Sessions Arts Club Review 2026: Theatrical Italian Dining in a Clerkenwell Courtroom | London Reviews

This Sessions Arts Club review by London Reviews is the most thorough independent assessment available of the Italian-influenced restaurant occupying the former judges’ dining room of the Grade II* listed Sessions House at 24 Clerkenwell Green, London.

Last updated: May 2026 — Independently researched and written by the London Reviews editorial team. We do not accept payment from the businesses we review.

Looking for an honest Sessions Arts Club review? This is the most thorough independent assessment of Sessions Arts Club — an Italian restaurant housed in an 18th-century Clerkenwell courthouse, famous for dramatic Palladian skylights and seasonally-led cooking under head chef Abigail Hill. Below we cover the atmosphere, food quality, wine list, pricing, booking information, and practical insider tips for dining here.

At a Glance

Sessions Arts Club arrived in 2021 as a cultured rarity: a restaurant born from the marriage of real estate, artistry and sophisticated hospitality. The venue occupies the former judges’ dining room of the Old Sessions House, a landmark Clerkenwell building constructed in 1779, when it served as the nation’s busiest courthouse. Founded by artist Jonny Gent, restaurateur Russell Nash, and entrepreneur Andrew O’Reilly, Sessions Arts Club operates as a hybrid: restaurant, rooftop bar, art gallery, and occasional performance space.

The restaurant launched with Florence Knight at the helm—a chef of considerable pedigree who had trained under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and worked at London stalwarts including Polpetto and St. Clement’s. Knight departed in January 2024, and head chef Abigail Hill, formerly sous chef at the restaurant, took over kitchen operations in February 2024. Hill’s seasonally-led approach combines British produce with Italian and French influences, emphasising texture, scent, and touch in ingredient selection.

This review assesses the current iteration of Sessions Arts Club under Abigail Hill’s leadership, examining food quality, service consistency, atmosphere, wine selection, value proposition, and suitability for different dining occasions.

Location and Getting There

Transport Overview

Sessions Arts Club sits at 24 Clerkenwell Green, central to London’s legal quarter and moments from the City’s financial hub. The venue is exceptionally well-connected via public transport.

Tube Access: Farringdon station (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines) is a 5-minute walk south; this is the nearest and most convenient option. Barbican (Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City) is an 8-minute walk south-east. King’s Cross St. Pancras (6 lines) is a 12-minute walk north.

Bus Routes: Routes 38, 56, 153, 214, and 345 serve Clerkenwell Green directly.

Overground and Rail: Farringdon also serves Elizabeth Line (TfL) and Thameslink services, improving connectivity to outer London and regional destinations.

Parking: Street parking around Clerkenwell Green is limited and subject to resident permit restrictions (operating 11:00–13:00 and 14:00–16:00 weekdays). Off-street car parks include those at Barbican Centre (5 mins, £3.50/hour) and Prudential Building car park in Gray’s Inn Road (3 mins, £2.50/hour).

Walking from Landmarks: From the City of London (St. Paul’s Cathedral area, 12 minutes); from the West End (Leicester Square, 20 minutes via Holborn); from King’s Cross station (12 minutes north).

The Neighbourhood

Clerkenwell has evolved over recent decades into London’s most distinctive village within the city. Historically the centre of London’s medieval monastic life and later its printing trade, it now balances independent shops, galleries, specialist restaurants, design studios, and offices with remarkable restraint. Clerkenwell Green itself is a conservation area anchored by the fine Grade II* Sessions House, the Clerkenwell Tavern, and St. James’s Church (rebuilt after the 1666 Great Fire).g>Parking: Street parking around Clerkenwell Green is limited and subject to resident permit restrictions (operating 11:00–13:00 and 14:00–16:00 weekdays). Off-street car parks include those at Barbican Centre (5 mins, £3.50/hour) and Prudential Building car park in Gray’s Inn Road (3 mins, £2.50/hour).

Walking from Landmarks: From the City of London (St. Paul’s Cathedral area, 12 minutes); from the West End (Leicester Square, 20 minutes via Holborn); from King’s Cross station (12 minutes north).

The Neighbourhood

Clerkenwell has evolved over recent decades into London’s most distinctive village within the city. Historically the centre of London’s medieval monastic life and later its printing trade, it now balances independent shops, galleries, specialist restaurants, design studios, and offices with remarkable restraint. Clerkenwell Green itself is a conservation area anchored by the fine Grade II* Sessions House, the Clerkenwell Tavern, and St. James’s Church (rebuilt after the 1666 Great Fire).

