We made a reservation online and it was very easy. We were greeted nicely and shown to our table right away. The place was busy so it was definitely good we made the reservation. Service was very good and quick. I had the skate which was very good and my friend had the pheasant which was also very good. read more

The Anchor and Hope - Skate fish and pheasant - British Near Me - London, XGL

Fantastic restaurant with delicious food and great service. I highly recommend dining here if you are in the neighborhood. Everything we tried (check pictures) was delicious and the brioche pudding at the end....oh my! 5 stars all around. read more

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Went here for date night. This is a really cute, bustling pub. Reservations are definitely needed. My partner and I had a reservation, but we were told that we needed to vacant our table within an hour because of a nearby theater show. That was a bit frustrating, as we felt rushed to eat our food, especially since the food took a bit. The food at this pub isn't very good. We ordered the Atlantic octopus, and it was very chewy. The octopus came in an unflattering dark brown stew. The potatoes that came with the octopus had very little taste/flavoring. Originally, we had intended on ordering the roast, and when we checked online, it said the roast would be for two people. When we got to the pub, the menu read that the roast was for 3 people, which was frustrating. They changed the menu a week after we had made the reservation. read more

Great place for a drink, dinner or both! I finally was able to get to this place for dinner. I went there with colleagues. It was packed so we grabbed drinks while waiting for a table. I had an amazing duck plate while the others shared a lamb dish (they seem to have these big share dishes where you need to have multiple people order). The dishes were wonderfully tasty and well proportioned. We finished off sharing a flourless chocolate cake. Again really worth the calories. I will definitely be visiting here again the next time I'm in London. read more

Crazy busy but good service. Went there by myself on a Friday night layover in London (this ID girl sure does get around!) and when I walked in at 8:30 was told the wait was about an hour. But they have communal seating at tables, so luck would have it there was a space at a table with a party of 2 woman and another 3 ladies. Initially I ordered the pork shoulder, but they had just run out. But the mallard was recommended. I had overlooked it somehow on the menu. Perhaps because it was labeled mallard and not duck. But I ordered it and was delighted. Place is noisy but that's just because it attracts quite a crowd. Anyway, I recommend this place. read more

I took advantage of meeting some uni friends in the Waterloo area to try out one of London's semi-secret foodie hidey holes The Good Food Guide has banned the use of the term gastropub in its reviews as they feel it's hard to know what one is any more. However, walk into the Anchor and Hope and you'll find yourself in an archetypal gastropub It's got a bustling pub drinking area separated from a dining area. You can see the open kitchen from the dining area. They have a policy of no reservations, so make sure you check in with the server managing the waiting list before hitting the bar As one of our gang was running late, we snagged a table in the main pub area. You can order food from the same menu While waiting for our late running friend, my friend and i ordered a couple of starters. I had a lovely crab risotto, which was packed with a deep seafood punch. My friend chose the snail salad. These were amazingly tender and not overdone with garlic as they sometimes can be Unfortunately, I didn't get a main course. When our last friend arrived, he deemed it was too noisy to talk properly. So, sadly, we left for main course elsewhere read more

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I don't say it often, but dinner at the Hope and Anchor is practically perfect in every way. It's been a while since I'd been, and longer since I'd written about it, so thought that a re-review was due. I'm very pleased to say that its place in my personal grubby, food stained list of London's dirty, sexy and cool restaurants is still assured. If you can't cope with the recycled pub schtick, the buzz and irritations of tightly packed, shared tables or are looking for a quiet romantic dinner (at least one that doesn't involve sucking meat juice from your fingers) then steer clear. If you're fond of being hypercritical, you'll be pleased to know it's also unsurprisingly difficult to get a table, even early week, so either get there really, really early or be prepared to wait in the over spilling and rowdy bar. Whinge about that, because you won't be whinging about much else. Arriving late we were lucky enough to stroll straight in. Skipping the usual wait at the bar with it's attendant reasonably priced (if basic) cocktails and well kept pints, we opted for a lovely drop of spicy Douro from the shallow end of the wine list as we took to our rickety wooden chairs at the brushed wood shared farmhouse table at the front. For the Farmer, this was home away from countryside home, particularly when he'd settled long enough to peruse the single sheet menu with its gruff single word descriptors of fish, flesh and fowl. Hunks of fresh tangy sourdough with a huge pot of butter were followed by fresh, fragrant and wonderful British asparagus, succulent green vestal virgins dipped in a sharp hollandaise and decapitated as quickly as we could get them down our greedy little necks. Coming down to the mains eyes and bellies just couldn't resist the whole mustard braised rabbit for two to share. A quick check before committing for both of us - "How's the rabbit? Worth it?" The waiters eyes glazed over as under his breath before he smilingly muttered "it's fucking beautiful guys". The staff are utterly delightful - when you ask opinions, you really get them. They smile as they reel off the staff dinner menu from last week, smile as they advise a cheaper wine than we were planning on and genuinely seem to love working there. And who wouldn't with this kitchen? I'm tempted to pay for a job here, just to guarantee tasting this food daily, though I'd struggle to get through the tightly packed tables after a week or so of it. The Farmer has the most marvellous day job, a classically trained singer for hire (like a gun for hire but with marginally better better life prospects, despite the hairy tour tales he has), it'd be a cliche, not to mention untrue, if I said he was singing in praise of it. That being said, there was a contented hum from us both as we sucked the last bones dry. Soft, slow braised bunny in a creamy sauce sopped up with triple cooked chips. It's not a healthy option, but when it tastes this good you just don't care. read more

