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    The Punchbowl

    3.7 (92 reviews)
    ModeratePubs
    Open 12:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    The Punchbowl Photos

    THE PUNCHBOWL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Punchbowl

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    Heidi C.

    We ordered the Vegetarian Shepherds Pie and it was VERY spicy! If you like spicy you will enjoy it, but we were a party of four, and we all ordered it. 1 person enjoyed it, but the other 3 of us couldn't eat it because it was just too hot! When the servers came to the table we asked why it didn't say it was spicy on the menu, and they both said "oh yes, it's very spicy, I forgot to mention that to you!" Both servers were very friendly and attentive, but the food was way too spicy to enjoy, so we left without finishing it. I mean I've eaten shepherds pie my whole life and never once have I had to ask "is it spicy?" because it never is usually! Too bad, as it's a nice pub, in a lovely location. If you read your reviews PLEASE add spicy to the details in the dish!

    Wendy L.

    This gastropub in Mayfair is often crowded with locals. There is also a restaurant at the back. We went there as a group for drinks. We have to wait to be seated. It's best to get there early.

    Kristine T.

    I don't think I would have found this pub without looking up pubs in the area as it's on a back street that I had never been to before. Luckily I believe that is true for many other people who seemed to overcrowd the other pubs on the main roads of the area, leaving this little gem with lots of space for me and my boyfriend to find a table. The interior is quite dark, with wooden decor and enough light to create a nice atmosphere but not light up the room. There was a good selection of beers and the staff were very polite. The treatment from them was more like something you'd expect at a restaurant (someone to greet you and find you a seat) and they even brought the drinks to our table because they had to change the barrel and they didn't want to us to stand waiting at the bar. They also asked us if everything was all right and said good night at the end. I must say, after all the pubs and bars I've been to where you wait ages to get served and the staff are too busy to notice anyone this was a welcome change. I think it's a great place for a group or a couple of people to go have some quiet drinks and catch up when they don't want a big night out but still want to be somewhere central. Definitely a good find and I'd be happy to go back.

    Cider Beer
    Ana T.

    Nice establishment! I was told Guy Ritchie was a previous owner of this bar. It was a cozy escape from the chilly temperatures the rain brought upon us. We ordered cider beers & I'm really surprised I gravitated to the orange cider. I initially assumed the beer would be foul tasting but I was wrong! Later we had a laugh with the manager & other bar patrons by comparing notes with the manager on British sarcasm vs. American sarcasm. When it was time to close up shop, we hadn't finished our beers & the bar manager let us take the bottle home.

    Great little pub n grub.
    Jason H.

    A good pub. We stopped by when the Footman down the street had their kitchen closed. Positives are the experience. Its a very well presented, maintained, lovely old pub, right in Mayfair just steps from Berkeley Square. The food is good. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her bangers and mash. It was one of the best sausages I've ever tasted. Except my fish and chips. The fish has skin on it. Now I dont know if that is just a 'style' or tradition in these parts, but I generally do not like to see or eat a silvery fish skin or pick my fish apart to avoid it as I cut into the batter, so my fish was left mostly uneaten as a result. That being said, the chips and mushy peas were made from scratch and delicious.

    Frank G.

    Upstairs room - delightful spot for a lunch. Good atmosphere, great service. Easy going place too. Decent sandwiches.

    jason skuse s.

    Have been to The punchbowl twice now and each time have enjoyed a relaxing afternoon pint or three. The location(in the middle of Mayfair) means that you really have to search it out.This keeps the crowds down and the drunken Wetherspoons types away. The pub interior is nothing special,you could really be in a rustic country pub anywhere in england.The only thing that makes you realise you're in Mayfair are the prices. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

    Bianca R.

    This very British classic pub , with a friendly and cozy vibe was what we were looking for after a few hours of sightseeing and walking in the cold. Lots of locals and business types frequent it. The food was traditional pub fare with generous portions.

    Very limited menu and, if you are not dining, there are less than 20 seats for the bar. Did not stay for a pint because it was too crowded at 4pm on a Friday.

    Mark L.

