The widely acknowledged grandfather of London gastropubs, serving gutsy Mediterranean cooking and a legendary steak sandwich in a boisterous, no-frills setting.
Ordering Strategy
Consult the chalkboard menu above the open kitchen, order the steak sandwich (if available) and a pint at the bar, then grab any free table or stool you can find.
What to order
Steak Sandwich
The 'Bife Ana' marinated rump steak sandwich has been on the menu since day one and is universally cited as the venue's defining dish.
Roast Pork Belly
The daily chalkboard menu focuses on hearty, rustic mains like roast pork with braised peas or leg of lamb.
Burnt Basque Cheesecake
A frequent favorite on the dessert list that complements the Spanish-influenced menu.
More in Clerkenwell
- MorchellaModern Mediterranean · £££88
- Gerry's Hot SubsNorth American Deli · ££85
- L Terroni & SonsItalian Deli · £85
Signal Score
Signal score reflects how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.
Top critic: Time Out (90%)
Editorial Weight 58 pts
Authority + depth + recency
Agreement 9 pts
How aligned the critics are
Coverage 10 pts
How many real review signals exist
Public Signal 7 pts
Google rating + volume
Boosts 0 pts
Manual boosts + hidden gem
Review signals
1 Elite · 4 Editorial · 6 total signals
Public signal
4.3★ (709 reviews)
Good to know
The vibe is 'free seating' and walk-in heavy, though some sources suggest booking is possible; expect mismatched furniture and a bustling atmosphere.
Locations
Trust signals
- ✓Visited
- highConfidence level
- 2026-08Menu last checked
More Gastropub in London
- The Cleveland Arms££76· Paddington
- The WB Yeats N4£££55· Finsbury Park
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