Came here to enjoy Christmas Eve dinner. It was definitely busy even at 9pm so I recommend making a reservation. We enjoyed our dining experience however they definitely needed an additional server to accommodate the crowd because we were forgotten about after dinner. We wanted to order dessert but never got the chance since they didn't come back to check on us. Overall the dinner was tasty, the two servers were nice and the ambiance of the place was true British feel. I would come back and hope they have an extra person helping in the dining room because then the experience would have been great. read more

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Great location with excellent views of the river. Part of the Youngs brewery chain which typically has excellent food and this one lives up to their high standard. The stone bass main course is truly outstanding, a delicious combination of flavours, not overly fishy, without being excessively heavy, leaving room for dessert. The lamb pie is also very good though it requires a larger appetite. Service was slow, both to serve the meals and also to clear the plates. We went around 2pm when it was quieter than usual so maybe the meals had to be cooked from scratch. But it was friendly and welcoming. I'm not a fan of the decor. The old fashioned style of chairs comes with old fashioned (lack of) comfort. Some properly upholstered seats would make the fine dining experience that bit more enjoyable. Reservations needed if you want to eat around peak times of the day. read more

It's a friendly local pub that is usually reasonably busy, but hardly ever packed. You can usually snag a seat. It's not super glamorous or trendy (in fact it's anything but). However it is comfortable and familiar. It's a place you go to because you can't be asked to leave Putney and you certainly can't be asked to gamble on something new. On some Wednesday evenings they have a great comedy show on the ground floor of the pub. The show attracts some rank armatures, but there are always a few hysterical acts and at least one top headliner. In the summer, it's lovely to take your drinks outside so you can enjoy the view of the Thames. They also serve food, although I've only ever ordered chips. But the chips are pretty darn good. read more

A table had been booked by another party, after an hour and a half they still hadn't arrived for the 12.30 booking so the manager gave the table to us (party of six). Five minutes later after we had bought drinks the original party arrived and the manager decided to give them the table and sent one of his waitresses to inform us we had to move. No apologies. No complimentary drink. No personal discussion with the manager. I like this place, food and drinks are great, but this is terrible service and extremely unfair. Hugely disappointed. If i could give it no stars today I would. read more

The Dukes Head is a colossal, 150 year old Youngs pub in a prime spot about 10 metres from the river. It's so big it's split into four different levels, with each level having a different name: the basement is called 'The Rowing Club' and was hosting a comedy night when I was there. I settled in the 'Coxswain Dining Room', which was a mixture of casual drinkers and restaurant goers. On tap are a mixture of Youngs ales, Doom Bar (this may well have been the latest in an ever-changing guest ale slot) and a range of typical lagers and ciders, including the likes of Heineken and Bulmers. It scores bonus points in my book for having bottles of Fentimans drinks, including the much underrated Dandelion and Burdock. There's more to the Dukes Head than this though: service is quick and friendly, there's no minimum spend on a card and the food was decent and surprisingly good value. For example: a couple of pieces of fish fillet in a bap and plateful of chips - £5. Bargain, I say. The background music was selection of boppy Indie - the Drums, Two Door Cinema Club etc. I enjoyed my stay here and will definitely return. read more

Yet another Young's Pub in South West London, the Duke's Head is a large traditional pub sitting just back from the Thames on the east side of Putney Bridge. Great in the summer when the sun is shining, as it's perfectly legal to take your drink outside (provided it's plastic of course) and lean against the embankment to the river. To be honest, the inside is a bit ropey - the place looks like it could do with a bit of a clean and the toilets were a bit grim. The usual Youngs ales and beers are all present and correct. Making many rugby players / public school boys / banker (delete as appropriate) very happy. This pub has a pretty young feel to it, and predominently it's the typical Fulham Blonde territory. So, be warned if you can't cope with a horsey crowd. Downstairs is a live music venue which I imagine gives the place it's grunge chic. I wouldn't say this is a destination pub, but, if the sun's shining, you really can't beat the views from the embankment. read more

A sunny day, a cold drink, seating outdoors, and a table nearby with folks playing folk-y music on fiddles and flutes. A glorious day at the Duke's Head! This place is happily located along the river in Putney between all the crew clubs and the bridge. The pub itself is bright and airy, and they're happy to give you your drinks to sit on their patio or across the path along the river. A bit pricey, but friendly service! read more

Nice Young's pub by the river. This has some very old style partitions to look at while you enjoy a Winter warmer to steel yourself from the cold. The ale was in good condition. They got confused by our order but this led to us being undercharged (intentionally or accidentally I know not) so that is totally forgiven In the end this is a decent pub, but nothing spectacular.just a general Young's pub, with a good location (better in summer I would wager). read more