For pre-dinner drinks, Exmouth Market (200m east) is lined with wine bars and independent cafés. The Tyre Tread (craft beer), Leather Lane (food market, lunchtime only), and numerous independent galleries make the area worth exploring. Post-dinner: the rooftop bar at Sessions Arts Club itself provides cocktails and views; Barbican Centre is 10 minutes away for late cultural programming.

First Impressions and Atmosphere

Entrance and Exterior

The Sessions House facade fronting Clerkenwell Green is architecturally commanding: a Palladian composition of Portland stone with arched windows and pediments, dating to 1779. The entrance to Sessions Arts Club is understated—a black-painted wooden door to the side of the main Sessions House entrance, accessed via a modest forecourt. There is no grand marquee or signage announcing the restaurant; discovery of the venue hinges on prior knowledge or meticulous attention to the building’s facades.

This discretion is intentional and suits the restaurant’s positioning as an experience for the informed rather than the casual passer-by.

Interior Design and Decor

The interior of Sessions Arts Club operates as a studied exercise in aesthetic contradiction. The dining room occupies what was once the judges’ dining room of the Old Sessions House—a volume of extraordinary spatial generosity, lined with windows on all four sides and crowned by dramatic Palladian skylights that flood the space with northern light during the day and frame the London night sky at dinner.

The décor emphasises what the founders term “faded grandeur”: stripped plasterwork showing its age, paintwork deliberately left chipped and unrestored, salvaged furnishings of indeterminate vintage, and art installations rotated in sympathy with gallery programming. The effect is neither fully refined nor deliberately shabby, but rather the aesthetic of a historic building allowed to age with dignity, furnished with curiosity rather than convention.

Tables are comfortably spaced (not cramped); the noise level remains moderate even when the restaurant operates at capacity, owing to the high ceilings and acoustics of the former courtroom. Lighting is candlelit once dusk falls, and the effect is romantic without being affected.

Seating and Service Stations

Tables vary in configuration: two-tops, four-tops, and six-tops distributed across the main dining room. Corner seats commanding views of the full room are prized. The kitchen is concealed from direct view, though the pass is visible to staff. Three surrounding terraces (accessible via the dining room) extend the venue into seasonal garden spaces and provide opportunities for aperitifs, private functions, and post-dinner relaxation.

The rooftop bar, accessed via a separate entrance, offers views across the Clerkenwell skyline and the City’s financial district. It is a pleasant space but not a primary feature of the dining experience.

Lunch vs. Dinner Atmosphere

The restaurant operates at dinner only (no lunch service currently publicised). Evening service operates in a single sitting, typically 19:00–23:30, which allows for a leisurely pace without the turnover pressure of commercial lunch services. This model favours a certain demographic (business dinners, couples, groups seeking unrushed time) and excludes others.

The Kitchen: Chef and Philosophy

Abigail Hill: Career and Approach

Abigail Hill assumed head chef responsibilities at Sessions Arts Club in February 2024, following Florence Knight’s departure. Hill had been working as sous chef at the restaurant prior to her promotion, giving her close familiarity with the kitchen’s systems, suppliers, and aesthetic priorities.

Hill’s approach prioritises sensory engagement beyond taste alone: texture, scent, and the visual appeal of seasonal ingredients inform her menu construction. Her cooking style synthesises British raw materials with Continental (particularly Italian) technique and French culinary discipline. This is not molecular gastronomy or contemporary abstraction; rather, it is cooking grounded in ingredient quality and respect for culinary tradition.

The menu changes regularly—typically monthly—to reflect seasonal availability. This is less frequent than fine-dining establishments such as St. JOHN Smithfield (which rewrites daily) but allows for consistency and refinement of dishes. Hill works closely with specialist suppliers: farmers, foraged-food specialists, and heritage-breed producers.

Sourcing and Ingredient Philosophy

Sessions Arts Club’s sourcing strategy mirrors that of leading London restaurants such as Moro in Exmouth Market (also Clerkenwell-adjacent) and Brutto in Shoreditch: privileging British produce (in season) prepared with Italian sensibility. The restaurant does not publish a detailed supply chain, but reviews and the menu itself suggest relationships with specialist producers of charcuterie, cheese, and vegetables.

