for the air conditioning to be turned off before it eventually was. The girl who showed us to our table was rude and unwelcoming. While we were waiting for our food we noticed other tables getting a basket of bread, we got nothing until we pointed this out. I certainly wont go to this restaurant again and will deter any of my friends and family from doing so.
Lovely experience, and very pleasant attentive service for my wifes birthday. Sommelier was great too. Thank you.
What a place! First of host was welcoming and professional. We had a drink while they prepared our table. The waitress was lovely and again, very professional. We had the oysters which were fresh, then we had the seafood platter!! This platter was amazing, lobster, big prawns, scallops, mussels, so tasty and one thing I commend them on, is the hot temperature of the food, everything came out nice and pipping hot, which I appreciated. Well seasoned and tasty! I will defo be going back again! However, I must say I noticed there was a cover charge on my receipt, when I got home. So I called to ask what this was, the lady told me, you get charged for the linen, table cloth and napkins etc, she said all restaurants charge, i had to correct her and say they don t as I was looking at another resturant bill and that wasn t on there. J Sheekey charge £2 per person, not sure I liked that, considering it s not the cheapest restaurant.
Excellent dishes!
Great service great food. Well worth a visit.
Top of the line restaurant with outstanding food and impeccable service. Will be back when next in London.
Reassuringly old school service and impeccably cooked fish. Not changed in 20 years.
Back at J Sheekys after not being to London for two years. We showed up just at about Theatre sitting time - so it was busy- but after just a few minutes got a nice table and prompt service. We had a less than stellar experience the night before at. Michelin 1 star so were hoping JS would be better. It delivered great food, great service, less than half the price. Wine list is good and reasonable. We had the lobster Gruyère bites as an appetizer which was excellent. We were initially a bit reluctant on some of the fish as we usually avoid anything farmed- our server who reassured us it was great Scottish stuff told us the halibut and hale were fantastic - we had halibut grilled and fish and chips hake. He claimed they were the best in the UK and if we found better we could return for a free fish and chips on him. So far we are still looking for better but haven t found it including in Bath. We will return anyway since and gladly pay for the quality. A la prochaine fois! Thanks.
We had a reservation here for dinner before catching a show at the theatre. What a wonderful choice! The seafood was fresh and delicious. The waiter was very attentive and the atmosphere was excellent. For starters we had the mixed platter of oysters (my favourite were the Spéciales de Claire, I would recommend just ordering those) and for main we each ordered a deluxe shellfish platter (which is too much food, just order one to share!) I d never tried a whelk before so that was new. The platter had a dressed crab, lobster, clams, cockles, ceviche, mussels, king prawns and probably more I m forgetting. Great for seafood lovers. Wonderful place, I do recommend it. Came to around £400 for 2 people with drinks.
Expensive but excellent seafood restaurant. Oysters brilliant and skate amazing. Highly recommended!
Kid-friendliness: Si Wheelchair accessibility: Sisi Food : 5/5 |
Lovely traditional food in a lovely, snug environment but badly let down by chaotic service. We paid over £350 for two of us but did not consider this money well spent-all because the service was so poor. Our souffles were served five minutes before the other starters arrived, one of the starters arrived after all the others, the starter plates were not cleared until the main course arrived and there seemed to be no-one supervising service generally. IT all felt very haphazard. At these prices, one can expect expert service-not just good food and I would hesitate to go back given the poor service.
Delicious bisque and stunning miso sea bream. Great service
We had to sit in the patio area but it was fine. Service was a tad bit slow but the food was delicious. A very good comprehensive wine list.
Good fish restaurant, Dover sole highly recommended. Very nice service, good list of white wine.
Some times the words can t describe the feeling..amazing tastes!!
It was all wonderful, thank you to all the hard working staff. You made my birthday meal a special one :)
Quite simply one of the very best seafood restaurants in the World and we love visiting this iconic eatery whenever we are in town. The staff are lovely and nothing is any problem even when you are the very last people to leave!! We booked for 9.30pm and arrived very late but it was truly no issue whatsoever! Love Sheekeys!!