I loved this place, the vibe, the atmosphere, the 'mission', so to speak, and the food. The idea of the Gastropub is starting to appear in NYC too, and it's exciting. I was amazed at just how many people there were inside, and dismayed for the long wait for a table and by the incredibly loud noise of said people chatting in the bar area. (It was better later after we sat down, but not much...) The menu was creative and interesting (rabbit, or venison, anyone?) and everything I tried - I was with 2 mates - was very tasty and not overwhelmingly large or heavy. That includes the venison I tried, which can be an exceedingly heavy, gamey dish. I had a sort of gratin with cauliflower, and a deliciously simple tomato soup to start. Good bread was included, and at the end we split some desserts, including a fabulous banana split and flourless chocolate cake. Yummmmm! I would love to go back on my next trip to London. Perhaps a less-busy time of night would be ideal to be there. read more

Great food from a frequently changing menu. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Can get busy at pre-show time for the theaters around. We were asked a couple of times if we were going to a show so I imagine they will make sure you get out on time if you are. Every course we had was really good - the food is a little esoteric/unusual at times but if you're wiling to try something new you will probably really enjoy it. The service isn't rushed but they are keen for you to leave when you are done eating - which is perfectly reasonable - there will probably be people waiting and the staff were very friendly about asking (when they'd given us a perfectly reasonable amount of time to leave of our own accord :-) We'll be back next time we are in London read more

Looking for a proper British pub and this one was decent. A little more modern and stripped down but seemed like a hangout for the neighborhood. I had the braised rabbit which was essentially a stew but with nice flavor. Not something you see regularly in the States (not is the Roast Skate that also tempted me). read more

The Anchor and Hope - Menu from 9/15/2019 - British Near Me - London, XGL

A unimpressive exterior. It just looks like another random pub along The Cut. I've walked passed it for several years and never bothered to enter. Then my friend, who is an expert on good places to eat, suggested it for gossip and food. It was a little hesitant but trust her judgement more than my hesitation so we ended up there. They do not have a good selection on non alcoholic drinks, but I'm used to pubs not having a good selection. When we were ready to eat we walked through a screen that I hadn't seen when I arrived. There behind the screen were a mixture of tables and chairs creating a restaurant. It was then revealed to me that The Anchor and Hope was one of the oldest traditional gastro pub in London. We ordered food, slightly expensive for what we got but it did taste nice. The menu, I was informed, is always changing as they use locally sourced food. This sourcing of food is why the food was more expensive than other places. So I was happy to pay the slightly higher price. Well worth it. read more

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Recommended to me, buzzing noisy, dim, friendly staff, you don't need music here, various chats throughout the room is the music! Lots to choose from, not much of a vegetarian person but the 3cheese hazelnut soufflé looked attractive but waiter strongly suggested the cuttlefish... read more

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I only came here for drinks, so this review is for the service and ambiance on the entrance side...which is evidently the waiting side. The restaurant was really busy and it was cool to see their kitchen (mostly) visible. I just had a beer, and it was fine. The bartenders were pretty swamped, and the service was a lot slower. We came about 40 minutes after they opened, and the place was already packed! So crowded that I'm not sure how people can even get food. People seemed to both come here for food and just drinks. So interesting to people watch, though the tables weren't built so that I could do that more. read more

