HM Visits: Swiss Butter - The Modern Lunch Spot That Gets It Right

There’s something oddly refreshing about a restaurant that refuses to fuss. No waiting lists. No theatrical menus. No overthought plating. Just honest food, real flavour, and a queue forming before you’ve had your first sip of water.

That’s exactly what I found at Swiss Butter, a low-key gem a short walk from Russell Square station. A Lebanese‑born concept with a cult following and a focus so singular it borders on obsessive: protein, sauce, and sides — done right. No more, no less.

I arrived just after midday, and for a brief window, the place was calm. A few open tables. A soft hum of conversation. But within 15 minutes, the pavement outside was dotted with waiting diners, a quiet testament to the reputation this place clearly carries. And yet, inside? Never chaotic. The mood was relaxed, the noise levels low. Couples, solo diners, groups of friends, even a few families. There’s no niche here. Just anyone who likes good food, priced fairly, served generously.

A friendly waitress — bright, efficient, and impressively informed — greeted me. No printed menus. No laminated gimmicks. Everything lives on your phone via a QR scan, keeping things streamlined and sustainable. She talked me through the system: three core options — chicken, beef, salmon — each served as a 200 g portion, with fresh bread, fries, and salad. No substitutions, no confusion, just real food served in style. There’s also a special, and on my visit, that meant a premium Australian ribeye, marbled, tender, and expertly cooked medium-rare — a recommendation I followed with zero regret.

The dish arrived as a full platter, nothing minimalist about it: a mound of golden fries, warm bread with just the right chew, crisp salad, and the main event — a glistening ribeye, served with a small cast-iron pot of their namesake sauce.

Let’s talk about the sauce. Because this is where the restaurant quietly becomes brilliant. Rich, velvety, and unplaceable in the best possible way — not your typical béarnaise, not a peppercorn, not a jus. It’s somewhere between emulsion and enchantment. It coats everything it touches — steak, salmon, even the bread and chips — elevating each bite without overwhelming it. By the end, I was dipping just for the pleasure of it.

As a second indulgence, I added a portion of salmon — flaky, beautifully cooked, with a moreish, buttery depth. Both proteins were superb, and the fact you can mix and match (100 g additions at just £7.25) is a clever touch for those looking to graze wider.

Pricing here feels almost too fair. £19.95 for the main platter — including all the trimmings — feels like a misprint in central London. Yes, it’s more than your average lunch, but this isn’t your average anything. It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t need a starter, doesn’t leave you hungry, and doesn’t rely on gimmicks. Add a glass of wine or a soft and you’re still in the “treat-yourself‑without‑regret” zone.

Dessert is a must. Don’t pretend you’re skipping it. The Molten Chocolate Cake arrives looking innocent — until the spoon sinks through and a flood of liquid chocolate engulfs the plate. It’s indulgence without apology. The Pain Perdu, their version of French toast, was a total revelation: custardy, caramelised, and recommended — wisely — by the waitress to pair with the molten cake’s chocolate sauce. It was, without hyperbole, a moment of joy.

Everything is made fresh in-house before opening, and it shows. Even at full capacity, the service never slipped — warm, unrushed, human. That alone deserves praise in a city where warmth is often reserved for toast.

Swiss Butter doesn’t try to reinvent anything. It doesn’t need to. It strips things back, nails the details, and makes one of the most satisfying meals you can find in London for under £25. That’s rare. That’s impressive.

Hinton Recommended — and rightly so.