Walking past a restaurant where we saw a huge amount of people lining up, we joked how no restaurant could be that good. And then an hour later we were lining up outside Randall and Aubin, AKA Randall and Aubin.
In our defence though we only waited fifteen minutes and Randall & Aubin is no chain restaurant. No, no. This is a Soho institution.
Table of Contents
What is Randall and Aubin
Randall and Aubin opened in the late 1980s and has been a fixture of Soho ever since. Started by two young French chefs, it quickly became known for doing seafood properly in a city that can be hit or miss. It was never flashy or pretentious, just solid, reliable fish and shellfish. Over the years it built a reputation among locals, journalists, and foodies for consistently good quality, day in day out.
Soho may have changed around it, but Randall and Aubin has stayed true to its roots. It is one of those restaurants where regulars know exactly what they are getting and newcomers feel the history the moment they step in. For anyone serious about seafood in London, it is impossible to ignore.
The Menu and Vibe
Randall and Aubin is a proper fish restaurant. The menu has the classics: lobster bisque, crab, oysters, scallops, cod, haddock, and of course fish and chips. On the day we went, specials included whole mackerel with salsa verde, skate wing in brown butter, and mussels steamed in white wine with garlic. Even the burger and crab sandwiches are done with care.
Drinks are mostly wine and champagne. There is a huge selection of champagne at reasonable prices, so if you are not into wine, this is not the place for beer. Cocktails exist but are secondary. The focus is clearly on pairing your food with something decent to drink.
The service is quick. Staff move fast to keep the tables turning. If you are lucky, you get about ninety minutes to finish your meal, which is all part of the Soho dining chaos.
Menu Highlights
Lobster Bisque – £14
Crab Sandwich – £12
Fish and Chips – £20
Whole Mackerel (Special) – £18
Skate Wing (Special) – £22
Mussels in White Wine – £19
Crab Burger – £15
Oysters (3 / 6) – £10 / £18
The board outside shows the daily specials, which are often the best dishes on offer.
The Vibe
Despite being French in name, Randall and Aubin could not be more London. If you have not reserved, you will stand outside in Soho, right next door to a sex shop, and watch the street go by. Once inside the place is packed, tables are close together, and it is not particularly comfortable. We were sitting three to a table literally next to a wall. Staff run around non-stop serving as quickly as possible, keeping the pace high. It is noisy, chaotic, and entirely part of the charm.
Photo: Christian Tyler
The Food at Randall and Aubin
We tried lobster bisque, crab, fish and chips, and even a burger. Everything is clearly made on site with care. The bisque was rich and perfectly seasoned. The haddock and chips was crisp and high quality, like a posh chip shop. Portions are generous. Prices are reasonable for London. My fish and chips cost twenty-five dollars, barely more than I had paid at an actual chip shop a few days earlier.
So, Randall and Aubin is an institution. Great seafood, solid prices, and the true Soho experience. Not exactly street food, but a firm thumbs up from The Street Food Guy.
Location
Randall and Aubin
14 Brewer Street
Soho
London W1F 0SB
Phone: +44 20 7734 4888
United Kingdom