The Ivy

The Ivy at One New Change: What to Expect Before You Book

First, a correction: the The Ivy at 20 New Change is not the same as the original Ivy on West Street in Covent Garden. If you are expecting the celebrity-haunted institution with the stained-glass windows and the six-week waiting list, you are thinking of a different address. This is the City outpost, part of the Ivy Collection group, and it operates on a very different model: easier to book, broader in menu scope, and positioned to serve the Square Mile's lunch crowd and post-work diners rather than theatre-goers or press nights.

Under chef Alexandre Nicolas, the kitchen runs a Modern European and Californian menu. That pairing is less incongruous than it sounds: expect a range that moves from shareable starters and grilled proteins through to pastry-led desserts, with California influence showing up in lighter preparations and produce-forward plates. This is not a tasting menu restaurant. The format is à la carte across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which gives you considerably more flexibility than a fixed progression format would. First-timers should note that the menu is designed for choice, not for a single curated arc.

The address at One New Change is worth understanding before you arrive. The building sits directly opposite St Paul's Cathedral, so the setting carries real visual weight even if the room itself is designed around the Ivy Collection's signature brasserie aesthetic. Tuesday through Sunday, the kitchen runs from 8am to 10pm, which makes this a rare option in the City for both a working breakfast and a late dinner. Monday closures are confirmed, so plan around that.

With a Google rating of 4.5 across over 5,300 reviews, the venue performs consistently above average for a group-operated brasserie at this scale. That volume of reviews gives the score meaningful weight: this is not a niche room running on a handful of enthusiastic regulars. It is a high-throughput operation that holds its quality across covers.

Booking is direct. The Ivy Collection venues are generally accessible online, and this location does not carry the booking difficulty of the original Ivy or the Michelin-starred rooms in London's West End. If you are visiting for a weekday lunch, same-week availability is realistic. Weekend dinners warrant a few days' notice but rarely require weeks of planning.

For a first visit, lunch on a Thursday or Friday gives you the leading combination of atmosphere and availability. The City empties at weekends, which means Saturday and Sunday dinner can feel quieter than the venue's capacity suggests.

How to Get the Most from a First Visit

Arrive knowing the format: this is a brasserie, not a destination tasting experience. If you are looking for a curated multi-course progression, the Ivy Collection format will feel too casual. If you want a reliable, good-looking room with a long menu, professional service, and a direct booking process, this delivers on all three. It is a strong choice for a client lunch, a catch-up dinner, or a relaxed weekend breakfast with a view of St Paul's.

For a deeper look at what else London's restaurant scene offers across price points and styles, see our full London restaurants guide. If you are planning a broader trip, our London hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide are useful companions.

Practical Details

For comparable experiences further afield in the UK, The Fat Duck in Bray, L'Enclume in Cartmel, and Moor Hall in Aughton represent the tasting menu tier. For something more local and similarly accessible, Hand and Flowers in Marlow is worth the short journey. If you are travelling from New York and want a point of reference, Le Bernardin and Atomix sit in a different category entirely.