German Gymnasium

Restaurant | London | England | United Kingdom

Restaurant in King's Cross London

The "German Gymnasium" in London, England, is an extraordinary restaurant located in a historic building in the heart of King's Cross. Originally built in 1865 as the first purpose-built gymnasium in Britain for the German Gymnastics Society, the building was later taken over by the renowned restaurant group D&D London and transformed into a stylish culinary destination. The Grade II listed building boasts impressive architecture with high ceilings and an open structure that combines its sporting past with a modern, elegant atmosphere. Today, it houses three different areas: the Grand Café on the ground floor, the upscale restaurant on the first floor, and the chic Meister Bar, also located on the upper level.

Central european cuisine in London

The cuisine at the "German Gymnasium" is influenced by Central European, particularly German, flavors, offering an exciting mix of traditional dishes and modern interpretations. In the restaurant area, the "Wiener Schnitzel" stands out, a tender veal cutlet served with crispy breading and classic sides such as potato salad - a dish that captures the essence of German cuisine. Also popular is the "Schwarzwälder Hirsch," a seasonal game dish with rich flavors served with a refined sauce and sides that reflect the season. In the Grand Café, the "Currywurst" is a favorite, a German classic with spicy sauce and homemade fries, representing the casual side of the menu. Desserts are also a highlight, such as the "Black Forest Gateau," which offers a sweet ending with its combination of chocolate, cherries, and cream, uniting tradition and pleasure.

Historic restaurant with cocktails

The drinks menu is equally diverse and impressive. The Meister Bar entices with a selection of creative cocktails, including the "Berlin Mule," a modern twist on the classic with German vodka and a hint of ginger, perfect for the elegant atmosphere. German beers and an extensive wine list focusing on wines from Germany and Austria complement the offerings and invite guests to pair their dishes with suitable drinks. For non-alcoholic options, there are refreshing choices like homemade lemonades to complete the experience.

Experience german cuisine in London

The ambiance of the "German Gymnasium" is unique and multi-faceted. The Grand Café on the ground floor offers a lively, brasserie-style atmosphere with curved banquettes and warm lighting, ideal for a casual meal or a coffee break. The restaurant area on the first floor is more elegant and intimate, with large windows and a view of the bustling activity below - a place suitable for special occasions. The Meister Bar adds a glamorous touch, inspired by Berlin's nightlife scene, and is a popular spot for cocktails and late evenings. An outdoor terrace expands the space in good weather, offering a welcome opportunity to enjoy the surroundings.

Culinary destination in London

The service is professional and attentive, with staff dedicated to providing guests with a pleasant experience, whether through menu recommendations or quick service during peak times. The restaurant attracts a mixed crowd - from business people appreciating the proximity to King's Cross and St. Pancras stations, to tourists admiring the historic architecture, to locals seeking a taste of Central European cuisine in London. It is also known for its sustainability efforts, such as using seasonal ingredients and reducing food waste, in line with the modern ethos of the D&D group.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
1 King's Blvd
N1C 4BU London

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday10:00 - 23:00
Monday8:00 - 23:00
Tuesday8:00 - 23:00
Wednesday8:00 - 0:00
Thursday8:00 - 0:00
Friday8:00 - 0:00
Saturday10:00 - 0:00

Reviews

5580 Reviews

Finn Pipe
09.03.2025

Ousain provided us with excellent service in this spacious and pleasant venue for lunch, we started with an excellent Bloody Mary and then enjoyed steak tartare, trio of sausages, curried sausages and hotdogs. The beer went down well and the bill was reasonable. Ousain kindly offered to lead the singing of happy birthday to my cousin who was 50. We Recommend German gymnasium 👍
Victor Monteiro
08.03.2025

It is a beautiful restaurant, perfect for a date and we had an amazing server, Salar, who was very welcoming
Luka Deniel
08.03.2025

Highly recommended by meet, these exceptional German beer pills offer an outstanding experience.
Kirsten Webber
08.03.2025

We had a really lovely afternoon. Great service and the atmosphere was lovely. Salar was very attentive. Will be back again soon.
Kolawole
13.02.2025

Visited for a quick drink. Amazing service from the young Lad Toheeb.
OGUNDEJI SAMUEL
08.03.2025

I had a terrific time here due to Toheeb. Their welcoming and attentive service made all the difference. The drink they made was not only excellent, but also elegantly presented. everything was evident that they spent a lot of effort into getting everything exactly correct. I sincerely appreciate their dedication and friendliness. German Gymnasimum
Ogundeji Faith
08.03.2025

had a fantastic experience here, thanks to Toheeb. Their warm and attentive service made all the difference. The drink they prepared was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. It was clear that they put a lot of care into making it just right. I truly appreciate their dedication and hospitality—German Gymnasimum
Samlove Chinchin
08.03.2025

I had an amazing experience at German Gymnasimum.Toheeb was kind and cheerful. It was absolutely refreshing and perfectly balanced. Their attention to detail and friendly service made the experience even better. I highly recommend German Gymnasimum.
Samuel Damilare
08.03.2025

