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Londonderry

Located at 39 Queen Victoria Street in the heart of Londonderry, Sweetings Restaurant is a historic culinary gem that offers a quintessential British seafood experience. Established in the late 19th century, this iconic eatery has been serving high-quality, simply prepared fish and seafood for over a century, making it a true city institution.

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Nestled in the historic heart of Londonderry, Sweetings Restaurant offers a timeless seafood experience that combines classic British culinary traditions with a touch of refined elegance. Established in the late 19th century, this iconic eatery has preserved its old-school charm, making it a must-visit destination for seafood lovers seeking authenticity and quality. The restaurant's prime location at 39 Queen Victoria Street places it within easy reach of nearby attractions, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch or a special dining occasion.

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This place was very high-end. It was close to us and we didn't want to go far so we opted in for fish and chips. But it's a classy spot where you don't get your hands dirty - so a little stuffy. 
The quality of the food was impeccable. The price was very high as well. 
Probably wouldn't go here again were it not for the sticky toffee pudding which was to die for. That alone would bring me back!

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I completely understand why this place has been open for so long. It's every seafood lovers dream. We were recommended this place by a local and I'm so glad we took his advice. 

We came during a very busy lunchtime. Seating didn't take too long. My roommate and i enjoyed many dishes here and very much over indulged on the delicious food. 

We had eel, the pot pie, and the lobster mash. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the eel. It was some of the best eel I've ever had in my life. The lobster mash was full of flavor and paired well with the wine the server had suggested. My roommate was extremely satisfied with the well made pot pie. Def have a look at this gem!

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Fish restaurant dating back to the 19th century.  While the menu probably doesn't date back that far, and the prices certainly don't (they're extremely high, so this is a special treat place only), the service certainly does.  Sit at a bar, and there's a server for each 5 or 6 places who stays there the entire time and watches over your every need.  Order the grilled sole, and another server will bring it to him on a plate and you can watch him cleanly fillet it (there was only one extraneous bone left in the fish) and re-plate it, upon which it is served to you, where you find lightly seasoned and finely cooked fish, unusually firm for sole, undoubtably because they know how to cook it.  Buttered spinach as a side was quite dry, not at all soupy.

Open only for weekday lunch, and pretty crowded.  I came after 1 pm, by which time business was just beginning to tamper down.

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Sweetings is something of an institution, clearly, in the city. With its lunch only, no bookings, communal seating character, it seems like a cool place to go to. However, the Mansion House location seemed to have been enough of a reason to add a slightly unreasonable mark-up. We ordered the fried whitebait plate as a starter. Not bad.

For mains, I ordered the Plaice and my sister got the scampi. I must say that the scampi prawns were huge and delicious, and really deserve a five star thumbs up.

The server/s were attentive, patient and friendly. We took really order to make up our minds, but the waiter stood by our side silently, making recommendations from time to time. The space doesn't look like it ever goes empty or sparsely customed. 

Overall, I'd go back for the experience or recommend this place to a friend or a tourist, but the extra mark up is a little bit bothersome.

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Very good but VERY pricey!  The service was also great. The ambiance is a bit stale and formal. 

There's other fish and chips in London that are just as good for a lot less money.

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Sweetings has been open since 1889 which is as old school as you can get.  They've been serving basically the same menu for close to 125 years.   While waiting for our table, standing at the bar for an afternoon beer in a pewter mug, I spied an old menu on the wall in a frame.  Sure enough it was almost the same as their current menu.  You won't find anything fancy here.  Just great quality fish, prepared simply well.  And it's only open 3 and a half hours a day Monday through Friday (11:30 to 3pm).  I took a yelper's advice and showed up right at 11:30 am to avoid a queue.  I'm thinking the having a beer first is part of the tradition as we were still taken to the bar for about 15 minutes until our table was ready.