Vegetarian options: Dietary restrictions: Parking: Kid-friendliness: Wheelchair accessibility:
Superb , we loved our evening here , fantastic food , excellent service , great atmosphere , we were made to feel like we were their favourite regular customers ( it was our first time here) A very special restaurant Food
Superb smart restaurant specialising fresh seafood. 10/10
Great seafood in central London. Service is amazing with a nice staff. Recommend starter Scallops and main a seafood platter which its a good share for two. Lobster is also big enough to share. Food
If I could rate this restaurant a -100, I would. This was my first time in London and the hotel I was staying at recommended this place. My family and I walked in the restaurant and the host did not greet us upon arrival. He assumed that I was recording him(I am a vlogger) since I was holding my camera. He literally started ducking and hiding as if he was in action movie and told us to just walk in the restaurant instead of speaking to him. He did not ask if I could put the camera away which could ve been just as simple as explaining that I did not have the camera on. We still proceed to sit down and enjoy our dinner. As we were ordering, a different team member came to reiterate that we shouldn t have the camera recording or have it on the table and assumed that I was STILL recording. As a professional, I know what establishments I can and cannot record in which I also explained. I usually ask for permission prior to entering any establishment. The restaurant put such a bad taste in our mouths we decided to leave. I refuse to spend $200-300 on a restaurant that I couldn t be comfortable in or continue to see team members cut eyes at our table. We proceeded to leave and was stop by the host aka cupcake. He tried to make amends with us and act surprised of why we was leaving which turn us to exchange words. We left out the restaurant and never plan to try them again. A family walked up to us as we were at the restaurant saying the food is not that great for that service. I wouldn t leave them a penny for a tip. That spoke volumes to my family! I will be doing a full vlog on my trip to London and will do a voice over about this restaurant. I do not recommend this restaurant. You will be disappointed. The menu is not even pleasing and the prices are high. I do not need management to contact me, I will never recommend or eat at this establishment. They also called the hotel we stayed at and lied saying we were recording and was asked for us to leave. That was a absolutely a lie, no one asked us to leave my family made the decision to tell the waiter we were not comfortable and to give us a check if it was charge for the water on the table. I RECOMMEND BENTLEYS BAR AND GRILL OVER THIS ESTABLISHMENT. We literally walked over to the restaurant and they sat us down immediately. We explained about the horrible experience we encountered at J Sheekey and they apologized for their mistake and awful service. They treated my family and I SO nice, and the GENERAL MANAGER stated that we can come in without an reservation anytime!! It was huge different experience and I m so glad that we left to go enjoy real service and manners!
Good food and good service. Convenient for Londons theatre district.
J Sheekey is always a safe place to have a good meal. It feels like it has got more expensive than my last visit. The fish pie is a classic, but at its price, I don t think it s that special. It s so so. The service however is top notch and your water glass doesn t get a chance to be empty.
I had a wonderful Easter lunch with my kids in this restaurant. Apart negligible details (i.e. the bottom of the small fish pie served as starter was a bit hard to cut) the food was excellent. The staff was very kind and we appreciated the chocolate gift offered at the end. Maybe the best experience of our stay in London.
We had an excellent dining experience at this iconic and famous restaurant. J Sheekey provides delicious seafood with good service in a fun atmosphere.
What a place. An Institution. Great food with royal service. We dined here before Lion King show. We saw Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban with their daughters walking in as we were leaving. Another normal day at J Sheekeys
J.Sheekey consistently delivers! The food was outstanding as always, with fresh, flavourful seafood. The service was great, thanks in particular to Floor Manager Christopher, who ensured everything was perfect. We dined on the terrace, which is absolutely lovely and made experience even more enjoyable!
Best restaurant for seafood lovers in Central London
It was our 3rd visit, and as usual, the quality of the fish and the expertise of the chefs were outstanding the service was faultless the only complaint was the very high wine prices compared to the quality. I highly recommend it. Food
Lovely meal and great service, highly recommend.Jersey oysters particularly good!
Please change your fish pie, it is some sort of tasteless.
Delicious food and attentive, but not overbearing service - recommended!
Always a favourite
Excellent place to eat sea food, the crab was spectacular!
A stalwart of the London food scene, excellent food and wonderful service.
A superb classic English fish restaurant near theatreland in the West End. It claims to have been around since the 1890s. Whether thats true or not, I dont know, but I do know that its a London landmark worth visiting for a pre or post theatre dinner. The food is always delicious and never disappoints with interesting twists on classics such as shrimp cocktail or lobster thermidor. The service is attentive and fun without being obnoxious. Theres a good selection of wine and cocktails. The atmosphere and ambience is usually buzzy. Dietary restrictions: Most allergies and intolerances can be catered for
J. Sheekeys red facade has been an unmissable fixture along St Martins Court in Covent Garden since 1896. Sometimes, established legacy restaurants can be disappointing and not live up to their reputation. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and service when I recently dined at this well-known seafood spot. Although there isnt an abundance of gluten free options on the menu, the few that were available were full of flavour and well balanced. The fish was fresh, and I thought everything was spiced beautifully. The waitress took her time explaining what I could/ couldnt eat on the menu, and I felt safe dining despite my dietary restrictions. I was also happy to note that gluten free bread was available. I want to highlight the risotto - it was remarkable, and I havent had a risotto in a long that that I have enjoyed as thoroughly as this one. I had a very pleasant experience dining here, and I would recommend it as a good option post-West End show!
Never disappointed.
Great meal at J Sheekey. Went for the lunch fixed menu to try the restaurant and it was a yummy meal. Really enjoyed the miso salmon and the starters. The Brad and burger was also delightful!
JEMIMA, KATHERINE AND PAULA GREAT. GREAT WORKERS.
Honestly I felt the signature (Fish Pie) is so so, noting too special as describe from the waiter Sea Bass is delicious, price a bit fancy compare to others standard Restaurent like this. Overall had a good experience
Arrived wet after sudden downpour in London. Were made to feel very welcome despite our soggy state. Food was excellent with the 3 of us all having very different offerings. My son s burger was the pick of the food we chose.. All the fish was very fresh. Nice atmosphere. Would probably be better in evening when more people. Would definitely visit again.
Good food and service.
Good food, good service. Not a turist trap. Amazing oysters. Prawn burger is really glood
We had drinks and starters and mains. We had oysters, octopus and the seafood platter. Oysters and octopus were Devine but I believe the octopus was overpriced for what it was. The clams in the seafood platter hadn t been soaked and had an awful amount of sand inside them. It was so bad it must be the worst clams I have ever had. It put me off the rest of the meal. Isn t it normal to soak clams in order to remove the sand?
