Came her for lunch and ended up coming back for a drink the next evening. Turned up just before closing but staff were welcoming and said come in. They closed the bar while we were there but said there was no rush to leave while they were cleaning and closing up for the night. The lunch we had the day before was very good pub food. Hot chips were awesome and then chicken tenders cooked perfectly. Wasn't noisy as we were almost the first there for lunch and the last to get there before closing the next night so overall the place was very quiet. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - This was the hoppy IPA. Very nice too - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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Delicious value pub sirloin with chips, rings and a salad all for 22£ Very nice welcoming and efficient staff. Super cozy. Garden must be nice in better weather. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - 8oz sirloin pub dinner - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

We had just arrived in London. We were tired, hungry and thirsty. In a Yelp search for pubs near our hotel The Monkey Puzzle came up. We were warmly welcomed. It has been a few weeks so I don't remember names or what we ate or drank, but several staff members were very helpful in orienting us to this marvelous city. Even installing phone apps for us to better use the tube. Thank you so much. The food was tasty, drinks were fine, but the great people here really shine. read more

Decently spacious pub with outdoor and indoor seating. It's a great place to hang out. Very friendly and helpful staff. Loved the options for drinks. Really love their cider. Tried some food as well and everything was tasty. Had the chicken wings and fish and chips. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Fish and chips with mushed peas - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Great vibe. Fun atmosphere with a nice outdoor space for self service beer or wine. They will bring your food to the table for you. Super friendly staff. Inside is a classic but updated English pub. We didn't try the food but hopefully next time. One nice service they do for you is happily provide a taste of the beer if you aren't sure what to order. read more

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We were staying in one of the many nearby hotels and were lucky to have this pub so close. We stopped in a couple times for food after long days of sightseeing and touring London and the welcoming atmosphere and cozy booths were just what we needed. Service was always excellent and while some dishes were better than others, we still had excellent visits at this neighborhood pub. The fish and chips got mixed reviews from our group, but the T-bone and sirloin steaks both got high marks. The beef and mushroom pie was delicious with tender beef and delicious mashed potatoes & gravy. Their chips were always crisp and on point. They also have a nice dessert menu. We had the cheesecake which was excellent and the Ochir Jolly Treat, only because none of us knew what it was the explanation from the staff was vague enough to pique our curiosity. Turns out the Jolly Treat is basically the owner's favorite desserts in one bowl and includes a couple scoops of ice cream, with an ice cream bar stuck into the scoops of ice cream, sprinkled with mini marshmallows and drizzled with chocolate. It's incredibly sweet and as long as you or your table like ice cream, you'll like this one. I'd recommend replacing the marshmallows with sprinkles/jimmies, because the ice cream made the marshmallows hard and gave them a weird texture. Highly recommend this locale! read more

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Fun pub near our hotel. We enjoyed a drink after dinner. Atmosphere was friendly, and we loved all the cute little areas that gave guests a bit of privacy. Guinness was perfectly poured and Aperol Spritz refreshing. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Outside - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Awesome pub with friendly staff and typical ambience of an English pub. Food and beer was superb. Highly recommend.

Fantastic pub, great food, and nice vibe! Definitely loved the roast beef pie, also had the Fish and chips, light crispy and perfectly cooked read more

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Love this place. First time there we just went for a beer, but then I saw these two older gentleman with a ton of food in front of them ! Steak, fries, beers, and more, and not a single healthy thing on the table! And it all looked so good! So, went back a few weeks later and had dinner. I got risotto and co worker got steak pie. Both were EXCELLENT. Also, the bartenders were super friendly and helpful. To sum up - Nice atmosphere, great food and drinks, good looking and friendly staff. My favorite place in the area. read more

Two things - how do the Brits come up with such great names for pubs?! And, never underestimate the off-the-beaten track sort of places to wow you! The Monkey Puzzle captures both idiomatic qualities. Okay, yes . . . You're probably saying to yourself, "paddington station" is not off-the-beaten-track. Agreed, but the Monkey Puzzle and its location in what amounts to an annex of a housing complex is about as close as you can get to OTBT in greater London. The atmosphere, the service, and the amazing range of pints and pours as well as pub grub, make The Monkey Puzzle a must try place if you're staying in the neighborhood. Everything about the place is outstanding. read more

Good food. Fun pub ambience. The evening that I was there it was not very busy and the staff was really attentive, but not in a hovering way. I will return next time I am in London read more

Excellent food and a fun pub atmosphere! When I visited, it wasn't too crowded, which made for a relaxing experience. The staff was very attentive without being overbearing. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in London read more

Absolutely love this place! My cousins and I were visiting from New York in March but really wanted to try a Pimms pitcher! The owner was THE BEST and went out to buy us mint to give us a pitcher the next night. Needless to say we love this place. read more

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11/10!! We ran into the owner on the street and he so kindly gave us directions to where we were going, and then recommended this place. We have had the best time here, the vibes are great and so cozy in the city and the food and drink slayed. We love this place read more

