Chez Bruce

Having come here for over a decade for all kinds of occasions I can’t believe I’ve not taken the time to praise Chez Bruce. This is mine and my family’s happy place from the Parmesan biscuits to the deliciously salty oily focaccia and the always exceptional menu we will keep coming here over and over again. Having most recently just been for my birthday I can hands down say this is my favourite restaurant in the world.

Absolutely wonderful. The staff was very patient and attentive and the food was AMAZING. Each dish was a work of art from the surprisingly light and fluffy focaccia we were served, the juicy and tender duck breast, to the (not too sweet) pear and almond tart that rounded out the meal. Everything was fantastic.

Chez Bruce: Effortless Hospitality and Consistently Brilliant Food Our lunch at Chez Bruce on Friday 25th July was another reminder of why this Wandsworth favourite continues to feel so special. The dining room was busy throughout, the atmosphere relaxed yet lively, and the hospitality seamless. A thoughtful touch on arrival — a glass of champagne offered by Bruce himself — set the tone for what followed. In the kitchen, Head Chef Matt Christmas and his team continue to produce food rooted in classical technique and guided by the best seasonal ingredients. Extra Course Before our starters, we were served an unexpected extra course: Gazpacho Andaluz with Marcona almonds and basil oil. On such a warm day it was a perfectly judged gesture — light, refreshing and an ideal way to begin the meal. Starters I chose the Pressed Pig’s Head and Ham Hock with black pudding salad and sauce gribiche — a dish of richness and texture sharpened by the herb‑forward sauce. Lucy selected the Grilled Tuna with tuna aïoli, roast tomato dressing, tabbouleh, basil and courgettes — vibrant and full of summery flavour. Mains For my main, the Devonshire Duck Breast was served pink with a crisp pastilla, onion purée, pickled cherries and foie gras — rich yet harmonious. Lucy’s Lamb Rump and Polpetta came with crushed potatoes, sautéed peas, courgette purée and mint — comforting but refined. Cheese & Desserts We shared the Cheese Selection (£10 supplement), a generous board of perfectly kept cheeses with quince and crackers. For dessert, I enjoyed the Cherry and Almond Tart with Clotted Cream, while Lucy had the Strawberry Croissant Mille‑Feuille with Blackcurrants and Rum (pictured) — both a fitting close to the meal. Wine Service The sommelier’s recommendations were exceptional. A Portuguese white from Quinta dos Carvalhais (Dão), served by the glass/carafe, brought Burgundian elegance to our starters — not something we would have chosen ourselves, yet a perfect match. For the mains, the 2012 Gevrey‑Chambertin “Vieilles Vignes – Les Jouises” by Frédéric Esmonin (pictured) proved an ideal partner to the duck and lamb. This was our eighth or ninth visit, and once again Chez Bruce delivered everything we value: confident seasonal cooking, thoughtful wine pairings, and a front‑of‑house team whose warmth — led by Bruce — makes every visit memorable. We can’t wait to go back.

First visit since the 90s, lovely to see it to have progressed so far. It's truly an icon of the London food scene and the outstanding restaurant in South London. Lobster Raviolo was a delight, pork fillet with pigs head croquette and choucroute was stunning and the cherry bakewell was a fitting end. Service was perfect. Professional, warm, knowledgeable. Wine list exceptional

Good quality food with even better wine list! Definitely one of the best spots for authentic French dish and fine wine in southwest London.

Always a treat coming here. The food is always fantastic, the service impeccable, and the wines very well-priced.

Wonderful food with professional and top-notch service. We had a great time there! The food is cooked with utmost care to bring out the best flavour of the ingredients! Lovely meal!

This is a fantastic restaurant with a pleasant, unpretentious atmosphere, amazing food, and excellent service. I will definitely visit again! Their 3-course meal offers plenty of choices, and they also provide a lot of complimentary extras. I had the italian salad with clementines, which sounds simple, but the dressing and presentation were outstanding. The hake was perfectly prepared, and the pistachio dessert paired with wine was absolutely divine. My partner had the duck, which according to his words, was the best duck he ever had in his life!

The food is impeccable. Meanwhile, all staff really go the extra mile to make sure customers have an amazing experience. Everyone was fantastic but particularly Greta who served us and offered us a wonderful dinner celebration for our anniversary. We are so grateful! We had a delicious Christmas cocktail to start with, then asked the sommelier, who was very insightful, to pair one glass of wine with each course, and we loved every recommendation. The veal and chateaubriand were delicious. To finish we had the cheese platter paired with a tasteful dessert wine. Absolutely worth every pence.

