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Recommended Reviews - The Fat Bear
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I finally made it here!! I think it's been on my bookmarks for YEARS. It did not disappoint- fantastic fried chicken and really good cornbread. Definitely get those. It's the perfect place for comfort food/for a cold day. I also was pleasantly surprised with the interior it was dimly lit and had really good ambiance. Next I want to try their mac and cheese!

My oh my, what a night, what a meal, what a place! The Fat Bear is definitely a wonder of a hidden spot, located just round the corner from St.Pauls, above the Rising Sun. We walked up the slightly unusual staircase and found ourselves in a quaint wooden filled restaurant that mimicked the feel and atmosphere of a dining room. The room is lit by low lighting and candle light and the feeling of home and comfort is undeniable. The service throughout the evening was fantastic -the team were very friendly, informative and literally couldn't do enough for you. Now, to the food! We were a large group of 15 and pre-ordered from their menu which was thanksgiving themed. The restaurant itself is American inspired soul food so I had high exceptions from the start. Plate after plate, the food just kept on coming! The personal highlights for me were: Starter: The potted game served with caramelised onion and bread - this was just to die for. So flavoursome and rich, just a beautiful dish. Main: the turkey legs were cooked to perfection and the trimmings complimented eachother well. The stand out for me was the seafood gumbo - it certainly packed a punch but the seafood within was meaty and the scallops on top were a nice lil added bonus! Dessert: Oreo cheesecake - need I say more?! Creamy with a crunchy biscuit base. Perfectly made and it went down a treat! This place really did tick all the boxes for me and I'll definitely be heading back for some more once I've digested these meal which I feel may take a while.

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday last Saturday, I wanted to try this place since I saw the pictures of their food here on yelp, and seeing as the boyfriend loves hearty food (and has a thing for bears) I thought it was the perfect chance. I had a lot of expectations for this place and I'm very very glad to say: boy, did it deliver. It's a bit tricky to spot if you don't know where it is but somehow it was full 10 minutes after we've arrived (we had booked for 6:30pm so still quite early). Considering how desolated the area is, this really speaks volume. The room has a cosy and intimate atmosphere to it. The blinds were shut and it was candle lit. We ordered a variety of starters, which included potato gnocchi in blue cheese sauce (my sweet god), deep-fried gator bites (holy moly) and deep-fried pickles (drooling all over my keyboard as I type). We were blown away by the flavours. We couldn't set on just two mains as we wanted to try many many things, so we ordered pork ribs, beef brisket and the soft shell crab burger. The brisket was quite a bit tough to be honest, but everything else was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend said he never had better pork ribs in his entire life. All mains came with fries, but we also ordered poutine which I had tried once in Canada and wanted to try again (it was PERFECT) and beer-battered onion rings (which DID NOT crumble into pieces when you touched them, as pub-food ones usually do). We finished it off with a flaming bear and a shortcake strawberry cheescake for dessert. As well as a couple of cocktails. The staff is extremely kind, knowledgeable and efficient, as well as a pleasure to interact with. They offered a killer double shot at the end of the meal as a happy birthday homage. The other half described The Fat Bear as 'twenty square feet of bloody perfection' and I couldn't agree more. Next time we'll be trying their brunch. Couldn't recommend this place enough. We paid quite a bit of money but we ordered A LOT of food, and it was worth every penny.

My first Thanksgiving was always going to be a big deal but the Fat Bear made it a special and memorable experience. Myself and some friends visited last night for what can only be described as a three course feast. Highlights of the meal for me included the turkey and stuffing, sweet potato mash and the mac&cheese. They were all were perfectly prepared and presented well. The only downside of this meal was the huge amount of food I consumed but when it's this good how can you resist....Fat Bear team...take a bow.

Having just come back from a long holiday around the US, I can safely say that this is the best American food I've eaten this side of the pond. It's not following the 'Americana' trend as many restaurants are - they're refining it using their British influence and the highest quality local produce. We tried the franks wings, mac and cheese with bacon, and fish tacos - all of which ere executed perfectly - particularly the mac and cheese which was the perfect combination of saucy and smokey. We will definitely return, and I'm very tempted by the £30 tasting menu - the best value tasting menu I've seen anywhere in London! Looking forward to the main site to open next year. ALL HAIL THE FAT BEAR!

Fried chicken and waffles! Soft shell crab burgers! Crayfish rolls! Fish cakes! Jumbalya! And pickle backs! This place has many of the American classics with a modern twist. Their cocktails are excellent and their wine list is great too. I'm not a big fan of American food and don't eat a huge amount of meat but if you are/do then this is definitely worth a visit. Some of the sauces were a little on the sweeter side for me but the flavours all work well together. Standout dishes, for me, were definitely the chicken livers (don't fear the offal!), the boneless beef short rib (wow) and the crayfish roll. But most of all the tuna salad was so fresh and delicious. And I have already decided that when I come back here I'm definitely getting a martini and fried pickles on the side. If you're a sweet tooth definitely leave room for dessert. And get a couple to share so you can try as many as possible. Space wise, there's a great table off the side for a bigger group and then lots of smaller places. They haven't tried to theme the place too usa- aka you wouldn't think that it's American food by the decor. That's a good thing. Feels a little bit like someone's dining room at home. With a very well stocked spirits collection. Great staff who know their booze and can help you if you're unsure what to chose. And just generally friendly and good for a chat. Check it out!

Great ambiance, great service, wonderful food, fun drinks. I rarely give a 5 out of 5 stars but this came close. Waiter was helpful with recommendations, and wasn't pushy. We got wings and chips, as the BF was on the fence about chicken and waffles. Being from the States and loving the south, I was torn with what to order but ended up going with chicken and waffles. It's not your typical southern-style chicken n waffles but this was a nice flair on the normal dish. With the dish came a honey mustard syrup - which, like the chicken, was a nice twist on the normal maple syrup. BF ordered chicken wings which were too hot for him so we swapped plates. We were both happy with the dishes! I also had a rootbeer flats - yummy drink :) Overall, I'd recommend it if you're in the area. If you're not close, I wouldn't go toooo far out of your way for it. It's very small, quaint, and intimate and does require a tight staircase to ascend to get to the restaurant so if you do have a disability that interrupts your mobility, I would avoid this restaurant.

