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    The Anchor

    3.1 (154 reviews)
    ModeratePubs, British
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    The Anchor Photos

    THE ANCHOR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Very loud
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - The Anchor

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    Reviews With Photos

    Bethany L.

    This is a historic pub just steps away from the Globe theater; my dad and I headed that way for a few rounds before a play. We got there slightly before five and, by the time we left, it was so full - there were a line of people down the Thames with drinks. (They do offer drinks in plastic cups to takeaway or go outside.) Menu looked good - even though we only nibbled on some fries, as we had just come from the nearby market. Overall, it was a cool place to hang out for a few hours - tons of seating and cold drinks!

    Guiness
    Jeoung O.

    Stopped by this historic pub that I used to frequent when I was working here many years ago. The neighborhood is completely different. Had a Guinness, fish and chips and Sticky Toffee Pudding. It was the middle of the day and the area was bustling. Quick and friendly service in a very historic pub. Multiple floors and nooks and crannies.

    Fish and chips
    Jennifer R.

    Delicious, close to Boroug market. Was taken here after a tour and stayed for drinks afterwards. Had a pale ale with my fish and chips and afterwards had more pale ale and cider. Both drinks were wonderful, I always get ciders when visiting Europe since they taste better than in the US.

    Steak Pie
    Kayla D.

    Delicious UK pub fare with a side of delight -- comforting, flavorful, and just the right amount of cheek. Great staff, a perfect pint, and even better chat. Cheers to proper hospitality!

    Hazy day ipa
    Alex K.

    Great and historic pub on the banks of the Thames. Beers are good but not great. I enjoyed the hazy. It costs a little more here due to the location but there a lot of nooks and crannies to hang around in and a deck that faces the river. Note your table number and order at the bar.

    One of the many dining areas
    Diane B.

    This is an historic pub but it is very modern and loud. Good selection of beers and food. Very crowded. Lots of noise. Not my first choice. Food was ok. It was generally bar food. It doesn't feel like an historical pub, more like a modern bar.

    Fish, chips, and tartar sauce
    Edward M.

    Tucked away within walking distance of Borough Market, this old pub feels like one of London's best-kept secrets. Surprisingly low on tourists, it's the kind of place that tells a history, with a layout that stretch out almost like wandering through a maze room after room, each with its own vibe and charm. The Guinness perfectly poured, smooth and creamy as it should be. And the fish and chips spot on. A flaky, tender piece of fish wrapped in a batter so crisp it practically crackles. Simple, honest, and everything you want from a proper British pub.

    Sticky Toffee Pudding with custard and vegan coconut ice cream
    Nick S.

    The Anchor Pub had been on my list to try while exploring London. It was on a couple lists I perused, I knew it had a rich history, and walking by it several times, the vibrant yet cozy exterior seemed to draw me in. The interior is similar to other pubs in the area. Plenty of small high tops, wooden bar counters, lively atmosphere, etc. There is also outdoors bankside/Thames River seating (and walkup bars). The staff behind the bar was nice and would offer up suggestions when prompted. The servers that brought us our food would not say a word to us, did not smile, and when we asked if we could have silverware they made us feel like it was all part of their plan to go back and grab some anyway. The food was mediocre at best. The fish & chips were nothing to write home about. There are far better fish & chips even within stones throwing distance. The sticky toffee pudding was nice, but they were out of ice cream so we had to make do with custard and vegan ice cream (I got 2 to try both options out). The steak and ale pie was a real let down. I had previously visited a couple other pubs where the pies were not only on point, they actually kind of blew me away. Anchor's pie was bigger, but it lacked flavor and the aged beef gave a lingering sour and salty taste. The ales were the typical ales you could find in any London Pub. I wish I had better things to say about the pub, but the ambiance was more loud and annoying than fun, the food was simply less than what I expected, and the staff was hit or miss in terms of quality service. If you're in the Tate Modern or Globe Theater area you can certainly swing by this pub, but you're actually so close to Burrough Market, and you should DEFINTELY check that out. And in terms of pubs, I would recommend the Red Lion Pub or Churchill Arms if you get a chance. Worth Noting: Pub Trivia lovers, the Anchor hosts a weekly Monday night pub trivia. I really wanted to attend, but unfortunately, I was busy that evening. Cheers!!

