This was our first stop after a long flight from Chicago and the Eagle didn't disappoint. My buddy wanted to feel the London pub experience and I wanted more of a gastro pub vibe. We had some local pints that got the juices flowing. After catching up we then ordered the fish and chips. The fish was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Very delicious. The bartender was funny and friendly. We both enjoyed our meals and loved that the pub had some historical significance. A great soot for a bite to eat and drink. read more

If you're looking for a quiet pub with a warm fire and leather coverage seats, this place is not for you. It is very crowded loud during the lunchtime rush anyway. However, the food is absolutely superb and the service efficient and friendly. Said to be the original Gastropub in London. You MUST eat here if you're in the area. read more

Widely accepted as the birthplace of the gastropub, The Eagle's been around since 1991. Here you'll find New British dishes infused with a bit of Mediterranean flair - like potato soup with chorizo, tapas plates of multi-coloured olives, or a perfectly cooked hanger steak accompanied by grainy mustard. I arrived before my dining companion and snagged the travel section of the paper from a big stack at the back and settled in at a communal table near the window. I was soon accompanied by another woman who was eating and drinking solo. This gastropub's equally good for solo and group dining, depending on which you fancy. Half empty when I arrived at half past six on Saturday night, The Eagle was brimming with boisterous patrons an hour later. While most folks were on beer, I quite enjoyed my two glasses of Rioja. The casual, communal atmosphere of The Eagle will lure you inside, while the fabulous, no fuss food - full of fresh ingredients - will inspire lingering. read more

This is a gastro-pub. Do not come here if you want a typical restaurant. The Eagle is first come, first to get a table, a couch, a chair, a stool, etc. arrive between 7 and 830 and you'll be hard pressed to find a spot to sit. The food is incredible. The menu changes - large chalk boards over the open kitchen - as you sit in the pub. Tonight I had the steak sandwich. Super peppery with caramelized onions and romaine lettuce. The roll is toasted then the faces are dipped into the steak marinade left in the frying pan. A French dip already dipped. It is crazy good. Come and share the food with friends. Expect a vibrant, rather loud pub atmosphere. If that's what you're looking for , I highly recommend the Eagle. read more

See all

A very friendly pub with a nice interior and exterior. A very historic venue which is also very popular.

I first discovered the Eagle when I visited The Guardian's former offices just down Farringdon Road. One of the things about gastropubs from an American perspective is you're not really sure of what to expect. I'd heard good things about the Eagle but beyond a word-of-mouth recommendation, I wasn't sure what to expect. Expect hearty, delicious, well-made food that will warm you up and put a smile on your face. This is now one of my hang-outs when I come to town and though the Guardian isn't in the 'hood' anymore; I'll still go out of my way for a friendly pint and a hearty dinner. Don't let the mismatched chairs and casual sit-where-you-want vibe scare you off - a better than average dining experience and the birthplace of the modern British gastropub experience. I wish some American pubs would pick up on this simple is better model. read more

This is a great looking place with a lot of atmosphere. They also have this awesome rock shandy which would score high on my alternative 5 star review system (based on quality of soft drink provision). What I didn't like was that the food took AGES to come. We got there pretty late so I was really hungry. Maybe it was all the acid in my stomach but the gorgonzola risotto I had didn't go down so well either. One of my friends had a sausage disk that was absolutely incredible though. I had major food envy. I don't know why I'm always compelled to order risotto in restaurants because I'm always a bit disappointed (like here, it didn't really taste much of gorgonzola which was what attracted me to it in the first place). read more

-Great food. I didn't visit many gastropubs on my trip, but this was definitely better than all of the food that I'd had at pubs (and many other places) -Prices seemed pretty reasonable (London standards) -It's a big place (for a pub), and was packed with locals on a late Monday night -Serve food till quite late (pub standards) -My standard drink order of Ale was ok, but probably my least favorite ale of the trip -It's a bit of a hike from the tube station (central)... maybe that's one reason that there are so many locals. read more