Absolutely brilliant meal tonight. The gator bites were crispy and flavourful, the chicken fried steak was perfectly topped off with a creamy gravy. The chicken and sausage gumbo was fluffy and expertly seasoned. As a native Texan living in London for several years, I've missed all of these, and am glad to have a place where I can enjoy some of my comfort foods again in a lovely venue with friendly staff. I look forward to returning soon!

To be accurate, I would give The Fat Bear a 4.5 but for some reason Yelp hasn't yet allowed us to give half stars! The reason I don't hesitate to round up is because 4 stars just wouldn't do this place justice. We came here on a Saturday at 7, it was empty when we walked in but was quickly filling in as we ate. It's situated above a pub right around the corner from St. Paul's Cathedral. The restaurant itself looks like it was set up in someone's apartment, but it kind of works. It adds to the quaint feel of th restaurant. The service was absolutely outstanding. Beyond being extremely polite, you can tell they really care about their food and drink. Something to definitely be appreciated. I would highly recommend the pimento cheese with tortilla chips and the buffalo wings. Both were ridiculously good! The boneless beef rib was good, but a little tough for my liking, although the sauces that came with it were amazing! We also ordered the disco fries but I will probably skip that next time and try something else. If you're looking for a different American-style meal, come here!

First time here. Great food great atmosphere and I love that it's hidden and tucked away in central London. Service was great! I'll be coming back!!
7 years ago
WOW, this place is delicious! Our family stopped in London for the last part of our cruise. After touring St. Paul's Cathedral, we were pretty hungry. We found The Fat Bear via Yelp!, and decided to give it a try. There were so many things on the menu that looked really good, but I had been craving chicken and waffles. The waffles were crisp on the outside, and fluffy on the inside -- the chicken, cooked perfectly, too. The syrup they serve it with is incredible. I definitely recommend checking this place out if you are in London! Carson C. Visalia, California read more
I felt a bit like a genius because I was choosing a place for several friends to meet up and we all wanted different things. I wanted something with at least one good veggie option, they wanted something with meat, and it had to be somewhere in-between Camden and Canary Wharf, not too pricey, and ideally close to the city because otherwise our Italian friend probably wouldn't make it. And lo and behold.... THE FAT BEAR!!! It was all we wanted and more! This place is sort of tucked away and up some stairs above a pub. It's really just a room and a half, which makes it super cozy and they have a pretty awesome looking bar. It's got warm lighting which makes the atmosphere really nice. Their cocktails were delightful and the service was excellent. I will make a very strange observation that someone working there had a very drunk friend who just sort of made herself at home. Then more joined and it turned into me watching this table of really really drunk people trying to order food. Two of them ended up just falling asleep. It was super strange. Anyway, me being distracted aside, I really loved the cocktail I ordered- Sloe Boat To China, and everyone else seemed happy with theirs. I was dying to try the pimiento cheese starter and the fried pickles. The cheese was particularly sharp and delicious. The pickles were good, but quite skinny (I mean come on, you're in an American restaurant I was expecting some serious pickles). The vegan gumbo was super spicy and delicious. I was impressed and enjoyed it. My husband dropped the ball and ordered the regular jambalaya (with sausage) rather than the seafood one which broke my heart a little bit, because I really wanted to try it. You know, I guess that means we'll just have to come back. Oh also another bonus, this place has brisket which is really hard to find. I can't say how it tastes but my friend said he defo approves (am I becoming more British with these words, or just more annoying?) Anyway, to finish it off I had the oreo cheesecake which the bomb. I love oreos. And it tasted like oreo. So all was right with the world. A wonderful place to come if you have people who want to try American food, or if you have out of town Americans who are too scared to try other food, or if you have hungry friends that want to try cajun food, or if you just want to try some really yummy food. read more
Business owner information
Gareth R.
Business Owner
Hi Amanda,…
Went here a while back and am just finally getting to my review. This is hands down the best chicken and waffles i've had in my entire life. I could eat this every day for the rest of my life it's that good. The cocktails were ridiculously good, so good i may have to make a trip to london just to have them again. Stop on by if you want some fantastic food in a chill atmosphere! read more
9 years ago
I finally made it here!! I think it's been on my bookmarks for YEARS. It did not disappoint- fantastic fried chicken and really good cornbread. Definitely get those. It's the perfect place for comfort food/for a cold day. I also was pleasantly surprised with the interior it was dimly lit and had really good ambiance. Next I want to try their mac and cheese! read more
7 years ago
I did not expect to visit a restaurant serving American Creole cuisine whilst in London, but on a whim, my husband and I decided to try The Fat Bear based on excellent reviews and proximity to our hotel one tube stop away. The restaurant's food did not disappoint. The pimento spread was a fun appetizer and started the meal off with a suitable kick. My husband had the brisket, which was delicious. I had the jambalaya, which was hands down better than anything I've had in the States. We split key lime pie for dessert. Because we didn't have reservations and didn't want to disturb the seating flow, we sat at the bar. We had a great time chatting with the bartender about her favorite liquors and drinks. She *almost* convinced me that Campari doesn't taste like ear wax. If we return, I'd trust her to make me a negroni. My husband is a dedicated bourbon drinker and was shocked to find a Buffalo Trace flight of 5 different pours for £40. He enjoyed his bourbon flight and I loved my martini. The restaurant isn't terribly big. If you go w/o a reservation, I would suggest either going early or sitting at the bar. read more
