Chapter One

Chapter One

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+44 1689 854848+ Add website
Hours
Sun
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Wed
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Thu
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Sat
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
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MICHELIN
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS
Food
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, European, Contemporary, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

MICHELIN Guide's Point of View

They’ve got a loyal following at this long-standing restaurant that offers an extensive and appealing menu of modern European dishes. The cooking has s...
Read more on MICHELIN Guide
Menu


Full menu TheFork – Chapter One
Is this a fast food place?
About
Behind the charming Tudor exterior is a bright, modern restaurant with top notch modern European cuisine. Chapter One has gained enthusiastic reviews from many major restaurant critics and happy plaudits from satisfied diners. Not to mention that it won AA restaurant of the year 2004 and comes along with three AA rosettes. The dining room is relaxed, spacious and comfortable, and the cooking superb. Start with something inventive, like a pave of skate and smoked eel, beetroot 3 ways, oyster beignet and freshly grated horseradish. Then do try the tournedos Rossini, sauteed spinach, potato puree and Madeira truffle jus, everyone raves about it. The wine list shows much care and attention too. You will leave feeling well-fed and well cared-for.
PRICE RANGE
$34.00 – $109.00
CUISINES
European, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,957 reviews
Excellent
1,205
Very good
403
Average
207
Poor
91
Terrible
51

Brian M
London1037 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 business
Chapter One has been around for many years and its reputation keeps growing under the inventive cookery of chef/owner Andy McLeish, It is certainly one of my favourite restaurants in the south-east as you can be sure of really good food, impeccable service and sensible prices. My visit for lunch with a business friend brought out the best in the staff. We were seated at a corner table well away from more garrulous parties. We opted for the 3-course a la carte lunch (£64.95) starting with (topically) Lake District farmers tartare, cajun ketchup, smoked mayonnaise, capers and parsnip crisps served in a soup bowl for easy access. The beef was tender and with the additions full of intense flavour. The crisps provided a crunchy contrast to the smooth tartare. Seldom had better, especially with a glass of Primativo red. For the main course we both chose the Australian Prime Ribeye 350gms (£15.00 supplement) cooked medium rare on the Mibrasa charcoal oven and served with a delicious homemade Bearnaise sauce. The meat was perfection : tender, pink and juicy with just a few hints of wonderful marbled fat. With our steaks, we shared a side of green beans with shallot butter (£5.85) and two portions of crisp Anna potatoes with aged parmesan (£5.85 each) which were certainly well crisped and a terrific complement to the beef. Dessert was beyond us after this veritable feast and so we ordered American coffee with petits fours. The latter was included with the set price as was the warm sourdough bread and butter. Our waiter spilt some coffee en route and immediately retired, without being asked, to return with clean cups and saucers. Another example of faultless service. This was a well presented, perfectly prepared lunch of substance. Congratulations to Andy and his team.
Written 20 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Janine P
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2024 family
We had our wedding breakfast in the private function room in July 2024. The space is intimate and immaculately decorated so there was no need for additional decorations. There are separate toilets upstairs for the private dining room and a bar so you have complete privacy from the restaurant downstairs. Tania (the Events Manager) was incredibly helpful and clear in the run up and provided guidance when required around seating plans/menus etc. It was incredibly hard to pick a menu for our guests as everything sounded amazing but we managed and were not disappointed. The food was delicious, well balanced and beautifully presented. The portion sizes were excellent (not one person that attended the meal ate at the reception afterwards). All our guests commented on how wonderful the meal was (even the incredibly fussy eaters). The staff were friendly, efficient and everything ran like a smooth oiled machine. I was dreading the bill at the end as everything was so delicious I was sure I would have to hand over a kidney; however, it actually surprised me. It was incredibly reasonable. We had a wonderful, stress-free day, would 100% recommend for private events and will be returning to dine in the restaurant downstairs. Thanks Chapter One team!
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DeLaLittle
London338 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 couples
Have wanted to visit for many years as I live close by but have been slightly put off by the lack of variety for vegans and vegetarians (as is the case in most high end restaurants). Decided to put these reservations aside as the festive cocktails looked so appealing. From start to finish it was a polished, professional and delicious experience and does make you wonder why you’d ever bother going into London to find fine dining again when it’s right on your doorstep. Was welcomed into the bar first where the cocktails were wonderful (and potent!) then tried the vegetarian gnocchi with sides. Although the portions look small, the food is rich and filling, and a delight to the tastebuds. Another big win for me is food served on hot plates as I eat very slowly and hate cold food. Why doesn’t every restaurant do this? Perfect service and will definitely be back.
Written 5 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rob H
12 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 family
Been going here on and off (it's very expensive for regular visits) for the past 20 years. The food has always been a major stand out in the wider area, nowhere else comes close. However, recently the service has changed. Requests missed, meals served to the wrong persons, smashing wine bottles and quite a while before the table is cleaned. Not a big deal in a normal restaurant but at £85 per head, without alcohol it should be spot on. The kicker came when the bill was presented though. Without any questions the waiter told me that the service charge was included but the tip was not. When I asked him what the difference was he said that the service charge was shared amongst the serving staff while the tip went to him only. I was shocked, with a bill of £255 for three people for lunch and a service charge of 15% the last thing you expect is a request for a tip. Either Chapter One are not paying their staff correctly or they have changed their policy but I don't expect this type of behaviour at a Michelin rated restaurant. A real bitter end to a nice meal but a place ill be checking other reviews on before I come again.
Written 10 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