Food was average. I had a Mediterranean salad with chicken (which was overcooked), my wife had a Caesar salad with prawns. Contents of both salads seemed identical with the exception of the add on. Service was unacceptable as the hostess/bartender were abrupt and almost rude. Pushy to place an order, then completely disregarded us when we were ready. Not worth the trouble if it's out of your way. If not, keep the order simple. read more

A little on the saltier side since it's beef, but a pretty decent meal. The staff is super nice and welcoming, and the atmosphere is really nice. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Shepard's Pie w/ Mashed Potatoes - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Visit here! Unfortunately we missed kitchen time but the manager, we're assuming, called another restaurant to ensure the kitchen was open. Most hospitable establishment we've experienced here in London and it will definitely be a place we visit when we have more time. read more

Great spot for a nice evening out. Food was delicious and the service was outstanding.

My first trip to the UK, along with my first evening meal anywhere once I arrived....was here at the Monkey Puzzle. As they say here in the States: "I hit a home run!" in every way. The service was A++, and my food selection (the Cumberland sausage and mash) was superb. Thank you for being on the "front line" of my first glimpse of UK hospitality and top-notch quality service. I look forward to my return visit...very soon, I'm hoping. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Wonderful atmosphere! - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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This is a nice, seemingly quiet pub. It seems to attract an older crowd, which isn't a problem because I think it keeps the atmosphere subdued. The service here is quick and friendly, and the prices are fair. Pints run about 5 pounds and my pie was around 10. I genuinely liked my steak and mushroom pie, which is a bigger portion than it looks. If I'm ever back in the area I would stop in again. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Steak and mushroom pie - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Very traditional pub, nice beer garden in the front followed by a good casual seating area for drinks with nicer tables for dinner at the back. I got bangers and mash which came as three bangers in a ton of gravy. Can't believe I ate nearly all that gravy but it was good. The bangers were cooked well and super soft filling, excellent. We also got some wings for the table which were a bit forgettable. My wife got fish and chips which was a big portion and quite good. Overall would definitely return; good friendly staff; good pub. read more

High quality food and atmosphere. Quite the hidden gem, with excellent service. You will be full and warm!

We had a lovely meal at the Monkey Puzzle, which happened to be right across the street from our hotel. We hadn't made a booking (Sunday evening), but they gave us a great corner booth. The manager was incredibly welcoming and the ambience was great! We had flank steak which came with onion rings, chips and a salad; fish and chips with mushy peas; and the Sunday roast beef. The steak and roast beef (and associated side dishes) were particularly delicious. The best part was at the end of the meal when we asked about the story behind the pub's name as we were leaving. The manager came outside with us and talked us through the significance of the huge monkey puzzle tree out front. This was a great find, we had a wonderful time here. read more

It wasn't fall off the bone baby back ribs but they were meaty with a good tasty sauce. I would go again.

It's been years since I've been to the Monkey Puzzle. It's wonderful and the fish and chips are amazing!

I'm eating my beef and mushroom pie as I write this. Im here for work and on my last day figured I should have a pie before I leave. Found this place on Yelp and am thankful. The pie has a fresh and flakey pastry crust and the filling is delicious. Love that its served in a hot cast iron pan. Combined with a pint of Young's and this hit the spot on a dreary London day. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Beef and mushroom pie - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

We went to this place because of its location. It was right outside of our Air BnB and nothing else was around. Its a traditional English Pub. We went there twice. Once for dinner and once for drinks. My friend got the fish and chips and said it was really good. He said the peas were even seasoned well. My mom got pizza, which is funny because she owns a pizza restaurant. She said it was ok, but nothing too special. She did like the different toppings they offered. I got a sandwich and it was just what I needed. I was already a few beers in before we got our food...so it was a good sandwich. read more

The Monkey Puzzle is nicely located for the many small hotels along Sussex Gardens in the Paddington district of London. The staff is exceptionally helpfull and pleasant. They obviously have a lot of experience dealing with the multi-national clientele that frequent the area. The menu is varied and has something for most tastes. They are also able to accomadate large parties. The food portions are large, the food well prepared and presented. Ours was delicious, as well! And of course, a full bar makes everything better after a long day of touristing about London... read more