I'm gonna give it 4 despite an unfriendly server because overall it would be a favorite if I were local. We had no issue walking in and getting a table for just my wife and I. Mismatched furniture helped to give it a cozy atmosphere. It is a gastropub truly focused on the gastro. It is simple food, yet creative and contemporary British, which I found to be exactly what I wanted from it. We were just eating a light lunch(which is why I think they resented our visit), but the watercress and beet salad was quite good. The lentils were great too, as was the other simple greens we had. The lady had a nice prosecco and for me, a flurry of pints. To me, gastropubs in the States are more serious about the balance between drinks and the food, but after all they are pubs aren't they? The world is offering tons of interesting beers, and in my opinion Britain is mostly unaware, despite being a beer drinking culture. This was a cool, neighborhood spot, casual and serious at the same time and is a nice break from traditional pubs and chain restaurants. read more

The Anchor and Hope - British Near Me - London, XGL

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Ok so the first thing that gave me an amazing impression was that this place has a different menu each day! Today they had an array of foods. Starting with gazpacho to rabbit. I ordered rabbit for the first time and it was delicious. It was covered in crumbles with asparagus. The place has a bar feel to it but gives you a nice relaxing vibe if you sit close to the open doors to the street. We all tried each other's plates and each were delicious in their own way. Gnocchi, pork shoulder, haddock, veggie creme brûlée and rabbit were all hits! read more

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What a wonderful gem. The cute restaurant and the waitstaff are so helpful we had a lovely dinner. We started with the artichoke the sauce it came with was very tasty. It was totally cleaned. All we had to do was pull dip and bite. Some at the table thought it was a little underdone. I like it. My husband ordered the lamb shoulder which was fork tender and delicious. Our friends shared the rabbit for two. They throughly enjoyed it!! I ordered the wrong thing. I had the cuttlefish with ink, I am not a very salty person so it tasted quite salty for me. I ordered the lentils with vinaigrette that was very yummy. We also ordered the poppyseed cheesecake that was creamy yummy goodness!! You should give this place a try. read more

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If you're looking for some home-style cooking served in a gastro-pubby environment, this is your spot. You can eat both in their dining room or in the bar. The staff are super friendly and full of smiles and they really made our visit! It's a great casual environment for a low key evening out. I enjoyed the Dover sole which was served with sautéed spinach. There was a lovely butter sauce and the fish was perfectly cooked. The rest of the dishes were a bit more hit and miss. The octopus was tender and my friend loved this but I found it a bit bland. It just lacked any bold flavours. The crab broth with cheese toasts also lacked depth. The broth tasted of crab but also had another flavour that I couldn't place which gave it a slightly odd taste - nothing horrible but it just detracted from the crab. And the broth wasn't hot enough to melt the cheese into a gooey melty stringy mess. This dish didn't work for me. The purple sprouting broccoli wasn't purple and was slightly overcooked. However, I loved the pairing of the anchovy sauce and the toasted almonds. To be honest, a lot of this could have been circumvented with better presentation. Everything looked slopped on the plate and reminded me of what you might get at someone's house for dinner, on a weeknight when they did't have time to prepare. It also came out much too quickly, giving the impression that much of it was not made to order, and the staff weren't good about re-arranging things or taking things away to free up space. Overall, a decent meal. But the food was slightly disappointing. read more

Had been looking forward to going to The Anchor & Hope for a while. Went for a late lunch in the hope that we would be able to get a table reasonably quickly. We got a table immediately. Service began well and then deteriorated but I think that was because the service was coming to an end. Really liked the menu overall, although the special of steak pie didn't sound that special to me. They close the kitchen at 2.30PM and we were lucky enough to get our order in at about 2.25pm. The meals came quickly and were delicious. I opted for the potato and gubbeen pie which was hearty and delicious. Serving sizes are huge here which is something I appreciate because it means I can fit dessert. Once we got our mains the service was really patchy. We had to remind the waitress about our drink orders as well as reminding her that we would like to have dessert. The desserts were delicious, I had the trifle. Not impressed that they don't do decaf coffee as one of our party cannot drink caf coffee. Overall, will definitely go back as the food was extremely well prepared and delicious, but I agree with other comments that they need to work on their service. read more

Read the reviews on Yelp and seemed worthy of a try. It was extremely busy but we were able to get seated. Menu continually changes and farm to table style food, pricey but very good. read more

