Duchy

Formidable food, fabulous people. We chose Duchy for our first meal out since the birth of our baby daughter 8 months ago, and the team made sure it was more than worth the wait. From the first plate to the last, we were treated to an eclectic, inventive line-up of dishes that promoted a chorus of oooohs and mmmms with every course. Standout dishes for us included a juicy, smoky lamb rib—beautifully charred and paired with a rich, indulgent hollandaise (an unusual combination, but it absolutely worked)., a bright and fresh sea bass carpaccio lifted by a spicy-sweet blood orange drizzle, and colourful ricotta gnudi nestled among a medley of vegetables and finished with a gentle pecorino sauce that brought everything into perfect balance. And if that wasn’t enough… the dessert put forward by Kitty out waitress stole the show. The baked Alaska (not usually our go-to) was a revelation: crisp and gooey meringue, a sweet-tart passion fruit drizzle, creamy ice cream, and a rum-soaked coconut base. It was the dessert that kept on giving—each bite revealing contrasting but harmonious layers, textures, and flavours. A special thank you to front of house Matt—super chilled, genuinely endearing, and effortlessly likeable—plus Kitty, our warm, kind, and knowledgeable waitress who guided us through a true culinary voyage of discovery and made us feel so special. And hats off to the exceptionally talented young kitchen team for knocking out dishes that landed a real punch for all the right reasons.

We went there for dinner on a Friday. When we first arrived at 1845, there was barely anyone there, but then it filled up quickly. Service started out rather slow, especially considering that it was practically empty. However, after the initial slowness, it proceeded at the right pace. Food was not being rushed, and we didn't have to wait long between dishes. Plenty of time to chat and relax. Generally speaking, service was very friendly and helpful. We ordered the homemade bread, which was delicious. This is the best restaurant (not bakery) homemade bread I've had in a really long time. We ordered the gougeres, which were probably my least favorite dish. A bit on the dry side, and the filling wasn't that flavorful. The boudin noir was delicious, as were the sweetbreads. For a main, we shared the rabbit en croute, and that was really done right. The meat cooked just right, the sauce flavorful, and the crust buttery. It seems they change the menu often, so I would going again a while to see what's new. All in all, a 4.5 rounded up to 5.

Highly recommended for a cozy, quiet evening. Most of the dishes were 10/10 while the rest was 9/10. An extensive list of amazing wines, the owner has great suggestions based on what we like. Thank you for such a lovely evening.

The experience at Duchy was lovely. Dined solo at the counter, staff were welcoming and friendly. Really enjoyed watching the chefs, who love their craft. Food was full of unique flavor, and the dishes were works of art. Was on the fence about dessert - chocolate mousse was great, Grand Marnier ice cream on top of it was out of this world. This place is a hidden gem, book a reservation while there is still availability!

Had a lovely meal! Comte gougeres and smoked haddock beignets were a highlight. The other person dining with me also said those were the best potato dauphinois they’d ever had. Mostly want to point out how great our server was. Super hospitable. She knew the menu like the back of her hand, answered all of our nerdy ingredient questions with lots of knowledge and enthusiasm. Warm energy. The restaurant was heaving and she seemed to be impressively on top of it and was very gracious. Didn’t get her name but the server on the evening of Feb 27th working the back section- you are awesome!

We had a great time at Duchy one blustery Thursday evening. Largely due to the buzz - the atmosphere and decor is just sumptuous, and the team are wonderfully welcoming. The food was all great without there being the kind of standout dish that has you talking about the place to anyone who will listen. The beef ragu pappadelle was a great example of the genre. The sausage was extremely flavourful. The potatoes were great, not least because of their liberal drenching in cheese. As we left, we both agreed we'd had a really good meal and would be fortunate to find ourselves here again... even if we might not be telling everyone we know to "run, don't walk".

Oh I so loved my dinner at Duchy. The atmosphere of the restaurant itself is utterly convivial, relaxed but perfectly designed: from the lights to the loo nothing was overdone. The food itself is the most lighthearted mix of French and Italian cuisine (no easy fit). Cannot recommend enough their vitello tonnato, or the mallard. One of the best new places in London.

Duchy is a lot of fun. The menu is eclectic European with plenty of choice across snacks, starters and mains. We shared a lot of dishes between 4 people to get the most variety but you could stick to individual dishes if you’ve still not adjusted to sharing plates culture. Snacks included a fab little taleggio agrodolce crostini (cheese on toast), panisse with salt cod brandade and a plate of saucisson Gamay. The vitello tonnato was a favourite, the contrast in flavours and textures works really well. The pumpkin with mushrooms was deliciously earthy and autumnal, the duck prune sausage was juicy and meaty, the dauphinois with raclette is a punchy little number and the Savoy cabbage, grilled with a mustardy garlic butter, was really delicious (and a welcome change from the ubiquitous Hispi). Afters included a Christmassy Mont Blanc, mille feuille and cheese board. Lots of windows emit a welcoming glow on a rainy Thursday evening, on a side street in Shoreditch that is becoming a food destination in its own right. The interesting triangular space on Phipps Street (where Leroy used to be) allows for a combination of exposed and more discreet tables, although the multiple angled surfaces amplify the sounds of a busy restaurant full of happy people, making it more of a cacophony. We had great service from Alex, Christian and Matt.