I really enjoyed this pub. The food was pretty good and the people working here were friendly and helpful. Visiting from Seattle for a short time, I had to check out a pub and order fish and chips. The serving is quite generous. You get a large plate filled with tasty chips (fries), a big piece of crispy fried fish and a scoop of mushy peas... which I've never had before but enjoyed. They don't look very appetizing, but they taste like a pleasant mixture of mashed potatoes and peas (even though no potatoes are involved). I also ordered a light beer and tasted my sister's green salad with goat cheese and fresh figs. The salad was pretty much half cheese so we didn't finish that or all of the chips and peas because it was super filling. If you're in the area I would definitely recommend visiting this pub. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Fish and chips with mushy peas, yum! - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Work work that is all I get to do in fantastic cities, on my last three days there I was welcomed from relatives from the US. I had a pint or two prior to their visit on a day or two but when I suggested we went to dinner there which turned into three occasions on three nights the food and service was fantastic. I had Shepard's pie for three nights with different variations, the ingredients were so fresh (sorry no photos) I left my phone in my nearby hotel, potatoes were light and fluffy and the vegetables so fresh it was the ultimate comfort food in a great environment. While my relatives were beginning their trip I was ending mine and after the third day of dinner a gentleman I don't know if he was the owner or the manager but he recognized us from the days before and bought us all a cocktail because he knew this was our last night. Warm atmosphere and ultimate English hospitality! So amazing please try! read more

The Monkey Puzzle - I don't want to leave I need another meal - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

This was the proper pub experience I was looking for in London! The steak & mushroom pie was amazing. The fish & chips were great - huge portions! The prices are reasonable. The people were very nice. The decor, with stained glass panels and comfortable weathered couches is perfect! The outside patio area is nice too. read more

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Very chill English proper pub close to the Paddington metro. No pretentiousness or other stuff like that there. Beer. Food. Guinness. Comfortable and cozy with all the trimmings. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Monkey puzzle - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

I had the four-cheese pizza which is good to share. I wasn't crazy about one of the cheeses but the pizza did the job because I was hungry. My mom had the beef & mushroom pie which tasted pretty good. I'd recommend this place to eat. The atmosphere outdoors was really nice! My family and I sat inside, so it was cool to see the British locals do their thing. read more

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The Monkey Puzzle was where I first downed a pint whilst first traveling to London over forty-six years ago and the MP has undergone many changes through the years, but I have always found it to be my foremost comforting waterhole in London. The bar servers always have been spot on for service and extremely personable. Food has been pretty good through the years but now has become superlative.During my first years traveling to the West End I stayed at a small B&B that is long gone; The Lyndon House Hotel which I have fond memories of. One of the best things about staying there was that the MP was directly across the street. Although I have seen the Paddington area go way down hill through the years and is no longer as safe as it was in the past, I would still visit the Puzzle a couple of times while visiting London although I stay quite a distance from it. read more

We searched for a pub not too far from our hotel and found Monkey Puzzle. Cold Guinness and the best steak and ale pie I've had. A much lighter take without the dense crust.. Also raves for the fish and chips. Next trip to London, we will definitely make a return visit. read more

Although situated in a modern building (unprepossessing, as ahunter says), this Badgers pub is much cosier inside than it looks from the street and is well known for its impressive summer barbecues. The interior has lots of wooden furniture, and feels more like an old-fashioned local. (One wall has a large map of 18th century London on it). The clientele are, in fact, mostly locals and are a friendly and down to earth bunch, as are the staff. Nice Dorset real ales, including Badger Best and Tanglefoot. read more

The Monkey Puzzle - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Started with a call to a very chipper waiter. Ended with a full stomach after a delicious and bountiful meal :) If there's one thing I have to say: the portions are huge. Got the Monkey Board. It was truly a smorgasbord of food with chicken tenders, chorizos, ham, bread, and everything you need for the measly price of 14 pounds. The burgers were amazing too. At the price of 10 pounds, you get a burger that packs a big punch and fries along with it. I got the salmon burger and there was absolutely no way I could finish all that salmon myself. The king prawns skewer was delicious as well. Prawns were cooked just right and melted in my mouth. One thing I am concerned with however is the smell of smoke that permeates the air. Be warned! Place is for smokers too. Another gripe I have, this time with the food, is that it's a bit saltier than I would have liked. Overall, I would definitely come here again. Because not only is it a decent price, it's a delicious meal with a very casual pub atmosphere. I'm not a very formal man and prefer the casual and calming vibe Monkey Puzzle invites. Excellent service, definitely worth a visit! read more

Very nice service at this very nice and Pub for all the family. Great atmosphere, lots of locals - interior is a bit dated - but not dated enough for an ye olde style pub, if you know what I mean. I am no expert on pub-interior design, but I think the early 90ies or late 80ies did not bless us with the best pub interiors ... Food: Huge portions, very good value for money. Quite the classic pub menu, no real surprises. Taste? Have had better, generally lacking in salt. Negatives? Spend the better part of the next morning on the toilet because it seems like the information about allergens in my food weren't correct. Yeah, I had a nice evening at the monkey puzzle with some nice beer and decent food - but that is a bit of a deal breaker. read more

I had dinner at The Monkey Puzzle while in London for a work trip. I wanted a simple pub meal and a walked around til I stumbled upon this gem. It was a Monday night and i was able to sit right away. Great fish n chips and a decent beer selection. Staff was VERY friendly and helpful! I will be back next time I'm in town! The patio outside is also nice, i would've sat outside if it was a little warmer. read more