happy1
38 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 couples
The food was nice. The wine however proved to be a problem...Why? Because my husband ordered 2 wines 1 white and 1 red. Neither of which were poured out in front of us. The second wine was meant to be a Fluerie and when my husband tasted it, he realised he had been served something else. My husband questioned the wine and the waiter assured him, that it was indeed a Fluerie. My husband disagreed so the waiter took the wine away and brought a new glass and suspiciously a new bottle of wine that he had just opened. He poured the wine in front of my husband, which should have been done in the first place. My husband commented that the first wine was not the same as the second wine. There was a weak apology. But unfortunately this did not appear to be sincere. Even the most basic restaurants pour wine out in front of a customer, and it was strange that Chapter One did not do this. So if you dine here and order wine, insist that the wine is poured out in front of you. It's a shame as we used to dine here monthly a couple of years ago, and we fell out of love with this restaurant and after 2 years of not dining here we thought we would give Chapters another chance. And this incident has just reinforced why we fell out of love with this place 2 years ago. It's a shame as Chapter One could be a great restaurants but they seem to fall short every time we visit.
Written 26 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NBCKent
Kent29 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 family
We went for Saturday lunch as we had been in July 23 and everything was excellent. However, sad to say, there were a few things which fell below what was expected. We were given the menus and water but no one came to ask if we wanted a pre lunch drink. We had to request this. Then it was quite sometime before our order was taken. The restaurant was not full and therefore there was no reason for delays. The food was warm, not hot, and not the standard expected and certainly not for price paid. When we asked for tea/coffees, the young waiter dropped the milk jug, it went over my arm, my partner's clothes and phone. Whilst I accept accidents happen, there was no one from management who came to check we were ok and to apologise. We were wiping the milk from our clothes, my arm and phone. When we asked for our coats, all of them except one was given back. No one went to check again and my step dad did this himself. We were left to pour the wine ourselves towards the end and again no one came to ask if we needed anything. We ordered broccoli along with some other vegetables. This did not arrive and my mum asked for it again. By the time it came, everyone had nearly finished the main. Given we had a great experience in July, this was very disappointing. All this may be expected in some lower end restaurants but certainly not at Chapter One.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sue149
London211 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 friends
I decided to book the private dining room (again) to treat my work teams on the occasion of leaving my job after 20 years. The room was beautifully set up, the waiting service impeccable. The food was absolutely excellent, all my people with allergies and special preferences were catered for and everyone was totally impressed. The costs is also pretty reasonable given the amount of food and drink consumed. Totally recommended for a special night out.
Written 26 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David A
22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 couples
Every time I go to this restaurant it seems to get better. Saturday lunchtime is a good time to go for an unhurried dining experience. The Venison Tartar starter is absolutely outstanding. So many flavours and beautifully presented. The main course Australian Ribeye steak is huge and was cooked to perfection. All the staff are knowledgeable in both the food and beverage they are offering, and all act with a very high degree of professionalism. A great dining experience.
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lori
London59 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 friends
We have used Chapter One on and off for well over 20 years but have not been since Covid. The restaurant certainly feels less formal these days but the service although always high end is a lot more friendlier we found. The atmosphere on a Friday was very good erring on the side of noisy, but this could be because many gatherings were Christmas get togethers. Food was very good. My ravioli was beautiful but if I had to be slightly critical I would say pasta was not quite as thin and I would like and the chicken filling was slightly course and not as delicate as you might expect. The dish was still great though. Bream for mains was excellent, very tasty and I can’t wait to return for this dish alone. Dessert of warm plum Pudding was very good too (although it does taste exactly like Christmas pudding) so you might want to rethink if you don’t like that. Service was friendly and attentive and less austere as in previous years. This will appeal to many but maybe that’s what made this neighbourhood gem feel a cut above the rest. We had a great night and will definitely return soon.
