Editorial place profile
Poon's at Somerset House
At a glance
Poon’s at Somerset House offers Chinese home cooking, wontons and claypot rice, with separate express lunch, pre-theatre and late-night formats. It is MICHELIN selected. The current £32 pre-theatre menu conflicts with a £29 homepage headline; confirm before booking.
Practical details
- Location
- New Wing, Somerset House, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA
- Express lunch
- Tuesday–Friday 12:00–14:30, up to six guests
- Pre-theatre
- Current menu £32 per person until 18:30; homepage still £29
- Service
- Optional 13.5%; menu prices include VAT
- Late-night Siu Yeh
- From 21:00; separate menu
Build a Chinese home-style meal at Somerset House
The restaurant’s menu centres shared dishes, including freshly made wontons, steamed fish, char siu, vegetables and claypot rice. Different preparations and portions let the table build a meal rather than everyone choosing an identical individual main.
The current MICHELIN profile independently discusses wontons, wind-dried meats, claypot rice and the restaurant’s pre-theatre and Siu Yeh formats. Its selected listing concerns the current Somerset House restaurant, rather than automatically transferring an older family business’s Michelin-star history.
Sources: Poon’s: current main, express and pre-theatre menus, MICHELIN Guide: Poon’s at Somerset House
Distinguish express lunch, pre-theatre and late-night food
Express lunch is Tuesday–Friday 12:00–14:30, designed for an hour and parties up to six. The current menu lists £22 per person for two courses and a separate £18 bowl-and-drink option; selection and drink sizes are specific to that offer.
The pre-theatre menu currently says £32 per person for one meat or seafood dish, one vegetable dish, a daily special, soup and rice, at lunchtime and until 18:30. The homepage still says £29, so confirm the applicable price. The main menu lists an optional 13.5% service charge and VAT included. Siu Yeh starts at 21:00 and is a separate late-night menu.
Sources: Poon’s at Somerset House: formats and restaurant contact, Poon’s: current main, express and pre-theatre menus
Use the restaurant entrance and the right enquiry
The dining venue is in the New Wing, Somerset House, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA. Its contact is 020 7759 1888 and dine@poonslondon.com. The Bermondsey pantry shop is a different address and purpose.
Some tables are held for walk-ins and the Library Room can suit a quick bite or drinks. That does not guarantee availability. Discuss allergies and specific dietary preparations with staff; vegetarian and vegan menu markings refer to the named dishes, not the whole kitchen.
Sources: Poon’s at Somerset House: formats and restaurant contact, Poon’s: current main, express and pre-theatre menus
Planning questions
Is the pre-theatre price still £29?
The homepage still says £29, but both the current main-menu table d’hôte and pre-theatre section say £32 per person. Confirm the reservation’s price and optional service charge.
Is the Bermondsey shop the restaurant?
No. Book the Somerset House New Wing restaurant for dining. The pantry shop and online retail service are separate purposes.
Contact and published information
- Published Poon's at Somerset House website
- Published menu
- Call Poon's at Somerset House: 020 7759 1888
- dine@poonslondon.com
- Address: New Wing, Somerset House, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom
Where this place fits
Sources and review dates
- Poon’s at Somerset House: formats and restaurant contact — Operator website — checked 2026-10-23. Homepage pre-theatre headline still says £29; current menu says £32. Confirm the applicable reservation price.
- MICHELIN Guide: Poon’s at Somerset House — checked 2026-10-23
Author and corrections
Sarah Haddad is responsible for this profile. It is based on the published sources cited here; no firsthand visit or independent service test is claimed.