My girlfriend, son and I were in London for three days and were looking for a pub for lunch on day 2 and were happy we found this one. We loved it! The bartender was incredibly friendly and helpful! When I ordered one of their cask ales, she let me know it might taste warmer and flatter than I'm used to as an American (I'm a beer enthusiast who has been to England before so I knew this, but could definitely be helpful information to other Americans). My son was psyched to see they had J2O, his new favorite British drink. We ordered lunch from the Thai restaurant next door (the two businesses are connected) and sat at the corner table by the fireplace. The food was excellent, the beer superb, the atmosphere cozy and quaint. Everything I could hope for as an American looking for a traditional English pub. Of the many pubs we went to during our trip around England, this was one of my favorites. read more

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Great Pub with a very good Thai restaurant in the back room. I will definitely go back the next time I'm in the area!

An interesting mix of a tiny pub in the front and a "secret" doorway in the back that leads to a delicious Thai restaurant. We had some terrific draft ciders and wonderful Thai food in the back. A very quirky arrangement but it surely works. Hidden on a residential street a few blocks from Waterloo station, make your way here for well-priced drinks and food read more

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The food here is a bit average but the service is outstanding. The place is also alive with energy. I'd come back for an ale and a bite but perhaps not for a meal. read more

We stayed at the Kings Arms the first week of November, and we had an absolutely lovely time! The staff is welcoming and friendly! Our room was cozy, warm, and inviting! It was everything you could want in a pub! The most surprising part was that the food they served was fresh and delicious! I HIGHLY recommend the Kings Arms, and I can't wait to return!! read more

Other reviews completely accurately point out how rammed this place is and Jim P's quote and advice re rainy days is spot on. It's also totally dog eat dog at the bar, at least 3 people who arrived after me ordered before me. When I finally got my wine (picpoul de pinet, very nice) 20 minutes later, my friend had managed to secure seats (stools, so if you have restricted mobility you may need to check more in advance) in the backroom Thai restaurant - it's useful to split tasks, if unsociable! I really enjoyed my Thai red duck curry - very tasty and while not a massive portion (get starters too if you're really hungry) very satisfying. My friend's sweet chilli salmon looked less impressive - basically looked like some bottled sauce dumped over the fish and I don't think he really enjoyed it. At £9.50 including rice, it's reasonably priced. As the evening wore on the pub quietened down and we were able to move into the front area onto more comfortable seating. Last orders, on a Thursday, were at 11pm and you're moved out quite swiftly after that. Service in general is ok - even when they are not particularly friendly (probably because they are so busy) they are very helpful. It should not be considered a destination Thai restaurant though - its appeal is its connection to the pub. Overall because of the good wine (£5 - £7.70 a glass) and food, convenient location to Waterloo and delightful surrounding area - an almost unique terraced street for this part of London, I would return. However - and this is a major caveat, the ale selection did not look very good to me and the blackboard info about it is not very helpful - while it has alcohol volume it misses beer type and price and not clear what is cask and what is keg. Given how busy the bar gets, it's not easy to see the pumps so the blackboard could very usefully be more comprehensive. read more

Nice pub on the rat run from the City back to Waterloo. Friendly and efficient staff ( which is great, considering how packed out this place gets early-to-mid evening). Fairly standard array of craft beers, and boasts a back room where Thai food is served. Notable for the number of people hanging out outside on a fine evening( who will be shooed away about 9pm), I should imagine it's pretty quite at weekends. Worth a visit. read more

Stopped in the Kings Arms pub the other night for a beer and found that it was just my kind of place. The Kings Arms is over a century old and the neighborhood that surrounds it was one of the few areas that survived the bombings of World War II and have now been granted conservation status. The row houses that surround it are a testament to how life used to be in this part of London. The bar is broken into two parts- the front smaller area- and then if you step through the bar- there is a larger room in the back. We stayed in the front bar area but I did wander around and spent some time looking at the historic photographs on the walls of how the neighborhood used to look and how it has evolved over time. I love that kind of stuff! The bartender told me that the place used to be a funeral home so there is alot of history in the space. The beer was freely flowing (so freely I have no idea what they were pouring me) and the locals joined in with us to make sure that we were having a good time. I did laugh a bit as they asked me if I was sure I wanted a pint of beer . . . must be the local ladies are more genteel than our group! Also- the beer is relatively cheap for London (this neighborhood must still be coming into it's own) Another good thing is that it's only a short walk to the Waterloo Tube station when it's time to go home. Check out this great pub and the history that surrounds it. I happen to love old things but even if you don't- it's a great place to grab a bite to eat and a pint of your favorite beer. read more

