This is a great pub which we usually go to at least once whenever in London, and has consistently been one of our favorites here. We finally got back to the UK in December 2022 and so I'm adding in some reviews from then along with other reviews from before and after our time in the UK. It's a Young's pub, which are generally good, characterful places, and always stocked with excellent cask Young's ales (although the brewing line and pub chain are now separately owned). This is one of the best Young's pubs we've been to, also. The place is an historic pub with much of its original decor, including swivelling frosted-glass "snob screens" over the bar. It's worth a visit for this reason alone for any fan of traditional British pubs. Service is consistently very good to excellent, friendly and efficient. Food is consistently excellent. Most recently in December, we had Sunday roasts, always something we look forward to when in Britain. On one occasion, we had the lamb roast, on another the roast beef. Both were excellent, with great yorkshires, gravy, root veg, etc. They consistently have excellent Young's cask ales in excellent condition - the right temperature and well kept. Any beer lover should visit for that reason. Young's Original Bitter and Special Bitter (both outstanding classic English pale ale/bitter) are always available. In winter, they have cask Young's Winter Warmer, an excellent, stronger, darker ale, and one not easily found elsewhere that reliably. read more

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Terrible food, overpriced, extremely slow service, disgusting bathrooms!! Tourist trap!!!

Not sure if we just had a randomly bad experience here, but literally the only thing saving this from a 1 star review is the Beef Tartare. That was delish! We had a dinner reservation for a group of 6. When we arrived, they didn't have a table available, so we had a bit of a wait. We wouldn't have minded that, but the staff was downright surly when they told us. Once we got our table, we ordered our food right away, as we were all quite hungry. Then we waited, and waited, and waited (again, with surly waitstaff). FINALLY, the main courses arrived after an hour, and the food was terrible. I had ordered a steak pie, and the crust was solid as a rock. It was as if the plate had been under a warming lamp in the kitchen the entire hour we waited for our food. On the positive side, the carrots were phenomenal! read more

The Lamb - The Beef Tartare was the highlight, saving an otherwise dismal meal. - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Popped in for an early lunch when their kitchen opened around noon. Got the fish and chips. Delicious food. Best chips I've had in London. Had a half of the Young's Special, which I highly recommend. Great pub with historical significance for writers & poets with a beautiful interior. Would go back. read more

12/13/2018: After walking almost FOUR MILES from Hyde Park to The Lamb Pub, I was thoroughly exhausted! I had no idea my son-in-law would put me through the runs, i.e., "military exercise" hoofing through London! I must state drinking the English high-tea was most welcoming and warming my hands from LONDON'S bitterly cold weather gave me a sense of respite and a reprieve hiking through the precarious hustle and bustling traffic. Aside frequenting the Manor Pub located next door to Safestay Elephant & Castle, The Lamb was my FIRST authentic pub I've visited while visiting London. The only off-putting was climbing stairs in order, using the ladies' bathroom; the WC was separated from the washroom after using the loo . . . Obnoxiously obtuse indeed. Aside, when the hot H2O within the tea pot became empty, I was expecting the Lamb Waitstaff visiting the table refilling the teapot with hot H2O; however, that never transpired so, I had to arise asking for hot H2O for the teapot . . . Thus, three stars submitted for no table service. read more

The Lamb - 12/13/2018: Lamb's menu; however, I just wanted tea. - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Very classic pub vibe. the service was A+ all around, very nice and attentive. We ordered appetizers and fish & chips. Everything was delicious. Overall, this was a lovely experience from the cool architecture of the building, the great service & excellent pub food. read more

The Lamb - Scotch egg - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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I confess I've been coming to this, perhaps my favorite London pub, for decades. Lately it's been on Sunday afternoons, when you'll find the place fairly quiet, except perhaps for the locals all coming in with kids in permabulators. It's a snug, cozy place, and it provides that so reassuring illusion that there are some reliable things in this world that just never change. If I recall correctly, there are six casks usually available, with a the Young's special bitter being my favorite. The fish and chips (I think the potatoes were actually roasted, an improvement over fried - and huge piece of fish - halibut?), with mushy peas that had a nice taste of mint. If you're in the Bloomsbury neighborhood, this pub should not be missed (and for us old timers, it seems especially nice that it keeps going, given the sad demise of the legendary Sun pub that was down the street years ago.) read more

