The Culpeper pub

Address: 40 Commercial Street, (corner Wentworth St), London, E1 6LP, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7247 5371
Email: bookings@theculpeper.com
Website: view The Culpeper pub’s website
Door: Make reservation
Style: Gastro pub
Food: Set menu
Established: 2014

Review

Brown and white factory tiles clad the façade of this Victorian boozer (formerly the Princess Alice) which sits on a corner site on Commercial Street, opposite Middlesex Street Market, standing prouder and looking smarter than ever since sympathetic refurbishment and gastrification in 2014.

Named after Nicholas Culpeper, the 17th century English herbalist, who lived in nearby Spitalfields, the interior has been stripped back to the brickwork - literally. Raw industrial lighting hangs from steel conduit which follows the curvy contours of the oak panel and zinc topped bar counter below. The range of spirits and fortified wines here is exceptional and both bottled and draught beer selection both broad and interesting. The wine selection consists of entirely natural wines.

Despite being a gastro pub of some repute with chef Sandy Jarvis serving acclaimed unfussy dishes, The Culpeper remains first and foremost a pub. The modern British menu is served in the restaurant on the first floor, which to quote the folk at Culpeper, is "a slightly more formal version of downstairs. Tables are bookable and the menu changes daily with a 3 starters, 3 mains, 3 desserts format." Snacks and small dishes are served in the ground floor pub proper.

A rooftop garden with greenhouse produces the herbs and spices for the kitchen and cocktails. If open head up and check out the view.