Why are there not more pubs like The Eagle? It makes the combination of great food in a great bar look so easy and yet my many experiences of pub dining have proved to me that it is not. Last night was my first visit to this wonderful place and really, I couldn't fault it for a thing. When we arrived inside The Eagle we were immediately met with a wall of sounds and smells. In addition to the noise of chattering punters there were plenty of crashes and bangs to contend with coming from the open kitchen. It's this feature which is also responsible for filling the room with such delicious smells. Having tossed a coin with a man also queuing for a table I couldn't help the building feeling of anticipation stemming from this pubs' brilliant atmosphere. The food did not disappoint at all. All day I've found myself fantasising about another portion of my Pork Belly with Lentils and Salsa Verde. How did they make the crackling so good? My brothers Crab Linguine was also delicious and very reminiscent of meals we'd enjoyed in Italy. In addition to this, the wine list at The Eagle is really impressive and although it's not huge, all the wines we tried were top notch. Simply put, The Eagle is a great night out where the relaxed atmosphere has not been allowed to undermine quality cooking. Five stars all round! read more

The Eagle - Gastropubs Near Me - London, XGL

Decor: It has that 'hip' cozy pub vibe. It gets crowded and you just kind of seat yourself- I think it depends on where you sit, but I didn't feel too comfortable where I was seated. Service: You order up at the bar and they'll bring you out your food. I was a little confused with this concept and since it was a bit loud and crowded, it was hard to get the attention of the people behind the bar. The chefs will answer your questions on food if you have any though, so that's nice. Food: I like that they change their menu up frequently and the food is quite good! I had the filet strip steak and it was cooked all nice and juicy. I did have to chew my way through just a little but it wasn't bad by any means. My friends also throughly enjoyed their dishes and finished them all up. Overall: The vibe isn't really my scene, but the food is really better than average here, so pop in for a yummy meal! read more

The Eagle - steak and potatoes - Gastropubs Near Me - London, XGL

First thing to say is that I didn't eat here. Which is part of the reason for the review. I walked in as a solo diner, and it was pretty early in the evening, so there were some two-tops available. I asked if I might take one, and the waiter said no. I can understand that they didn't really want to sacrifice a two-top to a solo person, but I'm also an older person, and the rickety stools along the narrow countertop didn't really appeal. But the food had received great reviews and it smelled wonderful, so I told the young waiter I would sit at the counter, and I placed myself there. It was quite uncomfortable, but I thought I could tough it out. But the waiter kept brushing past me, basically ignoring me. I sat there for some time, thinking that he was just busy, but he didn't even bring a menu. I scooted over to another stool, feeling I was in his way, but still I did not get a menu. I think this might be a great place for groups or couples, but I would not recommend it for a solo diner. read more

This place is worth frequenting. My friend had the steak sandwich - which was bigger than her head and SO good. I had the gnocchi with beetroot and goat cheese, it was good - though if I went again, I would order something different. The good thing is, I probably would have to since The White Lion doesn't publish a menu, they have a chalkboard with the meals available. I would definitely go again if I find myself in this area of London again. read more

The Eagle - Gastropubs Near Me - London, XGL

See all

I came here on my first night in London and I definitely got the whole pub experience here! The bartenders were really nice in helping me choose a drink and patiently explained their menu to me. The layout of the chairs and couches make it easy to lay back and talk. Your food is cooked right behind the bar and there were tons of locals even on a Monday night. I ended up getting a shandy (freaking delicious). My friend had the steak sandwich and really loved it. Definitely want to go back for their food! read more

This famous old pub is definitely up to the hype! Everyone swears by the steak sandwiches and I agree they are delicious but there are also plenty of other meals on offer here. At the eagle pub you can sample anything from delicious monkfish that comes with fennel and lemon alioli, or pork that is served with amazingly tasty salsa verde. The atmosphere is real lively, the open kitchen satisfies your senses, the sights and smells of food being prepared heightens your dining experience. The staff are friendly and the windows are big, light floods in to the warm, welcoming space. A great night, would recommend to all. Definitely a five star!!! read more

