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Restaurant £££

Origin City

12 West Smithfield, Farringdon

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Photo: Armin Gemünden

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Photos via Google

About Origin City

Origin City sits on West Smithfield in Farringdon and serves British cuisine throughout the day, from breakfast to dinner. Meat dishes feature prominently—steak and lamb are sourced with care—alongside fresh oysters and desserts including crème brûlée. The restaurant takes bookings, accommodates groups, and offers beer, wine and cocktails.

Diners note the professional service and the balance between elegance and comfort in the setting. The price range of £30–£49 per head reflects what customers describe as good value given the quality of food and drink.

Menu & facilities

🥐 Breakfast 🥞 Brunch 🥪 Lunch 🍽️ Dinner ☕ Coffee 🍺 Beer 🍷 Wine 🍸 Cocktails 🍰 Dessert menu 🥦 Vegetarian options
🍴 Dine-in

Opening hours

Monday
12:00 – 9:30 PM
Tuesday
12:00 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday
12:00 – 9:30 PM
Thursday
12:00 – 9:30 PM
Friday
12:00 – 9:30 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
12:00 – 3:00 PM

Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.

What diners say

Dave R

This was a really fantastic lunch! We went for the set lunch menu which included the most gorgeous salmon gravlax to start, followed by a sensational plate of beef ragu pappardelle for mains and finally cheesecake for dessert covered in the most decadent butterscotch sauce. Each course tastier than the last. The restaurant itself had a great ambience and the staff were really friendly and attentive. I will definitely be returning!

a month ago · via Google

Gezenti Anne

A Fine Dining Affair to Remember! 💫 Origin Restaurant in the heart of the city served up an extraordinary culinary journey that was nothing short of mesmerizing. 💫🍷 From its roots as a family-run establishment to the fusion of British finesse, Scottish ruggedness, and Provençal artistry, every detail @origincity.co.uk exudes passion and authenticity. Imagine this: pasture to plate, nose to tail dining experience encapsulating the family's devotion to their craft. 🌿🥩 The secret? All meat hails from their farm in Argyll, Scotland, while the seafood arrives fresh from their sister aquafarm, Loch Fyne Oyster. It's a symphony of freshness! Executive Chef Graham Chatham, a maestro of British culinary reinvention, takes you on a palate-pleasing journey through reimagined classics. 🎩🍽️ Starting with the delightful Origin house charcuterie and the freshest oysters that left us speechless, every bite was an ode to culinary brilliance. One dish that stole the show? The Bideford skate wing paired with brown shrimps, cucumber, and capers – an absolute masterpiece worth savoring. We couldn't help but fall head over heels for Origin Restaurant and highly recommend this haven to all seeking an unforgettable dining experience. 🌟🍴

5 months ago · via Google

Dr_Tree

The atmosphere was elegant yet comfortable, just like a fine dining restaurant. Every dish I ordered was delicious and suited my taste perfectly. The oyster was fresh and satisfying, though I still think oysters are best enjoyed at an oyster bar. The food was a bit on the salty side but still very enjoyable. Both the fish stew and the lobster were excellent. The staff were friendly and attentive, service was quick, and they frequently checked in to make sure everything was good. Most of the guests seemed to be locals, which made the experience feel even more genuine. The crème brûlée I had at the end was absolutely fantastic. I’d definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting the area.

9 months ago · via Google

Alice Gee

Impeccable service. Attentive without being obsequious. The room is quiet and upscale - almost transplanted from West London. Plenty of art as well as murals on the walls. It's a perfect place for a romantic date. Food, however, suffered from some uneven patches. We started with complimentary sour dough with an intriguiging nduja butter. Very umami - the nduja was of the meaty rather than spicy variety. Our starters were both very good. My companion liked his dainty fish cakes, My oysters were lovely but I wouldn't recommend the Nam Jim option among the possible sauces. I was expecting Nam Jim Talay which is acidic and spicy and served on seafood rather than Nam Jim Jaew, which is normally served with roast meat in Thailand. The Nam Jim Jaew was way too sweet for oysters. Happily, half a lemon prettily wrapped in cheesecloth for trapping seeds was also provided. I liked my Texel hogget main. It came medium rare as ordered. However the accompanying pieces of merguez were way overcooked. My companion's courgette flowers were truly horrible. Heavy stodgy batter and soaking in oil. Surprising, because the fish cake starter was deep fried as well, but with no problems. A tomato salad side was good, if nothing special, and rather dear at £7. There were complimentary petit fours, of which the chewy quince jellies were fabulous. The miniature madeilines, on the other hand, were doughy instead of light and crispy. The house wine at £28 was great value, especially for a place with a posh ambience.

a year ago · via Google

See all reviews on Google →

Diners like this restaurant's delicious and thoughtfully sourced meat dishes, including steak and lamb, and highlight the fresh oysters and excellent crème brûlée. They also mention the elegant yet comfortable atmosphere and the professional, attentive staff. Guests appreciate the good value for money, especially for the quality of food and wine.

Summary via Google

At a glance

Address
12 West Smithfield, London, EC1A 9JR Get directions
Cuisine
British
Guest rating
4.8 / 5 (258 reviews)
Price level
£££
Good for children
No
Good for groups
Yes
Booking required
Yes
Destination
Farringdon