Hidden away on the side streets of Waterloo, this pub is hiding many secrets itself. While on the outside it looks like your average pub, once you step inside and walk behind the bar you can discover a conservatory turned Thai restaurant with amazing decor and even better food! The menu offers a lot of stir fry and noodle options with many vegetables and a few special dishes and sharerers. I had the rice noodles with chicken (can't remember the Thai name) and I really enjoyed it. My colleagues also found their dishes delicious but the spicy one was not particularly spicy so I assume flavours are adjusted for the western palate. We have all now decided to make it one of our regular places as we all enjoyed our time there and want to get more food soon. Personally I am totally digging the pub atmosphere and Thai food combination so I fully recommend it. read more

Come here a couple times for drinks since it's across the block from our flat, but this time we also decided to make reservations for the Thai food and it was AMAZING. I would recommend anyone to get the starter for the appetizer, it has two of a couple different items from all of the appetizers and is perfect to share with someone! The duck was cooked and marinade it perfectly, as for the noodles and steamed rice it was delicious! Our waiter, James, was also extremely friendly and more than happy to talk to us since we have a lot of questions about London and customs. This is definitely a place I would revisit whenever I'm back in London! read more

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This pub is fabulous. I love it here. It's packed on a Friday, but you can somehow still find a corner to sneak into. You can understand why it's so busy as well. The Thai food is fantastic here. Though when you're told that something on the menu is hot, pay attention. It really is. Great portions for about £7. Worth every penny. The pub itself is pretty nice. Good enough ale to keep the old fashioned of your group happy. But they also serve really great red wine as well which I'll be trying again next time I'm in here. It's tucked away in Waterloo and it's not the easiest place to find. But when you do it's like a little Dickensian picture postcard. It's on one of the only streets not the bombed in the war so it's gorgeous. That's why Dr Who is filmed here lots. It's a shame we've never been here when David Tennant has popped in for a swift half, but that's just another reason to come back. read more

Kings Arms - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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By my reckoning one of the best beer pubs in London. They may not be the biggest and they may not have the most taps or fridges but my god this a a great pub! I think they've got about 20 taps, most of which have different beers. They change the selection regularly and it's always a great tasting pint. This is a pub that cares about its customers and its beer. I don't come here as regularly as I should but every visit is brilliant. Now that could be the fact that I usually leave a bit pissed or that I have good company. Either way I love this place. Oh, and they do food at the back. Thai, I think. I super busy pub right near Waterloo/Waterloo East train station. You be crazy not to come in for a pint!! read more

I was really pleased with myself when I found the King's Arms without realising that several of my Yelp chums had already reviewed it. Roupell Street is a quiet side street which is amazingly well located for the South Bank. I only came here for a quick drink on a cold Saturday afternoon but I will return again when I'm in the area as it is the perfect antidote to be overwhelmed on a tourist filled South Bank. read more

Came here based on the good reviews on Yelp and was not disappointed. However, on arrival on a Friday evening we did realise that this place is no longer a "hidden gem" as it was jam packed, with plenty of people spilling outside on the pavement for their drinks. If you walk through the crowded bar area to the back, this is where the restaurant is. We were able to put our name down for a table in an hours time so we headed to the bar for a drink first. When we sat down, we were starving so ordered some appetisers straight away - the chicken satay was really good but the spring rolls slightly disappointing. They tasted a bit like some frozen ones you may buy from a supermarket then just throw in a fryer. For mains, I had the duck red curry which was really good! Very generous portion. Other had the pad Thai, steak and chicken curry and all went down well. The food here is reasonably priced, especially for central London and the atmosphere is great. It may not be the best Thai I've ever had but it's a great place for a casual dinner with friends. read more

Update to add a review of the food. The small pub at the front opens up to a surprisingly large eating area at the back serving Thai food. This was some of the best pub thai food I've had, almost on a par with Churchill Arms in Kensington but without the mayhem of that place. All your thai classics on the menu. The dining room was a bit cold and draughty and you will need to reserve for a Friday evening but it's worth it. One server / host worked the whole dining room efficiently and calmly. Great value too. Looks like it becomes Sunday roasts at the weekend so not Thai all the time. read more