The Menu: What to Expect

Menu Format and Structure

Sessions Arts Club operates a small-plates, sharing-focused menu rather than traditional starters/mains/desserts. The menu typically comprises 15–20 dishes across price bands:

• Snacks and amuse-bouches (£4–£8): oysters, vegetables, cured items
• Small plates (£6–£15): seafood, vegetables, charcuterie
• Larger plates (£15–£30): pasta, meat, fish, substantial vegetables
• Bread and condiments: included as standard
• Desserts (£8–£10): seasonal puddings, frozen items

The menu is Italian-influenced but not rigidly Italian; diners encounter British produce treated with Italian and French techniques. Vegetable dishes are given equal prominence to meat and seafood, reflecting contemporary London fine-dining practice.

Representative Dishes (Current and Recent)

Recent reviews and the restaurant’s menu documentation suggest recurring preparations and themes:

• Oyster & Blackberry (£6): raw oyster with the sharp notes of blackberry, exemplifying Hill’s sensory approach
• Scallop, Chestnut & Black Truffle (£14): premium seasonal composition with earthy and briny notes
• Gurnard with Fennel, Almond & Kumquat (£15): a fished preparation balancing sweetness and anise
• Mussels, Leek & Lovage (£21): shellfish with herbaceous elements
• Pearl Barley, Cavolo Nero & Shiitake (£27): a substantial vegetable plate with umami depth

Diners report consistent quality across these dishes, though execution varies with chef’s mood and available ingredients (which is to be expected in a seasonal operation).

Dietary Accommodation and Desserts

The restaurant notes (via its website) that it can accommodate vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements when communicated at booking. Desserts are typically light and seasonal—sorbets, frozen mousses, pastries with fruit. These are less widely praised than savoury courses but are respectable rather than extraordinary.

The Wine, Drinks and Sommelier Service

Wine List and Programme

The wine list is described in reviews as curated and moderately deep, reflecting a genuine interest in Italian and broader European wines. The list leans toward white wines (appropriate for the seafood and vegetable-forward menu) and emphasises small and medium-sized producers rather than grand-cru Burgundy or luxury Bordeaux.

Bottle prices range from approximately £30–£70 for everyday drinking to £100–£150 for flagship wines. Glass pours are available, which is commendable for restaurants of this tier. The list does not appear to feature a dedicated natural-wine section, though natural wines may appear within regions.

Pairing and Service

The sommelier service is reported as knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing. Staff are capable of proposing pairings with individual dishes and of accommodating requests for wines at specific price points. A wine pairing option is available, though pricing is not consistently documented in reviews.

Cocktails and Non-Alcoholic Options

The rooftop bar operates a cocktail programme, though this is ancillary to the dining experience. Non-alcoholic options (sparkling water, house-made soft drinks, coffee, tea) are available and serviceable. There is no dedicated non-alcoholic pairing menu, which is a minor gap for a restaurant of this sophistication.

Pricing and Value for Money

Cost Breakdown

Based on publicly available menu data and diner reviews, a typical two-course dinner breaks down as follows:

• Two small plates (average £10): £20
• One large plate (average £22): £22
• Dessert (average £9): £9
• Bread and service charges: included
• Subtotal: £51
• Service charge (15%, discretionary): £7.65
• Total food and service: £58.65

A three-course meal with wine (bottle at £50) would total approximately £120–£130 per person. This positions Sessions Arts Club as upper-mid-range for London: more expensive than casual Italian restaurants or gastropubs, but less dear than Michelin-starred dining (where three courses routinely exceed £150–£200).

Service Charge Policy

The restaurant applies a 15% discretionary service charge, which is standard across London fine dining. This charge appears on the bill automatically but can be modified or removed at the diner’s discretion—though the phrasing of “discretionary” on the bill itself is a matter of ongoing UK hospitality debate. Tipping beyond this is not expected but is welcomed.

Is It Worth the Money?

This is where reviews diverge noticeably. Google diners (4.2/5 average) tend to report satisfaction: the setting is undeniably memorable, the food is competent, and the service is professional. TripAdvisor diners (3.4/5 average) are more equivocal: some praise the atmosphere as worth the premium; others argue that food quality does not justify the price point relative to peer establishments such as Moro in Exmouth Market or Brutto in Shoreditch.

London Reviews assesses this thus: Sessions Arts Club is paying a substantial atmosphere premium. If you prioritise the setting and the social experience (dining in a Grade II* courthouse with dramatic skylights), the cost is justified. If you seek maximum food quality per pound spent, you may find keener value elsewhere. The restaurant sits comfortably at the intersection of hospitality experience and culinary competence, without overwhelming excellence in the latter domain.

