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Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

4.1 (448 reviews)
ModeratePubs, British
Open • 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Photos

YE OLDE CHESHIRE CHEESE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

Recommended Reviews - Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

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Steak and kidney pie with mashed potatoes

The ambiance and history is incredible. If you come here to only get a drink and look around, this is 5/5 stars. Unfortunately, everything else was very poor. We booked in advance, but the hostess informed us our reservation had not been logged and questioned whether I had booked at all. When I showed her the confirmation, she brushed it off and sat us at a table with other patrons. Not the biggest deal but something that rarely happens to me. The food itself was underwhelming. The monkfish scampi was unremarkable, except to say they barely added any sauce on the side. The steak and kidney pie was good, if a bit doughy. But the gravy was delicious. The side of mash we got, however, was as bad as anything I've had and was clearly microwaved. If you want to get a drink or try the pie? You'll very much enjoy your experience. If you are expecting quality service and a well rounded menu, you will be sorely disappointed.

Charles F.

A must visit while in London. Just don't confuse it with the Cheshire Cheese location. The Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is legendary. My brother and I had the best time here having drinks by the fireplace talking with some fellow Yankees. The bar keep was friendly and allowed me to see where Charles Dickens sat. Yeah that Charles Dickens. This place oozes with history and is worth the trip to be in such a legendary pub.

Sara C.

When a friend and I were in London, we definitely wanted to dine at Charles Dickens' old haunt, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It definitely felt as old as it was, with lots of wooden features, shadowy corners, and hidden away spots. We unfortunately were seated in one of these dim, hidden away spots - a small room with one table total. So we didn't get the real "atmosphere" of the restaurant. We also didn't receive the best attention from our server, being in a hidden little side room by ourselves. The food, though it did take a while to arrive, ended up living up to the hype, PHEW! My friend and I shared two starters: -Wild Mushroom & Spinach Crumpet, Garlic & Herbs: This was a soft little bit of crumpet with cream pooled around it and lots of greenery on top. It was a light starter to the meal, which was appreciated because everything else was very heavy after. -Our other start was the Pressed Ham Hock, with mustard pickles, and served with sourdough toast. This sounds scary, but the ham was more of a "forcemeat" style, and you spread it on your sourdough and top it with the pickles. It all came together really well and gave a great taste with each bite. For my entree, I stuck with a classic - the Old Brewery Beer Battered Cod & Chips. It was accompanied by one of my favorite things - mushy peas! Yum. It was two huge filets of cod, that were perfectly battered and had a delicious homemade tartar sauce. You can't go wrong ordering this dish. My friend had the Lamb Chop, and she was very happy with it. It was sold as a "chop" but actually came as little medallions cut for you, with a sauce to drizzle over them. That made it a lot easier to eat, as lamb can be a bit tougher to cut at the table yourself. And for our dessert, we shared the Sticky Toffee Pudding, and it was absolutely FAB. It is what I would compare in the U.S. to a bread pudding. A cake soaked in a tasty liquid so it softens up and each bite has a little sweet, juicy flavor. This one had a butterscotch flavor, and it was served with ice cream, which complemented it greatly. I would say definitely stop by Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese while you're in London, but be prepared that you might be stuck in a corner and sort of forgotten about, depending on what time you go. The food, though, I would say may be worth it!

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn - One of the rooms, in case you get Piss-Drunk
Eric F.

I came to 'Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese' for the first time when I was 18 years old, traveling to Great Britain & Ireland with my school friend Bob McGuire, as a kind of "right of passage" before we separated forever, going to different universities. I was so young and inexperienced at the time that I didn't even know what to make of it, except that it was older than any other working Pub I had ever been in, and that my friend and I could drink legally, and then, just like any other drunken teen... pee in an alley before searching for hot looking streety-type girls (which didn't work out well - or cheap). The second time I came here was with my mother (my treat to her via 2 free tickets I'd earned from a job I did for KLM, [creating an entire Ancient Egyptian themed party at the Field Museum in Chicago for an exhibit they sponsored] - it was awesome). Before coming here you need to know the names of the many special Rooms, pointedly separate Bars, & even a few apartments where some famous patrons decided to keep their beds - just in case they needed them, between drinks. Yes, knowing the Rooms in this pub will help you to experience it with an extra eye . So here they are... 1. The Cellar Bar (the most 'Happening' place here. It opens at 1:00 pm). 2. 'The Johnson Bar', named after Samuel Johnson, the pubs most famous patron. This room is presently used for overflow. 3. 'The Cheshire Bar'. 4. 'The Chop Room'. This room has a "Gentlemen Only" section. 5. NOTE: The formal restaurant is upstairs, one flight. OTHER BARS & ROOMS: "The Snug Bar", "The Court Bar", "The Johnson Residence", "The Williams Residence", & " Directors Room". Beyond the information above, I can report with confidence that the Beer, Ales, Porters, Lagers, & Stouts, are all mildly chilled, and just as tasty as any hundred pints of the same brew, poured expertly in any 8 dozen nearby pubs. Check on the website (below) for 'Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese' to see todays food offerings. 'Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese' serves good versions of whatever fare all of the other surrounding pubs serve - including a ploughman's lunch, and a Sunday Roast. What you should truly come here for is to 'Live the Rich History' of this Ancient Establishment. And if you can handle it, have a pint in every room - like I did when I was 18, and oh so naive - so naive. And don't worry - if you are too buzzed to find one of the many hidden Dickensian bathrooms - there is an alley just down the block. According to Wikipedia, "Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese" is a Grade II listed public house at 145 Fleet Street, on Wine Office Court, City of London. Rebuilt shortly after the Great London Fire of 1666. "Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese" is well known for its literary associations, with its regular patrons including Charles Dickens, G. K. Chesterton, Samuel Johnson, and Mark Twain. https://ye-olde-cheshire-cheese.co.uk/