To celebrate my hobby’s birthday. The lobster raviolo was amazing, it’s a must try dish. Before we left, surprisingly got a bag of homemade crispy almond biscuits. We had a wonderful meal.

Great experience at Chez Bruce. The hare loin sealed the deal for me, so tasty!! Generous portions all around, the cheese tasting platter was humongous and offering many options I had never tried before. Great choice of wine which were very affordable for a Michelin starred restaurant. The only downside was that the main room was a bit noisy. I will go again!!

I found the whole experience at Chez Bruce amazing the personal touch and personality of the staff was fantastic especially Alex and Debora was out of this world, blew Gordon Ramsey, and Hide clear out of the water in my estimation. I will definitely be returning here for the amazing food and service, the Parmesan biscuits I had two helpings got the recipe and made some today. For my birthday treat some deep heart felt memories where made here. Can’t wait till I go back again loved it what an experience ❤️.

Stunning food, wine and service - all for excellent value!

Amazing Sunday lunch, food and service was stupendous. Love the lamb kidney and crispy tongue, the seasoning and texture was absolutely beautiful, and my main course was cooked to perfection, a bit duck liver and the duck breast was unbelievable! Apple crumble with caramel ice cream and clotted cream have made the happy ending. Definitely will visit again!

The best dinner and dining experience we’ve had in the UK since we arrived 15 months ago. Just wished we had gone here sooner as we move back to the US in a couple months . So many people recommended it and we finally had the opportunity to fit it in. Chef Bruce, his staff and the restaurant itself were all amazing. We were so impressed with Bruce’s presence and his hospitality. We felt so welcomed, and we felt he and his entire staff cared about our experience. And now to the food. Just fabulous. I’m mostly vegetarian and their aubergine dish was mouth watering! My husband had the Chateaubriand and loved it. Thank you to the entire staff at the restaurant. We highly recommend this restaurant

Second time at Chez Bruce - this time celebrating birthday and everything was just impeccable. Great service, amazing food and lively ambiance. The rabbit pasta was absolutely delicious as was the tandoori monkfish. We would eat their focaccia and shortbread every day if we could. Can’t wait to go back - thank you!

Went for a birthday celebration. Service was impeccable start to finish and food to match. Food was extremely well prepared and portions were very good as well. Menu is small but exciting and varies all the time. Would happily go back!

One of the best meals we have had in a long time. The food was spectacular, generous portions, the lobster raviolo was sensational and the staff’s attention to detail was excellent. The atmosphere was very buzzy and the chateaubriand was also a fantastic option. We will definitely be back! The cheese board is also the biggest we have ever had with a fantastic choice of cheeses!

Absolutely outstanding!!! Their food will blow your mind, service is amazing. What a treat, we looking forward to our next visit

This is our absolute favourite restaurant for a reason. The miso aubergine starter with puffed rice is one of the best dishes I've ever had and I've been lucky enough to have this dish twice now. The steak (Chateaubriand) is incredible. Melts in your mouth. The desserts are good but don't quite live up to the hype of the other courses but it's still an absolute gem of a restaurant and we will always return to celebrate a special occasion when we can!

Another fantastic lunch at this old classic which never fails to deliver across the board. Simply amazing food. The foie gras is a must when visiting Chez Bruce especially when accompanied by a glass of sauternes which we followed with the venison and finished with the creme brûlée. An absolute Christmas treat.

Just wonderful. The service, food & restaurant just superb. We’ll be back for a forth visit soon

My friends and I had a delicious pre Christmas lunch on the 7th December.it was so good in all aspects we booked again for December 2026 all though I think we will be visiting before that.. Thanks a million to all at Chez Bruce.outstanding food and service again. Happy Christmas.

Long-time visitor but CB remains best in class for pure pleasure. Matt Christmas and Bruce know what the people want and never fail to deliver. This visit notable for the superlative lobster raviolo, rabbit cavatelli, roast veal (with gubbens) and the mincemeat strusel tart. Worth a visit to try whatever tart Matt has on. Our sommelier nailed it with a recommendation for the saint veran from Sophie Cinier - my bottle of the year.

A stalwart of high quality dining experience’s in London. Menu is well thought out, genuine classics for the indecisive customer with options to showcase a chef’s flair and make it interesting for the foodies. First time I’ve been back in 8 years and it did not disappoint. From the sommelier’s recommendations to the quality of the service. Perfect experience and made even more special by the little touches for my wife’s birthday. And to top it off, well priced.