So I said I always wanted to come back here and try the food and as good as my word I did. As stated in my previous review, be aware that they don't take bookings and are very popular, so get here early or be prepared to chill out in the bar and wait. We turned up about 6 and got a table at their first serving which I think was about 6.30. We had Cured Sea Trout (they had cured the trout themselves) and Roast Rib of Beef with Bernaise sauce and Steak Fries (cooked to order - 40mins) which was just amazing. So much rare, succulent beef with the most amazingly crispy/fluffy fries washed down with a bottle of chilled Beaujolais. Fantastic. Although getting a table can be a trauma, once you're seated, things couldn't be more relaxed. There is no sense of having to get done so others can take your table at all, you're there till your done and not before. This place is a foodies delight. If you're serious about food; come and eat here - it's fantastic. read more

Hmmmm( in a contemplative way rather than satisfied way), the drink was so so, they didn't bring one of our side dishes and the fish was far from special. In truth you get better value for money, food and service at Canteen on the SouthBank. My Plaice was not worth £16. I am not a food snob but I think I may head towards the Thames next time. The ambiance was very nice it is a shame the food and drink didn't match. read more

Having lived in Waterloo for a year and spent much of my time in the area, invariably I had Anchor and Hope recommended to me, both by word of mouth and seeing it vaunted in Time Out et al as being a must-visit gem. Laziness and lack of persistence, alas, when taken in concert with it being borderline impossible to get a table without an hour+ wait (and they don't take reservations), meant that I never got to try it. Thankfully, having started working around the corner, I'd made this place number one priority on my list. A smarter man would have angled for lunch, but I was determined to get in there with some of my more foodie friends in the evening. Fate, it seems, was smiling on me on my second attempt - miraculously there was a table the exact size I needed, which was the only one available. So it was, after such torturous travails, FINALLY we were there, seated, and soon to be wowed. Firstly - I've heard various complaints about gruff service. As per usual, it's probably completely overstated, or they had one troublesome server who's since been booted. I figure that you get out what you put in - treat staff politely and cheerfully and they'll reciprocate. Act like a prize a***-hole and don't expect high levels of service. My experience was fine - sufficiently attentive, polite and helpful, I couldn't really ask for much more given the type of establishment. The food sounded absolutely sublime, so much so that we were struggling what to choose. We had settled on sharing asparagus, scallops and "duck ham" followed by a mixture of Middle White pork and breast of lamb (wonderful to see this cut starting to make its way on to menus), until eyes lit up when daily specials were read out - not only was there rabbit offal (liver, kidney and lungs) to tempt us away, but a monstrous 4-5 person shoulder of veal. Needless to say, this overtook everything else and we settled on scrapping starters and diving straight in to a whole joint of baby cow. On the veal issue - given its hue after being cooked, I presumed this was rose veal. If so, a commendable sourcing decision. It came in a huge casserole dish with root vegetables and a wonderful accompanying stock. Meat was so perfectly done it simply fell off the bone (though being furnished with tongs, sharp knife, carving fork and a large spoon meant there was the opportunity for plenty of ceremony too!) and was still a delightful soft pink on the inside. Superb quality meat, expertly executed in a very simple manner - what more could you ask for. We washed all of this down with a delightful (and fairly priced) Corbieres, though the rest of the wine list looked reasonable too. In truth, it is early days to be able to judge the Anchor & Hope after only one visit. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself. Clearly, for the sake of taking one for the Yelp team and providing only the most well-informed reviews, I will have to endure this experience again. Woe is me. read more

I definitely like the whole gastropub angle, but not so much the waiting an hour for a table angle. Sometimes you get in, sometimes you don't, that's just how life is, I guess. But enough of my homespun wisdom, let's just stick to the Anchor and Hope. I like the dim lighting, makes everyone look more attractive. And the drink selection is great. The food was really yummy but not as amazing as I had hoped. I think this is because I went really late and had the one main that was still available. So there's your lesson. Go late and you have a better chance of getting in without a wait, but go early and you get a better dinner. Go forth and get gastroed out of it. read more

Let's say for example that you've never had anchovies and have no idea what it tastes like. You walk into a restaurant that specializes in anchovies and you try it and realize, wow, I really hate anchovies...how do you review this restaurant? I had picked up a London 2011 pamphlet when I first arrived here and Anchor and Hope was on the list of restaurants to eat. The place is ridiculously close to my work so one day for lunch, I suggested we go there. Someone in the group had gone there before and said it was a decent choice so off we went. We sat down, took out the lunch menu, and the Canadian in me was so confused. I couldnt understand half of the menu and had to ask ppl at our table what they were. The things I did understood included ox heart, rabbit, wood pidgeon, sheep liver pate, and salad. Most of the entrees were at the price of 14 quid. Since it was lunch and I wasn't that hungry or adventurous, I thought the safest thing was to order "crab on toast" (6 pounds) and a side salad (3 pounds). What I got was half a slice of toast with this crab innard tasting pile of goo on top. Two people beside me ordered a grilled kipper, and the wood pidgeon, which looked alright. What was the WORST, however, was their service. Two people in our group ordered salmon salad and one person in the group ordered wild salmon entree. What came instead were three wild salmon entrees. The two people who ordered salad was a bit confused and said they got salad. The server didnt look happy, went back to talk to the person who took our order, who came and claimed it was his mistake and he said if we didnt eat the salmon he'd have to throw it out and that he'd take the salad off of the bill. We kept the salmon and when the bill came, we were charged for all three entree, each of which were TEN QUID MORE than the salad. Perhaps I don't understand what is called "rustic british food" but I'm definitely not coming back here. read more