I had a great time here. The service was excellent, and we enjoyed beverages on the lovely terrace. Our server, Toheeb, was excellent, really informative, and made us feel very comfortable. Eating at a restaurant with such great service is always a pleasure.
Joe Hunter
08.03.2025

Great Spot for Food and Vibes! I recently visited German Gymnasium in King's Cross, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere is spot on stylish yet relaxed, with a nice buzz. The building itself is beautiful, with high ceilings and a blend of modern and historic touches. The food was delicious, especially if you’re into hearty German and European dishes. The schnitzel was crispy and perfectly cooked, and the sausages were great too. They’ve got a good selection of beers and cocktails, which is always a win. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. It’s a great spot whether you’re grabbing a casual bite or looking for somewhere a bit more special. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!
Maxwell Peterson
08.03.2025

Such a great time at German gymnasium . The service was phenomenal. Toheeb was incredibly attentive and made sure we had an amazing experience. He made a special birthday gift.His friendly attitude and professionalism stood out. Definitely a must-visit spot!😍😍
Jeorgie Barthorpe
08.03.2025

This place wouldnt be the same without meet, the best host in the world.
Julia Pescarini
07.03.2025

Great service. Jojo was a great waiter. Food could be tastier.
Blake Lockley
07.03.2025

Good place and great service from Jojo! Thanks for a great evening
Miriam Thorne
07.03.2025

Food ok but pretty poor service. We were a group of 8-10 business women meeting for the first time and had chosen this place due to its reputation. When we sat down it took a fair while to get someone to take out drinks order (coffees &teas as it was 11 am on a Friday morning). Even longer to take the food order and while some drinks arrived we waited 50 min for a number of coffees! (Yes, we asked several times where they were). The restaurant wasn't terribly busy and yet after an hour and a half (most of which had been spent waiting to order and then for the orders) we were told we had to vacate our tables in 15 min. We had not been told there was a time limit when booking, some ladies where still eating their mains and had drinks to finish. Just to be clear, while there was a lot of chatting on the table, we had all ordered food and drinks, so this wasn't a case of hogging tables for free. We just wanted a nice place with good food to meet up. Overall I was surprised by the poor service and obviously none of us will be returning.
Marc Assael
17.05.2024

I like the place a lot. Good prices great food with some German style dishes. Very nice schnitzels, I particularly like the veal schnitzel. Nice cakes, try the apple strudel with hot vanilla cream. Good service.
Ozzy
06.03.2025

Nice place to visit for a business dinner
martin farley-sandage
05.03.2025

Pretty high priced industrial london service and below average food. Would save your savings for elsewhere.
James O'Neill
03.03.2025

I booked here for valentine's day on account of the mostly good reviews. On the positive side, the ambience is nice, the food options are good and it's in a convenient location. Unfortunately, however, my review is quite the opposite. Whilst the service was ok (not amazing), and whilst the food was reasonable, I was violently ill after eating here within the hour of leaving the restaurant. I emailed the restaurant the next day and my partner called at least twice, and they performed a review and concluded they did nothing wrong. I'm afraid, as I didn't eat anything beforehand since lunch and nothing afterwards I'm completely sure there was an issue with what I ate here. (I also know my body and know that being sick directly after eating for an hour and then suddenly feeling fine is on account of eating something bad). I mentioned I had a shellfish allergy and their review focused on this element and concluded it was not in relation to my shellfish allergy, however, I'm afraid it was obviously a bacterial reaction to something. Unfortunately, the response was defensive and in the spirit of covering their own backs. On this basis I'm afraid I cannot recommend this restaurant (unusual for my Google local guides reviews as I almost always only leave positive reviews of the places that I try). I found the response to throwing up violently for an hour tremendously corporate and procedural. Whilst I don't expect the bill for the night being refunded (though I do expect my food being refunded for obvious reasons, though this request was declined) there is certainly better customer care out there. On account of this experience I'm afraid my opinion is to avoid this restaurant and go somewhere else. Because if you are ill after eating here the result will be a defensive and procedural piece of paper work to cover themselves.
Graham Stockbridge
01.03.2025

Great menu, lovely food and excellent service by Natacha. Will definitely be back.
Tan H
28.02.2025

Attended after a work event. Company had hired out upstairs. Good location, helpful and friendly staff. Nibbles/ canapés were delicious.
Jim Cameron
28.02.2025

This place only got a 4* for the food for the portion sizes, it wasn't cheap but it also wasn't super expensive, if you're looking to try something new and be nice and close to Kings Cross this is a great shout, staff were really friendly and it has a very posh atmosphere (for is peasant folk anyway to s😄) but yes I'd recommend!
And Car
27.02.2025

Excellent atmosphere, good food.
G S
26.02.2025

Attitude on past two occasions wanting to have a drink with a friend at the bar was astounding. At 5.30 on a Wednesday I was told it was unlikely I’d find a space but why not go and have a look..! Ignore the GG go to the Standard nearby where they are polite and make an effort to find you a table. Better value & environment too.
Yiannis Costopoulos
26.02.2025

Really interesting décor and history. The staff was really nice and polite. The food was fantastic. The pork knuckle, the duck and the Leberkase burger tasted really good. Nice German beers and cocktails.

 

Close by