What Diners Actually Say: Review Analysis

TripAdvisor

Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (98 reviews)

TripAdvisor reviews skew critical relative to Google. Diners report that the venue delivers aesthetic and service excellence but that food execution is inconsistent. Negative reviews centre on overpricing, portion sizes (some find them insufficient for the price), and the sense that the restaurant trades more on setting than substance. Positive reviews emphasise the “special occasion” atmosphere and praise specific dishes.

Google Reviews

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (700+ reviews)

Google reviews are notably more positive than TripAdvisor, a discrepancy frequently observed on platforms with different user demographics. Reviewers praise the ambiance, professionalism of service, and quality of execution. The higher volume of reviews (700+ vs. 98) suggests broader reach and accessibility to first-time diners, who may be more forgiving of price premiums in exchange for a novel experience.

Professional Critic Reviews

The Infatuation (London) ran a favourable review describing the restaurant as “glamorous, grandiose, and guaranteed to make you feel special.” The Spectator review (2021, at opening) was titled “Serious About Its Whimsy,” a compliment to the restaurants’ tonal balance. The Good Food Guide includes the restaurant but does not award a formal score. Andy Hayler, the noted fine-dining critic, visited in February 2024 and posted a review noting competent but not exceptional execution, with particular appreciation for the setting.

Awards and Accolades

Sessions Arts Club is not Michelin-starred and has not won major hospitality awards. The venue has been featured in Hardens (London restaurant guide), The Good Food Guide, and design publications such as Frieze and Stirworld (for the building restoration). The absence of Michelin recognition may reflect either the restaurant’s positioning (as an experience-focused hybrid rather than pure gastronomy) or the threshold of technical excellence required by the guide, which visits anonymously and evaluates food quality above setting.

What Diners Love Most

1. The Setting and Architecture. The 18th-century courtroom, dramatic skylights, and faded grandeur create an atmosphere described by many as singular in London. Diners report feeling transported; the setting elevates the meal emotionally regardless of food quality. This is the restaurant’s primary asset.
2. The Sense of Discovery. The understated entrance and lack of mainstream celebrity appeal mean that diners who book Sessions Arts Club feel they have found something genuinely off the beaten path—a rare luxury in central London. Word-of-mouth momentum has built steady custom.
3. Professionalism and Attentiveness of Service. Multiple reviews praise staff conduct: knowledgeable about wine, responsive to needs, neither obsequious nor distant. Service runs smoothly without fussiness.
4. Specific Seafood and Vegetable Dishes. When executed well, dishes such as the Scallop, Chestnut & Black Truffle and the Gurnard with Fennel and Almond receive particular praise. Seasonal vegetables are frequently mentioned as thoughtfully prepared.
5. The Rooftop Bar and Extended Spaces. The ability to move post-dinner to the rooftop, terraces, or garden adds experiential value that pure restaurant-only establishments cannot offer. These spaces enable longer, more leisurely evenings.
6. The Art Integration. The rotating art installation and the positioning of the restaurant as a cultural space resonate with diners seeking venues that engage more than appetite. This appeals particularly to London’s creative professional demographic.
7. Curation and Seasonality. Diners appreciate the restaurant’s monthly menu changes and clear investment in supplier relationships. The sense that the menu reflects available ingredients rather than a frozen fixed list appeals to food-conscious guests.

Areas for Consideration (Constructive Feedback)

1. Inconsistency in Food Execution. Multiple reviews, particularly on TripAdvisor, report variable quality between visits and between tables on the same evening. Some dishes are described as underwhelming relative to price. This suggests either inconsistency in kitchen technique or variance in ingredient quality. A Michelin-level operation maintains consistency; Sessions Arts Club has not achieved this benchmark.
2. Portion Sizes. A recurrent complaint is that small-plates pricing (£15–£30 per item) combined with modest portion sizes creates a sense of being overcharged. Diners report leaving still hungry after three courses, necessitating a further meal elsewhere. This is less about absolute quantity and more about the value perception at premium pricing.
3. Limited and Expensive Wine Options at the Budget End. Some diners note that the wine list offers limited options below £35 per bottle, which narrows choice for guests seeking modestly priced wine pairings. A bottle under £30 would improve accessibility.
4. Noise Levels at Capacity. Whilst generally peaceful, when the restaurant operates at full occupancy, noise does escalate noticeably. Diners seeking intimate conversation may find this distracting, particularly at corner tables near the bar station.
5. Age Restriction Limits Scope. The 18+ only policy (no children, no infants) eliminates potential diners from family occasions. This is a deliberate choice—the restaurant prioritises adult-focused sophistication—but it does narrow the customer base relative to family-friendly fine-dining establishments such as The Quality Chop House.
6. Booking Lead Time. The recommendation to book 2–4 weeks in advance means spontaneity is impossible. This suits organised groups but frustrates last-minute planners and walk-in diners.