The Eagle - Gastropubs Near Me - London, XGL

Sometimes clearly defining what makes a gastropub stand out from your bog standard pub is a challenge, but much like defining what porn is - you just know it when you see it. And this my friends, is the porn version of a pub. A tall divider separates the dining area from the bar, and although I was there during the frenzy of an England football match during the holiest of holy World Cup, I still watched the posh delve into everything from lamb liver and mussels to grilled sardines and iman biyeldi, while the common-folk like myself simply got sloshed on Spanish reds and pints of real ale at the bar. (Hey, football brings us all together right?) I soon realised that we were all drooling not only over the h.u.g.e. sport-filled screen pulled down from the ceiling, but over the food on the other side of the wall as well, so made it a priority to get back and sample a bite of the posh life for myself. While it didn't knock my socks off, I must pay homage to the hallowed and humble beginnings of British porn. I mean gastropubs. read more

This place is alright with me! Drinks aren't too expensive, meals are better than okay, and great atmosphere. My large party of eight got very lucky getting a table amidst people who were still enjoying their after work drinks or early dinner. Though it was quite crowded our meals were served in a timely manner and everyone in our group had a great time. I was hoping that I would more impressed with the food, though I wouldn't say I was disappointed, being with great company in a comfortable space more than made up for it. read more

This is the sort of restaurant that I would WANT to rate higher because of its uber-cool, downbeat atmosphere and approach to gastropub dining, but, if I'm honest, the food was only average. On my visit, I tried the mussels, and, while they were good, they weren't anything special. My husband liked his burger (which came in a massive portion size), but his sentiments about its quality mimic mine about the mussels. This would be a great place to visit for a pint and some nibbles, but I'd have to pass on a full-on meal in future. read more

Can a salad be life-changing? In the U.K. it sure can. I came here hoping to address gaping vitamin deficiencies incurred by my sojourn in London and Scotland. The place was cavernous and full of character -- and characters. Sunlight streamed through the Victorian windows illuminating a healthy mix of crumpet-loving old ladies, tragically hip young people, and foodies who just need a damn good salad with their pint of Staropramen. If that's not enough, they drizzled my gazpacho with sesame oil! The only problem? I couldn't find another place in London I liked half as much. I had to keep coming back every day (even from as far away from Notting Hilll) just to get my salad on. It was ridiculous, but the staff and food rewarded my efforts every time. read more

Well, this was my first ever gastro pub !!! Actually i was so fresh off the boat that i had no idea what a gastro pub was ! But i am now a gastro pub fiend and especially an Eagle Fan ! So much so the staff knows me and my boyfriend and always wonders where we are if they don't see us at least once a week !!! eeekkk i know, but whats funny is i know how to cook !! I began coming to this pub 3 odd years ago and was just blown away at the eclectic menu, which takes traditional continental dishes and gives them a twist ! The tapas are always that little bit quirky, from smoked pigeon to good old smoked salmon, but all of the greatest quality and quantity !!! Its great to get a few to share if you're having drinks. But what this place is good at its amazing main courses, they have a relatively wide array of dishes, but the trick is to come early as the popular one run out. They carry lovely steaks and also do the french cut "onglet" which you don't find in many places ! They always have at least one fish dish if not two and the accompanying sides can be dishes on their own, they are so good !! A couple of vegetarian dishes are always available and they d a lovely twist to the bruschetta!!! The dessert usually consists of the Portuguese egg tarts and cheese and fruit !! A Little bit of advise, chat with the waiters and cooks, they are amazing, and will tell you which is the best dish. I usually just ask them what to order !! Also it does get busy on weeks days and, and is tough to find seats so come early if you want a leisurely meal, On the weekend the lucnh is lovely and relaxed and you can enjoy a chat with the chefs or sit and enjoy the newspapers ! read more