Happened to be in the area and this seemed like a good place to eat. The place is small, it was a bit cold and the old building that this place is in didn't have the greatest heating. if you sit right by the heater (next two the window) your body will be hot and cold at the same time. Now the food. Ordered the chicken and waffles, there was nothing wrong with it, but it didn't really leave a lasting memory. Adjusting for this being in London, the food is good- if you live in southern US, don't try to compare, it's a different experience. I can't comment on the price, everything in London seems out of wack to me.. .it's more than what I would pay in Texas for same food... but this ain't Texas and I'm sure their rent is a lot higher! read more
Ooooooooh heaven is a place in Blackfriars. Dear god, since spending some time in Tennessee I have loved southern American food and the Fat Bear is nailing the awesomeness. Having been once with yelp to try the whole menu i recently returned with a friend for an off the cuff Friday night dinner. Wandering up the stairs from the pub below it still amazes me the cute surroundings of this speak easy styled restaurant. Welcomed by the manager despite being busy they found space for us at the bar. Beers ordered we looked over the menu. We were stuck with what to eat.....ribs, alligator bites, crab burger......chicken fried steak (I'll explain later).....it was a really tough call. The offer of being allowed ribs as a starter made life easier. Shared ribs, followed by the soft shell crab burger for me and the chicken fried steak (CFS) for my friend. Ribs.....dear god. That's all I have to say about that. What is CFS, well let me tell you my friend....they take a lovely ribeye steak....they tenderise it and they prepare it like they would feed fried chicken and serve it with their house gravy. OMFG.......this is heaven on a plate My giant crab was juicy and amazing and awesome, on a fresh roll it was also epically good. Happy JD. All washed down with a couple of pickle backs this was a night to remember. I will be back......soon.....it's lunchtime soon....I might be back today. read more
11 years ago
My oh my, what a night, what a meal, what a place! The Fat Bear is definitely a wonder of a hidden spot, located just round the corner from St.Pauls, above the Rising Sun. We walked up the slightly unusual staircase and found ourselves in a quaint wooden filled restaurant that mimicked the feel and atmosphere of a dining room. The room is lit by low lighting and candle light and the feeling of home and comfort is undeniable. The service throughout the evening was fantastic -the team were very friendly, informative and literally couldn't do enough for you. Now, to the food! We were a large group of 15 and pre-ordered from their menu which was thanksgiving themed. The restaurant itself is American inspired soul food so I had high exceptions from the start. Plate after plate, the food just kept on coming! The personal highlights for me were: Starter: The potted game served with caramelised onion and bread - this was just to die for. So flavoursome and rich, just a beautiful dish. Main: the turkey legs were cooked to perfection and the trimmings complimented eachother well. The stand out for me was the seafood gumbo - it certainly packed a punch but the seafood within was meaty and the scallops on top were a nice lil added bonus! Dessert: Oreo cheesecake - need I say more?! Creamy with a crunchy biscuit base. Perfectly made and it went down a treat! This place really did tick all the boxes for me and I'll definitely be heading back for some more once I've digested these meal which I feel may take a while. read more
11 years ago
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday last Saturday, I wanted to try this place since I saw the pictures of their food here on yelp, and seeing as the boyfriend loves hearty food (and has a thing for bears) I thought it was the perfect chance. I had a lot of expectations for this place and I'm very very glad to say: boy, did it deliver. It's a bit tricky to spot if you don't know where it is but somehow it was full 10 minutes after we've arrived (we had booked for 6:30pm so still quite early). Considering how desolated the area is, this really speaks volume. The room has a cosy and intimate atmosphere to it. The blinds were shut and it was candle lit. We ordered a variety of starters, which included potato gnocchi in blue cheese sauce (my sweet god), deep-fried gator bites (holy moly) and deep-fried pickles (drooling all over my keyboard as I type). We were blown away by the flavours. We couldn't set on just two mains as we wanted to try many many things, so we ordered pork ribs, beef brisket and the soft shell crab burger. The brisket was quite a bit tough to be honest, but everything else was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend said he never had better pork ribs in his entire life. All mains came with fries, but we also ordered poutine which I had tried once in Canada and wanted to try again (it was PERFECT) and beer-battered onion rings (which DID NOT crumble into pieces when you touched them, as pub-food ones usually do). We finished it off with a flaming bear and a shortcake strawberry cheescake for dessert. As well as a couple of cocktails. The staff is extremely kind, knowledgeable and efficient, as well as a pleasure to interact with. They offered a killer double shot at the end of the meal as a happy birthday homage. The other half described The Fat Bear as 'twenty square feet of bloody perfection' and I couldn't agree more. Next time we'll be trying their brunch. Couldn't recommend this place enough. We paid quite a bit of money but we ordered A LOT of food, and it was worth every penny. read more
My first Thanksgiving was always going to be a big deal but the Fat Bear made it a special and memorable experience. Myself and some friends visited last night for what can only be described as a three course feast. Highlights of the meal for me included the turkey and stuffing, sweet potato mash and the mac&cheese. They were all were perfectly prepared and presented well. The only downside of this meal was the huge amount of food I consumed but when it's this good how can you resist....Fat Bear team...take a bow. read more
13 years ago
Having just come back from a long holiday around the US, I can safely say that this is the best American food I've eaten this side of the pond. It's not following the 'Americana' trend as many restaurants are - they're refining it using their British influence and the highest quality local produce. We tried the franks wings, mac and cheese with bacon, and fish tacos - all of which ere executed perfectly - particularly the mac and cheese which was the perfect combination of saucy and smokey. We will definitely return, and I'm very tempted by the £30 tasting menu - the best value tasting menu I've seen anywhere in London! Looking forward to the main site to open next year. ALL HAIL THE FAT BEAR! read more