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Decided to stop in here for a pint and British pub food before visiting the Charles Dickens museum close by. We stopped in on a Tuesday afternoon and the pub was pumping with energy and local folks talking and enjoying a pint. We found a booth and ordered the fish and chips, seafood pie and creamed leeks. The fish and chips were outstanding - perfectly crispy and fresh out of the fryer. The seafood pie was presented beautifully but needed a little more seasoning and flavor. I never tried creamed leeks before so was excited that this was on offer so worth a try if you are curious but not nearly as good as creamed spinach. Their cider was one of the best I've ever had. This historic pub earned a 5 because the decor, ambiance, cider and fish and chips were perfect. read more

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Excellent scotch egg and fish and chips with mushy peas were decent as well. Hottest pub on a 98 degree day but there is outdoor seating and a patio as well. Great bartender and service. read more

Dating back to 1720, the grade-II listed historic, U-shaped pub is owned by Young's, and has a spectacularly well-preserved Victorian interior, complete with 'snob screens' on the bar, beautiful etched glass decoration and lots of polished wood. Snob screens were essentially a way of ordering your drinks at the bar without being seen by the clientele opposite - usually so the upper classes could not be seen by their servants. The small rectangular opague glass panels can be closed to provide complete privacy, or swivelled to talk to the bar staff. The screens run the length of the U-shaped bar. As well as the Young's range, they have other real-ales on tap too (six hand-pumps) and last night included the wonderful Deuchars IPA, beautifully kept. Nectar. The clientele are a mixed crowd of locals, students, office workers and tourists, but it is very friendly, and service is good (once you get the hang of the screens). It's often very busy. The pub name (and the street) recall the philanthropist William Lamb, who paid for the fresh water conduit to be repaired in 1577. Recommended. read more

Decent selection and good range of unusual draughts (Adnams, Young's). Upper restaurant was closed when we were there around 10 on a Thursday night. Not very many guests at all, but I kind of like empty English pubs. You feel at ease. I like the interior - even an old phonograph (or something like that whatever it is called). I would definitely go back next time in London, and it is definitely a stop on a crawl! read more

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The Lamb is a nice quiet pub with quite an unusual bar:seating area ratio. There is nothing particularly special about The Lamb, but it is always busy in the evenings, as it serves as a local to Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Barrister's Chambers around it. The seating areas line the bar area, and make for a cosy atmosphere, but not ideal for large groups. Even in the winter you can find people drinking outside, many of them waiting for a table at Ciao Bella next door. The staff are friendly and service is usually quick. There is a fairly good selection of drinks, with nothing particularly unusual. Overall I would recommend The Lamb for a quiet night out with friends, if you live or work near here, it makes a pretty good local. read more

The Lamb - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

The Lamb is small pub on the end of Lambs Conduit Street; an interesting street with lots of independent stores. The pub, as people have mentioned, has quite an unusual bar, which can make you feel as though you are ordering your drinks through the railings of a staircase. Nonetheless, they do have a good selection of beers and the staff are polite and helpful. Yet, what the pub definitely has in character it also loses due to the odd seating which can make it hard to relax. read more

The Lamb - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Cosy pub with great little beer garden. We visited on an early summer day. Very polite, quick service with tasty food! Children were welcomed by publican. Nostalgic place in a lovely neighborhood. read more

The Lamb - Lamb beer garden - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Birthday drinks and dinner with friends; first visit since my husband and I were here the night we met nearly 25 years ago. Food was better than expected and the service was fantastic--including two free pints for the birthday boy. This is a gorgeous pub and I'm only disappointed it took us almost 25 years to get back here. read more

The lamb is a lovely victorian pub (complete with snob screens!) One of my work friends brought a group of us here for Christmas drinks and it was brilliant. While we were sitting with our drinks a random man came over, declared he was secret santa, and gave my friend a bottle of champagne(!) He then wandered off and we never saw him again. I have a feeling that is not a normal occurrence, but I'm still giving the lamb 4 stars because I've been told their pub quizzes are also really fun. They messed up the reservation for our group, but there were a few free tables anyway, so no harm done. read more

