TIME AND LEISURE MAGAZINE - Galvin La Chapelle restaurant review
Galvin La Chapelle:Michelin-Starred Lunching Without the Hefty Bill
Galvin La Chapelle in Spitalfields has long been East London’s OG for elegant and reliable fine dining. Now, in celebration of 20 years of Galvin restaurants, the brothers behind the brand, Chris and Jeff Galvin are marking the milestone with the launch of a brand new, affordable lunch menu designed to offer a more relaxed Michelin experience, without the evening price tag.
This new set menu, available Monday to Saturday between 12pm and 2pm, offers two courses for £49 or three for £55. It’s a smart move, especially in a city increasingly conscious of cost without wanting to compromise on quality. Sitting somewhere between a business lunch and a low-key celebration, it keeps the restaurant’s polished feel while opening the doors to a wider crowd.
La Chapelle has always stood apart thanks to its dramatic setting: a Grade II-listed Victorian school chapel, with vaulted ceilings and gothic arches that bring genuine grandeur. It shares the building with the more casual Bistrot next door but defines itself as the flagship by delivering refined French-leaning food and seamless service in a visually stunning space. There’s a warmth and ease to the front-of-house team that offsets the formality of the setting, making first-timers feel as welcome as the seasoned regulars.
The new lunch menu highlights seasonal produce with Galvin’s signature classical French style and just enough surprise to keep things fresh. I ordered a starter of scallop lasagna which was a delicate stack of pasta sheets layered with sweet Orkney scallop and Sicilian prawn. We also ordered a vegetarian smoked aubergine with toasted pine nuts was equally appealing, rich and satisfying. For mains, I opted for the wild halibut with stuffed courgette flower, plankton, and sauce meunière. (There’s a £20 supplement, but it was worth it.) My guest chose Cornish cod with sea kale, yellow beans, and mussels en mouclade. Both plates were spot-on. This is clean, confident cooking with stylish flourishes that just lift it above any other lunch offerings in the area.
For dessert, the apple tarte Tatin is a standout and has rightly earned its place as a Galvin signature. Crisp, deeply caramelised, it’s the kind of dish you’d come back for. If that’s too heavy, there is the air-light apricot soufflé, which arrived perfectly risen with an elderflower-fragrant centre, balanced by a slick of aged balsamic for contrast. The theatre of this dessert makes it even more special. My server cut it open and poured a white chocolate sauce into the centre.
Wine is never an afterthought for me, and the pairing recommendations here were so on point. I was surprised at the standout glass, which came from Essex! Danbury Ridge Chardonnay, was crisp, with hints of citrus blossom and toasted almond notes. English sparkling is quite common now, but less common to find an Essex still wine on the menu. English wine has come a long way in the last decade, partly due to changing climate conditions, partly thanks to increased investment, and Danbury Ridge is fast emerging as one of the region’s most exciting producers. I was so impressed, I ordered a few bottles on line when I got home. For anyone just curious about English wine but not ready to commit to a full bottle, this lunch menu offers the perfect excuse to try a glass.
Galvin La Chapelle has always prioritised substance over flash, and this lunch menu continues that quiet confidence, offering a slice of Michelin luxury without the weighty commitment. It’s also proof that elevated surroundings, thoughtful food, and warm service still hold real value in 2025.
The launch of this new lunch menu also coincides with a wider seasonal offering across the Galvin group. Their Taste of Summer menus, running until September 14th, are designed to highlight the best of British produce and allow guests to experience the restaurants’ kitchens at a lower price point. Across Galvin La Chapelle, Galvin Bistrot & Bar, and Galvin Green Man in Chelmsford, each venue has curated its own menu in line with the brothers’ wider ethos of refined, unfussy, ingredient-focused food.
The whole experience is a reminder that Michelin-starred dining doesn’t have to mean endless tasting menus or intimidating service. Sometimes it’s just a peaceful hour in a beautiful space, with delicious food.
Tables can be booked via galvinrestaurants.com.
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