We came here for my birthday at lunchtime. The place was busier than I was expecting for a Weds lunchtime, brightly lit, warm and inviting restaurant. We were greeted by Bruce himself at one point which was a lovely touch and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The wait staff were very attentive, filling up water etc. Then there were all the extras, delicious parmesan biscuits to start, with yummy salted focaccia bread also seemingly an endless supply as came at the beginning and at the main course. Portion sizes were generous, I had the cavelli with lamb starter which was very hearty and wintery. My friend had the miso aubergine which was a little sweet for her but I liked it and had very umami flavour as expected. My husband had the seafood starter which was delicious. We all went for the hake in the main which now I wish we had gotten different things to try, the fish itself was cooked perfectly. However I couldn't finish it as had eaten too many parmesan biscuits at the beginning. Then the dessert, which were all quite heavy. We had the chocolate dish of brownie, which was nice and my friend went for the mincemeat pie with brandy cream. This was also nice and very festive. They also gave us some almond biscuits, shortbread and chocolate truffles at the end, the almond biscuits to take home. So all in all lots of food and lots of lovely little touches.

We went there for our wedding anniversary on this occasion and it was the perfect venue. The staff are lovely, the atmosphere relaxed and the food superb. We’ve been here many times over the years and Chez Bruce just gets better and better

Chez Bruce, a modern high-end French dining with one Michelin star. Although the offering is French cuisine but it comes with a twist of Asian flavours which add an exotic flavour to some of the dishes. The desserts were the highlight of the evening. The ambiance is elegant but relaxed. Service was professional and friendly.

It's delightful here and a real treat. All of the food we had was delicious (especially the dessert). Staff were fantastic from start to finish. However, it was disappointing that there was only one vegetarian main to select from.

A fancy restaurant ideal for a special occasion with friends and family. The only real let down for us was the positioning of our table essentially being in a walkway and having numerous waiters passing us constantly, to the point where it was unnerving and meant that we never fully relaxed. I understand that the restaurant was fully booked, but I made my reservation three months in advance to ensure a space for my partner’s birthday and yet it felt like we were put on a table that shouldn’t really be in the restaurant. All the food was really tasty and portion sizes were generous, so the price point felt justified. The Chateaubriand steaks were a particular highlight. The only slight let down was that when my partner ordered the cheese board, the waitress didn’t advise that it was for two people, despite the menu not stating that either - and instead just laughed when it was served and at that moment decided to inform us. We ended the meal by asking for decaf espresso martinis, but judging by the night’s sleep my partner and I had later that evening, they were not decaf.

Lovely food, but lacking on the service side. We went here for a pre-Xmas treat and had a very good meal. Our waitress was lovely and the other waiters that served the food were also fine. However, we didn't get the same level of service from the more senior staff members. Front of house seemed annoyed by our presence and was unwelcoming, bordering on rude. The wine waitress/sommelier was also not friendly and behaved a bit oddly. I would expect much better service all round from a Michelin starred place.

I was looking forward to try this place! As is a classic in the area, however I was bit disappointed. Yes the food is good, but I have tried better food in places that has no Michelin star, I was pretty shocked. I was expecting better quality of food, prettier platting and just tastier, that is what you would expect in a place with 1 star. I wouldn't recommend it at all!

I came here for my birthday and I’ve waited a year to post this review. Partly because I’ve been dining at various eateries. Very fine but not Michelin starred. And wanted to “compare”. The problem with a 1 star Michelin restaurant is that you will have very high expectations, understandably. I was really hoping to enjoy this meal and was anticipating it would be one of the top meals in my life. We were happy to pay the supplement and did not feel it was worth the £ sadly. My lobster raviolo did not have thin, tender pasta, indeed it was rather thick and the sauce wasn’t up to par, not the delicious and delicate bisque I was hoping for. The “special” my son ordered, he was expecting a whole piece of fish, not scraps and not only that it smelt and tasted fishy and he couldn’t finish it. A poorly conceived dish and felt out of place with the rest of the menu. Seemed more Asian inspired. I loved the bread and biscuits. My dessert was nice but again that doesn’t cut it for the calibre of food at a Michelin restaurant. The vanilla ice cream was weird. I can’t quite describe it, it tasted like frozen clotted cream and I didn’t like it. The chateaubriand was excellent but doesn’t make for a very disappointing meal overall. 2 stars for food I’m afraid. A friend mentioned recently she came here for a birthday years ago and was also disappointed. Shame I hadn’t asked her beforehand so I could have avoided this costly mistake.

