Bishop’s Vaults: A Hidden Gem of Grilled Delights in London’s Liverpool Street

I walked into the cool depths of Bishop’s Vaults on a scorching June day. It has been hot in the city, and the restaurant’s location, tucked away in an alley beside the peculiarly named “Dirty Dicks” bar, provided solace, not only from the heat but also from the bustling crowds. A hush enveloped the space – the restaurant had only recently opened its doors in April this year.

Its reasonably priced menu showcased a timeless array of grilled delights – from pork ribeye to lamb rumps. The 300g Oxfordshire Sirloin steak (£40) embodied all the qualities one would anticipate – tender, juicy, rich. But the peppercorn sauce was the unexpected breakthrough star of the evening – creamy and velvety with a peppery kick. The chips lived up to expectations of being good chips, but it was the accompanying chop sauce that truly elevated them. The wine was a good time of course – an Argentinian red (£8.80) that complemented the richness of the steak.

As a newly minted establishment, the restaurant was not as bustling as one might expect on a Thursday night. But this meant that I basked in the attentive care of the staff, and enjoyed the restaurant’s excellent music taste at peace while I had my dinner. Who knew a jazz cover of Kesha’s Timber existed?