Carlyn T.

Good thing I didn't depend on yelp for hours. Need to update that they are open on Sundays. Food order messed up. Another server came to help fix the issue, thankfully. Not worth the time it took to get though. The steak was lacking seasoning and was overcooked. No where near medium rare. My brother got the same dish 15 mins earlier and didn't come with same veggies as mine. No way this steak is a sirloin, too thin. My mom wanted extra crispy chips with her fish, and they couldn't do that. And it also had no seasoning. Recommend to only come for the drinks.

Nelly N.

One of the oldest pubs in London, my friend and I decided to check it out while in London last week. There are several rooms inside, including a restaurant section. It's quite dark with dim lighting. We ordered their most popular beer, the Taddy Lager. It's dark and malty compared to the light lagers. Not our favorite, but since it's the most popular beer, we had to try it. It's a cool bar to check out once if you're ever in London given its history. Having said that, there are tons of better pubs you can visit.

Pork tomahawk chop and fries
Cary N.

An old tub in London. Many floors to have a drink with friends and a bite. If you're looking for dining, there is a dining room but it's small so making a reservation would be highly recommended. The waiter was great. Gave a great recommendation on the food for my last night in London. The pork was thick, cooked well and juicy. The fries were the best I had in London. Crispy on the outside and soft inside. Just a great meal. The beer they service was great too.

Marissa R.

This was on my list of stops when visiting London. It's one of the oldest pubs in the area. It has such great history there. Charles Dickens himself frequented this spot and we were shown his regular seating area. We were lucky enough to get a table in the small bar area. It feels like a travel back in time. Amazing cask ales. I ordered the fish and chips. Huge delicious flaky fish. I definitely recommend visiting here. Ask the bartender about the stuffed parrot behind the bar. There's a story about that too!

Entrance to the pub
Samantha Q.

I loved the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub. Walked in for lunch and was say where Dr. Samuel Johnson used to sit. The pub wasn't super busy during my visit. For lunch I ordered the sausage and mashed which was so good. For dessert I ordered the sticky toffee which was so yummy. Love the history of this old pub and had to see Polly the famous parrot.

Andrea F.

I had to write a review on this gem in London! The Ye Old Chesire Cheese is the oldest bar in London. It was established in 1538 and and was rebuilt in 1667! I did a pub tour in London and this one was my favorite pub for sure. I decided to try the organic chocolate stout and it was refreshing and hit the spot while listening to the history of the pub! This pub is 3 levels and on the 2nd level was an area people used to hide during World War 1. They also had a a pet parrot that lived there for 40 years and when he died in 1926 they decided to stuff him and he is still there to see! An experience with amazing beer and rich history. You will feel like you stepped back in time! A must if you visit London!

Fish and Chips
Jeffrey S.

We visited June 28 while exploring London. Wife had researched places "with Welsh Rarebit" one of my favorite dishes and this establishment came up. When we wound up nearby and trying to find a place for dinner- she pulled this from her list. The Welsh Rarebit was very good. I also had the best Fish and Chips of our trip! Great atmosphere. Helpful staff.

The entrance is down to the left
Jessica T.

The actual pub is very fun in design. Had a cheese plate and one of the salad appetizers. Cheese plate was large while salad was small. In regards to flavor, I liked 2/4 cheeses and the salad was good. There were a lot of Americans and other tourists when I went but unsure if that is the norm for this establishment. If you want a cooler temperature go downstairs to the cellar. Overall not a bad time but nothing to write home about.

Linda R.