8 years ago
Walked almost a mile in light rain to try Gumbo in London. Cute little place upstairs and apparently a well kept secret judging by how packed it was on a rainy Tuesday evening and how challenged this American was finding it (that is probably more on me though!). The starter Gumbo will warm you up and there is a vegan Gumbo option too. Try the soul food sides like sweet potato mash, Mac n cheese and fresh baked cornbread (be patient it takes abt 20 mins but sooooo worth it ). So when in London, bypass the pubs for anything but beer (bland fish n chips are no fun!) and go for big flavor in this southern comfort food place that the locals def seem to know about. You will feel right at home . PS - do NOT try to do anything more challenging than getting in an Uber after downing a few deadly and delicious 3 rum Hurricane Judy drinks - OMG read more
Fried chicken and waffles! Soft shell crab burgers! Crayfish rolls! Fish cakes! Jumbalya! And pickle backs! This place has many of the American classics with a modern twist. Their cocktails are excellent and their wine list is great too. I'm not a big fan of American food and don't eat a huge amount of meat but if you are/do then this is definitely worth a visit. Some of the sauces were a little on the sweeter side for me but the flavours all work well together. Standout dishes, for me, were definitely the chicken livers (don't fear the offal!), the boneless beef short rib (wow) and the crayfish roll. But most of all the tuna salad was so fresh and delicious. And I have already decided that when I come back here I'm definitely getting a martini and fried pickles on the side. If you're a sweet tooth definitely leave room for dessert. And get a couple to share so you can try as many as possible. Space wise, there's a great table off the side for a bigger group and then lots of smaller places. They haven't tried to theme the place too usa- aka you wouldn't think that it's American food by the decor. That's a good thing. Feels a little bit like someone's dining room at home. With a very well stocked spirits collection. Great staff who know their booze and can help you if you're unsure what to chose. And just generally friendly and good for a chat. Check it out! read more
5 years ago
Such a fine dining restaurant. Had a dinner and we truly enjoyed the food so much. Its quite an expensive place but its worth it when you're dining there for special or intimate occasion. The food were good quality and well-cooked. The cocktails were really delicious and super amazing. The Jambalaya and Seafood Gumbo 2 taste really good dishes. read more
Great ambiance, great service, wonderful food, fun drinks. I rarely give a 5 out of 5 stars but this came close. Waiter was helpful with recommendations, and wasn't pushy. We got wings and chips, as the BF was on the fence about chicken and waffles. Being from the States and loving the south, I was torn with what to order but ended up going with chicken and waffles. It's not your typical southern-style chicken n waffles but this was a nice flair on the normal dish. With the dish came a honey mustard syrup - which, like the chicken, was a nice twist on the normal maple syrup. BF ordered chicken wings which were too hot for him so we swapped plates. We were both happy with the dishes! I also had a rootbeer flats - yummy drink :) Overall, I'd recommend it if you're in the area. If you're not close, I wouldn't go toooo far out of your way for it. It's very small, quaint, and intimate and does require a tight staircase to ascend to get to the restaurant so if you do have a disability that interrupts your mobility, I would avoid this restaurant. read more
11 years ago
Absolutely brilliant meal tonight. The gator bites were crispy and flavourful, the chicken fried steak was perfectly topped off with a creamy gravy. The chicken and sausage gumbo was fluffy and expertly seasoned. As a native Texan living in London for several years, I've missed all of these, and am glad to have a place where I can enjoy some of my comfort foods again in a lovely venue with friendly staff. I look forward to returning soon! read more
To be accurate, I would give The Fat Bear a 4.5 but for some reason Yelp hasn't yet allowed us to give half stars! The reason I don't hesitate to round up is because 4 stars just wouldn't do this place justice. We came here on a Saturday at 7, it was empty when we walked in but was quickly filling in as we ate. It's situated above a pub right around the corner from St. Paul's Cathedral. The restaurant itself looks like it was set up in someone's apartment, but it kind of works. It adds to the quaint feel of th restaurant. The service was absolutely outstanding. Beyond being extremely polite, you can tell they really care about their food and drink. Something to definitely be appreciated. I would highly recommend the pimento cheese with tortilla chips and the buffalo wings. Both were ridiculously good! The boneless beef rib was good, but a little tough for my liking, although the sauces that came with it were amazing! We also ordered the disco fries but I will probably skip that next time and try something else. If you're looking for a different American-style meal, come here! read more
8 years ago
Great food, first time going there it was a little tricky to find. On Google it gives the address but on their website they tell you exactly where it is. It's above another place called the rising sun pub. A little annoying they close early. We had to be there no later than 9.15pm as the kitchen closes 9.30pm. Would have been a bit nice for more eye contact from waiters and provided a knife and fork to eat without asking. Starters were great the chicken on our main was cooked to perfection wonderfully crispy on the outside and cooked well and moist on the inside. The waffles with our chicken and waffle main was nothing to write home about and their current dessert menu is rather uninspiring. Overall a ok experience. read more
Yelp's events put this place on my radar - I can't remember if I couldn't go or didn't get in but I've definitely had this one bookmarked for a long time. Today was finally the day! It was with some trepidation we headed up the stairs, especially as there isn't a hostess station. But it was all fine and we were quickly seated. The menu was full of things I wanted, so I went for two small plates - corn dogs with andouille sausage and pimento cheese with oatcakes. Both were delish! Definitely share the cheese with a couple people as it's a lot. Service was great. Coke is pricy at £2.50 for only 200ml. Next time will include the deep fried pickles. Or the cheesy spinach dip. And some Oreo cheesecake. read more