On a hot day, during National Oyster Week, sitting outside for a seafood platter cannot be beaten. The quality is excellent, very fresh and efficient service. Prices are reasonable for West End London. American Cocktail sauce is home made and awesome Will be back.
What kind of restaurant is this ? My friend booked a table for 2, when we were about to get ready to go there, the restaurant called that they had to canceled our reservation due to overbooking. On the phone, barely apologizing.
Superb food, excellent presentation with the best service. As a Real foodie who loves dining out, I was happily surprised that these top noche places still exist. 20 years in Italy, 5 in Spain to acheive my total satisfaction. Even to the point.....we were tipsy with food happiness (seafood platter for 2), accompanied perfectly with a rather sumptuous Rose. Probably one of the best lunches you will find in London
Oysters and scallops were Ok but courgette and chicken was mediocre and not worth the money at all. Service was pretty slow and ambience wasn t great. Wouldn t visit again
Th place to go for fish menu!
Great restaurant. Staff very attentive but not intrusive. Food was delightful. Not cheap but worth every penny. (We had cocktails and wine which pushed price up a bit)
Our favourite London restaurant fantastic all round service and food
Brilliant!
Absolutely tremendous seafood.
Fabulous! Always a great meal with friendly service.
Bad waitress named Cristina. . She brought bread, but failed to bring butter or oil until after we were done eating. . I ordered mashed potatoes with my lobster Thermidor. The potatoes didn t come until after we were finished eating. We wanted to order a second drink, but she never came back to the table. We brought cupcakes in for a birthday. She set the cupcakes down on the table. We didn t have plates, and we didn t have any utensils. At the end of the mail we kept asking for the check. The waitress wasn t anywhere to be seen. We had to ask other help in the restaurant to bring what we needed. They said she was lazy.
My wife and I went here for dinner at the recommendation of the manager at Fallow (he opened both restaurants). Based on the fantastic service we had at Fallow, we booked J Sheeky. The seafood was excellent. The Dover Sole and Halibut were amazing, as was the octopus and andouille appetizer. Desserts and cocktails were on point, with prompt delivery of cocktails once ordered. Outstanding service, wonderful atmosphere on the covered patio outside. Highly recommend.
Great return visit, the food was beautifully prepared and presented. Service as usual was excellent. Lovely venue for a family lunchtime celebration. One of our favourite London restaurants Vegetarian options: The veggie option was outstanding considering this is mainly a fish restaurant
Excellent and attentive service, and very well trained as to how to make your dining experience memorable.
Superb seafood. Lovely atmosphere.
Recommended by a good friend and it did not disappoint. Shrimp burger, fish curry, and seafood platter were fantastic. Finished up with salted creme brulee and armagnac.
third visit here and it never disappoints! food is delicious. would definitely recommend the Hake. its expensive but here you get what you pay for. Will hopefully be back soon.
Seafood to die for, there is no other way to say it. I have never had better in this country or France. Very highly recommended.
Famous for fish, J Sheekey was once my favourite post-theatre restaurant but has been in decline for several years. Snappy service is now disinterested and slap-dash, whilst the dog-eared menu is reflective either of our denuded oceans or a lack of willingness to employ skilled chefs. Probably both. Like a Brighton chippie, cod and haddock are the best Sheekey s offer (no turbot or John Dory) unless you like your monk fish tail curried. Ask for fizzy water, you get still. Octopus starter was nice but the salmon tartar was straight out of kitchen central. The sole slips were swimming in butter without a boiled potato, a slice of lemon or a lettuce leaf for garnish - and not even a suggestion by the (did I mention disinterested?) waiter when taking the order that an inordinately expensive vegetable side dish might be required to make a meal. Maybe its adjoining seafood bar is better but for after-theatre dinner the main restaurant is one to avoid.
I was recommended this place by a local and was told great things about it. It was my first time in London visiting from the states, it had been a long day since it was already 9-10pm where we were without a proper meal since breakfast. We sat in one of the intimate smaller dining rooms on the right side which at first glance was very nice. But the discomfort of being there set in as no one seemed to have cared to take our order for a long time. The servers in suit jackets (specifically there was a tall bald guy with glasses) just walk by our table constantly but ignore us as I m making eye contact with them. It s a very small and tight space where it s hard to go unnoticed. It s also late at night where it s not busy. I had to flag down someone to start the order as I don t know who our designated waiter is. We order two starters, the tuna tataki and smoked salmon salad, and fish and chips. The tuna was a little underwhelming but the salmon salad was actually very nice and refreshing. We finished the starters and had the empty plates sitting on the table for a long time as well as the server walks by us again and again before he finally takes the plates away. Then the entrees come out promptly and it was honestly spectacular. I m a huge fish and chips fan and this was the main reason why I came to the restaurant since they supposedly do fish very well. It was definitely an elevated version where the portion was huge with a nice batter, mashed peas and decent dipping sauce. I was pleased with the dish even though I prefer slightly less thicker fried coating. Finally at the end of our meal we finished eating and needed the check. Eventually there was a nice female server who came to support our table for whatever we needed but she was hopping around in different rooms. After the plates were taken away we were asked if we needed anything else like drinks or dessert but we were just so full so we said no. I just needed the check but it took another 20-25 min to leave. Again we were waiting for someone to come to the table to ask for the check. After 10 min I asked the male server for the check. I figured I d go to the bathroom and come back and it d be ready. But no he walked back and forth our table again and didn t give us the check. I had to ask another server again for it and the finally had to waive down the initial guy who forgot for him to process it. I m not sure why I had to try so hard to get service for a meal I m paying over 100 pounds for. Is it because I m not a famous actor, or l look young or that I m not British? Frankly wish the 13.5% service charge was not tacked on because we barely received any. Food was decent but the service ruined it for me.