    My meal was excellent in case you can't tell.
    Tre B.

    Great food. Good drinks. Atmosphere was unique and the service was good. But there's no way anyone would know the seating procedure or ordering procedure because there are no signs or anyone helping out. Despite that it's a cool place and worth a visit.

    Menu as of May 2024
    Chuck M.

    The Anchor pub is located where taverns of various names have operated for over 800 years. It all began as the "brewery tap room" for the Anchor Brewery, established in 1616. It was operating in Shakespeare's time, the Globe just a short walk away...William Shakespeare himself a patron here. Due to the location on the south bank of the River Thames and the historic nature of the building, expect crowds when you dine and/or drink here. The experience can be a bit chaotic. Don't expect a host to seat or instruct you. Go in, find a table and if you can, ask a server what your table number is. Once you've chosen from the menu, send a member of your party to one of the bars to order drinks and food. They'll ask for your table number. The food came out quickly considering the crowds, however the order was missing my entree and had to be reordered. Meanwhile, I split a Crab sandwich with another member of my party and when my burger arrived we split that as well. The crab was battered and deep fried and was overwhelmed by the flavor of the batter. The "Vintage Cheeseburger" was better but about average for what you'd expect for pub food. The menu description: Vintage Cheddar & Bacon Burger: Glazed linseed bun, aged beef burger, Beechwood smoked bacon and a melting slice of 1833 Barber's Vintage Cheddar. Served with house seasoned fries and East Coast IPA BBQ relish The East Coast IPA BBQ relish served with the fries was very good! In closing, this is where the closing scene of Mission Impossible (with Tom Cruise) was filmed. In the movie it was the terrace pub where Ethan finally gets to unwind...because you know, he chose to accept it...the Mission that is. This review will not self destruct in five seconds.

    pea and mint soup and warm bread, battered halloumi
    Olivia H.

    We hung out here for a while- we were tired of walking and were waiting to get into the Globe. We tried a variety of dishes and all of them were delicious! I had the pea and mint soup, which had a wonderful complex flavor, and made me want to have mint in more savory dishes. My mother had the vintage cheddar Mac and cheese, which was so rich and indulgent, but had a great sharp, cheesy flavor. We also shared the halloumi, which was battered and fried in the style of fish and chips- this was great for me as a vegetarian who can't have the actual dish. For desert we shared a lovely and airy blackberry Eton mess and a sticky toffee pudding- which was the opposite of airy, but was delicious nonetheless. I still think about it quite often... The service was very good- everyone was nice and helpful, and had great recommendations for us. The pub itself is a rather large space, but the dim lighting and dark furnishings make it feel comfortable and cozy.

    Shawn R.

    Fun spot for a pint on a sunny afternoon in London. Solid pub food, good service. The pub has lots of character and plenty of seating. The outdoor patio area is fantastic.

    The hair in my sandwich

    Would not recommend. They don't care about service. Food was soooo bland and the chicken was as hard as a shoe. Not a good experience. Not to mention there was a long blonde hair wrapped around my sandwich. There were many people it is really loud inside.

    The quaint exterior as it was rebuilt after the great fire in 1675. Yes. I said sixteen seventy five.

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    Carly and Connor were great, top notch service. Very attentive to complex orders and managed a large crowd very well. Appreciate their help!

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    Page 1 of 4

    The Anchor Reviews in Other Languages

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    The Centre Page - Modest entrance area.