Written 16 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yycyetta
London70 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 family
Chapter One is our go-to restaurant in Bromley, Kent, offering high-quality food without the need to travel to London. Drinks: The beverage selection is great. With a variety of champagnes, wines, and cocktails, it never disappoints! Not to mention, the cocktails always have an excellent presentation and great taste! Decoration: I always prefer sitting in the lounge, bar, or terrace area; it's more relaxed compared to the main restaurant. The bar area decor features a peacock theme with turquoise, green, and blue colours; I love it. Food: I highly recommend trying the tuna tacos (starters), hake (seasonal), grilled octopus (seasonal), and grilled steak, which is fantastic, too! Not to mention their Sunday roast beef sirloin, which I ask for medium rare. FYI - I love to try their in-season dishes, as they are always full of surprises! Customer Service: I have always appreciated their best-in-class customer service. However, the table service did not meet my previous experiences during my recent visit. I’m not saying the service was not great; it just seemed better before, as I constantly looked for the waitress to ask for salt, pepper, sauce, and other essentials. The level of enthusiasm and proactiveness appeared to be noticeably reduced too.
Written 11 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sueperb
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 friends
We held a celebration lunch with family and friends in the private dining room upstairs. From the moment we arrived the staff were very attentive and helpful. The service was impeccable, the food was delicious and everyone commented that it was a great venue for such an occasion. It was private, relaxing and we had streamed our own music to let our hair down…well those who still have hair did! Thank you to everyone at Chapter One for making this milestone occasion very special.
Written 24 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Linda M
United Kingdom1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 couples
Been coming for a number of years on a regular basis never been concerned about the cost. This weekend was appalling the service was disgraceful, the waiter who was assigned to us was disinterested didn't pour our wine, taking our order was an effort and served other tables but ours. The fish was overcooked and dry but I made no complaint. At the end of the evening we were told that the waiters didn't want to serve us Yet other waiters came to say hello. I was made to feel disrespected by the management. Sorry to point out that as a company owner myself you do not speak to your clients in this manner they pay the bills. It was an evening that was supposed to be enjoyable but left me upset.
Written 11 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Googly2010
Tonbridge825 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 family
How lovely to visit Chapter One again and "wallow" in the superbly professional and warm greeting and service which one so rarely finds nowadays. This is without mentioning the delicious and beautifully presented food which my wife, daughters and I all enjoyed, as usual. Two members of the party thought that the flavour of the Iberico pork was rather lost but the rest of the food was superb. Harri, our waiter was most efficient and charming, and the advice he obtained from (?) the Head Waiter/Sommelier for our wine was spot on - Lagrein, a soft red from the Alto Adige area in Italy that I hadn't tried before. Little birthday cakes (mini tiramisus) for two of us were a nice touch and the petit fours were delicious as were the Kentish Garden (?) cocktails my daughters enjoyed. As previously, Marcel was there supervising and it was great to talk to him again - he runs a very well-oiled machine!! Congratulations and thanks to all the team!!
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul M
London192 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 friends
It had been exactly a year to the day since our last visit. As always, from the time we arrived to when we left, it was a total joy to dine at Chapter One. The food is excellent and great value for the money, served by an excellent front of house team who look after every guest superbly well, even when they are busy. This time we had the Christmas 3 course menu which was a total joy. We will be back.
Written 17 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nick B
Orpington9 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 family
I’ll keep this short. We live locally to Chapter One and have visited the restaurant on many occasions over the years. Our last meal was for 4 people, included two bottles of wine and a few sides, and cost £420. I don’t mind paying this amount for a meal, but Chapter One isn’t there on quality or innovation of food to be a £100 per head restaurant. I’m sorry to say this, as the quality of service is fantastic and the team are impeccable but they need to do better at this price point.
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CHAPTER ONE, Orpington - Updated 2025 Restaurant Reviews, Menu, Prices, & Reservations - Tripadvisor

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