This pub is a victim of its own success. Set in quite a charming back street somewhere between Waterloo and Southwark, serving a handful of real ales and with a lovely room at the back where they serve nice smelling Thai food.this place could be a real find. If so many people hadn't found it already! As soon as I arrived I couldn't wait to leave. It was only a regular weekday but every single nook and cranny was filled by someone supping and when it started to rain and the groups of people who had been gathered outside started to pour in it I felt like I was in the bunny warren at Watership Down as every hole and tunnel was filled by dirt: Smokers came. Filled in the doors. Couldn't get out. There was a strange sound. Glass breaking. The air turned bad. Doors blocked with beer bellies. I couldn't get out. Everything turned mad. Pub, beers, bottles, chairs, all pushed into the floor. read more

I loved that this pub felt a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Waterloo, even though it's actually only 2 minutes away, tucked away on a cute little quiet side street. I thought the food was brilliant value for the area too, just £7.50 for my vegetable panang curry and it was so delicious! The decor and feel of the place was unmistakeably English pub like, but the Thai food tasted really authentic too so to my mind it made for an interesting and great combination. I believe they do a pub grub menu at the front too, with more typical/traditional British cuisine. Definitely my new favourite Waterloo hangout! read more

Some of the best Thai food I've had, not just in London. Highly recommend duck curry or pad Thai. Call ahead for kitchen hours though or make a reservation as it can get quite busy and/or have strange hours. read more

Been here twice. A close friend took us to this place and I was completely taken aback with everything. This place is a lil away from the hustle and bustle near the BFI IMAX. Takes literally 2 mins to get here but it is tucked in so well that it's not very easy to spot. The beer and ale selection is fab and the ambience is great. The kitchen serves Thai food at its best.. Non-fussy, delicious food. I can eat here pretty much every day. The prawn sesame toast is to die for and are the curries and stir fries. It is unbelievably low priced, I cannot believe that this place serves such great food with great service at the price that they do. Do go here to chill and enjoy some beer and the awesome Thai food. read more

The Kings Arms is a completely charming and delightful little pub which is tucked away in a residential street near Waterloo. It's an old fashioned place, quite genteel. You can have a great time here, but don't expect to get raucous. It's just not that kind of place. Inside it it laid out in a slightly confusing manner. The door that you walk into is just for one side of the pub. There is only space for about 20 people standing in this bit, and a couple of small tables. To get around to the other side of the bar you have to walk behind the bar. The opposite side of the room is a little bigger. It's still best for small groups though, don't try to do what my friends did and have a party in the front part for 20 people a few weeks ago. If there is a large group of you, then be sure to check out the back part of the pub, which is completely unexpected. It is a large conservatory, filled with bric and brac and antique items hanging from the ceiling. In the centre is a long refectory table. If pounced upon early enough, this could easily sit about 25 people. It is a mixed crowd. In the week days there are plenty of commuters stopping in for a quick pint before getting the train at Waterloo. At the weekend it becomes more of a local pub. If you are in this neck of the woods it is well worth checking out. It feels like a safe haven, a million miles away from the faceless and loud pubs which are actually just a few hundred metres away along Waterloo road. read more

We really LOVE this place. And my husband possibly loves it even more, and any non-London visitors ever more. It exemplifies the cozy london pub, with great ales on tap and lager for me, with friendly staff and cozy corners to lean back into and watch the world go by. They also have great old photos and maps on the wall which give the place a very homey feel. Also - please please please look up their £1 cabaret (first sunday of every month but might be worth double checking that) - really fun evening entertainment with very funny performers and all for £1! We've never been to a bad one. read more

Gorgeous interior on a beautiful street of small old terraced houses that somehow survived the Second World War. When I went last night the front room was very crowded - the only standing room was near the door! I'm not surprised it was busy though as it's a fantastically preserved old-fashioned pub, serving great beer (two Adnams on tap) and centrally located. I'd like to come here at a time of day that wasn't the post 6pm after work rush so I could experience it a bit quieter and have a proper poke around and look at all the interesting stuff on the walls. Maybe I'll come on my next day off and then give it the fifth star - it definitely has that potential. read more