    The Centre Page

    3.6(25 reviews)
    0.4 miBlackfriars
    £

    After visiting Shakespeare's Globe across the Thames River, I was rushing to the airport and…read morespotted this place near St. Paul's church after crossing Millennium Bridge. Given the location, I knew it was probably a tourist trap and I wish to avoid those usually but had no time so stopped in on a Monday afternoon for lunch. I'm so glad I did! I was in London only briefly and had yet to try proper fish and chips and I was definitely WOW'd. I've only had this in America, and this was definitely better than anything I've ever had. When it arrived on my table, I could feel the heat from the plate -- that's how scalding hot and fresh it was, and I loved that! The cod was absolutely massive, a thick portion of fish deep fried with the skin on within an incredibly crunchy beer batter. There were pieces of bone in it, but no bother, this only made it seem more fresh. The chips (thick cut fries) were perfectly crispy and both the fish and chips were insanely delicious with a bit of salt and malt vinegar (which I had to request by walking up to the bar). The dish came with a tartar sauce and ketchup, but tasted way better with the salt and vin. I absolutely love that the fish and chips also came with mushy peas, whereas most pubs only give you fish and chips alone. The dish was also very well priced at 9.95 GBP, and I was able to use my credit card, rounded up to 10 GBP because they have a 10 GBP minimum for using cards. I appreciate that this restaurant had free wi-fi, which I found out by asking my waiter, who quickly provided the secret code for me to use. In America you would never ask your server for this but I noticed that nearly every hotel and restaurant I visited during my 11-day tour of Europe offered wi-fi. Good on them, because how else would I check in to a restaurant on Yelp and shower them with praise and circulate promotional foodie photos on Instagram? During a weekday, many workers nearby flood this place to grab a pint during lunch....now, why don't I work in London? I would give this place five stars based on the food alone, but I am giving it four because I wished the service had been more attentive, as I had to go up to the bar to get malt vinegar and also to ask to pay my bill. I understand service in Europe is more laissez-faire than in America, but since this is a tourist spot I would have liked to be checked on by the staff at least once during my meal, and certainly to be presented with the bill. Note: They also serve Sunday roast dinner for 9.95 GBP on Sundays

    Great location, great specials and great service. This is a solid pub that seems to attract a good…read morecrowd. Being from the states I am not as familiar with all the UK brands --- but they seem to offer a wide variety of beers (lots on tap) and cocktails. TIP: I recommend hitting this place before 5:30 on the weekdays as the happy hour crowd fills this join up.

    Photos
    The Centre Page
    The Centre Page - Downstairs dinning area

    Downstairs dinning area

    The Centre Page

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    The Banker

    The Banker

    4.3(16 reviews)
    0.2 miThe City
    ££

    We had passed this pub several times, as it is located on a common route to the hotel we were…read morestaying in, and we wanted to have our first London pub experience, so try it, we did. We arrived just after the work day, and the crowd was buzzing just outside. We did the self-seating option indoors, and sat down to a great view of the Thames river, as we pondered our meal choices from the menu. The location is just great. For a leadoff drink, I had to go with the house cask ale, which was the Fuller's ESB, a drink I've been enjoying since the 1990's, and it delivered as expected. I went with an order of Sausages with mashed potatoes and peas...it doesn't get much more classic than that, and I was happy with it, especially with the quantity (3 sausages!). Wifey was on the hunt for a meat pie, and she went with the Steak, Ale & Mushroom Pie, which I can report was wholeheartedly approved. One of the better pies we've had on the overall trip, and the best we had at a pub location. The overall vibe of this pub is exactly as you might picture it, and we weren't disappointed with any aspect. Service, though not overly patient (hey - they were busy), was competent and pleasant. Cheers!

    Great pub in the City of London. Found it while walking near the River front after crossing north…read moreover London Bridge. Casks, drafts, lots of seating - both indoor and outdoor. They had billiards and some other entertainment. Quick service.

    Photos
    The Banker
    The Banker
    The Banker

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    The Anchor - pubs - Updated May 2026

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