We really enjoyed this place when we visited London. Down an alleyway off of Fleet Street, this pub offered Samuel Smith's beers which we found difficult to find in London. In fact dark beers in general, except for Guinness, were rare in London. This pub prides itself on the fact that it was rebuilt in 1667. Too bad the walls can't talk. I'm sure there are plenty of stories to tell. The food offered was very British. My husband chose the Scotch Egg and Pork Pie, but was surprised and disappointed that these items were served cold. I went with the Cheese Charcuterie board. It was very good!! Our favorite part of the evening was playing darts on the pubs dart boards. This was our favorite London pub.

Outside garden

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A great piece of history / worth a stop in just for the atmosphere. Be sure to go downstairs to the cellars.

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7 months ago

Really cool vibe inside and a great pub. We had a lot of fun drinking a pint and eating a bunch of cheese.

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The service wasn't good. Not friendly. The food was tasty but they sat us in the back away from all the scene.

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Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Reviews in Other Languages

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The Centre Page - Modest entrance area.

The Centre Page

3.6(25 reviews)
0.4 mi•Blackfriars
•£

Great little place. Super fish and chips plus a good pint. Friendly service good food and nice…read moreplace. Just go there. After a few trips in tourist hell on the tube and on oxford street I needed this.

After visiting Shakespeare's Globe across the Thames River, I was rushing to the airport and…read morespotted this place near St. Paul's church after crossing Millennium Bridge. Given the location, I knew it was probably a tourist trap and I wish to avoid those usually but had no time so stopped in on a Monday afternoon for lunch. I'm so glad I did! I was in London only briefly and had yet to try proper fish and chips and I was definitely WOW'd. I've only had this in America, and this was definitely better than anything I've ever had. When it arrived on my table, I could feel the heat from the plate -- that's how scalding hot and fresh it was, and I loved that! The cod was absolutely massive, a thick portion of fish deep fried with the skin on within an incredibly crunchy beer batter. There were pieces of bone in it, but no bother, this only made it seem more fresh. The chips (thick cut fries) were perfectly crispy and both the fish and chips were insanely delicious with a bit of salt and malt vinegar (which I had to request by walking up to the bar). The dish came with a tartar sauce and ketchup, but tasted way better with the salt and vin. I absolutely love that the fish and chips also came with mushy peas, whereas most pubs only give you fish and chips alone. The dish was also very well priced at 9.95 GBP, and I was able to use my credit card, rounded up to 10 GBP because they have a 10 GBP minimum for using cards. I appreciate that this restaurant had free wi-fi, which I found out by asking my waiter, who quickly provided the secret code for me to use. In America you would never ask your server for this but I noticed that nearly every hotel and restaurant I visited during my 11-day tour of Europe offered wi-fi. Good on them, because how else would I check in to a restaurant on Yelp and shower them with praise and circulate promotional foodie photos on Instagram? During a weekday, many workers nearby flood this place to grab a pint during lunch....now, why don't I work in London? I would give this place five stars based on the food alone, but I am giving it four because I wished the service had been more attentive, as I had to go up to the bar to get malt vinegar and also to ask to pay my bill. I understand service in Europe is more laissez-faire than in America, but since this is a tourist spot I would have liked to be checked on by the staff at least once during my meal, and certainly to be presented with the bill. Note: They also serve Sunday roast dinner for 9.95 GBP on Sundays

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The Centre Page
The Centre Page - Downstairs dinning area

Downstairs dinning area

The Centre Page

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The Banker

The Banker

4.3(16 reviews)
0.7 mi•The City
•££

We had passed this pub several times, as it is located on a common route to the hotel we were…read morestaying in, and we wanted to have our first London pub experience, so try it, we did. We arrived just after the work day, and the crowd was buzzing just outside. We did the self-seating option indoors, and sat down to a great view of the Thames river, as we pondered our meal choices from the menu. The location is just great. For a leadoff drink, I had to go with the house cask ale, which was the Fuller's ESB, a drink I've been enjoying since the 1990's, and it delivered as expected. I went with an order of Sausages with mashed potatoes and peas...it doesn't get much more classic than that, and I was happy with it, especially with the quantity (3 sausages!). Wifey was on the hunt for a meat pie, and she went with the Steak, Ale & Mushroom Pie, which I can report was wholeheartedly approved. One of the better pies we've had on the overall trip, and the best we had at a pub location. The overall vibe of this pub is exactly as you might picture it, and we weren't disappointed with any aspect. Service, though not overly patient (hey - they were busy), was competent and pleasant. Cheers!

Great pub in the City of London. Found it while walking near the River front after crossing north…read moreover London Bridge. Casks, drafts, lots of seating - both indoor and outdoor. They had billiards and some other entertainment. Quick service.

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The Banker
The Banker
The Banker

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Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - pubs - Updated October 2026

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