If there is a glimmer of hope, happiness and joy in London on a dreary, rainy Saturday afternoon, it lives here. We were lucky enough to grab two seats by the window because when we walked in it was packed with people who seemed as though they had been there for hours and would stay for several more. I can't say I blame them. I was first lured into this place because I heard they served made kick-ass bloody mary's (strangely, a rarity in London) and this was was confirmed instantly after all the ingredients spice and care that went into mixing this cocktail, and then most importantly, by the first sip. For around 5 pounds it's advisable to order at least 2 while you're there. After intensely watching the cooks in the kitchen and drooling over everything that was made and served from the fresh chalkboard menu, we were compelled to order something, anything. Since it was in the middle of the afternoon and between meals we went for simple olives and marinated boquerones and some light red wine, which was, divine indeed. Yet the highlight of our experience was when one of the cooks passed over a small sample of the haddock and sage risotto he'd seen me drool over and say 'damn that looks tasty' every time he prepared a dish. It was a lovely gesture and I think I licked the plate. I recommend coming here hungry and ordering this straight away. Better yet, come with a friend and split this and a steak sandwich...and all the appetizers if you can swing it. You won't be disappointed. Rustic, comfortable, homey atmosphere, amazing food and drink. Overall, enchanting. Why can't I live here? PS - it's insanely crowded for a reason, probably smart to stop by during off-peak hours (but before they close the kitchen down before dinner service) and be patient. Because everything good comes to those who wait. Just like me, waiting 6 months until finding this place although it's been here forever as London's 1st official gastro. Finally my fav spots in SF have some competition. It's about time! read more

Boo. That is basically my first and lasting reaction. Boo to you, The Eagle. We so wanted to love the place! It was raining, and we walked it and it was cozy, warm and smelled wonderful. Top it off with some Leffe on Tap (and a Pint of bitter for the bf), and open plan kitchen and a great little menu that sounded great - we thought we had found the real deal, the birthplace of the gastopub. I ordered steak toast and the bf a pasta dish. So far so good, looking at the chefs milling about behind the partition and things cooking, we were generally very excited. Then the food came, and unfortunately this is where it all unravelled. The waitress slapped the plates down and had turned around before I even got a chance to smile at her. The food looked promising, large plates and nice looking meat. I then realised my steak toast had no butter or any other sauce, it was only a piece of toast and a steak. I waved over a different waiter and asked for some ketchup or mayonnaise, or any steak sauce really - at which point the waiter looked at me like something he found under his shoe and said 'We dont serve condiments.' No sorry, no unfortunately, no 'um, i could get you some olive oil?', no nothing. So I understand completely the desire not to slap heinz or hellmans onto a nice steak but PLEASE, give me some homemade mayonnaise or freshly made tomato ketchup, or even just a bit of butter - anything!! And please, when I ask a completely acceptable question in a friendly way, and its your job to answer - reciprocate in kind! We were a bit speechless after that, the mood definitely taken down a notch. The food itself was alright, the steak cooked well enough and the pasta good, but a little forgettable. Nothing to really write home and nothing I would brave the service or 'rules' for to come back for. So boo to you, Eagle. I love steak, I love toast - and I SO wanted to love you! read more

Cons: The don't serve Jaeger They don't serve Red Bull They take forever to serve food Pros: Veeeery reasonable prices for drinks Unique place with loads of seating. A little out of the way so it attracts a nice clientele. THE best steak sandwich in the world, marinated for 24 hours in garlic, chili and a whole host of other fragrant things, simply fried and served in a home baked roll with onions. Incredible. The Pros win, hands-down. read more

Was suggested to come here for work lunch as they are known to have great food (and borderline poor service), not far from the truth! We were a group of 10, didn't have a booking but could see some free tables that weren't already reserved so a few of us saved them while the others made their way. The older gentleman working was very rude about us doing that, the place wasn't even packed and we'd made note to arrive before the lunch rush to avoid any delays as we only have an hour. Not sure what the fuss was about, unnecessary rudeness. On the other hand, the food was delicious. Would high recommend the steak sandwich (monster stack of meat). I probably won't be in a hurry to come back purely based on the service. read more

See all

The Eagle is the first gastropub I ever went to, when I was visiting a friend in London in - oh - 2007ish? I thought it was OMGZSUPERCOOLANDURBAN then, and I think similarly complimentary things about it to this day (different word choices, though). I think I had onion soup and sausages? But maybe the specifics are irrelevant: it held a magical "come live in London one day" vibe to it. Bottom line: it's just a (gastro) pub that gets things right. I like that there is free reading material around for solo diners. I like the clunky communal tables. I like being able to sit at the window and people-watch. I like balmy early fall nights where everyone hangs out in light sweaters and marvels at the weather over some boozy tipple. Yes, The Eagle is this place. I fuzzily remember an awkward Friday night at The Eagle where it was super loud and super busy and super booked and end result...super not-chill. But that is a fuzzy memory, and my other good times certainly cancel it out. The only possible lesson learned from that is: come early, if you are a people-phobe. Yelp note: I don't really care when I'm with friends and a gin, but...service can be slow here. Just a note in case you're, like, in a rush to make it to a One Direction concert or something (it doesn't take away from the 5 stars). read more