Who Is Sessions Arts Club Best For?

Strong Fit

• Couples seeking a special-occasion venue with atmosphere and romance
• Business entertaining (impressing clients or partners with a memorable setting)
• Groups celebrating milestones (birthdays, promotions, anniversaries)
• Art, design, and architecture enthusiasts
• Foodies comfortable with seasonal small-plates dining
• London visitors seeking an authentic, non-touristy fine-dining experience
• Those prioritising setting and experience over food alone

Less Suitable

• Those prioritising maximum food quality per pound (see Moro instead)
• Families with children or infants (policy excludes under-18s)
• Large groups (capacity constraints)
• Those seeking substantial, traditional three-course meals
• Diners seeking high-end vegetarian tasting menus (the menu supports vegetarians but does not specialise)
• Last-minute or spontaneous diners (booking lead time required)

How Sessions Arts Club Compares

Verdict: Sessions Arts Club is distinctive for its unrivalled setting and theatrical atmosphere. It does not compete directly with Moro on culinary excellence or Quality Chop House on ingredient sourcing, but excels as a venue for occasions requiring visual impact. If setting matters more than cooking, Sessions Arts Club is unmatched in Clerkenwell.

How to Book and Insider Tips

Booking Mechanism

Sessions Arts Club accepts reservations via SevenRooms (an online booking platform) and by telephone: +44 (0) 20 3793 4025. The website (sessionsartsclub.com) provides links to both methods.

How Far in Advance to Book

Current guidance is 2–4 weeks in advance, particularly for weekends and Friday dinners. It is occasionally possible to secure tables at shorter notice, but this cannot be relied upon. The restaurant operates a single seating (typically 19:00–23:30), which limits turnover and creates bottleneck periods.

Best Times to Visit

Quietest evenings: Monday–Wednesday. Noise levels are lower, and staff attention tends to be more generous.

Most atmospheric: Thursday–Saturday. The restaurant is busier, which creates energy and buzz, but also escalates noise and diminishes the sense of intimacy.

Natural light: Lunch service is not offered, so the dramatic skylights are enjoyed at full effect only during summer months (May–August), when dusk falls late. Winter dining relies on candlelight.

Seating and Table Location

Request a window table when booking, if possible. The views across Clerkenwell Green and the play of light through the original Palladian windows are significant factors in the dining experience. Corner tables offer vantage points across the full room but are noisier. Banquettes against the perimeter provide comfort and seclusion.

Dress Code

Smart casual is required. This means business dress, elegant separates, or dressy casual—but not trainers, athletic wear, or heavily casual denim. The restaurant attracts a fashion-conscious demographic and sets expectations accordingly without enforcing formal black-tie.

What to Order: First-Time Guidance

The shared-plates format is unfamiliar to some diners. Guidance:

• For two diners: Order 3–4 small plates to start (£6–£12 each), then 2–3 larger plates (£20–£30), then dessert. This creates a paced meal of 5–6 courses with natural progression.
• For four diners: 4–5 snacks, 5–6 larger plates, then dessert. Staff will advise on quantity.
• Prioritise seasonal seafood: Recipes featuring oysters, scallops, or white fish are reliably executed. Vegetable dishes are thoughtful but variable in ambition.
• Ask for wine pairings: The sommelier is more valuable than wine-list browsing, given the breadth of options.
• Allow 2.5–3 hours: The single seating and paced small-plates service make this a leisurely meal. Come with time available.

Pre- and Post-Dinner Suggestions

Pre-dinner (nearby, 30 mins before):

• Exmouth Market wine bars and cafés (5-minute walk)
• Tyre Tread craft beer bar (Clerkenwell Close)
• Leather Lane (food market, lunchtime only, so not available for dinner)

Post-dinner (on-site or nearby):

• The rooftop bar at Sessions Arts Club itself (cocktails, views)
• Barbican Centre (arts programming, 10 minutes) if a performance aligns
• Exmouth Market bars for a nightcap

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does a full meal at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London cost?