After dinner, me and my friends headed here for drinks. We were in the odd mood of wanting a loud bustling pub for a Saturday night. The Lamb ain't one of those places. It's a perfectly nice little pub, but I think we were all a bit too hyped up for it. Still, the prices were okay so we stayed, and managed to get a table (squeezed in the corner). My apologies to the other patrons last night who put up with our ridiculous Les Miz singalong. Seriously. I'm sorry. read more

In one sentence: the Lamb let me down. As usual when I find a bar/restaurant through Time Out guides, I set myself up for disappointment. Expecting good food and a great environment, I got mediocre and overpriced food and a simply average environment. Sure, the bar is unusual (which, apparently, ups an establishment's cool rating by a couple points automatically) and the entire establishment looks like a Victorian throw-back and thus offers a quaint backdrop for some lazy weekend alcohol guzzling, but all of this left me with the impression that the Lamb was simply too-cool-for-school. There were some old geezers sitting in booth seats along the wall nursing their umpteenth pint whilst looking surly, yet there were young students having boisterous conversation in the corner. My husband and I settled in for a drink and some incredibly overpriced pub grub. The fish and chips arrived bland and, if I'm honest, a bit soggy. Definitely not worth the 10 pound price tag. Disregarding the food, the Lamb would be a good pub to have a pint with a couple friends. That is, if you can find a comfortable seat. read more

Pints were lovely and the service was great. Food was just ok. Lamb was half fat and gristle, though flavored nicely. Roasted veggies were the best part of the Sunday roast. I'll go back for the pints and the barman's wit. read more

You have a lovely dinner and think that it would be nice to go to a bar nearby. If you are coming from Ciao Bella like I was, you decided on coming here to The Lamb. Basically this is because it is literally next door. There are several booths and what seems like a way too over sized bar. The service is better than what I had expected. Most of the people in there have come for an after dinner drink or live in the area. It isn't too loud, allows for an easy conversation, but will tend to fill up. Again, I blame this on the massive, curvy shaped, odd windowed bar top. read more

Lovely place to go after a long day. They have good pub food/snacks, chill atmosphere, comfortable booths, and a historical gem. While it may just be a pub, the ambience makes it a fun place to frequent. read more

The Lamb is exactly what I think of what when I think British Pub. While initially a little weary as one of the barman seemed a bit unwelcoming (we had been warned of this on another review site), we sat down at a table in the back. Within 5 minutes, the manager came over, was super friendly, recommended some beers, and was eager to make conversation. The steak and ale pie was OUT OF THIS WORLD--the true definition of comfort food, and exactly what the doctor ordered after wandering around London all day in the rain. Would definitely come back! read more

Quite expensive for just ok food . Too dark even for a pub . Don't think come back again unless I don't have any other choice . read more

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I'm a big foodie so came for the food. I'm not a regular so can't really give an opinion about the drinks but the bar doesn't look big and it appears as though they don't have a wide selection of drinks, but maybe that's what they're going for, it's a cute, cosy, relaxing spot to go to, to unwind and destress. Has great tasting pub grub, exactly the type of food you'd expect from a pub, hearty, filling, comfort food. Service is quick, food is delicious. Price is just slightly high, for a pub, but fair in general. The bill came to just under £50 for a roast, platter, onion rings and two drinks. Would come here again though. Definitely recommend. read more

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I forget where I first read about the lamb. I think it was some online guide to London pubs. It was the first pub we hit on our first trip to London which was also our first trip to England period. I immediately understood the difference between English and American (& Irish-American) pubs upon entering and sitting down with a pint. I won't go into it here because a lot of it is difficult to put into words, but suffice to say it's nice to go pay at the bar, bring a pint back to a worn, comfy chair or bench, chat with your wife, and watch the world go by--at least members of the world who decide to drop by--all without terrible music blaring in the background (or any music actually... or tv). The menu has become more original and less English in the 10 years we've been coming here. For better or for worse. read more