I love this place! Even as a tourist, I felt very comfortable eating and drinking here. It was packed, but we were lucky enough to find two seats after walking around the restaurant a few times. We walked to the bar to order (I think this was the right thing to do??), and we both had fish and chips. HUGE portion and the fish was amazing! I don't dig the "chips" (aka fries) in England as they're thick cut and more mushy than I prefer, but it was still a generous portion. I also had a lighter, local beer to wash it down - I think it was called Country Hill. Good spot! read more

Spent a long Saturday afternoon here with friends having a few drinks and catching up. Great pub, lots of table spaces and great beers on draft. Thai food is the offering, and surprisingly good! I had the pad see ew, which was fresh and flavoursome! My friends had the pad Thai and a duck curry which were all well received. Great price and portion sizes make for a great value meal. Lots of tables reserved in the evenings so be sure to arrive early or book to avoid disappointment! read more

A walk down Roupell Street alone is worth it. It is one of these rare streets which don't seem to have changed in the last 100 years. And the main bar at the Kings Arms fits in well. It stocks a good selection of beers (both lager and bitter) as well as wine. Mind you on our visit last Friday, all four bitters and one of the lagers was off - the place was heaving, so lots of disappointed customers. The main attraction of the Kings Arms, however, seems to be the Thai kitchen in an extension at the back. It's not the best Thai food, and not exactly a novelty anymore, but definitely still one of the better quick nosh options in the area. Food orders can be paid for in cash only, but they do cash-back in the pub, so everyone's happy. read more

The Kings Arms is what I refer to as an 'affair pub'. Ok, it's not the most flattering name, but it's so off the beaten track that if you were to conduct an affair (not that I'm condoning it), this would be a great place to meet (SERIOUSLY, I'm not condoning it.) Other, non-controversial, things about it: 1) The staff are really, really lovely. 2) It's massive back room is cosy and great for watching sporting events in, especially rugby. 3) It's brilliant at Christmas - warm, jolly, ultra festive, & full of locals. Careful, the hours wile away slightly too easily in this pub. Don't blame me when you lose an evening or two! read more

Great pub style in front and excellent Thai food in back! Worth the stop! Wood floors, many draft beer choices, and fun atmosphere! read more

Kings Arms - The Thai restaurant - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Is it legal to top up pints you are in the process of pouring from the drip tray? Not that you ever would, I imagine, as that's clearly disgusting. But it's probably something you should find out as it will most likely happen to you at The Kings Arms. My boyfriend and his friend popped into the Kings always so busy that the pavement is a defacto extra bar area on Saturday for a pint. They were were shocked to see the barman, a bald man with a moustache, pouring a woman her pint, and making up a quarter of the glass from the drip tray while she couldn't see. I don't mean that she complained about the size of the head on her pint and he topped it up, I mean he MADE UP what should have been a fresh pint from the tap, from the tray underneath the pump. Have you ever poured a pint yourself? Well, if you have, you'll know that the slop in the tray doesn't just consist of beer. It consists of bacteria, crisp shavings, and whatever else it on your fingers, because in order to get into the tray, chances are it will overflow from the glass and run down the hands of the person pouring it. I don't know if this is illegal or not, and my boyfriend a technophobe who asked me to write this review on his behalf certainly got an earful from the barman for angrily picking up on the fact he was doing it at all. They had a look for the licensee's name above the door to find someone to talk to about the fact that this was happening, but no name, so presumably it's owned by a chain who won't care anyway. What I find particularly staggering is that this isn't happening in some scummy area of town. It's in Roupell Street, where a two-bedroom house will set you back a cool £900k. I had a very pleasant gin and tonic and crisp evening in the Kings Arms the last time I went. I won't be back to repeat it, and if you go for a pint, make sure to keep an eye on that bald barman and what's happening to your glass. A pox on such poor behaviour, and not just the one all over the drip tray. read more

I rate this a 3 star only because I don't think it had done anything extraordinary to set itself apart. The service has been fine when grabbing a pint. I'm not sure I understand the craze for thai food at London Pubs. As a foreigner, I wouldn't mind a little nostalgia of London Pub Food. This pub does has quite a large back room which works very nice for a group. If you visit during the daytime you will enjoy the light washing through the skylight ceiling (conservatory). It is a welcome surprise the the many dark settings you will find within London Pubs. As mentioned the menu is mainly Thai food with a few typical pub starters. The green curry was quite good. read more