This is the restaurant that had me reconsider my views on non-desi english food. The selection of wine, the delicious eats, and still maintaining a good bar atmosphere. I had the pork belly with lentils and it was delicious. Since my fist visit a coule years ago there are tons of gastropubs all over the place, but this one maintains a special place in my heart read more

I need to update my previous review. Last time I ate here I enjoyed a simple dish of sausage and lentils which was just perfect. The steak sandwich is also pretty good. Service is fast and the beers are good too. read more

Nice and charming bar, always has people and the vide is great. They have good selection of beers on tap. Food menu is simple but great, the steak sandwich is just out of this world!!! :) Maybe the only downside is that if you want to have a tenable on Thursday or Friday you need to go there early. read more

What more to say about the Eagle? You go expecting delicious food, because of the reputation. And indeed it's held to that reputation.... had a piri piri quail with a farro salad which was inventive and tasty. Doesn't break the bank either at 10.80. The beer selection is a little uninspired, being the same standard draughts you see elsewhere. It's a little chaotic, as many come just to drink as well as nibble, and it's quite a small place. This is definitely the type of place I'd bring someone to visit, if not just for the "gastropub" charm. read more

I want to live above The Eagle, or in it. Basically if I lived in close proximity to this place I would never leave. I would eat myself into a gluttonous early grave, and bankrupt myself, but it would be so worth it. Lucky you Farringdon people for having such a lovely gastro pub in your midst. Why do I like this place so much? I love the old fashioned feel of it. I love the battered sofas. I even love the battered wobbly chairs (maybe fix a couple of them please). I love the fact that not one plate matches. To be fair, there are plenty of pubs in London that work the rough around the edges chic, but this place does not seem contrived in the slightest. And then there is the food. If you ever worry when you go into a pub that the food may have been pre cooked you won't have that concern because the kitchen stove makes up one end of the bar, so you can watch steaks and fish being slapped on over hot pans, and pots bubbling over the stove. The menu is quite small, its on a chalk board above the cooking end of the bar. I broke my 14 year vegetarian streak here by ordering the most succulent sausages on a bed of puy lentils and salsa verde. This dish was about 10 or 11 quid. Perfectly acceptable for this standard of cooking. If you order the fish you get one whole fish; these are not small portions. Other dishes include an immensely popular steak sandwich, and a couple of smaller tapas dishes. The dishes seem to have a slightly Portuguese twist to them; look out for the little Portuguese custard tarts which you can get as a pudding, but they seem to disappear pretty early on in the evening. One small warning; you can't book tables for small parties. So either get here early or be prepared to share someone else's table. What they keep pretty quiet is that you can book for larger parties then 6 people, so this is what I did for my last birthday. read more

First there was The Eagle... then there were a million other pubs calling themselves gastro... then there was the Eagle cookbook. So they were the first to serve more than just a ploughmans platter and a cheesy ham sandwich. Die hard fans rave about the Eagle and it does have its appeal with those hardwood scuffed floors, big lazy couches and the open plan cooking area. I can see why its popular but I can't really feel it. My pasta dish was just a pasta dish - hardly worth remembering. Service is inconsistent. A place that looks good on your CV. read more

I love this place. The food is simply delicious and good value. The wines interesting and tasty. Plus the ambience makes you feel like staying for hours, as I often do. The first gastropub and still the best. read more

Came across this place by accident whilst on a wee holiday in London. The food looked fantastic so we decided to go back later for a meal The place was too busy so we decided to wait at the bar for a table but the waitress was insistent we share a small table with a couple of guys. Perhaps this is normal in London or this place in particular but we wanted our own space. 'No no no, sit here, come on, sit down' Er..no we'd rather wait. You MUST sit down, come come! This was also unfair on the two guys who weren't even asked their permission to have me and my girlfriend share a small intimate table with them. Meanwhile, the waitress wouldn't actually leave us just to decide for ourselves what we wanted to do. We did manage to escape into the fresh air eventually. Phew! read more

