Harden's survey result
Summary
“Fancy? No. Value? Yes” – this bustling tapas bar directly opposite the Young Vic theatre offers “tasty, simple, quickly prepared dishes, delivered with energy and charm at a fair price”. Launched in 1987, well before London’s tapas boom, “it has survived for so long, it must be doing something right”. (“The real joy? Absolutely packed and not a single photo being taken!”).
Summary
Many older Londoners tasted their first tapas at this “fun and reliable” Hispanic spot on a prominent corner of the Cut, near Waterloo – back in the days when you “had to queue (now you can book)” for a place in the “cramped interior”. It’s still “excellent before and after visiting the Old Vic” across the road.
Summary
“Top tapas in The Cut” – ‘London’s original tapas bar’ still cuts it after 35 years, providing sterling pre- and post-show service to theatregoers visiting the nearby Young and Old Vic. The “very friendly, helpful owner” ensures there’s a good atmosphere even when the joint is rammed.
Summary
This “long-lived favourite” in Waterloo is packed early most evenings before shows at the nearby Young and Old Vic theatres. “Love the atmosphere” and the “fabulous tapas and wines” – although “the menu hasn’t changed since it opened”. Not everything stays the same, though – “now there are good tables outside and you can book”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Meson don Felipe?
53 The Cut, London, SE1 8LF
Restaurant details
Meson don Felipe Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Still going strong after all these years, Meson Felippe is still a delight, if not quite up to its 80s dizzying heights. Things are a bit hit and miss: prawns were under-seasoned and whitebait served unadorned by anything other than a piece of lemon (though aioli was swiftly provided on request). Octopus was good and the vegetables the unexpected highlight: crisp green beans with toasted almond and perky mushrooms were both excellent. And a special mention for the excellent “deconstructed” (apologies: my word, not theirs) tomato bread: the lovely tomato sauce was served on the side so that the toast kept its crunch. The patatas bravas summed up the variable quality of the meal - rather stodgy potatoes redeemed by a very good piquant tomato sauce. Service is prompt and attentive, which is important in a tapas restaurant where you may be making multiple orders over the course of the meal. Sadly they no longer have a flamenco guitarist perched dangerously on what looks a bit like a wardrobe (Health and safety, I was told. O tempora, o mores.)"
"Meh…."
"Very noisy restaurant service was slow food what we expected "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £31.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.75 |
| Service | 12.50% |
53 The Cut, London, SE1 8LF
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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