We finally booked dinner at Galvin La Chapelle in Spitalfields, London E1, using a thoughtful gift voucher a friend had sent me months earlier. My birthday had long passed, but finding the right moment mattered, as I needed to organise a dog sitter. A Monday evening just before Christmas felt just right. We booked an early 7 pm sitting and made our way to this Michelin-starred French restaurant, set inside a striking former chapel. If you’re looking for a celebratory French dinner in London E1, Galvin La Chapelle is a memorable choice in Spitalfields.
“Dinner at Galvin La Chapelle is refined, indulgent and perfect for marking a special moment in the heart of London,” Homegirl London.
Galvin La Chapelle Set Menu
French cuisine is not usually our first choice, as I’m a vegetarian and my partner eats fish (no meat), so I called ahead to check that vegetarian options would be available before booking. We were dining from the Festive Chef’s Set Menu, and before choosing our dishes, a small basket of crisp, thin cracker-style bread arrived with chutney and anchovy butter, a lovely and thoughtful start to the meal. The snack options on the menu also included a La Perle Noire oyster with guanciale and finger lime, a brick pastry sandwich with truffled ricotta and honey, and a duck liver parfait with Moroccan spices and pear chutney.
For my starter, I chose the Vacherin Mont d’Or crème brûlée with chestnut and miso. When it arrived, it was shaped like a chocolate éclair, which immediately caught my eye. The top had a delicate brûlée finish, while beneath the cheese was firm yet mousse-like, rich and savoury with a subtle sweetness from the chestnut and depth from the miso. It felt indulgent without being heavy and was one of my favourite courses of the evening.
My partner opted for the cured chalk stream trout with green apple, horseradish and hazelnut oil. It was beautifully presented and tasted fresh and clean, with the apple’s sharpness cutting through the fish’s richness. The horseradish added a gentle warmth rather than heat, while the hazelnut oil brought everything together with a soft nuttiness. Other starters on the menu included wild pheasant breast with pomegranate and puntarella, as well as Dorset crab raviolo with charred fennel and beurre blanc.
For mains, I ordered the cavolo nero risotto, which was listed with gorgonzola dolce and clementine. As I am not a fan of gorgonzola, the kitchen kindly swapped it for another cheese without any fuss, which I really appreciated. The risotto arrived deep, dark green from the cavolo nero, and it was full of flavour. It was creamy and comforting, with the tiny pieces of clementine adding a subtle brightness that kept it balanced rather than heavy.
My partner chose the barbecued Cornish cod with Jerusalem artichoke and Vin Jaune. The cod was perfectly cooked, succulent and flaky, and it paired well with the rich sauce without losing its freshness. Other main options on the Festive Chef’s Set Menu included honey-glazed guinea fowl with dates and sauce Périgord, as well as a grass-fed côte de boeuf with sauce Bordelaise to share, which came with a supplement per person.
For dessert, we both chose the wild berries variation with chocolate gelato and macadamia. The flavours were pleasant and well-balanced, though the presentation was not quite what I had expected. I had imagined something more delicate, but it arrived with a generous scoop of mousse-like topping, which looked a little heavy. It was still enjoyable, though slightly underwhelming compared with the earlier courses.
We did, however, witness the baba au tiramisu being prepared tableside at a neighbouring table, which was a real show. The baba is flambéed, soaked in coffee, and finished with cream and chocolate. While it was incredibly tempting, it came with a £14 supplement. As I avoid caffeine after midday and knew it would keep me awake all night, I reluctantly passed. The dessert menu also featured panettone pudding with blood orange and Marsala sabayon, as well as truffled brie de Meaux with quince chutney and port.
Drink-wise, we stuck to our complimentary glass of bubbles, which felt perfect for an early-evening dinner. The drinks list is extensive and impressive, with a strong focus on French wines and champagnes, as you would expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Helpful Information About Galvin La Chapelle Spitalfields
Galvin La Chapelle is a genuinely impressive restaurant, with soaring stone ceilings, large arched windows and a grand yet welcoming atmosphere that makes it ideal for birthdays, anniversaries and celebratory meals. The interiors are beautiful, and one of the staff even took time to share details of the building’s history, which added an extra layer to the experience. Although the website mentions smart dress, we noticed other diners arriving in jeans and more casual outfits, which left us slightly amused, as we had dressed up more than usual.
The restaurant is at 35 Spital Square, London E1 6DY, and is easily accessible from Liverpool Street station. Galvin La Chapelle suits anyone seeking refined French dining in London with a sense of occasion, whether for a celebration or a memorable night out. To find out more, view the latest menus, or make a reservation, it is best to visit the official Galvin La Chapelle website.
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Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about coffee shops or eateries where I have had a good experience. I recommend further research, as standards and opinions may change. Please verify that the establishment is still open and check its opening hours before visiting.