Simpson's-in-the-Strand, Historic British restaurant in Westminster, England
Simpson's-in-the-Strand is a restaurant in Westminster housed in a Victorian building with carved wooden tables and high ceilings. The interiors display classical architectural details, including ornate columns and dark wood wall paneling.
The house opened in 1828 as a chess club with a coffee room and later shifted into a dining venue known for its roast meat dishes. During the 20th century, it received Grade II listed status, which protects the historic fabric of the building.
The venue takes its name from founder John Simpson and its location on the Strand, one of London's oldest thoroughfares. Guests today dine in rooms where wooden paneling and gas fittings recall the original fittings, while waiters serve in traditional black uniforms.
A reservation is necessary, as the venue is well attended particularly at weekends. The rooms are located at ground level and are accessible for wheelchair users, though advance notice is advisable.
Individual dining rooms preserve chess tables from the founding era, where visitors may play games while waiting for their meal. These tables bear engraved chessboards and recall a time when major tournaments took place on the premises.
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