Wow, what a gem of a pub. It's not on your typical foot path from Southwark. Cosy upfront, but if you look in the window and it looks to busy for you, there's a huge hidden room in the back for drinking and dining. Was pleasantly surprised by it. Great mixture of crowd from more artsy/indie types to business people. Really friendly bar staff as well. read more

This is a nice "Real Ale" pub in London off Waterloo. It gets very crowded after work, but the service is brisk and efficient. There is little room inside so most patrons end up lingering outside the pub in small to large congregations. The ales I tried were all good session beers, with varying characteristics that distinguished them. They were served in proper pint glasses at cellar temperature. If you want the real ale experience in London, this is as good an option as any. I highly recommend this place because it is a genuine experience, and the crowds outside attest to its popularity. They do what they do well and they do it without pretention. The staff works hard, especially the guy who is tasked with going outside and collecting all the empty pint glasses. The selection is somewhat limited due to the size of the venue and number of available taps, but they had a few rare bottles to try as well. Location-wise, it is great with lots of good restaurants, trains, stores, theaters, etc., nearby. In short, I will absolutely go back again! This place is great fun for the beer lover in you. read more

Great cask ale. Great Thai food. Great ambience... This is my new London fave. Lovely for lunch. Crowded and loud, but not at all unpleasantly so in the evening. read more

It's so popular that no one goes there any more. I was reminded of this classic line, when I couldn't squeeze in anywhere inside the place 2 nights in a row. If it rains, which it did every night for a week in January, forget it. The place has a cool vibe, and I'd actually try again if I went back, but I'd get there at 4pm at the latest. Looks like they reserve tables in the back and upstairs, which would be required. Seems cool, but you need to arrive early. read more

Hidden away behind the noise of Waterloo is a secret pub. Ok, it;s not that secret, as it is popular and almost always busy, but it doesn't feel like your typical railway pub. The Kings Arms is on the old Victorian-looking Roupell St, (famed for its use in Doctor Who and many period films), and is a small traditional looking pub. One of its greatest features is its inconspicuous look, as in the back they have a huge conservatory filled with large wooden tables where you can order Thai food, or snuggle up around the fireplace. The front of the pub is more conservative, but very cosy, with a round bar and 2 sections. The staff are very pleasant and helpful, and for a pub this busy at 5pm, they are very quick to serve people. This pub should also be noted for its awesome range of snacks including Tayter crisps, which I'm reliably informed are hard to come by outside of Ireland; and Scampi Fries, which are currently experiencing a resurge in popularity. read more

This pub is a godsend for homesick Irishmen, THEY STOCK TAYTO! For the poor old english among you, this is the King of Crisps, forget Walkers, Tayto are the Dogs... you know what I mean. That is one reason why you should come to the Kings Arms Waterloo, and frankly I don't see why you should need any more. But it does have it's other plus points. Firstly the massive conservatory out the back, where they serve excellent Thai food, not what I was expecting at first viewing, it's more than the traditional english pub it looks from the outside. It's also a good vibrant pub, always buzzing, always doing a good trade, it's a perfect place for an afternoon pint and a good old laugh and a chinwag, over a pint and a bag of tayto. read more

If I lived in the area I would seriously be here every day, and I didn't even try the food! It was our second day in London and we were trying to get away from a lot of the tourist traps in Central London and stumbled upon this hidden gem. Inside is very cozy and the bartenders were very friendly. We grabbed a beer, sat on the old stools and had relaxing time. After reading the reviews I really wish we would have tried the food. It seemed odd to me at first to have a restaurant in the back but it's a great option for those that want beer and some Thai. read more

If i could give this 4.5 I would. Beautiful street and a wonderful place to go off the track. Apparently the Thai food is great here too! We visited the Tate modern before hitting this up. read more

Thai Food, local Ales and in a great little hidden location. This is great pub to stop in and get a decent drink and be away from tourists and 20 year olds. It can get very very crowded though so try to go on off night. read more

Such a cute restaurant! The food was great. We got the chicken curry and the pad see-ew, both were delicious. The vibe was very relaxed and cozy. James was the sweetest server and was so lovely and helpful! Definitely made us feel welcome on our holiday. Highly recommend this place! read more

Cutey little olde-tymey pub. Mixed crowd--lots of old men (yay) and a good few sporty-looking yung flas (boo). Best part? They serve Taytos. If you haven't had the pleasure of ingesting these Irish crisps, you haven't lived. read more