I'd bookmarked the Fat Bear some time ago just in case I was ever in the neighbourhood - that day came today! Firstly, don't be nervous about going up the stairs, it is the right place. Service was good, and we got a table for two without a problem. The menu is Deep South-ish. But there's some American classics too - deep fried pickles for example. I had two of the smaller plates, the chicken tenders and the gumbo. Both were excellent. The chicken was quite dark, but that's just buttermilk coating done right. Just the right consistency and the chicken was perfectly succulent. The gumbo was big for a little plate - they do it in two sizes and I thought I'd might have ordered the larger one by mistake. But it was the smaller one, which makes me wonder if I could have gone for a swim in the big one! ;) Great meal, good service, and I would happily come back. read more
Was so amazed at the high rating of this restaurant. Really nothing special and a bit of a disappointment. Quick and friendly service, lovely atmosphere. Check, check, check. Food was just very very average and bland. Not bad, just very boring. Nothing tasted bold, exciting or interesting. Tried buffalo wings: just tastes like Frank's hot sauce, sure thats the signature taste but dull Fried pickles: nothing Gumbo: like adult baby food, barely warm, where were the shrimps i was promised? Where is the flavour I hoped for? Dashed like my dreams. read more
Really liked this place. Like others have said, it is cozy and had good crowd. I sat at the bar - the woman bartending was friendly and drinks were quick to be served. The Bourbon selection was great - nice overall liquor selection. As for the food - I had zero complaints or issues. The corn dog apps were good, and the jambalaya was great! Also brought back some chicken strips and vegan jambalaya which both were good. All the deserts looked good, and though the oreo cheesecake was even creamier than I would expect, the taste was rich enjoyable. When I'm back in London, I'll be back here. read more
7 years ago
Traveling for business and wanting some tasty food in London, I read reviews for The Fat Bear and decided to try it. It's a small quaint place upstairs from a pub. I had the gumbo and it was delicious. I'm from Texas and with neighboring Louisiana, I know good gumbo. It was one of the best gumbos I've ever had. Seriously. I highly recommend. read more
9 years ago
Dined with colleagues while in London for business. I didn't know what to order because everything looked scrumptious. I chose the set menu which included a beverage, starter, entree and dessert. The spinach dip was yummy. Amazing even when out of tostinis. The fried chicken and waffles was out of this world. Top two best fried chicken I have had. Dessert also yummy with a trio of three ice creams. Ambiance was chill. Small place but I loved that. Dark but it was not off putting. Solo diners and small groups appeared equally comfy. Staff were very friendly. So enjoyed our time there. I will be back for sure. read more
9 years ago
On my second night in London (on a Saturday), I went to this restaurant when it was basically dead. Like I was the only customer there. So it was a great experience. The street that the restaurant is on was dead on a Saturday night....I heard 9-5ers populate that area after work. The staff was very friendly and my waiter/bartender was really cool and fun! That was actually the best part of the restaurant...the customer service and the staff as a whole. It was very dark and small but this created a soothing ambience throughout. I did order chicken and waffles and it was pretty good..however I would have liked my chicken cooked a little more. I felt it was a bit too tender. I'm from New Jersey and grew up on soul food so it was a nice attempt I must say. I really liked my experience. And the drinks were very good. A little pricey but good. I had a great time overall! read more
10 years ago
Considering all the great reviews I'd read about this restaurant, I wasn't blown away. Everything was nice, but nothing about my Fat Bear made me feel that it set it apart. I ordered fried chicken and waffles which both individually tasted good, but not actually that complementary as a dish. I wasn't a huge fan of my cocktail, however, having said that, I do have to say that the barman was really accommodating and edited the cocktail to try and suit my taste buds so whilst I wasn't overly happy with the end result, the effort was there! In fact, the service overall was good, but they were almost a little too attentive by asking how the food/drinks were as soon as the fork made its first landing back to the plate. At times, it almost felt like our conversation was being eavesdropped by the other waiters to be honest... The actual space is a cute size with intimate, dim lighting and has a speakeasy vibe to it, so, if anything, it'd probably be better for a date night than a gathering with a large group of friends. read more
RARR RAAARRR RAR RAAAR R RAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR!! Oh sorry... I'll switch from Bearlish to English for the sake of this review. What I was trying to say was, "Come as a normal human, leave as a fat bear!" That's the best way that I can explain coming to this bingerie. First of all... finding this place, even with City Mapper, is like trying to find a piece of bear poo in a forrest. Just remember it's in a side alley off of the street address so keep looking and you will be rewarded like a Bear King! RAAARRR! Back to English... Let's see what I binged on: Fried pickles (yummy! but could use more chunky pieces) Collard Greens - MMMM!!! Taste like I'm in Mississippi! Sweet Potato Fries (This was more like SP chunks and damn good chunks) Mac 'n Cheese (More cheese than Mac making it stew-ish, but you will never hear me complain about more cheese!) Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo (My gums and the teeth attached to them were pleased with this dish!! More refined than the typical Louisanna-style, but still Gumby!... errr.. I mean Yummy....) Catfish - CATFISH! I haven't even seen that on a menu since I left the US! I was super happy to have this huge fried slab of c-fish on a plate in front of me and you better believe it didn't stand a CHANCE again me!! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Oreo Cheesecake (one more time.... oreo..... cheesecake... I need not say more) In the end little half-asian 61.3Kg Dennis the human left this bingerie as 85Kg+ Dennis the fat grizzly bear. Raaaaar ra ra raaa raaaaaaaar r rrar rrrrrra RAAAAAAAAAARRR!! (Looking for some Southern American cuisine sure to leave your belly 185% full? This is the place for YOU!) read more
9 years ago
