Dutch gem in Covent Garden.
30 Apr 08, 13:34
Above expectations
I almost walked right past the Lowlander the first time I went wandering round the corner from the craziness of Covent Garden Xmas shoppers on a Sunday. Once inside, it's a different story.
Internally the Lowlander is pretty grand. The bar is stocked high with a wide variety of different beers from all over the world including a good selection of wheat and fruit beers if you fancy something slightly different. The beers are served as they are on the continent in one of the many multitudes of appropriately different glasses that they also keep for the purpose.
I've been back several times now and it's a really nice place to go, varying between moderately busy and totally relaxed in terms of atmosphere but always pleasant and devoid of any of the rush or deafening loudness of some of the bars in London, so a good place for a proper conversation or book reading etc.
The food is good too, not too fancy but fresh and good quality, nice steak sandwiches etc. The table service for food is great and the bar staff are relaxed and friendly. It's pricier than a Wetherspoons but not expensive by London standards and you definitely get what you pay for, plus you can try lots of new beer.
There's at least one other branch in London.
Groups: What's a new platform anyway?
Dutch Grand Cafe in the Heart of London
04 Jul 07, 18:13
Above expectations
If you like tasting new beer, eating fresh continental food and experiencing something new everytime you go for a drink, then Lowlander is the place to go.
A "grand cafe" modelled on those found in the Netherlands and serving a wide array for Belgian, Dutch and other continental beers, Lowlander is a great venue for a pint (or, more often, half-pint) at any time of the day. Whether you like fruity wheat beers (Fruli Strawberry on tap) or want something for a special occasion (how about a champagne beer, fermented using actual grains from the Champagne region), it's all there. Working you way through the menu is impossible on one visit and, in fact, with the regularly changing offerings depending on season, not generally possible at all unless you're a daily regular! Of course, if you have friends with more conservative palates, Lowlander also has a range of wines and more well-known beers such as Stella Artois and Hoegaarden, but the trip is not complete without tasting something new.
Lowlander also does a great range of food, which always includes at least a couple of veggie options. Lunchtime and dinnertime are best to book for though, and you get to sit in the gallery overlooking the rest of the crowd down below.
There's usually attentive table-service, though it can get busy at peak times. The slightly smaller than expected venue is easily accessible from the Strand, Covent Garden and Holborn which is probably why it's so popular. I recommend you go off-peak, during the day or daytime at the weekend - Sunday early afternoon is great. Price-wise, it's authentic and you do pay for that, which is something to bear in mind - but the experience is unparalleled!
