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    The Grapes

    4.1 (66 reviews)
    ModeratePubs
    Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM

    The Grapes Photos

    THE GRAPES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - The Grapes

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    Great outside view
    Jevonah K.

    Great bar for food and drinks. Fun place overlooking the River Thames. Service is speedy and efficient. Great spot for burgers or fish and chips and a beer or glass of wine.

    Mahesh P.

    aka "Gandalf's Pub" ! In one sense, it's Yet Another Pub. Which isn't a bad thing, the beer is good, the food is good, and the staff is friendly. Ok, it's a bit small, but then again, it's right in the Thames, and the view from the wee balcony is amazing. And then again, it's owned by Ian McKellan, so there is some Gandalf stuff scattered around (the staff!), which is kinda cool. All in all, a nice place...

    The staff of a true legend!

    As a massive fan of Sir Ian this had always been somewhere I wanted to visit. I cannot explain just how welcome I was made to feel on my arrival and during my visit. The lady behind the bar was the epitome of what you want from any host. She told me she'd been there 20 years and the genuine love she had for her work was easy to see from the moment she opened the door. The environment was what you want from a true pub, it had class, culture and Gandalf! I ordered a tea and then had lunch and the food was better quality than I'd had in many restaurants, the service was quick and the quality top tier. I honestly wish I lived closer to make visiting a regular routine.

    Fish and chips
    Alex Z.

    Owned by Sir Ian McKellen( famous for Gandalf from the lord of the ring) right by the river front. The building dated back to 500 years. First floor with bar and a little terrace you can sit outside. Also a second floor dining room opens up later of the day. The building survived the Blitz bombing of the Second World War and retains the friendly atmosphere of a "local" for Limehouse residents, where visitors are always welcome in the bars and upstairs dining room. Ordered fish and chips. Good size but there's no flavor at all, not even salty. Comes with fries and mash peas. Can't change to other sides. Was very disappointed that the food is lack of flavor The drinks are standard

    Johnny Z.

    Cozy and relaxed atmosphere. Great place to grab a bite or go out for a drink. There's a good selection of traditional British beers and you can't beat the Gandalf staff hanging up against the back wall (a tribute to the pub's owner Sir Ian McKellen). You can grab a delicious pie at the bar or go upstairs to the more formal dining area. Keep in mind that the food prices are much higher upstairs than at the bar, but the selection, obviously, is far more extensive. Definitely recommend!

    Front
    Gabriela S.

    Stopped by after 2 hrs on foot one Sunday while in London. The only thing they served fro their roast, which was very fatty. You have to order at the bar pay and bring everything upstairs yourself. Had much more expectation for true English Sunday roast.....

    Sylvain B.

    4.5 stars. This is a tiny pub with a restaurant room on the 1st floor and a nice terrace on Thames river on the ground floor. A lovely place where you can enjoy reading a book, sipping a glass of wine right over the water. Young but efficient and very friendly staff, this place offers the best fish and chips I ever had! Wonderful chunk of fresh fish breaded and fried to perfect crispiness. Amazing pea mash and tasty/rich coleslaw. Kitchen closes between 2:30 and 5:30pm during week days. I'll go back as soon as I have a chance to try their dinner menu!

    Uli B.

    We'd been walking for hours and just when our energy levels began to plummet, this gem of a pub appeared to us and we eagerly went inside to refuel with a pint of ale! The beauty of this pub - in my opinion - is twofold: one, the amazing views over the river Thames as well as the narrow wooden interior, make you actually think that you're inside a pirate ship. Two, the patrons of this pub were a good mix of locals - who hung out at the bar and chit-chatted with the bar staff - and people like us - who seemed to have discovered this place by accident and enjoyed its cozy and low-key atmosphere. I also had a peek upstairs, where they feature a very nice restaurant, with stunning views of the boats roaming by at a dangerously close distance. Judging by the stickers outside the pub, the restaurant seems to be well-know and I made a quick mental bookmark to return for a classic Sunday roast one day...

    A delightful and very special host of pub trivia: the owner, Sir Ian McKellen
    Ryan T.

    After work, a coworker and I walked to The Grapes, one of the oldest pubs in London. So many London pubs are owned by a couple of conglomerates, so I like to go to the few like The Grapes which are independently owned. We spent a few hours sitting at the bar eating generous servings of delicious fish and chips and drinking cask-pulled ales (they'll seem warm to Americans) while waiting for Monday night's pub trivia to start. At 8 o'clock the owner of the pub came in to host pub trivia: none other than Gandalf himself, Sir Ian McKellen. He passed out the answer pages himself and chatted with those of us sitting at the bar. Unforgettable experience!