Great
Update: I called and still not spoken to someone about my experience. Like I said, all show, no substance... It was my birthday meal. My husband booked this place because he heard of the excellent service and seafood. Neither of those were true. As much as I am thankful for my husband for booking a place, our experience was not great...Once again a place in London that has more style over substance. The service was average at best, the waiter said oh i believe its someones birthday and then just handed a plate over to me with two chocolates - no actual Happy Birthday. We were put right at the entrance where it was noisy. The food was not even seasoned correctly, I had to add salt to the ceviche to even taste anything and in all honesty, the cheese soufflé was the best thing. I feel like the staff are deflated by the mannerisms of their customers clicking their fingers on demand. I would have raised a complaint directly, but I can honestly say I dont want to go back again. Might as well wake up early, and pick up some fish from Billingsgate!
This is a slightly cheaper version of scott s. The food is up to the same standard and the atmosphere is great . Located just around the busy Leicester square station, this place takes you away from the hustle . Highly recommended for seafood lovers. Food
My recent dining experience at J Sheekey was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality that set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Lets start with the food - each dish that graced our table was a masterpiece in itself. The freshness of the seafood was unparalleled, and the flavors were expertly balanced to create a symphony for the taste buds. From the succulent oysters to the perfectly grilled fish, every bite was a delight. The attention to detail in each dish was evident, showcasing the culinary expertise of the chefs at J Sheekey. However, what truly set this dining experience apart was the exceptional service. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our meal was perfect. They were attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food they were serving. Their recommendations were spot on, and their genuine enthusiasm for their craft truly enhanced our dining experience. The ambiance of the restaurant was elegant yet inviting, making it the perfect setting for a special evening out. The attention to detail in the decor added to the overall charm of the place, creating an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and welcoming. In conclusion, J Sheekey is a true gem in the heart of London. The combination of outstanding food, impeccable service, and charming ambiance makes it a must-visit destination for any food enthusiast. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough and will definitely be returning to indulge in their culinary delights again soon. Thank you, J Sheekey, for a memorable dining experience!
Ok
Best fish and chips in London! Gary Janetti recommended it so you know it s good
A London institution. Simply one of the best traditional fish restaurants in the capital.
Great! Expensive but very good
Lovely evening celebrating a business achievement
Consistent, high quality, well conceived menu, well trained staff, and comfortable, club like atmosphere. Worth the price. Not trendy, just a classic. Loved the shrimp and soft shell crab burger. Sea bass filet was also terrific. A gritty seafood bisque was remediated without hesitation. Highly recommended.
Exceptional food, beautifully crafted by clearly gifted chefs. Super polite greeting at the door, smart and refined, but staff with a sense of humour as well as a sense of great customer service. The fish is superb - it doesnt matter what you choose, you wont be disappointed. And we had possibly the best and most beautiful dessert ever. Raspberry posset - rarely does something so beautiful, taste as good as it looks. Compliments to the chefs and thanks to the staff. Incidentally, without any fuss being made, Im pretty sure we were treated to much more wine than we were charged for. If it was intended, then thank you. If it was accidental, tough - you cant have it back. Not cheap, but worth every penny for a special meal that wont disappoint.
Exemplary service, fine wine and a wonderful meal.
We came here for a special occasion and we could not have had a more positive experience. The food was fantastic and the service incredible. The staff really go above and beyond and we will definitely be returning. Could not fault it if I tried.
Definitely my favourite restaurant
Had lunch yesterday after many years, still truly great!!!!
Specialized in fish dishes but also with some meat alternatives. Nice place, very popular, between Leicester Square and Covent Garden. The Dover Sole was excellent, the sea bream ceviche was good but not exceptional. The service is precise and courteous. Certainly expensive but in line with places of this level in London
We went here for a birthday lunch. We had a warm welcome and our coats were taken to the cloakroom. The waiting staff were first class, well dressed and the table was nicely set. The menu is extensive and reassuringly seafood focused and not trying to cater for other tastes. We had the scallop starter and octopus starter which were both perfect, the scallops sweet with a delicious jus in the shell. The octopus was tender and perfectly cooked and moreish. This was followed by the prawn and monkfish tikka masala and the sea bream dish with aubergine caponata. Again both were splendid and the rice with the curry dish was delicately aromatic and probably the best rice Ive had with such a dish. The sea bream was moist and the skin was perfectly crispy. A dessert of yuzu posset followed which was highly decorative, rich and with a slight tartess but not heavy. As it was a birthday celebration a surprise of chocolate truffles was brought to the table. The double espresso was rich with a suitably thick creamy foam. The meal wasnt rushed even though there was a good turn over of diners. The washrooms were clean and the sinks and taps were vintage and beautiful. We have dined in many renowned fish restaurants and have to say this is the best weve experienced. We will return again and again. Wheelchair accessibility: Yes, a unisex toilet is available without the need of going downstairs.