I really really wanted to give this place five stars. I've heard so much about it, and in fact, I've never heard a bad word about it! It seemed like the perfect place to go to get rid of our hangovers after a party around the corner the night before. Every other time I've tried to come here it's been packed so we couldn't get a seat. It's worth mentioning that although it's got a pub feel, you won't feel right if you want to stand around and have a drink - this is sitting down lazy eating at its best. It's not somewhere you pop in for a swift half. The placed is layed out like a gorgeous open plan living room. If it had some old leather sofas people may never leave! The staff were a clearly new, but service was fast enough if a little disjointed. I got myself a brilliant virgin Mary. It's not my usual drink of choice but I felt like I needed some vitamins back in me! Every single decent bloody Mary i've had has been in Farringdon area and this was no exception. Lunch was partridge (yes, posh i know, but I've never had it before) and a kind of potato gratin with anchovies and cream. it was a tad too salty for me, but it was really well cooked. I'm not sure I'd choose the same again. I think that's my problem with this place. While i love being ale to stand at the bar and see my food cooking (the kitchen is part of the bar), understandably, the menu isn't very long. If there isn't anything you fancy then you might lose out. Choosing between about 7 dishes that come with a ready specified side does seem a little limiting. But i can't fault the place, and I want to come back and try more of the food. maybe then it'll get my last star. read more

Excellent menu with a few tapas (good olives, chorizo), a steak sandwich, salads (love the courgettes and aubergine with buffalo mozzarella), gazpacho, and a good beer and wine selection. Helpful service and quick food based on seasonal ingredients. A little loud sitting on the street but good for some people watching. read more

The Eagle - Gazpacho, olives, mozzellera, veggies, chorizo - Gastropubs Near Me - London, XGL

The Eagle, known for being the first gastropub, is a good quality no frills gastropub. It is overwhelmingly simple, with a mix of tables and chairs and half of the bar being an open kitchen which pumps our really delicious, if unimpressive looking food. Don't expect parsley and swirls of a fancy reduction on the side of your dish. Do expect a handful of great beers on tap, and 5 or 6 main rotating food options which always include the massive and mouthwatering steak sandwich. Perfect spot for a bunch of drinks with friends and some good food mixed in! read more

The Eagle made it into the Time Out's Top 50 places to eat in London and they truly deserve it. Despite being titled as a gastropub I never find their prices exorbitant with a focus on just great value and great tasting foods. I'd recommend arriving early in this popular venue as they don't take bookings and there really isn't that much space inside to house a large group of people. They do ask that people only occupy tables that are in your group so that others have a chance of sitting down. Specials get written up, in old-fashioned chalkboard style and seem to rotate fairly regularly. I can't say that I've ever had a meal that didn't go down well at this wonderful gastro pub. read more

Thank god our office is opposite the Eagle. Not only does that mean I can eat here regularly, but it also means I can look out the window and figure out the most opportune moment to head to lunch. The food is always divine and there is little to complain about. The Eagle is the one and only gastropub to frequent here in London. read more

An institution and the daddy of all gastro pubs. Where else can you get a perfectly cooked onglet or whole grilled mackerel witha decent pint or glass of vino. Carry on the good work read more

Amazing steak sandwich, great atmosphere, perfect meal! They have a great selection of bears and wines and all the food looks and smells great. The cooking area is behind the bar so you can see how freshly cooked your food is! All the chairs, tables and crockery are mis matches which only adds to the charm of the place. You have to go if you're anywhere near Farringdon! read more

The Eagle - Amazing steak sandwich! - Gastropubs Near Me - London, XGL

This place is just the best. Possibly because it's my local or possibly because the Onglet (I still don't know exactly what that is despite the fact it's the 3rd I've had at the Eagle) I had there last night was roughly the joint best dinner I've ever had. It's full of cool people, the bar staff are really nice and did I mention it's my local! http://www.chickerino.com/$tumblelog/2008/08/07/onglet_the_3rd read more