We started off with a crab bisque and a lobster bisque soup.  I only took one photo since they looked exactly the same.  However doing a side by side taste test, they were totally different.  I loved both of them.  The Lobster bisque had a much bolder wine flavor to it.  Neither was very creamy and was more of a tomato broth.  I'm guessing they use rice starch rather than cream to thicken up the bisque.  I prefered the crab bisque just a little bit more than the Lobster, but my brother enjoyed the Lobster more.  At only £5.50 each, if you don't mind sharing soup, I would get both and do your own tasting.

Next up was an excellent appetizer of Scallops & Bacon.  I could have eaten this all day.  Perfectly buttery lightly seared scallops wrapped in bacon served on a large scallop shell.  It's a tried and true formula for sure and it works every time.

The daily special appetizer was not so excellent however.  Crab cakes served with a very spicy Thai chili dipping sauce.  Considering how simple the main menu is, a Thai flavor seemed a little out of place for the restaurant to me.  But really the problem was that the crab cakes were just way too much breading, way too little crab.

For the main courses we shared the Dover Sole, the Halibut, Scampi, and the Chef's Fish Pie.  The price ranges are all over the place with these dishes.  The Fish pie was the most reasonable at £13.50 and the Dover Sole the other extreme of the menu at £31.  The fish pie is the best I've had.  Huge chunks of Salmon, Halibut, and a few other white fishes all baked in a rich tasty cream sauce, topped with mashed potatoes and browned.  If I worked nearby, this would be my lunch dish for sure.  

Since London is only 76 miles from Dover, I felt I had to try the Dover Sole.  Sucker?  Maybe.  But at least I'm pretty sure I'm getting the real thing.  The porterhouse of fish it's always called.  All fish here can be either fried, grilled, or poached.  It's best to ask your waiter, which preparation works best with what fish.  He recommended poached with a side of hollandaise sauce.  By request, your waiter will debone the fish for you, so while it doesn't really make for a nice presentation, I knew he would do a better job than we would.  Don't expect any seasoning in this preparation, but after I just added a pinch of table salt along with a little bit of hollandaise in each bite, it was heavenly.  That said, I'm not sure I wouldn't have also enjoyed any of their other more reasonably priced fish served the same way.

We had the Halibut fried.  I learned on my last trip to England that it's common for the British to leave the skin on their fish when doing fish and chips.  Us Americans, look at this as kind of crazy, but it's your dish.  Having tried it on the last visit, I'm not a fan of the skin on.  It doesn't get crunchy, but just seems like slimy fish skin in between the batter and the fish.  That said, I totally forgot to ask for it without here.  Actually didn't think I'd have to in such a fine restaurant.  But let's just chuck this up to "Lost in Translation".  It was a shame because this was a huge piece of fine Halibut, but as we flaked it away from the skin, we lost most of the tasty breading.  The fried scampi were perfect however and would also be something to be ordered on a regular basis here if you are a local.  They were huge and a great excuse to dip in their tartare sauce.  No meal would be complete without some chips.  I'm guessing that Sweetings double fries them.  They had a nice crispness about them, but weren't overdone. 

I can see why the other reviews here are 3 and 4 stars.  It's somewhere between 4 and 5 stars for me.  But since Sweetings has been open for business since the reign of Queen Victoria, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and round it up to 5 stars.

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I feel a bit bad reviewing Sweetings as an out-of-towner as it seems like such a properly traditional, classic establishment.

I came in at lunchtime - as it's only open at lunchtime - and it was packed full of businesspeople drinking beer from pewter mugs. No reservations, but we were there on the earlier side when there was plenty of both counter and table seating. The atmosphere goes deeper than that, too, with waiters who seem like they've worked there for thirty years and waitstaff sitting behind the counters like bartenders even though they simply right down your order then loudly yell great things like "Nigel!!" to someone else so they can diligently whisk it over to the kitchen.

The food is simply made, but the ingredients are delicious and the results are what I think of, at least as the uninformed Yank that I am, as very classic English seafood. I also split an order of fried whitebait to start, which was amazing -- salty, rich, lightly fried. I had the mixed grill fish, which was simply grilled salmon and haddock swimming in rich, delicious lemon butter. Mmm tasty. 

So in the end, it's not going to win any prizes for inventiveness (or value!) but it is a delightfully classic-seeming place to have a rich seafoody lunch.