    We received a recommendation for The Punchbowl from our hotel's concierge. Given that we were staying right off of Oxford The Punchbowl was the perfect reprieve from the tourist trap restaurants in the immediate vicinity of our hotel. The restaurant itself was an easy 5-10 minute walk from our Grosvenor Square hotel. Comfortable and non-pretentious ambiance. We were promptly greeted at the door and seated towards the back of the dining area. Even as the bar area grew busy throughout our meal it was easy to hear our own conversation. On to the food. We started with the mini mezze. It was a bountiful amount for a starter shared between two. Very delicious. We shared a bottle of Finca Lorosco merlot. My husband is far from a wine connoisseur and said that he enjoyed it very much. I agreed. For our main course we both decided on the aged ribeye and chips. Both of our steaks were cooked to a perfect medium rare, as ordered. The chips were light and crunchy. Perfectly seasoned. We also ate at Maze Grill by Gordon Ramsay during our visit and The Punchbowl wins for the better steak between the two restaurants. For dessert my husband ordered the apple crumble with ice cream. The crumble came out very warm and the ice cream was melting slowly over the top. He said that it was very delicious. As I was very full from my meal I opted for an espresso martini. Very delicious. It seems like most gastro pub options in the area are simply tourist traps with slightly better than fast food quality. I'm happy to report that The Punchbowl doesn't fall in that category. It is a wonderful place to eat REAL food prepared by people that know exactly what they're doing in the kitchen. Take the time to walk a few blocks away from the tourist traps and give this place a try. You'll be glad that you.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Review Highlights - The Punchbowl

    Rupert and Pandy do an amazing job keeping the beer flowing and the punters happy.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Devonshire Arms - Exterior building

    Devonshire Arms

    4.0(25 reviews)
    0.6 miSoho
    ££

    Such a cute, old fashioned place. Really really loved this location- only went for pints and little…read moresnacks but area is gorgeous as well pub is very cute. Overall really enjoyable experience. Was rather packed and service is quick but able to snag seat. Recommend

    Flew in on a Sunday and arrived at my hotel around noon. Immediately went to the concierge to see…read moreif he could secure me a spot since I had zero luck trying to get a reservation on line for two weeks prior. Remarkable, he scored and I literally walked around the corner and saw the long line to get into the pub first. I was seated immediately, however, and proceeded to enjoy a traditional Sunday Roast. Room was very pleasant (there are so many I got lost returning to my table from a bio brake. Roast was very good ( but no Lawry's) and the sides excellent. Could not decide if my favorite was the roast potatoes (crispy outside soft inside) or the glazed carrots. Yorkshire pudding was good but again, I am to used to the Lawry's and this is a different style. Peas were, well, peas, but very fresh. The sticky toffee cake was excellent and the Guinness fresh, creamy and a proper pour. Good thing because the selection of winners by the glass and half bottles of wine were both a little thin. Overall wine list was good but I was alone and not up for drinking a full bottle by myself. Overall, very enjoyable and to judge by the crowd and difficulty in getting a reservation, one of the more popular in town.

    Photos
    Devonshire Arms
    Devonshire Arms
    Devonshire Arms - Iberico Pork ribsSome of the nicest things I have put in my mouth.

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    Iberico Pork ribsSome of the nicest things I have put in my mouth.

    Lamb & Flag - Steak and ale pie

    Lamb & Flag

    4.2(194 reviews)
    1.0 miCovent Garden
    ££

    Stopped by The Lamb & Flag while walking around Covent Garden and immediately understood why people…read morelove this place. The history alone makes it worth visiting, and the location is perfect if you're exploring the area. It feels very classic London in the best way. We stopped in for a pint and honestly... the whole after-work beer culture over there is something I really need to bring back with me to the States. The beer was great, the atmosphere was lively without feeling overwhelming, and it just felt like one of those places where people naturally gather and stay awhile. Definitely worth stopping into if you're in the area.

    Historic London pub that I visited for lunch, at opening time. The bar actually opens before food…read moreis served so I grabbed a drink. Reservations recommended. Two story space - the ground floor feature the bar and handles walk in lunch; the upstairs is a dining room for those with reservations. Fun fact, as part of the history, the pub used to be the host of bare knuckle fights and had regulars like Charles Dickens. Wildfarmed sourdough - served with whipped salted butter and Guinness butter. Well toasted bread and the butters with salt were well made. Fuller's London Pride marinated steak and ale pie - served with seasonal veggies and red wine gravy, as well as either mash potatoes or triple cooked chips. If there is one dish London does really well, it's their pies. It was beautifully made and loaded with steak. The red wine gravy was decadent and added a perfect amount of moisture to the pie. Triple cooked chips were perfectly crispy but fluffy on the inside. Corn fed chicken breast - served with garlic and sage butter, mash potato, cavolo nero, and crispy onions. Only took a bite of this as it was my partner's dish but the bite of chicken I had was very juicy and well seasoned.

    Photos
    Lamb & Flag - This is from 2003. Behind the bar with Owner and friends of his.

    This is from 2003. Behind the bar with Owner and friends of his.

    Lamb & Flag
    Lamb & Flag - Front of pub

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    Front of pub

    The Punchbowl - pubs - Updated May 2026

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