I've been wanting to eat here for a while. A previous attempt with some friends from out of town was abandoned since we weren't patient enough to stand with a bunch other people pushed into the corner of the pub on the off chance we might actually secure a table. They don't take bookings. This time we had an excuse to go early before the theatre so checked in at 5:30 and got on the list for a 6pm table which is when the evening session starts. At 6pm, the lucky groups, including us, filtered into the dining area which is separated off from the pub area. The dining interior is fairly cramped with wooden tables and chairs, similar to the pub area. Menu looked good. British classics with one or two continental offerings thrown in (andouillette sausage for example). Sustaining meat and fish dishes and hearty puddings. I like this simple kind of no frills food. I had the potato soup with crisp bacon as a starter. Food came quite quickly as the kitchen swung into full steam ahead and suitably rustic bread was brought along with water (no attempt to upcharge for bottled which is good). The soup was OK but reminded me of thinned down mashed potato and the bacon wasn't crisp but more like slightly dried out ham. I know it's a simple dish but I have had potato soup that has been quite memorable. I do like the idea of very simple dishes that can be made special. For mains I had the middle white pork with prunes and mashed potato. The dish was perfectly acceptable and well executed but nothing special to note. My dining companions had the lemon sole which was reported to also be quite good but not too exciting. Some decent and reasonably priced wine selections, with wine served in a tumbler, utilitarian style to match the rest of the concept. Since the portion sizes weren't huge despite the heavy sounding descriptions, we had room for desert so opted for a date or fig (can't remember exactly) pudding with whiskey sauce and clotted cream. I was expecting a warm, melt in the mouth steamed pudding. What came was a wodge of slightly heavy and slightly dry loaf cake served cold, slightly dry with some dcent whiskey flavoured sauce and dollop of clotted cream. Again, OK but not as good as I was anticipating. Should have had the Queen of Puddings instead perhaps. Service was efficient and prompt. Overall A-OK sums it up well for me taking into account the food and value for money. With the price tag approaching £40 a head I have eaten better at other gastro pub or restaurants serving similar themed British food. Good enough but wouldn't rush back. It's puzzling since the place has such a reputation as one of the best gastro pubs. Maybe a victim of it's own success since there is a queue out of the door or maybe other places have just got much better or perhaps just wasn't the best night here since others rate it more highly. read more

Just had a delightful meal! I travel for work, so I have to eat meals alone frequently - this place was great. Be warned - there is the bar area, which you see when you enter, and then the main dining area, which is a bit hidden. I found a server and asked him where to sit - he placed at a 6-top where there were two separate pairs eating, so be prepared for communal dining if that's where you fit. Had a very delicious potato, chestnut and Adrahan (cheese) pie. Was a stromboli-type pie - great flaky crust rolled around paper thin potato slices, lots of cheese. Came with a nice watercress/radicchio salad and two pickled walnuts which were a VERY nice little treat. For dessert: Buttermilk pudding, stewed Bramleys and salted caramel sauce. YUMMMMMM. The pudding was REALLY nice, light, vanilla bean dotted. Delicious. Have added this to my "return to the next time I am here" list. read more

Everytime I am in London, I want to eat here. Last time I decided I would try their sister gastropub, Great Queen Street, which was nice but nowhere near as delicious and wonderful as The Anchor and Hope. Run, don't walk. Especially if you (wrongly) think that all British food is tasteless, overboiled and fried. A particular favourite of mine is Sunday lunch. There really is no competition anywhere for the spread. It is also the only meal for which you can reserve a table. And I seriously suggest you do. read more

