A proper East End boozer serving Michelin-acclaimed, St. John-inspired British pub fare in a refined upstairs dining room.
Ordering Strategy
Grab a pint downstairs, then head to the dining room. Start with a savory bun (beef or lamb), share a massive pie or a hearty Sunday roast, and never leave without ordering the tart.
What to order
Beef and Barley Bun
Regarded as Britain’s answer to the char siu bun, this 'glazed dome of soft bread' is filled with rich braised beef and served with a fiery horseradish cream. It is a 'gloriously simple' must-order.
Chicken and Girolle Pie
A 'handsomely puffed and browned' sharing pie that offers immense comfort. It represents the kitchen's 'vigour and attitude' toward classic, substantial British pub fare.
Brown Butter and Honey Tart
A legendary dessert where the 'deep caramel filling has the wobble and softness of a newborn’s thigh.' It is a masterclass in pastry and texture.
Fried Potatoes with Burnt Onion Mayonnaise
Described as the 'saviour of the public house,' these are finely sliced, pressed, and deep-fried into 6-inch planks. They are 'the potato raised up high to the status of luxury item.'
What to skip
More in Hackney
- Café CeciliaModern British / Irish · £££90
- Big NightBritish-Japanese Skewers / Izakaya · ££85
- The Laughing HeartModern European · ££££84
Signal Score
Signal score reflects how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.
Top critic: Jay Rayner (100%)
Editorial Weight 64 pts
Authority + depth + recency
Agreement 9 pts
How aligned the critics are
Coverage 10 pts
How many real review signals exist
Public Signal 6 pts
Google rating + volume
Boosts 0 pts
Manual boosts + hidden gem
Review signals
3 Elite · 1 Editorial · 5 total signals
Public signal
4.2★ (1,200 reviews)
Good to know
The pub is split-level: the downstairs retains its gritty Victorian pub charm, while the upstairs is a calm, Martino Gamper-designed haven. It's the perfect refuge for a Sunday lunch after browsing the Columbia Road Flower Market.
Locations
Trust signals
- ○Not yet visited
- mediumConfidence level
More British Gastropub in London
- The Harwood Arms£££90· Fulham
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- The Camberwell Arms£££80· Camberwell
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