As the name suggests, Vingt-Quatre (better known as VQ) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
Drive past in the early hours of the morning and you’ll find a long queue of glamorous Chelsea types outside, all looking for a midnight snack, a nightcap (or two), or a place to continue the party – ask any of them and they’ll all agree it’s well worth the wait.
With a 24 hour menu to suit every taste – from eggs Benedict, healthy salads or American style pancakes to delicious hot dogs and hamburgers – VQ has become the go-to place for both early birds and night owls, offering late night snacks to club goers, lunch, coffee and wifi for busy bees tapping away at their laptops and tablets, and all-day brunch for those battling a hangover.
Over the years VQ has become a well-known Chelsea institution, but their second (much bigger) sister restaurant on Great Russell Street is still one of London’s best kept secrets.
Having frequently queued for one of their infamous hotdogs (with fried onions – just £4.50) at 2 o’clock in the morning, and then shuffled in wearing oversized sunglasses the next day for a hearty brunch and Bloody Mary, we wanted to experience a different side of VQ, this time leaving the hangover and sunglasses at home…
VQ has a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and is decorated in the style of an American diner with comfortable booth seating and bright colours.
We ordered their signature VQ salad, a refreshing and flavoursome dish with pomegranate, feta, baby beetroot, butternut squash, mixed leaves, honey roasted pine nuts with a mustard vinaigrette (£7.95), and washed it down with a carrot, apple & ginger juice – the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Our guest opted for VQ’s legendary club sandwich, both hearty and satisfying with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, melted cheese and a mustard mayonnaise (£9.50), served with a side salad. He simply couldn’t resist an Oreo milkshake to go with it.
With something to suit everyone, and reasonably priced too, VQ is the dependable diner – from AM to PM.