Was pleasantly surprised with the execution of "Southern Comfort Food" here in the heart of London. The ambience and vibe is easily replicated with blues playing and the requisite prohibition era speakeasy "gin joint" style cocktail menu. However, deviled eggs and a solid bowl of gumbo (yes with okra) can't be faked, especially to an actual southerner. I love London, but this was a nice taste of home and a lovely respite from pub and Indian food that I typically live off of while in jolly ole.... Crack on chaps! read more
Found this place on Yelp, and was amazing and surprises how good it was :) Mixing the greatness of British food with a blend of American. We even had two Americans at the table to verify ;) At first it's slightly hard to find as it's upstairs if an old school British pub. As a result, it's very secluded and quiet (this place should be far busier). I had the chicken with waffles. Really delicious and tender. And there were list was impressive. The staff were amazing, friendly and helpful. I would completely recommend this place to almost all occasions :) read more
11 years ago
Hidden spot in a cozy side street. When we walked up the tiny stairs I already felt this will be something special. We made it up to the main floor and I wasn't disappointed. A very cozy place, amazing location for dinner. We reserved kind of an extra room for 15 people and did all fit around the huge table, perfectly. Our Pre- Thanksgiving Dinner was made with lots of love, I could tell.. Even though it was not my kind of meals (some things TOO salty, others just too spicy). Anyhow, the waiters were doing an great job and my glass of wine kept being full (whereas I kept wondering.. Didn't I down this already?!). So overall, loads of food - just not my personal taste- and amazing service. Thanks Fat Bear! read more
Oh, what a night! Jurgen and Beth had organised a smallish yelper get-together and it was a treat! It's a little hard to find as it's upstairs above a pub. But once you find it, it feels really cozy and welcoming. We had a set menu that was served family style. There was just SO MUCH food. And while some dishes were definitely stronger than others, the variety alone made for a fantastic meal. I do wonder though, why do British restaurants insist on putting crumbly topping on mac and cheese? Not enough cheese, too much crumbly distractions. The staff was great, there were great dishes (and some okay ones) and fantastic company! What more could one ask for! read more
After a full day at Tate Modern, my husband and I were craving to have a hearty dinner. We decided to cross the river and wander around St. Paul. Best decision because we stumbled upon this cozy restaurant. What initially attracted us was the noise. On a small side street, people were spilling out from a pub, all seemingly ecstatic that it was finally a Friday night! As we drew nearer, we saw a stairway that led to a second floor with the restaurant's sign. A quick search on Yelp revealed that it was a highly rated place! So off we went and immediately loved the dim lighting and small space. That delightful British accent filled the area and that's always a delightful thing. By the way, this isn't an English pub, but a Creole-inspired restaurant. Think: gumbo and barbecue shrimps and lots of spice! YUMMMMM. We got the spinach dip which was such a good starter. Fresh, chunky. And for mains, my husband got the mushroom and biscuits. I got the barbecue shrimp and biscuits. Everything was a hit!! Everything was so hearty and flavorful and perfectly warmed our tummies on a cold winter night. Wish we could've gotten dessert too but we were so tired from the long day that after such a meal, all we wanted to do was crawl under the comforter! Five stars indeed! read more
This spot had been on my to-go list for quite a while as I'm both a fan of Americana and also comfort food. I was therefore quite disappointed to see the veggie options were very limited. Normally this wouldn't faze me, as I'm pretty easy-going, but here the one option just didn't hit the spot for me. I did have the cherry wine which was glorious, and I ended up ordering just sides (amazing corn bread) and garlic fries (not very flavourful). I wish I'd liked this place more - the staff were kind and eccentric, the area a little hidden-gem-like, but I won't return, I'm afraid.. read more
Business owner information
Gareth R.
Business Owner
Hi Sunny,…
Okay so... soul food in London. Let's give this a go! The Fat Bear is a small, cozy place for eats above a pub. It was the scene of our most recent book club, where there was far more discussion over food than books. Walking into the Fat Bear, I wanted to try pretty much everything. Fried pickles? Yes please. Fried chicken livers? You don't say! Chicken fried steak and chicken and waffles? Check and Check! Do I want poutine? Heck yes I want poutine! Unfortunately, the Fat Bear was out of a few things we may have wanted to try. Particularly the chicken and waffles which was a bit of a bummer. And I can't recommend the cornbread because it was far too dense. But everything else we ate was fantastic. Or at least everything I ate. Particularly the chicken livers which tasted of a far higher quality liver and the chicken fried steak which is somewhat of an upgrade to their southern American counterparts using ribeye steak instead of a standard pounded within an inch of its afterlife skirt steak (although don't get me wrong... my little Texan heart loves a crappy meat chicken fried steak). The gravy on the CFS was amazing. And that same gravy was on the poutine, also amazing. And the service was also lovely and super tolerant of our loud book club behinds. I totally want to go back. read more
Business owner information
Gareth R.
Business Owner
Hi Nava,…
The Fat Bear cocktail is amazing, and I had some of the best Cajun food of my life here, and I live in the Southern United States. Definitely try the Gumbo! It's so delicious, and definitely ask for their house made hot sauce! This place is amazing! read more
9 years ago
Amazing Southern food, the best cocktails of my life, and the friendliest of service? Fat Bear, you are my spirit animal. I kicked the night off with a Sazarac and the chicken and waffles. The Sazarac was strong but offset with the perfect amount of sweetness, making it a perfect partner for the entree I ordered. The chicken was perfectly crispy and tender, with just a touch of heat in the syrup that accompanies it. From there, I decided on a dessert of Oreo cheesecake, and matched it to the Little Country Gentleman, a drink made with rye whiskey, root beer, sherry, amaro, and bitters. Awesome! I was ready to pay and leave when I decided to have one more drink. This time I decided to make it bartenders choice, as clearly they knew what they were doing. Ryan, who is an expert mixologist, took great care in making me one of his favorite drinks: Remember the Maine. He gave me a history of the drink and its creator (Charles H. Baker), along with a full rundown of what I was drinking: essentially a Manhattan without bitters, with a hint of absinthe and a taste of cherry. So good. I decided it was time to go before I got myself in trouble. But I will be back. You've gotta come here. Totally worth the trip! read more