To me this looks how a traditional English pub should look and Its on the river. While waiting for my christmas food to cook (forever) we walked here with the kids for a couple of champas. Just like last year, so now its tradition. We had a big lounge to sit on in the main bar, where there were many families probably doing the same thing. The restaurant was buzzing and busy. My 3 year old scored a baked potato off the waitress, ( did she look hungry?) an overall chritmassy feeling. In the past we have been here (without children) for the comedy show which was excellent. just for drinking and there is a club area downstairs. Ive had lunch outside in summer. So far so good!! read more

Continually disappointed with the staff attitude and the service in here. Bit of a shame consider the location and food are good. I'll still go, but often think twice about trying somewhere else. ----- What a location - great for watching the boat race as the boathouses are right next to this pub. Their large high ceiling lounge is great for a summer drink, and if you want to admire the river at closer range you can stroll across and drink by the railings. I used to pass this pub everyday on my way to work, and always found it hard to resist on the way home. Little bit on the expensive side, but nothing unusual for London. The quality of the beer is certainly very good, and the food excellent. read more

My mum is pretty sure she used to play in this pub as a kid. I'm not so sure she'd like it now. There's nothing wrong with the Duke's Head, per se, there's just not a lot to shout about either, other than the location on the river. Even even, you're just by the road. Pretty large, though, by London pub standards, with an interior that doesn't quite match the rather charming exterior. It's not over or under priced, although not sure the food's that cheap. Also, I spotted at least two cream trousers and striped blue shirts, so can imagine it's popular with the boating crowd in Putney. It's not a bad boozer, there's just a few better places to drink around the corner. That said, their comedy line-ups look pretty decent and worth checking out. read more

I love the Dukes Head. So much so that it was the first place I came immediately after I got married down the road at Wandsworth Registry Office. It was my local when I was lucky enough to live in Putney and stupid enough to then sell the flat. Its changed from a lovely but straightforward Young's pub (when I lived here the beer was delivered by drey horse from the Wandsworth brewery) to a sort of gastro pub . What was the main bar with windows over the Thames is now the restaurant-shame for those not eating. It was wonderful in winter with a roaring log fire and a pint. No matter, because the Dukes main strength is still open to all. Its proximity to the river, right by Putney bridge and opposite a series of slip moored boats is fantastic on a summers day, or even right now at the start if May as I sit at a table outside with an iced Bulmers watching the occasional rower sail past. This pub is one of the great London river pubs. Beer is I think still Youngs, though Bedford is a tad far for the dreys. Its generally much younger and now has a Downstairs bar with music. At least it's still open. God knows what I would do if it shut! read more

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Not too shabby a boozer right next to the river. Great to soak up some atmosphere on the weekend, although it doesn't offer anything special in terms of food or drink. Great location, perhaps more could be done with the place. Why do pubs now charge £10 for a burger, it doesn't make economic sense. read more

Busy, expensive, but what else do you expect from a pub right on the river? Decent atmosphere most of the time, I like it even though I feel like I shouldn't. read more

This pub has a great atmosphere and something for everybody. It is three levels a function room upstairs for free hire with alcohol. The second level is a pub and restaurant eating area and the downstairs "basement" is set up as a bar and has great music and the decor is just right. In summer you can drink outside or across the road by the river but it gets quite busy on a sunday afternoon read more

The beer was good. The food was poor. I had only one course of belly pork in a bun, with chips and salad. It was a peculiar concontion and I didn't enjoy it at all. I left half of it. The pork was cold (I think it was supposed to be). The chips were fine. It cost £8.50 I think. Service was OK but could have been friendlier. Would not go there to eat again but as a pub its fine. read more

Situated near the River this cozy pub reminded me of sitting in someone's kitchen having a chat. It brings a friendly and family feel to this pub and kitchen which obviously works for the many customers that live in the surrounding streets. Take it as you find it. Traditional British food and you won't go wrong. A bit pricey, but friendly service! read more

Went here for lunch on a warm, sunny Tuesday. Sat outdoors (shaded spot only), had to go inside to order food and pick up beer. Forty-five minutes later (!) DH's hamburger (with unheated bun and matchstick fries) and my salmon (the day's special) were delivered to the table. Oven-roasted vegetables were cooked to death and very oily. Cherry tomatoes and greens were one little baby tomato cut in half and 4 sprigs of greens. Not exactly my idea of a $55 lunch. Stopped elsewhere for an ice cream on the walk back home. read more

Want an evening to remember? Not only was half the menu unavailable at 8pm last night, as well as staff who can not muster a smile, but our waitress throw a cheese plate at us and stomped off when we complained we were only served cheese rind - without the cheese. When asked to have the kitchen replace it she said if the kitchen sent it down it is fit to eat! This is one of many bad experiences at our 'local' and sadly the service and food has spiralled downwards over the past year. Give it a miss...life is too short. read more