    Anthony H.

    If I could award 6* then the Grapes would get them. This is a Pub for all seasons, creeds and styles. It's rare indeed to come to place where you instantly feel at home, this is one of those places, for regulars and drop-ins alike. The Grapes fits me like a glove (Yes, it's that small!!) and I have had many happy nights here, eating and drinking with family and friends and bantering away with other kindly souls who have chanced by. It is almost as though stepping through the door wipes away any woes you may have had and leaves you chillaxed to the max. There is nothing they could add here as it is already perfectly balanced with classic interior, cosy bar, great ambiance and a riverside patio at the back. Head up the rickety stairs to a superb restaurant with views across the Thames. Try their Fish & Chips, not even Toffs of Muswell Hill can match them, I kid you not! Out of all the pubs in this neck of the woods The Grapes is the pick of the bunch for me. *Nota bene* for all you Hobbits out there ....this where Gandalf (Ian McKellen) gets his magic refills so don't be surprised if you should bump into him or Merry, Pippin or Samwise at the bar

    Interior of The Grapes
    Cheylene T.

    Excellent little historic pub on Narrow Street. This is where I take my out-of-town friends for a proper pub experience. The fish and chips and real ales never disappoint, but what really makes The Grapes stand out is its atmosphere. The interior is cosy, crooked, and I imagine hasn't changed much since the days when Dickens frequented the area. It's just the perfect little place for a pub lunch or to catch up with old friends. If you visit, dont forget to check out the outdoor seating area in the back. The views of Canary Wharf and the Thames are marvellous.

    Lizzie S.

    This is a perfect pub. In every way it makes me happy and fills me with the joy that no other country does a drinking establishment quite as well as we do. It has all you could ask for, decent ales, nice wines, a fabulous fish restaurant, a sun deck looking out onto the Thames, a fireplace roaring in winter... Wow, I like it so much I think I might just move in! One of the oldest pubs in London, it's squeezed in between the canal and the river making it a perfect spot to stop during a cycle ride. I came on a Sunday afternoon and it was surprisingly unbusy, perfect for grabing a seat on the deck and watching the world go by. It's also good to note that they are dog friendly.

    Front door
    Dee F.

    I have been there about 5 or 6 times already. To me it is the exact representation of what an English pub should be -without being touristy or caricatural. The staff is also very nice. The Grapes has kept its old school look and its authenticity. My friends and I love to have a drink there as they have a great selection of beers and a full bar. Oh! And did I meantion that Charles Dickens actually wrote his books there? And that Ian McKellen - our dear Gandalf in Lord of the Rings - is the actual owner? I still have to meet him there though... You can also eat there. I will say that the cuisine is "homie", but I think the food is a bit heavy on the stomach. The only complain my friends was that their are no TV, nor music playing in the background. Personally, I like it that way because for once I do not need to shout to have a decent conversation with my friends. All of that said, The Grapes is a GREAT English Pub. I strongly recommend it. PS: You must go at the back on the balcony and admire the Thames!

    Upstairs

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    The Grapes Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Grapes

    At 8 o'clock the owner of the pub came in to host pub trivia: none other than Gandalf himself, Sir Ian McKellen.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    The Merchant - The bar area, charming!

    The Merchant

    4.4(5 reviews)
    0.5 miCanary Wharf, Isle of Dogs
    ££

    Yum! My husband and I came here for dinner tonight as our first stop in London. After spending all…read moreday traveling, we were thrilled with the drink selection. The Merlot was delicious! We ordered onion rings to start, the breading on them was amazing! It was light and crispy as opposed to being heavy and greasy like a lot of onion rings. I also loved the curry ketchup that came with them. I'm not generally a curry fan, but it definitely worked with this dish. My husband got fish and chips. The fish was perfectly fried and the tarter sauce was obviously house made because it tasted very fresh and lemony. The chips were fine, but unremarkable in my opinion. For my meal, I ordered pumpkin walnut gnocchi. It was delicious! Just enough pumpkin without being overpowering. There was quite a bit of kale (I think it was kale, the menu didn't say) that came with the dish. It was very good, but probably could have been dialed back a little. The service was friendly and prompt. Definitely a great way to start our London vacation!