Okay so after drooling over the food here when I went for a drink I managed to organise a lunch here just so I could sample the delights. I have to say, if you're vegetarian avoid eating here, your choice is limited and the daily changing menu will just make you frustrated. So I had the weirdest Gnocchi ever. It came as a slab with a dollop of goats cheese curd on top and some log bitter stringy greens that were actually slightly red. I'm not selling it am I? Well it was fabulous. Really beautiful food, perfectly cooked and served by suitably attractive and surly men. I'm not going to 5 star this place, sorry. It's fab but did wasn't knocked off my chair by it. read more

Enter a group of 8, very hungry post-Thorpe Park experience, ready to eat. A lot. Magically, The Anchor and Hope had a table for us. Although a very cramped table, but a table nonetheless! For the positives, I will say that the food is quite good! All of it is obviously fresh and locally sourced. Everything is made in house. I mean EVERYTHING. So much so that when I asked for mayo for my chips, I was told that no mayo was made that day, and then chided that there is some garlic aioli on my dish anyway (more on the service later). I had the beetroot salad (delicious!), roasted chopped kid (not so much chopped, but definitely tasty), and the rhubarb queen of puddings (also delicious and the added bonus of a funny name). The downside to this is that menu items do run out. I had been thinking about the fresh made ice creams the entire evening only to find out they had run out when it was time to order puddings. The quality of the food is somewhat brought down by the kinda crummy service. At multiple points in the evening, we were greeted with surliness. Definitely not my favorite emotion in the world of service. At one point we were told we were taking too long to order and that there were people waiting at the door. I mentioned above the chiding I got for wanting mayo when there was already aioli on my plate... Just odd little service related things like that which really got under a lot of our skin. Eh, it was a good experience for the food! Give it a go... maybe you'll have a better service related experience! read more

The Anchor has ruined me with it's fish and chips. Try as I might, I have never found tastiness to that degree in the States. You go up the stairs (not in the regular dining area) and get your choice of fish with chips and mushy peas. Then you take your box of goodness straightaway to the covered area outside, which, when drizzly is lovely. It's right next to the river as well, so it's a pretty place for lunch. My frend and I miss the crispy deliciousness, but I will be back before I die. read more

The Anchor and Hope - British Near Me - London, XGL

Very well known on the gastropub scene and a popular pre-theatre dinner location for the masses, The Anchor and Hope is sometimes known as 'The Wait and Hope' - you'll be very lucky (and patient/early/just two of you) to get a seat in their small dining room for dinner. But if you do, you'll be impressed. You'll struggle to relate their menu to typical pub fayre, and you might even need to ask for a translation (or use your iphone) for some of their offerings. I liked the open kitchen arrangement - you can see for yourself the care going into putting your meal together. It was surprisingly quick too, given it was full. The menu does change daily, but if they have the pork on the list; do yourself a favour. It was delicious. I was heartily jealous of the couple next to me sharing the cassoulet - smelt and looked amazing. Can't say I'll be back in a hurry, as I feel like I've got the t-shirt now, but I'll not grumble if someone invites me there for dinner. read more

We arrived ten minutes after opening time on a blustery, wet Valentines's Day. We wanted to leave it to chance and find some place spontaneous that doesn't take reservations since we were walking around the city all day being Tourists. The Anchor and Hope could not have been a better place (with a few exceptions). We didn't know that all the tables are communal. If my boyfriend had known, he would have vetoed the choice from the getgo. The look on his face when he saw the three other people at the table in various stages of eating/ordering and waiting for dates, was priceless. But we were completely soaked from the weather and happy to sit down and warm up. We ordered a bottle of Rioja, the octopus, foie gras and the pheasant pie. One of the people across from us suggested the pie and so did the server. It may not have been my number one choice for a v-day dinner, but we needed two people to share it, and I'm always game for pheasant. (Ooh... Sorry... That was really bad, wasn't it?) order it, we did! The wine was light and crisp and the foie gras was great. The octopus was nice, but I wouldn't order it again-- I found the pieces a but too small and lost in the creme fraiche sauce that bled down beneath and made the rest if the dish suitable for nothing more than sopping up with bread. (The bread was wonderful btw.) Communal table became more fun one everyone was acquainted. Londoners are so friendly and polite! I saw the braised Lamb Neck go by and had a severe case of food envy as I watched them tear the soft tender meat from the bone like the beastly carnivores they were!!! It's worthy to note that although the Anchor and Hope is heavy in the game and meat, they did have some nice vegetarian options like the Tagliatelle with Hedgehog Mushrooms, butternut Squash and ricotta. Our Pheasant Pie arrived and it was massive!!! A golden crust, huddling carrots, mushrooms and tender pheasant. There were quite a few bones in this pie, which was a but if a turn off for me. While I understand that's what pheasant is like, I swallowed a couple and prayed the whole time that they made it down ok. Then we had a little lemon pot with cassis. And while it was, indeed-- little. It was pure perfection and about all that we would have been able to eat, anyway. Now, after such a charming evening... Why only three stars? Well, my boyfriend and I were both really sick for the rest of the night. We made our way straight back to the hotel, but instead if V-day lovin' we were both gripped with cramps and nausea for the remainder of the evening. I never quick to blame the food I've eaten, but we both shared the same things and were both very uncomfortable after that for a good long while into the night. We thought that maybe the Pheasant was just hard for us both to digest??? Anyway, whether it was the fault of the pie or not, we are both left with some good and some awful memories from last night. I would still recommend this place, but the food itself was just ok. The service and ambiance made it more if an experience for us. read more

