Anchor & Hope Pub

Words by Simon Difford on 12-Feb-2014

Address: 36 The Cut, (corner Hatfields, close to Southwark tube), London, SE1 8LP, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7928 9898
Website: view Anchor & Hope Pub’s website
Door: Go early
Style: Gastro pub
Food: Set menu

Review

Appearances can be deceiving and the exterior of the Anchor & Hope looks unpromising to say the least. The interior, with its burgundy walls, swirling ceiling fans and the usual mismatched second-hand tables and chairs, is merely nice enough.

But the Anchor & Hope takes the best elements of pub and restaurant, and combines them in a relaxed, informal, friendly setting. The food varies from outstanding to damn good and leads gastrophiles to trek across London to join hordes of local office workers in the scramble for one of the unbookable tables.

Waiting for a table in the bar area is a pleasure with three traditional ales on draught and a good selection of wines chalked up on the board behind the bar, including eighteen by the glass. There's also a none-too-shabby range of sherries and cocktails should the mood take you. Negroni, Americano, Dark & Stormy, White Lady and a punchy Margarita. This is a pub so don't expect poncy glassware: tiny rocks glasses are used in place of Martinis. While you wait I'd suggest snacking on a couple of the tasty tapas plates.

You may also be interested in our roundup of London's best gastro pubs