Great pre-theatre dinner at J Sheekey - my first visit for several years and didn t disappoint. Classic menu with a wide range of dishes. Kids loved the cheese souffle, I loved my fish stew. Great service and ambience - not trying too hard to be pretentious, just helping you have a good time.
One of my favorite places in London and have been going there for over 40 years and happy to say that the food and service have always been of high quality and impeccable. The fish and seafood is very fresh and the choices of wine excellent. This is a must go place in London and should not be missed. It is close to the theaters so a good choice for an after theater dinner. We were very well looked after by both Lucia and Marik and thank them for their friendliness and professionalism. This is one of my favorite places in London and I have been going there for over 40 years and I am happy to say that the food and service has always been high quality and impeccable. The fish and seafood are very fresh and the wine choices are excellent. This is a must-visit place in London and not to be missed. Its close to the theaters, so a good choice for an after-theatre dinner. We were very well taken care of by Lucia and Marik and we thank them for their kindness and professionalism.
Warm welcome from the gentleman at the door, as well as host stand. Food was excellent. Our waitress could use some training perhaps. When we placed our order (table of 5), I was the only person who had a starter. She asked if I wanted the starter first and main and sides to follow. I replied that I did, to which she said, `can we please bring it all at once? I didn t realize that it was my responsibility to do what was convenient for her. Our complete order came all at once. Additionally, we had sparkling water for the three adults and still for our children. At one point she refilled my nearly empty water glass with still. I stopped her and told her it was sparkling and she told me that she thought the glass was his, pointing to my son next to me. Then she walked away. A few moments later she did it again, this time to my wife and mother. This time she returned with two new glasses and another bottle of sparkling, which we were charged for. It s interesting that we were charged for her mistake, but I m not one to make an issue over a bottle that is a few pounds. Finally, our check had a `cover charge added to it. 2.00 per person which I found humorous. Our waitress was also wearing copious amounts of perfume which was somewhat off-putting. I try to be an understanding person. Perhaps she was having a bad day personally or just an off day, but once I got the bill I felt like they were more interested in nickel and diming me than providing service on par with the food. There are more restaurants in London than one could ever visit. The next time I spend money on a meal, I will spend it elsewhere.
Lovely old school restaurant. Went there 25 years ago and it hasnt changed a bit today. Food good, waiters lovely. I only gave it 4 stars for service because there is an interminable form to fill in to get wifi. Why??
Much better than I expected for such a touristy area! I passed by every day and thought it may be a tourist trap but the attention, the quality of the seafood, and the spaces are just beyond. A new favorite in London.
I last ate here a few years ago before the birth of my first gorgeous granddaughter . How things have changed . We had the set £33 for two courses. The crab tart lovely the salmon ok, I could have cooked that . My daughters was nice . What has got my goat is this . We were put in a pokey little corner across from a famous TV cook and her husband . Maybe because she was called Monica ? did that mean she had a large table? We had a carafe of wine and at £27 it seemed to hold about two small glasses, ! plus the service charge of 13.5% and a cover charge? Disappointed . My lovely daughter paid so she doesnt know I am writing this. Sheekeys ? very disappointed
Its a bit packed in but worth it for the amazing grub.
Wow what an experience at J Sheekey. I have been coming to Sheekey for years but this evening we got to encounter the Yuzu posset/blood orange dessert and it was sublime! My compliments to the chefs, our servers and all the staff! We will be back!
This was the last meal for our short stay in London this year and we have no regrets! Despite the upscale ambiance, the kind waiting staff, and many delicious offerings, it s the Shrimp & Soft Shell Crab Burger that inspired me to leave this review. It is simply amazing. Truly. The photos don t even do it justice. If you re thinking about ordering it - do it! Small secondary shoutout to the rhubarb creme brûlée. Crème Brûlée is my husband s favorite dessert so we typically try it whenever we see it offered on a menu and J Sheekey s execution was great. The rhubarb really added an enticing sweet yet tart twist.
Ideal lunch spot. A top fish restaurant in London for creating memorable moments.
A prime example of you get what you pay for. Good service, excellent food. Will be going back soon
Absolutely LOVED this spot! Almost purely fished based menu with a fair few options. All sounded great and after our meal we will be going back! In terms of atmosphere, it s definitely an upper/higher class restaurant with a smart casual dressed crowd but I wasn t too out of place in my large fleece. Service was impeccable throughout our server was attentive but not intrusive. It was the first time seeing my mother in years so it was so nice how much they allowed us to spend time chatting between courses and after. Now the food! Octopus with pepper and chorizo. So nicely cooked, octopus wasn t rubbery and very easy to cut and eat with the salty chorizo was such a nice pairing. Fish pie. My mother s dish looked and tasted amazing! It is one of Sheekey s staples and didn t disappoint. Creamy saucy with crisped mashed potatoes and flakes of fish throughout. Broccolini, tenderly cooked but not steamed and that gross steamed vegetable taste was no where to be found. Easy to cut but still firm. Fried Zucchini patties. These were also really nice and a nice accompaniment of Parmesan and a tangy tomato based sauce on the side. Scallops. Generously cooked in butter. And like the octopus was easy to cut and eat without any rubbery textures. Then our pudding we shared. What a masterpiece! Such a creamy base with sharp so very to help cut through all the yummy fish we d had before! Overall Sheekeys was really amazing and the staff are truly a big highlight as well spent close to 30-45 minutes between our main and our dessert chatting and they couldn t have been more accommodating! I m going away again soon and I can see this being our go to for next catch up! Kid-friendliness: Super kid friendly! Our waitress also served a large group with 1 toddler and she was incredibly attentive to the toddler. Even dancing with them after the meal while the adult got coats and bills sorted. Kids menu also Wheelchair accessibility: Straight off the street, manageable lip into restaurant (not stairs) I would say the interior is a little tight but multiple rooms of dining and outdoor seating you d definitely find a table!