Great food here as usual. No point in recommending any dish though as the menu is so changeable. The one thing that did annoy me is the minuscule glasses. Fine for water, but a bit silly if you order a cocktail. It's all a bit cramped. It's also a little expensive for what you get, but enjoyable and a nice place to stop before the theatre or catching a train read more

Quite a few people have commented about the long wait at this gastropub, but realistically, if you're reading the reviews before going to this restaurant, you should know what you're in for! Get there early if you can and prepare to wait a while. You can get a bottle of wine and have some good conversation before taking the bottle to your seat -- even though the place fills in, the wait generally isn't as long as one would assume. Although I have arrived later and was still seated without too much hassle/wait, you will also benefit from arriving early because their menu changes daily, meaning it's fresh, but they will also run out of their most scrumptious items! Once you do sit down, do some exercises to expand your stomach and prepare for a feast of meat or fish. They do also have vegetarian options which are generally great, but this place excels in its huge portions of impeccably cooked meats, ranging from lamb to wood pigeons. You will not leave hungry! If you're with a larger group, the 3-person lamb shoulder is phenomenal, if it's on the menu that day. I have also sampled quite a few of their fish choices, and I have never been disappointed. Highly recommend this spot for people with some time on their hands and in the mood for a huge amount of delicious 'modern European' food in a gastropub setting! read more

4 or 5 times there and loved it on all occasions. Went with groups and without and while you do need to reserve if more than 4, you can find some tables for 2 easily if you are ready to wait. Simple, yet very nice cuisine. Always went on weekends, and all times were great. Lamb, Duck, Mozza, Chocolate deserts, Great ales, Steak, infused Gin (SO GOOD), etc. All times we picked good dishes out of the list and we tried a lot of different things over the few times we have been, making me think all are good, and can equally satisfy you the same way. Plus this location feels less touristy than other places we have been across the city. Staff is friendly, place is a bit noisy but brings a nice warm feeling. After digging a little we fond out they have a sister location in Soho and one on the South bank I will review as well. read more

Food was nothing spectacular, nothing horrendous. The beef pie was a pile of ground beef in a pool of liquid. Forgot the thickener? It was more of a soup than a pie. The bone marrow was a nice touch though. I just wish it came with some good grilled bread to serve as a vessel for the marrow. Service could have been much better. They forgot a portion of our order and it was seemingly difficult to flag anyone down just for water. Maybe you'll have to just settle for the alcoholic drinks at the bar. read more

I always find myself wanting to rate with a half star and this is another time. I think The Anchor and Hope is a solid 4.5. Last Friday, after a gruelling workout, six people from the gym went out to launch a birthday celebration. After two hours of real ale, we all realized that if we didn't get some food immediately there would be serious problems. Someone in the group suggested The Anchor and Hope so we walked there with purpose. We saw a line of people waiting for tables when we entered at 10:25 and found out the kitchen closes at 10:30 so we figured it was a lost cause. I asked one of the waiters if there was any chance of a table and he told me he would check and see. I didn't see his face for five minutes and we were afraid the answer would be "no," so we left to find nourishment. After going about half a block, we heard the man from The Anchor and Hope calling us back into the restaurant. It was unexpected and extremely appreciated. The man took our orders before we were seated so he could get them into the kitchen as soon as possible. I looked at the chalk board menu (most things were crossed off because they cook fresh daily) and nothing really caught my eye, but I was told one of the replacement dishes was lasagne for two and my husband and I ordered it immediately. The starters came out shortly after we were seated. I shared a snail and bacon salad. There were large portions of each on a bed of warm lettuce. Someone ordered the soup and managed to say the broth tasted homemade in between rapid slurps. Oak smoked salmon was also ordered and devoured quickly. The lasagne was served in a large oval cast iron dish and we found it to be a delicious cheesy, meaty mess. It filled my husband and I completely and there was still enough to give a scoop or two to others at the table. The noodles were outnumbered by the cheese and beef and if it was served with tortilla chips it would have made a nice dip. Pure decadence. Dishes like this are why I go to the gym. Three people ordered the rabbit. Its portion size was also big and we saw a few people in the restaurant with little tinfoil purses taking food home so that seemed to be par for the course. I found the meat a little dry and salty, but my friends finished their meals. Another person ordered the duck and said it was the best she had ever had. It was falling off the bone moist without the fattiness you sometimes experience with duck. We each ordered dessert and those dishes were also licked clean. I enjoyed a little chocolate pot with cream on top. The liquid topping, hard outer shell and moist dark chocolate inside provided three nice textures. The buttermilk pudding with rhubarb and spiced oranges was just okay. It was akin to a bland flan and could have used more rhubarb. The person next to me made quick work of the little lemon pot. It was a great meal with fantastic service. I definitely recommend The Anchor and Hope. read more