    This place was amazing! Fantastic Sunday roast, visiting from the US and made to feel like a local…read morethanks Fabio and the rest of the crew for making our holidays. Even donated a mini tree to make our Holiday season. Thanks to The Merchant for making our Christmas! Happy Holidays to all and if you're in the Canary Wharf area do not miss The Merchant!

    Photos
    The Merchant
    The Merchant
    The Merchant

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    Tap East - One of their rotating ales.

    Tap East

    3.9(12 reviews)
    2.7 miOlympic Village, Stratford
    ££

    Brew pub located on the ground floor of the Westfield Mall and right next door to our hotel, the…read morePremier Inn. Stopped in for a couple of pints, some wings and a burger. No complaints.

    For far too long, Tap East was the best bet in Stratford for a good selection of craft beer on tap…read more Its location in the behemoth Westfield Shopping Centre in E20 has made it a slightly awkward site for a quick beer- it's perfect if you have been dragged out on a shopping trip, but making a special stopover to Westfield for a beer is slightly unappealing. And the opening hours extend to only 11:00pm on a Friday and Saturday, so it's not ideal for a longer drinking session. Despite this, Tap East does get in some very good beer from local and International breweries. It boasts 16 taps and a selection of over 100 bottles in the fridges. In addition to this, they have their own microbrewery in situ, often offering their in-house range on cask. The beers on offer are always rotating and you'll find a good range of styles represented. It's a cosy little corner of a bar, offering some outdoor seating as well. The staff are usually quite knowledgeable of their range and there's a small menu of nibbles available. It's usually quite busy, but you won't have to wait too long to get a seat. Despite the downside of its position in Westfield, Tap East is still worth a visit to see what's on offer. I have found some rare iterations here and their own beer is also solid.

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    Tap East
    Tap East
    Tap East

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    Beer Merchants Tap - The less frequently photographed back room. Lots of extra seating, just past the toilets.

    Beer Merchants Tap

    4.8(5 reviews)
    2.5 miStratford

    The best beer bar I've been to London. Probably at least in part because they have a fair amount of…read morebeer from outside the UK, but they also have a decent selection of UK beer too. Their crown-jewel is probably all the Belgian lambics they have, mostly in bottles, but some on tap. The actual place is a bit divey, but not too bad. The biggest thing was that it was totally packed on a Sunday afternoon when we came and tried to find a seat. We wound up sitting outside even though it was a bit chilly and we were directly downwind from some smokers. Things eventually cleared out and my wife and I found a table inside. They apologized for it, but they only served beer in plastic when we started drinking even when we bought over £50 bottles of rare Beligan lambic. That said, they have the goods. They had a great little food truck with good burgers and they have the beer. I started with a Tilquin cherry lambic that was on tap and I'd never had before that was spectacular while my wife had an Other Half IPA which we love in the states, but is harder to find in the UK. We then moved on to 3F wine-lambic hybrids and a spectacular Saison from Mills Brewing. We'll definitely be back.

    Love BMT. That's both a command and a sentence written without the "I". This place is kinda my…read morelocal. There's a bar with a rotating selection of taps, and cases with can upon can and bottle upon bottle of beer. There are also beer snacks, and a food cart outside. I've been countless times and always come away with a special bottle or glass of something tasty. It's a pretty epic beer selection. Sours, stouts, lambics, IPAs, DIPAs, wheat beers, fruit beers, porters, milds, you name it. From all around Europe and the US. Prices range from totally affordable to paycheck burning. But if you buy one of the £45 bottles of bourbon barrel aged imperial stout brewed with peanuts and Canadian maple syrup and oats and coffee and cacao nibs all sealed in wax, you can be sure it'll be worth it. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Ask for tasters before deciding at the bar. If you work locally, you're eligible for a small discount upon paying. Ambience is usually chill across the inner and outside tables. Sometimes it gets totally slammed and loud and there's nowhere to sit so be ware. Not a beer drinker? No problem. The place also offers wine, boozy smoothies, and liquor. And of course, jugs of help-yourself water situated atop empty barrels in the main space. Stay hydrated, folks! But most importantly, stay sudsy!

    Photos
    Beer Merchants Tap - Menu for the Afuego burger food truck that's set up outside.

    Menu for the Afuego burger food truck that's set up outside.

    Beer Merchants Tap - One of many greats in the massive bottle selection, enjoyed at an outdoor table.

    One of many greats in the massive bottle selection, enjoyed at an outdoor table.

    Beer Merchants Tap - Holiday vibes 2025.

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    Holiday vibes 2025.

    The Grapes - pubs - Updated May 2026

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