Always fabulous. Great food and service.
Still the best
Very good fish restaurant, prices high but adequate for a place of this type in London. Nice atmosphere and good service.
Seafood at J Sheekey is fresh and great quality. The staff is amazing! Located in the heart of London, you will find it every easily.
Great food, great service
Amazing restaurant. Everything was perfect. Great food, great service beautiful restaurant. Sticky prawns and fish and chips and cod main were very good. Only negative comment was the price of the scallops. But they tasted very good so couldn t complain.
Whooooasaaaa!!!! From time to time you get one of these perfect dining experience that you were looking for since ever Well, don t look further J Sheekey is one of them. First things first, the food was AMAZING from starters to dessert. Some of the best Brasserie fish/seafood dishes I experienced ever. Forget about Paris, Amsterdam or Berlin, London is the place. Then, despite a very very very busy saturday night, service was outstanding. Friendy but efficient, caring and flawless, everything is and stays under control. The only downside to mention if there is one, ciuld be the bill that reminds you that nothing is free and quality has its price. But overall it is a « detail » considering the awsome experience provided.
It was a nice place to meet friends but overpriced for quality of the food. As others have mentioned £2 cover charge per person and then a 13.5% service charge to the total bill added over £30 to the bill. It is a shame that the establishment feels it needs to add in such charges rather than simply offering good food at fair prices to earn their living. The charges are on the menu in very small print but you do leave feeling you have been involuntarily shaken down rather than the establishment having confidence in its food and service to trust you to reward them for earned appreciation. Sorry, would not hurry back or recommend to friends.
Really love the old school vibe, the service was great but I do think the food is definitely overrated. Fish was overcooked, sides were average. The fish stew is a paella that someone forgot the rice rice.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant in London; pre-theater, post-theater, anytime of day! Food is brilliant, and the care for each person in the room is extraordinary.
The J Sheekey is an institution. Lovely atmosphere and delicious food. The seafood is the specialty of the house and they are renowned for that. It s always recommendable, but also perfect for the pre-theater meals.
The best sole I ve ever had. Unmissable.
Best fish I ever had. Service was decent.
Just pure class
Chic place, impeccable service and sought-after dishes. I recommend for a romantic dinner. I had a great time.
Great meal, 1st time at J Sheekey and wont be the last. Really nice interior, authentic feel and service was OK, the only thing that could have been improved. Sharing lobster and steak was simple but well executed. Pricy, but then you wouldnt go every week!
Beware of this restaurant! They are extra sneaky and a tourist trap.We went in because they were advertising 6oysters with a glass of champagne for £38 but when we got the bill, there was a cover charge for £6 charge for linen service and an extra 13.5% service charge and VAT. For 2 glasses of wine each, 2 oysters each and couple of tiny pieces of tuna, it s definitely not worth it. What a joke! £153 for this is just stupid.
Just lovely. Food, service, setting, all superb. An absolute must for fish lovers.
Food was great ( I can really recommend the octopus with chorizo and the plateau fruits de mer), but the hostess was absolutely wonderful! She was very welcoming and really made my evening <3
Fabulous food, excellent service, wonderful dining area only thing I would say is a tiny bit cramped.
Id avoid this spot. Definitely super tourist-y with lots of large groups and bad service. We were sat by the bar section even though wed made a reservation and never really had a server...we were just flaging down whoever we could to put orders in. Ended up leaving after a drink and our appetizers.
Theres no denying, the food is delicious. The highlights being the cheese soufflé and Fruits de Mer. The service however is a bit Faulty Towers. Order missed, food served to the wrong diner, a wine bottle knocked to the floor and spilt and a server swigging water from a bottle in full view in the restaurant. But the food is delicious Thanks for your reply. I have called you back as requested and the lady I spoke to took all my details and said that a Manager would be calling me back. It s been nearly a week since then and no one has called. I m not looking to make another booking but as it was your suggestion I was expecting you to follow up.
Ive been looking forward to trying this seafood institution and although it was a nice visit in terms of atmosphere and service, the food wasnt the best. I was disappointed with the seafood platter, it looked beautiful but just wasnt as delicious as Id hoped. The prawns were overly salty and not de- veined and the oysters hadnt been prepped properly. The crab was delicious though. The staff were absolutely lovely and we had a great seat in the corner where we could watch the room. Not sure well be back but glad I tried it once.
A favourite of mine in London
Amazing food and service.
