One of London’s best restaurants, The Yellow Bittern, is known for its rather terse opening hours. Until now, this French-and-Irish accented King’s Cross bistro has been lunch service only, with one 1pm seating a day. And it’s shut on weekends, too. Well, that’s all about to change.
You still won’t be able to get a Saturday or Sunday booking, but, for the very first time, the cash-only Yellow Bittern will be open in the evening. Just one evening, mind. From May 8, and continuing throughout the summer, they’ll be open on Friday nights from 7-9.30pm, with a wine bar-style offering of ‘bottles of wine, pot au feu and cheese and wheaten bread’, rather than a slap-up food menu.
Owner Hugh Corcoran announced the news on Instagram, writing: ‘This [is] primarily for friends, colleagues and regulars to come by and have a glass with me in the evening. It is not aimed at people who want dinner or a restaurant experience and it is not for people who don’t like drinking wine. It is for those of us who enjoy drinking and conversation. So don’t expect much other than that.’
The food will consist of slow-cooked French stew, with ‘a big tureen of broth, meat and vegetables for those that wish to eat’. Bookings for Friday nights will only be taken on the day, and over the phone [much like a regular lunch table].
The Yellow Bittern, which you’ll find at 20 Caledonian Road, was opened by Belfast-born chef Corcoran in 2024. If you fancy a table, then your best bet is to call 0203 342 2162. It’s worth it. Read our review here.
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