10 years ago
Went to The Fat Bear on our first night in London and man am I happy we did. Five stars from all aspects: staff were incredibly friendly, and made awesome suggestions for food and drink (they even let a friend of mine take a photo with the bartender behind the bar), music was spot on (they have a Spotify playlist you can follow!, I believe it's "thefatbearuk"), and our meals were out of this world. My two friends both got the chicken and waffles which they enjoyed, and I got the ahi tuna salad (DELICIOUS). Good portion sizes for the price point. TRY A PICKLEBACK. Just do it. Not nearly as gross as it sounds. Whenever I return to London, The Fat Bear will be sure to be one of my stops. read more
9 years ago
The location was slightly hard to find. It's at the top of a flight of stairs and it was only identifiable by a small sign on the street. The place has dark, relaxing lighting with a moderate noise level. I had the chicken sandwich which was very good and well cooked. My only complaint is the fries... they were too thin and "fast foodish" for the amount I paid. read more
13 years ago
I was looking for somewhere central that I could take my dog and my parents on a Thursday night. I wanted it to be fun & very London as my parents live in Aberdeen & I don't get to see them that often. I noticed some chat about the Fat Bear so emailed to see whether they would accommodate my group. They were very helpful in making sure my dog would be welcome and made a reservation for us so that we would be sure to get a table. On arrival we were welcomed warmly and were well looked after all evening. I noticed that the warmness extended throughout the room, not just to us. Great customer service is my favourite so this was very good! We shared some deep fried pickles and pimento cheese to begin. Both were very good. In fact the deep fried pickles are the best I've tried in London - hot, great tang and didn't seem greasy at all, which is a feat to achieve when you're talking about fried food! The dip we got with it was some sort of ranch or mayo based affair - I can't remember what it was, but I would have preferred a blue cheese dip because I am mad about blue cheese. That's personal preference though, others might have preferred what was given. Both were reasonable sized portions for the price. For my main I wanted to have the spinach salad with a side of chicken wings, but unfortunately they were out of wings, BOOOOOOOOO. It's not a huge menu, so this was a little disappointing. Still, these things happen. The salad was really super delicious, and nicely southern. I approve. At the table we also had the burger with stilton cheese & sweet potato fries (a resounding YES) and the mac and cheese with bacon. All were happily devoured. The Sun & 13 Cantons seems to be a good choice for the Fat Bear's pop up restaurant. The pub is split into the pub side and the restaurant side, so really they can both get on with what they need to be doing. As it's a separately operating pop up, you do have to order your drinks at the bar yourself, but this isn't a problem - the bar staff were super friendly & efficient despite the bar being rammed on a Thursday night. We all had a very nice time here & enjoyed the food a lot. I will definitely return once they get a permanent spot and look forward to seeing what the service, atmosphere and food is like there. Maybe they will even earn that fifth yelpy star (the chicken wings being good might just seal the deal). Thanks FB! read more
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More info about The Fat Bear
61 Carter Lane
London EC4V 5DY
United Kingdom
Blackfriars
Directions
020 7236 2498
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.thefatbear.co.uk
Full menu
Hours
What time does The Fat Bear open?
The Fat Bear opens at 12:00 AM on Sunday.
What time does The Fat Bear close?
The Fat Bear is closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.The Fat Bear closes at 12:15 AM on Sunday.
Mon-Sat ClosedSun 12:00 AM - 12:15 AM
Payment methods
Does The Fat Bear take Bitcoin?
No, The Fat Bear does not take Bitcoin.
Food & Alcohol
Does The Fat Bear have catering options?
No, The Fat Bear does not have catering options.
Does The Fat Bear serve alcohol?
Yes, The Fat Bear serves alcohol. Full Bar
Indoor Amenities
Does The Fat Bear have TVs?
No, The Fat Bear does not have TVs.
Outdoor Amenities
Does The Fat Bear have bike parking?
Yes, The Fat Bear has bike parking.
Does The Fat Bear have outdoor seating?
No, The Fat Bear does not have outdoor seating options.
Does The Fat Bear have parking?
Yes, The Fat Bear has parking options.
Other Amenities
Does The Fat Bear have free WiFi?
Yes, The Fat Bear has free WiFi.
From the Business
Specialties
From the soul-enriching Cajun gumbo of New Orleans to the Ahi tuna of California, by way of the Deep South's soul food like Fried Chicken & Waffles, there's a rotating menu of dishes which lie at the heart of America's regional cuisines. Good drink is as important to us as good food, so we offer a comprehensive selection of spirits (especially bourbon and rum), cocktails made with care and excellent ingredients (even our house pours are brands that we happily drink neat), and a superb selection of lovingly selected wines with an emphasis on American wines of interesting varieties and styles you may not have tried before. Whether you're looking for a romantic table for 2 on date night, a large group booking for a birthday or other private event, a working lunch with your team in our private dining room, or just a cocktail and snack at the bar by yourself, we're happy to cater to any and all of your needs. 'Relaxed Excellence' is key to The Fat Bear - superb service and food in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere.
History
Established in 2013.
Starting as a pop-up operator hosting one-off events across London, The Fat Bear eventually settled into a 3 month residency in Soho. Returning briefly to the nomadic life afterwards it has now found a semi-permanent home above the Rising Sun Pub in Blackfriars. Wev'e been proud to host previous events for Yelp Elites to show the community what we're all about. Reviews can be found here: /biz/the-elite-eatery-dinner-at-the-fat-bear-london
Meet the Business Owner: Gareth R.
Life-long Londoner (except for a year's dalliance with Durham). Former management consultant, professional poker player, and cocktail barman. Avid smoker of cigars.