2024 Felt the need to update this old review as I had yet another fantastic experience here. Had a wonderful weeknight dinner with friends. We had multiple serious allergies at our table and were impressed that the restaurant took them seriously. The manager came to take our order personally and she knew the entire menu inside out and was able to advise on suitable dishes. The seafood was exceeding fresh and expertly prepared and we all enjoyed every bite. The portions were very generous and good value for money. Service was excellent and quick even though it was very busy with pre-theatre diners. 2020 Fresh and skilfully prepared seafood. Was taken here for a Sunday brunch on my birthday. I was very impressed. Service was really good too.
Ive enjoyed quite a few excellent meals in my life. Probably not enough but more than a few. Having just enjoyed an excellent lunch at J Sheekey I now have a new entrant in the top ten. Maybe not number one but really all of my dining experiences at this level were fantastic. For starters the atmosphere at J Sheekey has that nice balance of being a bit special but also welcoming and friendly. The staff played a huge part in this and without exception they were all helpful, accommodating and on hand at all times. It took quite a while to pick our dishes, because the whole menu is uniformly attractive, but it was worth the wait. My starter scallops were large, juicy and perfectly cooked. Then came the Cornish fish stew which featured generous cuts of fish and just the right quantity of shellfish. Finally I went for the apple pie, because Im an optimist, and the result was most excellent. Now lunchtime drinking is always hazardous but we went for the recommended Chablis and it was a fine choice. Robust and rich it paired nicely with all of our dishes. Really thats a good description for our whole dining experience and rarely have 2.5 hours passed so pleasingly.
Sole fish & prawn tempura is very delicious and it is the best in the menu
The best seafood restaurant I have been to in London!
A good option for pre-show dinner. The place has good atmosphere, the food was decent. Ordered the fish pie and it was good but not great. The Octopus option is better IMO. If you are a seafood person you will appreciate the place.
V good...superb
Sheekeys is one of my all time favourites and I try to visit whenever Im in that part of town. Its equally great as a place to be a lone diner, with good conversation always to be had sitting at the bar, or a lazy long dinner with friends at one of the cozy tables. If Slip Soles and Razor Clams are on the menu, Id eat there every day if I could!
Great Platters great vibe
Beautiful place, attentive and friendly staff. Knowledge about allergies. Seafood platter delicious and generous. Starter and desert not needed with so much food! (In our opinion) Food
Great experience! Food was excellent, atmosphere was great(good mix of fine dinning with friendly service) and service was fantastic. We got the oysters and two lobster dinners. We would definitely come back.
A lunchtime pre-theatre visit found the kitchen in its usual efficient place turning out nicely judged fish cooking with aplomb. However, service out front was cavalier and off-hand, which left a dissatisfied taste. Whatever happened to quiet attentive understated service, for which J. Sheekey used to be a watchword?
Visited for set lunch last Friday. Main restaurant consists of series of interconnected spaces which are both interesting and cosy. I found the food to be a bit over seasoned and quite rich with lots of butter, cheese and thick heavy sauces. It reminded me of eating out in the 1990s. Service was good but the reception staff were a bit abrupt on both entering and leaving. I was surprised to see a £2 service charge against the £5.95 bottle of sparkling water. This was in addition to the main 13.5% service charge! J Sheekey may be worth a visit if you have not been before but I doubt youll be rushing back if you like your food prepared with more finesse.
Excellent dining experience, love the ambience of J Sheekey with brings you back to the London of some years back. Being a Saturday evening, service was a little bit slow.
I made a reservation on whim and this place didnt disappoint. I chose the J Sheeky seafood platter, which is well priced, of excellent quality and with a good selection. The other person had a veggie dish - also delicious. The cocktails are some if the best Ive tried and we worked out way through a few during our meal. Highly recommended!
Great place. Old school vibes, perfect place to go pre theatre.
They say you shouldn t meet your idols, and tonight I wish I hadn t met mine. I d been looking forwards to this for a while and sadly it really didn t deliver on any front, the oysters were tiny and quite poor, the seafood wasn t great including the lobster that again was very small and dried out where it had been overcooked, the platter was two prawns, half a lobster, two scallops and some mussels, credit where credit is due, the bisque was nice and full of flavour but hugely overshadow by the other poor quality. We then ordered coffee and after 30mins had to prompt and wait another 20 minutes before it final made an appearance. I get it s an institution and the pictures everywhere show the stars that have graced its tables, but sadly tonight it feel well short of the reputation it s built up over the years Gutted really I was hoping for something special
I ordered monkfish & TIGER prawn tikka masala dish, One thing in question is the tiger prawn, I suspect it is just normal prawn. As it is so so small, it should be at least palm size. I am not happy with that, feel like a scam. Never going to J Sheekey again.
Great food and service. Friend of mine is a vegetarian and they had a great selection for her. I had fish stew - amazing! (As well as oysters and cheese). Loved the food, great service and a great place. Will be going back! Vegetarian options: Great selection!
Hectic and claustrophobic atmosphere. Too many tables in a small space. The location of a drinks table directly behind ours was a very intrusive distraction. Overpriced. On the positive side, the fish pie was fabulous. Update: I was contacted by Sheekeys and they were apologetic about my experience. Also offered complimentary oysters/champagne when next booking. Good to receive a positive response.
Absolutely 10/10. The best restaurant in Covent Garden. Incredible experience, exceptional hospitality.
