Approved Establishment

Simpson's in the Strand opened in 1828 as the Grand Cigar Divan, a coffee room that became the home of English chess. The caterer John Simpson joined in 1848 and brought the hearty British cooking and silver carving trolleys the room is still known for.

The signature breakfast is The Ten Deadly Sins, named for the ten things on the plate: eggs any style, Cumberland sausage, streaky bacon, black pudding, a lamb chop, devilled kidneys, bubble and squeak, grilled tomato, mushrooms and fried bread.

Breakfast is served every morning in the Grand Divan, which reopened in March 2026 under the restaurateur Jeremy King. Simpson's was approved following a visit by Society Fellow Brian Madderson.