The Fat Bear Reviews in Other Languages
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
35 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
9 years ago
The Fat Bear is a funky, fabulous find. Situated a stone's throw from St Paul's Cathedral above a pub, the small dining room feels intimate without being cramped. The staff are friendly, and willing to help - my dining partner has dairy allergies, and our server was more than happy to go talk to the chef to get recommendations on what would suit her. Drinks are good - a fantastic selection of spirits and cocktails. We didn't look at the wine list, but if beer is what floats your boat, then they have a choice of Brew Dog Kingpin Lager or Punk IPA - both excellent beverages. The server brought iced water to the table without being asked as well, which was a pleasant surprise. Food though is what this place is all about. They specialise in American soul food, and the menu left me drooling and struggling to choose. In the end, I selected the gumbo, which was superb - very tasty, full of generous amounts of sausage, chicken and prawn, with a nice, gentle spice level (no need for copious amounts of milk or iced water to soothe the burn!) with a side of cornbread. The cornbread is baked to order, so takes around 15 minutes, but was delicious and worth the wait. I also plumped for the fried pickles, which was a portion big enough for at least two, but still nicely moist in the centre (i.e. not deep-fried to oblivion). My dining partner went for the brisket, which was also a generous portion, and very tasty, just falling apart. The bill overall was very reasonable - just over £30 each including a gin and tonic each, so quite reasonable for Central London. All in all, an excellent dining experience, and one I hope to repeat in the future - I have my eye firmly on the jambalaya next time! read more
Right, my food coma is just about subsided so I can continue to tell you about the actual experience itself. Well, there was a lot of food, some more food, then some food and then to finish off, a bit of food. I visited with the Yelp gang one evening and we were enjoying the xmas set menu - I genuinely wasn't hungry until about 1pm the following day - success Mr. Bear, a grand success. A few more details for you, the food is absolutely delicious, especially the pimento cheese dip to start with and the potted duck, rabbit and ham hock! It was finished off with an Oreo cheesecake which was equally as tasty! Those are just some of the amazing dishes on the set menu yet there wasn't one I didn't enjoy! £27.50 per person for a very high quality menu can't be sniffed at. Go see the bear and get very fat - seriously, I can't give you any better advice than that! read more
10 years ago
Came here while on vacation and enjoyed it. It was very different obviously. Everything tasted different from the u.s. but I really enjoyed it. I love to eat and they give you a lot of food. I got some wings to start. Their apps are great. Corn dogs , tacos, fried pickles lol. I got the juicy lucy burger lol. It was good. I really liked the creativity of their food names. I would definitely come back when I get back this way. Place wasnt crowded and the service was wonderful. Happy I tried them. read more
3 years ago
Outstanding cuisine and sincere service come together at The Fat Bear to produce an experience that is absolutely unmatched in the culinary world. This business has truly mastered the art of hospitality, from the delectable cuisine that leave a lasting impression to the staff's constant dedication to guaranteeing your ultimate comfort. The Fat Bear is a celebration of excellent food, sincere connection, and the delight of dining done correctly. A visit there is more than just for a meal. read more
11 years ago
I can not recommend this restaurant enough! As long as you can find it, you will have a great night! The staff is friendly, attentive and efficient; the food is delicious and unlike anywhere else in London. I would definitely recommend booking befor hand esp for the late evenings. We ordered the 2 entrees and the Prime brisket and chicken fried steak . The brisket is one of the best beef I've ever had ... preparations beautifully cooked with delicious sauces and side dishes. read more
7 years ago
Wanted somewhere central to celebrate my birthday with friends last week. The Fat Bear proved to be a perfect venue. Great food, friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere just a stone's throw from the famous Cathedral Church of St Paul's. Definitely a little gem and well worth a visit. I am looking forward to returning as soon as I can read more
10 years ago
A bit expensive (like most decent places in the area) but very good food - based on the chicken wings and beef rib. Also nice wine, for all I know about that. Not the sort of place you'll just stumble into, it's upstairs over a pub. Was a bit nervous about that but needn't have been. Would happily return. read more
5 years ago
Great place to have a family dinner. We were visiting from America and decided to make a reservation at this place. The staff was very friendly and engaging, and they were able to sit us quickly. The food was piping hot; especially the fried cod - it was amazing. I would definitely recommend this location. read more
4 years ago
Totaly very friendfull service system .Really liked this place. Like others have said, it is cozy and had good crowd. I sat at the bar - the woman bartending was friendly and drinks were quick to be served.That Amazing and So Beautifull Place. read more
10 years ago
I never expected food like this in the heart of London. I was very surprised last week and left the place really happy. I had very delicious American dishes. The atmosphere is great and the staff is very friendly. All I need from a restaurant. read more
10 years ago
Best American cuisine in London. Probably the best in Europe. Their cocktails are dope, and the staff are a great bunch. The pleasant atmosphere and reasonably priced grub/booze are merely a bonus, as visiting this place is worth every penny. read more
5 years ago
The food was absolutely great and amazing. Its really well-cooked and the menu has lots food options. We really had a great time and we enjoyed the food so much. The drinks were a fantastic and service was so amazing. Pretty great attentive! read more
10 years ago
This is a place to be if you are into American Foods! They have a cozy place and their workers are really polite. Anyways, the food is a lil bit expensive but worth the price tho. Also try their barbeques! I want to get back here soon! read more
2 years ago
Our server Lisa was amazing! We had 19 people at our table. She was friendly, and absolutely unfazed by a large group. She Served everyone their meal quickly, efficiently and with a smile. Great food and excellent service. read more
5 years ago
Doesn't look that much when you walk in, but the service is amazing. The food is very delicious. I recommend having the burgers as they are Outstandin. I really recommend coming here and will be coming here regularl. read more
8 years ago
Great food and amazing, and I mean amazing,service. They did everything they could to accomodate my girlfriend and I , above and beyond the norm and what I would expect. 5* out of 5 read more
7 years ago
I love the food and their service. They have good American menus with Chicken Burgers, tenders and many more. Ill be back for the other food I haven't tried!. Save me a seat! read more
2 years ago
I really enjoyed the service and a great cheeseburger! They have a wide variety of food. They serve breakfast food all day! Thats a plus if you just want breakfast at 8 p.m. read more
11 years ago
Deep South Soul food! Sweet potato skins, raw oysters, proper Gumbo, shrimp with grits, biscuits and gravy. Need I say more? I want to live here! read more
9 years ago
Fantastic spot, amazing chicken and oreo pie for desert. Ambience and service are also fantastic. Can't say enough about this great spot!

















































































