Visit to this restaurant was on recommendation It didn t disappoint Excellent all round Food : 5/5
Ask for the veg/vegan menu. Lovely cocktails.
They gave our table to somebody else and offered us sitting on the bar even though I called them beforehand about being a couple of minutes extra late. We also plan to just stay short so it wouldn t prevent them to use our table after us.
Amazing food, outstanding service, our first visit but not our last. The staff could not do enough for us! I can understand now why this restaurant is so busy.
Amazing atmosphere, good food and great service
Absolutely beautiful and delicious food, will for certain come back and recommend it to friends and family!
They really do the best seafood in the West End. Recommend the Jersey oysters (with a glass of champagne) and fish pie! Very sweet staff, a bit cold in the covered outside area, but thats where its fun.
Fantastic annual Christmas meal with the family. J Sheekey never lets us down. Something for everyone, including veggie options.
We dined this evening .Food very nice but luke warm .carrots cold .replaced them still cold .waiter bought wrong water to table .waiter took away bowls of muscles while still eating .nothing to put shells in .waiter tried to remove my half glass of alcohol.has to say li was still drinking it .not impressed at all .wouldnt go back .staff need mire training amd chef need to understand what is hot and what is cold .poor evening
Fantastic fresh seafood as always, but the service has slipped somewhat since Brexit / pandemic. Guess it must be difficult to find and retain friendly and competent staff these days. Nonetheless J Sheekey s an institution for its food and atmosphere.
Booked for lunch ahead of a trip to the theatre. Must say, it was pretty much perfect. Nice warm welcome, attentive service, lovely atmosphere (like a classic French bistro but with better service) and superb food. Had the seafood bisque to start (lovely but large portion) and the skate with brown butter and capers for main course. Perfection. Will come again.
We had a very good time in this restaurant, especially thanks to Keisha for her kind ways.
Mediocre food, terrible service. There were shards of broken shell in the oysters, fish overcooked
This has got to be the best meal we have had in London for a long while. Aside from the most amazing starters, mains and sides, too full to try dessert!, the service was impeccable. We must make a special mention for Solomon, who is an asset to this wonderful restaurant and who made our evening even more special, thank you :) We will be back soon with the goal to try desserts! Simply beautiful and great value for exquisite cocktails and beautiful produce.
Very good with excellent service although a bit pricey
I really wanted this to be amazing but sadly fell short of expectations. When we arrived the hostess was really lovely asked if it was an occasion which it was my birthday and we d also included this on our booking when asked. Not sure why J Sheeky ask as it ends up they don t do anything to celebrate your birthday. As we were early we were placed at the bar area by a very terse French/italian gentleman who just was not friendly at all. At the bar it was set up for diners and it was not clear if this was where we were expected to eat. We were then ignored for quite some time before the bar staff realised we wanted a drink. Eventually we were taken to the table. The food itself was actually really good and the fruits de mer platter for a self confessed seafoodie was perfect. The service though was the ultimate let down. The food was brought separately and my partners dish which was the hot dish was brought first and by the time mine was brought his was going cold especially the mash potato. I would also say the portion size on the cod fillet for the price was not good value at all. At no point did anyone come to the table and check if everything was ok with our food. Clearing the table the waiter took the seafood platter away and then forgot about the rest of the table and started working elsewhere. Once cleared we were left for a long time in terms of asking if we wanted dessert etc. We felt forgotten. Something else that felt a little awkward is the constant managers looking at how the tables are doing and when they ll be ready for new guests. They do this regularly and you can see them pointing or nodding over at tables. Overall the food is great but the service is very disjointed and marred the experience and made my birthday feel a little flat.
I made a reservation for my birthday. The restaurant is very cozy and beautiful. The food is just amazing. We had the Jersey oysters and they were brilliant then we tried most of the fishes as well as crab and prawns. Everything was very delicious. The red wine Malbec by glass was superb. Just have in mind if you reserve in the winter to ask for a table far away from the main door because of the cold.
My wife and I had an absolutely excellent pre theatre dinner last Friday evening.The food was truly excellent and we were very professionally looked after by a very attentive FALIMAT and a charming Italian sommelier. All in all a huge success and very very enjoyable! Well done to you all. Simon Cowley
Everything what we ate was amazing. Its really an outstanding seafood restaurant. Although its quite pricy but its worth it.. The reason I gave four stars is the service. Some of the service staff might make you feel that they gave you a favour by serving!!
Exquisite food, beautiful surroundings, impeccable service. I enjoyed the chorizo and octopus starter, followed by the generous miso glazed salmon. Every mouthful was a delight. The bread was delicious & served warm & we enjoyed our cocktails/mocktails. My dad loved his lemon sole special.
High quality seafood, and you get what you pay for. Daily specials available are recommended. For a special occasion (or any occasion really) this will do the trick. Beautifully set and decorated, the walls are adorned with famous faces from a bygone era. Service was excellent. They are strict in timings but if youre early (recommended) enjoy a negroni or your favourite coctail at the marble bar. Food was delicious. Enjoy some oytsters whilst you choose the rest of your seafood. Recommend the dressed crab, but do ask for some toast. Potted shrimps were delicious. Fish pie and the fried haddock are the most economic dishes, and both were excellent. Scollops are also a must have for someone at your table (and everyone will want one!). The wine list is extensive wine list, and starts mid £40s per bottle. Overall great experience.