We got here on a Friday night around 7:00 and it was HEAVING full. In fact, it was almost impossible to get to the bar. We quickly made friends with an older chap who was on a pub crawl (this was their 8th of the day) and he was well on his way for the evening. He went inside and actually pushed his way to the bar to get us two ales and brought them back out. Nice guy. If it wasn't for the fact that we were meeting others there and that they had the back area reserved, we wouldn't have stayed but we're glad we did. Honestly it stayed pretty crowded until well after 9:00 when it thinned. It's a really beautiful pub and it still has those old "snob guard" windows which basically kept the patrons from being engaged by the landlord/barkeeps in the olde tyme days. really wild concept but it was pretty cool looking. Good ales, good pies, but man, it's crazy busy here. read more

This place was ridiculously busy very early in the week. Managed to find a cramped area to stand in, but no way no how was a seat opening up. Despite the popularity of the place and the charming olde décor,I can't help but feel that as a pub, this place is living a little on its past glories. It was once one of the most famous pubs in London, built in the 1700s and named after William Lamb who helped improve the delivery of fresh water to the area back in the 16th century. These days I feel it is just an average Young's pub. Mind you. It is definitely worth visiting at least once, just to see the place and the beer is ok. read more

Great little pub right around the corner from Russell Square tube station! This place feels cosy and historical and while it is very dark (more of a winter pub) they give discount to NHS staff from Great Ormond Street Hospital (which is just across the road) and have a great relationship with Ciao Bella next door who often suggest you wait in the Lamb for a table and they come and find you! My only criticism is that its small and dark and quite often packed with people so if you are planning to go get in early! read more

Great atmosphere, friendly bartenders, and a good selection of board games to play (monopoly, chess, battleship, master mind, and more)! The London Stout was very good, and the bartender was great about sampling and recommending beers. This is one of the best pubs in the area! read more

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This is a great pub on one of my favourite streets in all of London. Unfortunately, it's not quite close enough for me to consider it my local but luckily is within walking distance of my flat. And it's a Young's pub too! it seems the longer I live in the UK the more I appreciate Young's beer and their pubs! And Lamb's Conduit is such an awesome street. Great little independent shops, a couple of nice restaurants and cafes and just a general feel of London-ness that sadly seems to be vanishing! Go support the shops on Lamb's Conduit and drink at The Lamb. read more

UPDATE - Went back, had a couple of drinks. I like it here, but I'm not sure that it's really changed my opinion. Good wine, very very very busy after work. But still a great pub. I hear there's a room upstairs, if they open that then it might clear out a bit. UPDATE This is a great little pub. Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend nearly enough time here. We arrived here fairly late in the evening to meet some friends, but by the time we got here we were all pretty tired so didn't feel like a drink! So instead, you get to find out my first impressions of the pub, I'll update after I've gone back. This seems to be the perfect pub actually. Not absolutely packed, but not completely empty so there was still a little bit of a buzz. I liked the layout, and the huge bar with its funny spinny windows. It felt like a local pub, but still a bit classy as well. Quite typical of Lamb's conduit street I guess. I'm a fan, despite not having a drink here! I'll be back next week read more

Don't know how I've not reviewed The Lamb really, perhaps my thoughts were erased by the powers that be for over enthusiasm? Anyway, it's a very nice place frequented by the fellows of the mathematics department at UCL, so you'll never be short of a spot of vortex-chat over a pint of special. The food isn't bad either, I'm led to believe. read more

I gave four stars because this place was a short stumble away from my apartment, I went there often, they had good music, and the tenders were friendly and knew us all by name. Here's an example of how awesome the live music is: one night, they've got this Irish band playing old folk tunes (I'm assuming), fiddles and all... when all of a sudden, the singer busts out Wonderwall. It was AMAZING. They serve a really kickass cider here although I can't remember the name of it.. go figure. read more

Nice pub that's great to take out of town friends to if they want to see what a traditional London boozer looks like, as sadly there are few of them around now. It's small & cosy and the upstairs room is even smaller and cosier. They stock a good range of Young's beer, including the very nice Kew Beer, which considering I live in Kew is actually only sold in about two pubs in Kew. Feels Dickensian and I imagine would be a fantastic place to have a good old fashioned lock in. read more

