I was very much looking forward to going to this restaurant for a friends birthday as I had heard some great reviews of it.
However, the staff were rude and overworked and when they managed to forget the birthday girls main course, they blamed it on us and told us that we were lying.
After then ordering a dessert each, they again forgot a few of them and took another 30 minutes to bring them out.
When we asked for a token gesture to be taken off the bill at the end for all the hassle they told us that they were going to do nothing and that we got our food in the end so we shouldn't even be complaining.
I know it is probably a one off occurrence but it ruined my friends birthday and the owner was so rude! I cannot believe he thinks it is OK to treat paying clients that way..... will not be going back!

London's Archipelago was recommended to me by several friends but I had put off going for a while because I thought it a bit gimmicky. Well, despite the exotic schtick, the food was amazing. The chive cream sauce complemented the ostrich starter brilliantly and the gnu stew was marvelous with shitake mushrooms and near perfect seasonings. The wine list, while not extensive, has some gems, such as the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Excellent food in a fun, exotic atmosphere -- definitely worth a try!

Well what can I say, this place sums up all that is bad about London restaurants. Incredibly tiny portions, fat laden salty dishes, snobbish waiters and horrendously overpriced drinks. If anyone else fancies paying £20 for four tiny slivers of meat and a small pile of greasy noodles (about £2 worth of ingredients) all washed down with a £30 bottle of wine (£5 supermarket plonk) then be my guest. Throw in a few mediocre and minuscule starters and the 12.5 % service charge and you could easily be looking at a bill of £100 or more for two, leaving you with an empty wallet and a half empty stomach.

Unfortunately until the people of London throw aside their pretentions and their British reserve then rip off joints like this will continue to fluorish in our fair city. So make you choice you could heve twice the meal at half the price in any number of restaurants elsewhere. On the other hand if you enjoy a rumbling stomach and the feeling of being scammed, then go ahead and make a reservation you won't be disappointed.

Me and my boyfriend tried crocodile, zebra and cangaroo
and the lovebug salad.
Everything was very delicious and a great experience!!
It has its price tho. And staff could have been friendlier.

I have been to Archipelago about six times now, and never been disappointed. yes it is costly, but the whole experience is so charming I don't begrudge a penny. I have always found the food to be delicious (the crocodile in vine leaves is the loveliest thing I have tastest ever) and the staff attentive. The decor is great too. I love this place.

We made a booking for last Saturday. We were a group of 15 and were quite looking forward to the interesting menu and decor to set the tone for a fun night. We called in December and were told we would have a private area.

When we arrived they had put us on two tables and right by the front door. This was really disappointing to start with as no one had ever mentioned this to us, despite a number of phone calls between them and the group.

The 'warm welcome' continued from there. The staff were rude - tutting when we asked for a wine list, or the price of the cocktails on their list. Everything was too much trouble and delivered in a tired and aggressive tone.

The service was also slow - despite numerous requests, we were only served 6 bottles over a 3 1/2 hour period between 15 people (that's about two glasses per person) , and when we asked for an ice bucket for the white we were told 'so you want and ice bucket now too, do you?'. We also had to ask 4 times for a jug of water for the table. This I find very surprising as surely the restaurants make most of their money on alcohol - and if they didn't want us drinking why not bring us water?!

We also were told on more than one occasion that we were being too noisy and to quite down.

The food was interesting, although our already short menu for the group was cut even more by the restaurant not having many of the items in. It was quite tasty, although everything was very heavily salted and otherwise flavoured which took away from the natural tastes of some of the more unusual meats.

Unfortunately, I also have to say that one of the group, who had the fish, went home within 30 minutes of leaving the restaurant being sick, with shivers and a temperature. Sounds like food poisoning to me?

Needless to say we decided to take the 'optional' service charge off of the bill (as it had been automatically included - although no mention o

My five companions and I all agreed Archipelago was the most fun we've ever had at dinner, anywhere in the world. We loved trying the delicacies on offer and the servings were more than adequate.


The Archipelago stafff were friendly and attentive, the decor fascinating and the presentation of menus was an added bonus. We decided it would also be a fabulous place for a first date.

I loved Archipelago. The waiting staff were helpful. Archipelago was a really fun place, and I would go there again, although I may have to try the scorpion with chocolate.

We arrvied at Archipelago eventually finding it near Goodge Street. The outside was lit up but walking inside was dark and mysterious! We went downstairs to have a pre dinner drink into a tiny room which gave us much enjoyment, taking in the myriad of items hanging, stuck and prodtruding from the walls! (Although any more than 4 people in this room and it is overcrowded!)

We then went back upstairs to our table where we found musical instruments, mismatching wine glasses and was offered a vessel of bread! The menu is interesting to say the least and all of the food is geniune!

We decided that no-one could have the same dish. There were 4 of us dining so this gave us the opportunity to sample quite a lot from the menu. The wine list at Archipelago was not bad and not too expensive, we had a lovely bottle of red.

The canapes were a nice start to the evening and then came along the starters ranging from crocodile wrapped in vine leaves (big portion!) to peacock and date. Unusual to say the least. The main courses were equally as different. South African 'bunny' and kangaroo along with a love bug salad, which was rocket with cockroaches and some other bug I cannot remember the name of!

We finished the evening off with various puddings. The food at Archipelago was superb, the service was very good, the waitresses were helpful explaining what everything was. All in all a thoroughly excellent if unusual night out.

It was not too expensive for a london restaurant, 3 courses, canapes and bread (which they charged for!) several beers, water and a bottle of red wine for 4 of us came to a quite reasonble price.

I would recommend this if you are looking for something different, are open minded and want to experience something a little different to TGI's or Quaglino's!

It may be decorated with buddhas and bamboo, but Archipelago isn’t one for fussy eaters. Scorpion and locusts are just two of the ‘delights’ of the menu, as well as kangaroo and mountain frog. They do do more normal dishes though, like Thai soups and noodles, which are very tasty and what I plumped for in the end. It was a bit expensive though.

What a disappointment ! It all sounded so good, but the reality is the menu sounds exciting, but the food is very poor. Nobody in the restaurant finished their plate of food, though the portions were a sensible size. Finally the bill arrived, and we all felt completely ripped off. Happy to spend £75 a head, but not here.

Archipelago is brilliant. The food was delicious and adventurous and although expensive was worth the money, service was prompt and attentive. It looks fantastic as well with exotic ornaments from around the world placed everywhere, it was like a cabinet of curiosities, even the toilets were decorated interestingly. It's an Aladdin's cave and a excellent place for a special night out. Highly recommend it.

Archipelago is a fantastic restaurant. The decor is delightful, the ambience amazing, the customer service pleasant and prompt. Highly recommend the express lunch menu - the squid is outstanding! A very enjoyable experience all round.