A three-course meal at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London averages £50–£70 per person (food only). With a discretionary 15% service charge, this rises to £57.50–£80.50. Adding wine (bottle at £40–£80) brings the total to £97.50–£160.50 per person. Sessions Arts Club dining is significantly more expensive than casual Italian restaurants but less costly than Michelin-starred establishments.

2. Does Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell offer a tasting menu?

Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell does not advertise a formal tasting menu. Instead, the restaurant operates a small-plates, à la carte format allowing diners to curate their own progression. Staff will recommend a meal sequence based on party size, which in practice functions as a chef’s tour.

3. Can I walk into Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell without a reservation?

No. Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell requires a reservation and does not accept walk-ins. Advance booking (2–4 weeks recommended) is essential. The restaurant operates a single seating and maintains strict capacity control.

4. How do I book a table at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London?

To book a table at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London, use the SevenRooms online booking system (accessible via sessionsartsclub.com) or call +44 (0) 20 3793 4025. Lead time of 2–4 weeks is recommended, particularly for weekends.

5. What is the dress code at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell?

The dress code at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell is smart casual. Business dress, elegant separates, or dressy casual are appropriate. Trainers, athletic wear, and heavily casual denim are not. The restaurant attracts a fashion-conscious clientele and enforces these standards discretely but consistently.

6. Does Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London have a wine list?

Yes. Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London maintains a curated wine list featuring Italian and European selections, with bottles ranging from approximately £30–£150. Glass pours are available. A sommelier is on staff to provide pairing recommendations.

7. What is the age policy at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell?

Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell operates an 18+ only policy. The restaurant does not welcome children, infants, or babies. This is a deliberate positioning choice emphasising adult-focused sophistication and is strictly enforced.

8. Does Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes. Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell can accommodate vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, and other dietary restrictions when communicated at the time of booking. The kitchen is attentive to special requirements, though advance notice is essential for seamless execution.

9. Is Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell wheelchair accessible?

Specific accessibility information for Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell is not publicly detailed. The building (Grade II* listed, constructed 1779) may present challenges including period flooring, narrow passages, and stairs. Contact the restaurant directly at +44 (0) 20 3793 4025 to discuss accessibility requirements before booking.

10. What are the opening hours at Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London?

Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell, London operates dinner service only (lunch is not offered). The restaurant is open for dinner most evenings, typically 19:00–23:30. Specific operating hours and any closures should be confirmed by contacting the restaurant directly or checking sessionsartsclub.com.

London Reviews Verdict on Sessions Arts Club

Sessions Arts Club is not a restaurant seeking to compete with London’s elite culinary establishments. Instead, it is a venue where setting, experience, and food converge to create a distinctive social occasion. The Grade II* listed Sessions House, with its dramatic Palladian skylights, faded grandeur, and theatrical spatial generosity, is the primary draw. Head chef Abigail Hill’s seasonally-led Italian-influenced cooking is competent and occasionally impressive, but is not the main event.

For diners prioritising memorable atmosphere, the opportunity to dine in a historic London courtroom, and a professional service experience, Sessions Arts Club delivers unambiguous value. The setting elevates the meal emotionally regardless of what appears on the plate. For those seeking maximum gastronomic ambition per pound spent, comparable restaurants in the same price band—notably Moro or Brutto—may represent keener value. Food inconsistency and the sensation of paying premium prices for modest portions are areas where the restaurant underperforms.

London Reviews recommends Sessions Arts Club for special occasions, business entertaining, milestone celebrations, and those valuing ambiance and experience above food alone. For first-time visitors curious about London’s distinctive Clerkenwell neighbourhood, the restaurant offers an authentic introduction to the area’s character. Book well in advance, manage expectations regarding portion size, allow ample time (2.5–3 hours), and come prepared to enjoy the setting as much as the meal.

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Summary Rating Table

Disclaimer

This review of Sessions Arts Club has been compiled through independent research, online review aggregation, and corroboration with multiple sources including TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, OpenTable, Hardens, The Infatuation, The Good Food Guide, and professional critic assessments. London Reviews does not accept payment from businesses in exchange for reviews. Prices, menus, opening hours, and staffing are subject to change; diners are advised to confirm current details directly with the restaurant via sessionsartsclub.com or +44 (0) 20 3793 4025.

Have you dined at Sessions Arts Club?

If you have experienced Sessions Arts Club, London Reviews welcomes your feedback. Please share your experience in the comments section below or contact us via our website. Your insights help other diners make informed decisions and help us maintain the accuracy of our reviews.

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