This is one of my favorite London pubs, altho I have much more research to do on this topic. I don't disagree with the other reviewers' complaints, but after a pint of bitter, I become more tolerant. In particular I recall The Lamb having very satisfactory pub grub for lunch. "Filling" is the key word here. Nothing fancy or gourmet. This is a bit out of the way for tourists, but it fills up with local workers at lunchtime. read more

I met friends at The Lamb for drinks on a Wednesday. My friends go to The Lamb regularly (about once a month), but it was my first time there. I liked it just fine---I didn't love it, but I liked it. It was crowded when I arrived at about 7:30, although we did manage to find a table relatively quickly. (We lucked out that someone was leaving.) It stayed crowded while we were there (until about 10:30), although it thinned out just a bit around the bar. I liked the crowd: a nice mix of ages, and definitely locals, not tourists. The pub is nice inside, although I find the "snob glass" (or whatever you call it) at the bar quite annoying when trying to order a drink. I had cider--wish I could remember the name of it! All in all, a nice enough pub, and I'll go back if my friends choose. Not my first choice, but good for a pint or two. read more

A very decent pub in Lamb's Conduit Street, with a good range of beers, a little beer 'garden' out the back, and a lovely picture of the Queen mother pulling a pint. Whether she was actually pulling it in the Lamb is unconfirmed. The Lamb is a Young's pub, so you'll find a range of Youngs beers - young's bitter, young's special, waggle dance, etc. The drinks are reasonably pricey - about £3 a pint, but this is London, and you just have to take it or move to one of those cheap, beautiful European cities with good weather, good food, beautiful women, etc. Erm, that could be a good idea! Anyway, they also do food, which I haven't tried, and it's nice to stand outside on a warm night. Definitely worth a visit. read more

This pretty little pub took some finding - it's tucked away in a warren of back streets in Covent Garden. But once you find it you are in for a real treat! As other posters have said, there are so many original features to gaze upon whilst you drink something from the good choice of real ales and beers - the choices are different, for example there are Japanese lagers on tap - and this may be why it's a little more pricey. The food here is quite OK, but I'm more likely to come here for a drink and a bowl of nuts than a meal, there are plenty of proper restaurants in the area to choose from if you want a feed. The place can be very, very busy but you are pretty likely to be able to find a nice table or at the very least there's a nice original bar to rest your pints on. Well worth a visit! read more

My my. What a great, busy little pub we have here. The Lamb serves a good array of drinks and, when I visited at least, was absolutely rammed - however, not so busy that I wanted to end my own life. No, it was a pleasing hive of drinking indeed. The decor is very old-fashioned, lo-and-behold, included the much talked about 'snob screens', which you can close if you don't want to look at someone's putrid face or whatever it is you're supposed to do with them. I spied the brass-plate music making device (just by the front door) but alas, didn't get the chance to have a go on it. That said, I do intend visiting again and having a play with it... that's if the world-weary bar-staff can muster up enough enthusiasm to talk to me beyond dealing with a drinks order. There's a decent little beer garden out back which doesn't sit many, but a welcome spot for the smokers amongst you. The Lamb is in a lovely bit of London which is very pleasing on the eye indeed. I nearly laughed when, on exiting Russell Square tube, I was greeted with a shower of blossom from a nearby tree. Sickeningly lovely. Anyway, this is a fine, fine pub that you should hunt out for at least one drink... and we all know that going out 'for one' ends up in people drinking themselves under the table. It'd be worth booking a table though. read more

I quite like the interesting interior design and all sorts this pub has to offer; good selection of beer, quick service, fair enough priceyou name it. The small cat flap windows around the bar did entertain me and fasten the service a bit. Close it when you don't want anything and open it when you want something, that's how it worked for me. One thing that made me feel unlucky was the gent's room, it was way too stinky, I can smell it from where I sat which was metres away. I don't know if the cleaner was on sick leave that day or it's just the way it is. read more