The atmosphere is relaxed and quaint with nice low lighting and good seating. The staff were efficient and helpful. The food was good however the fish was overly salted and my starter was too sweet. The wine was delicious and complimented the food nicely. Overall a nice experience however expected more from the food.

Very nice meal. Service was good. Atmosphere was a bit quiet and they could have played some background music as it felt silent in there and a bit awkward when you're trying to have conversations. Flavours were great. I probably wouldn't come again because of the ambience.

Dining at Chez Bruce was quite the experience, a mix of impeccable service and unexpectedly adventurous food. The staff were unfailingly polite and attentive, making us feel very well cared for throughout the evening. The culinary delights were another story. The sommelier was a standout. She recommended an excellent wine for £70, with a passionate explanation about rising prices in that French region. Intrigued, I did some research and managed to secure a box of the same wine for £20 a bottle that same night. Quite the markup! It seems even fine dining can't escape a bit of creative pricing. The menu boasted offerings for all tastes. I bravely ventured into the lobster ravioli, which turned out to be an unexpected workout for my jaw. Moving on to the main dishes, the fish was so salty that I barely touched it. I mentioned it to the server, who nodded sympathetically and then did absolutely nothing. The bread, aiming for rustic, instead hit the mark of soggy. The Chateaubriand steak was a rare bright spot, but the accompanying chips were hard and greasy, making me wonder just how difficult it is to get chips right. Is there a secret chip sabotage squad at work? Dessert was nice, no complains there. When it came time to pay, I was pleasantly surprised to find the fish discounted, but less thrilled by the accompanying lecture on timely feedback. Apparently, letting them know at the moment wasn't sufficient—perhaps I should have sent a smoke signal instead. It was my birthday, after all, and I was trying to enjoy my evening. I understand the challenges of keeping a restaurant's offerings fresh and exciting, but this experience left me feeling more than a little disappointed. It seems my quest for decent food in London continues. Chez Bruce has the potential for greatness, but I hope they work on smoothing out the rough edges for future diners.

1 star Michelin restaurant. Came here for dinner on Friday. We ordered 3 courses for £85. I feel overall experience was underwhelming. Do not feel like Michelin. More like slightly upmarket restaurant. Food wasn’t that outstanding. Lacking in unique flavour. I feel like it’s more like a take away food coming out from “Natural kitchen”. Busy restaurant though to maximise profit rather than enhancing intimacy/experience.

I have been looking for dining there reading all good reviews, ended up disappointing, the best food there was the focaccia bread and lobster raviolo, the side veggies were too salty to the point that I nearly split it out, told the waiter and he just said do you want a fresh one? Without apologies, maybe that’s cos they know it’s too salty so they are used to… the fried hake skin was very salty as well and the fish meat had no taste, gnocchi was way too soft. The hot chocolate pudding was just a normal brownie with a fancy name, when I asked the waiter what that is he made it sound very attractive, nice pudding with soft sponge and have a parfait which is like ice cream, when I received it, it was just a normal taste brownie with a scoop of thick cream on top. Throughout the experience none of them came to ask about how’s the taste of the food, and I had to wave a few times to get their attention, they only asked if the food was ok until the card machine came, at that point I could see they really don’t care so didn’t say anything. Will never go back, a cheaper proper French restaurant like Casse-Croûte serves much better food.

The food wad average, I had higher expactations for this place. We ordered an extra dessert (creme brulee) after the three course average meal, the waiter said he was going to sort it out and charged us £20 for a half portion size. You wouldn't punish a customer like this.

I was so looking forward to eating here again as it had been a number of years. My starter was delicious but I struggled with the mains. Since eating here I have had terrible indigestion due to the chilli dominance of the dish. The fish was beautifully cooked but floating in an extremely strong Chili oil which engulfed and overwhelmed and totally dominated the dish. Just 3 half’s of potatoes did nothing to soften the impact. I struggled with dessert as it was all extremely rich but choose a crème brûle. Again this was disappointing as it was so very sweet and sickly. I only had about 4 tea spoonfuls. I quickly realised that I wasn’t feeling well and hoped a fresh mint tea would do it. Interesting we were offered a dry mint tea first and then a few minutes later a 2nd pot of proper fresh mint tea appeared with the waitress saying this is on the house. Overall I don’t think I want to return for a 3rd experience. The staff though are all charming and professional.