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Very delicious steak sandwich.  A combination of flavors that really offset nicely.  Very informal place but really nice.

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The reasons I wanted to eat at this place was because of another recommendation from my favorite ravel guru, Tony Bourdain and his pal Ferguson Henderson.  I had a simple lunch of fresh, buttered peas, chips and fried shrimp.  Just perfectly executed.  Service was so friendly and helpful.  I will make a quick return to this wonderful lunch only spot.

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One of the great city institutions, and one which hasn't changed much since its inception in the late 1880s. And with over 100 years of hospitality under the belt you won't be surprised if they know how to look after you.


 The specialty is fine fish and you won't be disappointed, and it seems many others agree with the floor being packed out at lunch time.


 If you are expecting a regular lunchtime gaff, then this isn't the place for your. But for each and every person who hates Sweetings there is an equal and loyal fan.


 Be prepared to rub shoulders with city gents and listen to raucous laughter, for Sweetings is The City through and through.

Sweetings Restaurant in London’s City Centre – Classic Seafood & Fish & Chips

step into a piece of london's culinary history at sweetings restaurant

a historic haven for seafood lovers in london

established in 1889, sweetings has been serving classic british seafood for over a century, maintaining its old-school charm and traditional recipes that have stood the test of time

famous for its impeccable quality and simple preparation, sweetings has preserved its traditional recipes, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Since its inception, the restaurant has maintained a commitment to quality, serving up fresh seafood in a no-fuss, traditional manner.

Open only for a few hours each weekday, it remains a bustling hub for city professionals and seafood aficionados who appreciate a straightforward, high-quality meal.

From its humble beginnings to its revered status today, Sweetings exemplifies London's rich seafood heritage, continuously delighting generations with its timeless dishes and authentic atmosphere.

Begin your culinary journey with classic seafood starters like crispy whitebait, perfectly lightly fried and bursting with flavor, or indulge in succulent scallops wrapped in crispy bacon, a tried-and-true favorite that elevates any meal.

Savor the essence of traditional British seafood with the famous Dover Sole, expertly filleted tableside and served with a delicate hollandaise, or enjoy the rich and hearty Fish Pie, packed with chunks of salmon, halibut, and a flavorful cream sauce topped with a golden mashed potato crust.

No visit to Sweetings is complete without their legendary sticky toffee pudding, a rich, moist treat that promises to satisfy any sweet tooth and be the perfect end to your seafood feast.

Complement your seafood experience with a selection of traditional British ales served in pewter mugs, or opt for a crisp white wine recommended by the staff to perfectly match your chosen dish.

Experience the historic charm of Sweetings with their daily specials, featuring fresh, expertly prepared fish like the seasonal catch of the day, or indulge in a classic fish and chips, double-fried to achieve the perfect crispy exterior and tender interior.

Dine at Sweetings Restaurant in London’s historic Queen Victoria Street for classic British flavors in a cozy, timeless setting. Book your unforgettable meal now!

Sweetings Restaurant in Londonderry | Classic British Dining Near Queen Victoria Street

London Municipality

Sweetings Restaurant

Nestled in the historic heart of London at 39 Queen Victoria Street, Sweetings Restaurant offers an authentic taste of British maritime heritage. Known for its traditional seafood fare, this establishment has been a city staple since the late 19th century, maintaining its classic charm and culinary excellence for over 125 years.

Rich history and a longstanding reputation for quality seafood.

Consistently high-quality seafood dishes, including the famous fish and chips and the celebrated sticky toffee pudding.

potential drawbacks of sweetings restaurant

Higher prices compared to other fish and chips establishments in London.

The ambiance may feel somewhat formal and traditional, which might not appeal to those seeking a more modern or casual dining environment.

Overall, Sweetings offers a glimpse into London's rich maritime history with its longstanding dedication to quality seafood and traditional service. While its prices are on the higher side and the atmosphere leans towards the formal, the restaurant's culinary authenticity and historic charm make it a worthwhile visit for seafood aficionados and those craving a classic London dining experience.

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Northbank