Between 2012 and 2015, my journey to college involved a train ride past the deserted Battersea Power Station in London. However, fast forward to 2025, and this once dark mass has transformed into a vibrant hub of shops, eateries, pubs, flats, and entertainment venues.
One of the latest additions is from renowned British chef Gordon Ramsay. With an average score of 4.2/5 from 1,489 reviews on Google, it seemed quite popular, so I decided to drop by on a Thursday evening to see if it lived up to its reputation.
As with my previous reviews of James Martin’s Lygon Arms and Jamie Oliver’s Catherine Street, the plan was to opt for a two-course meal. Since I wasn’t driving, I also indulged in a glass of wine.
I invited a couple of friends along to get their opinions as well.
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The restaurant
I had to sympathise with the venue on this one. Usually, the interior is more dramatic and captivating than the outside world, but it’s tough to compete with Battersea Power Station’s vast atriums and colossal corridors.
Nonetheless, the restaurant exudes a sense of luxury, high-end comfort and cosiness; exactly what you’d want.
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Upon entering through the glass doors, you’re greeted with a relatively dimly lit room surrounded by glass walls. The tables are made of dark wood, complemented by even darker wooden chairs with leather backs – a promising start.
Unlike Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, this doesn’t feel like it’s trying to embody the personality of the man himself, but rather it’s a serious restaurant aiming to serve seriously good food. Now, about that second point….
The interior of the restaurant(Image: Christopher Sharp)
My main course
A quick glance at the menu suggested I was in for a costly evening. Almost every item seemed to be twenty or thirty percent more expensive than comparable dishes elsewhere.
I completely understand that this is a leveraging of Gordon Ramsay’s name. If you’ve got a celebrity attached to your venue, you’re entitled to charge slightly higher prices as that’s a draw for people.
However, this leveraging only goes so far. Too little and you lose on the balance sheet, too much and you end up like Gordon Ramsay Bread Street, as demonstrated by my main.
As I perused the menu, my eyes were drawn to the £40-plus dry-aged sirloin steak. Having been to a friend’s 30th birthday at renowned steak specialists Hawksmoor in September, this seemed like an exorbitant price for a place that wasn’t ostensibly a steak restaurant.
Ordering the steak with some macaroni cheese and a side salad, I was simply disappointed. The steak was over-salted and the peppercorn sauce didn’t taste like it had much pepper in it at all.
Christopher’s main of steak, mac n cheese, and side salad(Image: Christopher Sharp)
Meanwhile, the side salad was disappointingly under-dressed, relying heavily on pomegranates for a hint of flavour. The macaroni and cheese was decent, but at these prices, diners deserve more than just ‘good’.
Comparing this to Hawksmoor felt like pitting an amateur boxer against Tyson Fury. The former might put up a good fight, but they’re always going to be outclassed by the specialist. Hawksmoor need not feel it’s crown is threatened by Ramsay.
My dining companions chose different dishes. One went for the roasted cod with crushed potatoes, artichoke, capers, red wine and lemon sauce (£30.50), while the other opted for the standard burger (£23.50).
The cod was met with enthusiastic approval; despite its high price, it looked and tasted impressive. Meanwhile, my friend who ordered the burger was content with their pricey dish. It was edible, but didn’t particularly stand out.
On a positive note, although the menu was steep, the wines were more reasonably priced, and the 2023 Braucol Syrah paired perfectly with the steak.
Christopher’s apple crumble pudding(Image: Christopher Sharp)
The dessert
For dessert, I chose the spiced apple crumble, which is where Bread Street Kitchen managed to redeem itself somewhat. The spicing was spot-on, making it the perfect comforting dish for the increasingly chilly evenings.
The dollop of ice cream in the middle provided a nice contrast, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
My dining companions opted for the sticky toffee pudding and tiramisu, each paired with a glass of port. They echoed my sentiments about the seasoning and taste of their desserts.
If you’re planning on having just two courses here, make sure one of them is dessert – you won’t be disappointed.
Final thoughts and rating
If you’re in the area and fancy a high-end meal that’s worth the price tag, I’d suggest looking elsewhere. The food is undoubtedly of high quality and well-cooked.
The wine, cod, and puddings all stood out and were worthy of the name they’re served under. However, the final bill is hard to ignore. When prices are this steep, the food can’t just be good, it has to be exceptional.
I previously mentioned Hawksmoor. My total spend there was £104, but it felt justified given the outstanding dining experience; the food fully warranted the price.
Contrast that with my evening at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street where my total spend was £92.28 (£11.72 less).
Rating: 4/10
Total Bill – £92.28
Breakdown
- Dry-aged Sirloin steak: £45
- Peppercorn sauce: £3.00
- Macaroni cheese: £7.75
- Side Salad: £5
- Spiced apple crumble: £10
- Braucol Syrah 125ml: £9.50
- 15 percent service charge: £12.03