Look, I love food, but I hate rude people and uppity hipsters. So there are things that I will put up with to get a really superb meal, but I didn't think we would get it here, and I wasn't willing to put up with the rudeness of the staff or some of the other patrons, so we didn't actually eat here. Super crowded on a Friday night. We came in at 8pm to find that most of what we wanted to eat had been sold out -- the only things left that looked good were the squab and halibut (or was it some other big white-fleshed ocean-going fish?) for 2. Some of the remaining dishes just didn't sound appealing (confit duck leg with bacon and mint = fat, fat, and mint) -- which is likely the reason why they were still available. After waiting 40 minutes for a table (and watching some of our fellow patrons try to jump the table queue -- they were English too!) and getting bitched out when trying to get a table in the bar (by the same people trying to jump the table queue), we left. A Burberry trench and Bottega Venta bag do not equate to special treatment. (Btw, my BF had just proposed that evening, so I was super bummed to be treated like dirt...) Several tables had been sitting empty for a while in the dining area, so it wasn't clear why we were waiting. I think most of the problem is that they're getting popular (perhaps due to yelp?) and really need some technology to keep track of patrons -- something more than harried, rude guy with a clipboard. Buzzers, anyone? Also, the homeless guy who cursed us out when we left was just the icing on the cake. I wouldn't go back even if the chef got a michelin star. read more

Beware, for this is not a typical gastro-pub. This is certainly not a quick eat-and-go place. Anchor & Hope is strictly for those who treasure a good gastronomic experience and are willing to slug it out for one. Although, it would be unfair to say that the possibly long wait for a table in this wee pub is equivalent of slugging it out. They have no cider on tap, but they had bottles of fine Devon cider to keep me suitably occupied. The bar area, on a Tuesday night, was choc-a-bloc with wooden stools, round tables and a whole lot of people - some might consider this annoying and noisy but I found it a fabulous exercise in people watching while catching up with a fellow foodie friend. We were eventually seated on a 6-seater with two of us on one end and a couple on the far end of the same table - we weren't terribly fussed, really. A few minutes later, after we had placed an order for the house wine and starters, the waitress came bustling towards us and apologised while asking us if we would mind moving to a 2-seater table next to us because they needed the table for a big group. We didn't mind it at all, but they said the wine would be on the house for the inconvenience - so big props on the service :) The house red was nice and so was the starter (I'm struggling to remember what this was, it was over a year ago, but I remember being well pleased with it) but what really clinched it for me would be the tenderly cooked duck in a sweet date sauce - indeed, a well made meal can be a joyful memory for a long time to come! My friend ordered a chicken which she found very delightful too. This was followed up with some brilliant chocolate mousse and at no point did we feel like we were being rushed through our email, despite the inevitable flurry of service staff dashing between tables. While not cheap, it is fairly inexpensive for a place that ranks consistently highly in gastro-pub ratings. I wonder why I haven't been to A&H since that wonderful meal, this review reminds me that I need to make a trek to the Cut soon! read more

Been in a couple of times. Can be nice, can be terrible. Food pops up and down, depending on if the experiment worked that day or not (folk: You're no Heston. Pick one: flavour or looks) Staff can be helpful or downright rude. You can't really tell. I'll be back. I sort of want to give it 4 and 2 stars, from my 2 visits... maybe the next one will settle it, but for now, I'll go with mean. read more