Okay so... soul food in London. Let's give this a go! The Fat Bear is a small, cozy place for eats above a pub. It was the scene of our most recent book club, where there was far more discussion over food than books. Walking into the Fat Bear, I wanted to try pretty much everything. Fried pickles? Yes please. Fried chicken livers? You don't say! Chicken fried steak and chicken and waffles? Check and Check! Do I want poutine? Heck yes I want poutine! Unfortunately, the Fat Bear was out of a few things we may have wanted to try. Particularly the chicken and waffles which was a bit of a bummer. And I can't recommend the cornbread because it was far too dense. But everything else we ate was fantastic. Or at least everything I ate. Particularly the chicken livers which tasted of a far higher quality liver and the chicken fried steak which is somewhat of an upgrade to their southern American counterparts using ribeye steak instead of a standard pounded within an inch of its afterlife skirt steak (although don't get me wrong... my little Texan heart loves a crappy meat chicken fried steak). The gravy on the CFS was amazing. And that same gravy was on the poutine, also amazing. And the service was also lovely and super tolerant of our loud book club behinds. I totally want to go back. read more

Stumbled upon this place when visiting London and it was incredible. We had ordered the The Fat Bear Burger and the Southern fried chicken sandwich and both were delicious. The hamburger had a special sauce that made the burger to die for. We also ordered the cornbread and Mac and cheese and both were amazing. The service was incredible and the waiter was very attentive and made sure we were pleased with the food and service. I would definitely recommend this place to someone wanting to grab a quick bite to eat while here in London. read more

Went to The Fat Bear on our first night in London and man am I happy we did. Five stars from all aspects: staff were incredibly friendly, and made awesome suggestions for food and drink (they even let a friend of mine take a photo with the bartender behind the bar), music was spot on (they have a Spotify playlist you can follow!, I believe it's "thefatbearuk"), and our meals were out of this world. My two friends both got the chicken and waffles which they enjoyed, and I got the ahi tuna salad (DELICIOUS). Good portion sizes for the price point. TRY A PICKLEBACK. Just do it. Not nearly as gross as it sounds. Whenever I return to London, The Fat Bear will be sure to be one of my stops. read more

I was looking for somewhere central that I could take my dog and my parents on a Thursday night. I wanted it to be fun & very London as my parents live in Aberdeen & I don't get to see them that often. I noticed some chat about the Fat Bear so emailed to see whether they would accommodate my group. They were very helpful in making sure my dog would be welcome and made a reservation for us so that we would be sure to get a table. On arrival we were welcomed warmly and were well looked after all evening. I noticed that the warmness extended throughout the room, not just to us. Great customer service is my favourite so this was very good! We shared some deep fried pickles and pimento cheese to begin. Both were very good. In fact the deep fried pickles are the best I've tried in London - hot, great tang and didn't seem greasy at all, which is a feat to achieve when you're talking about fried food! The dip we got with it was some sort of ranch or mayo based affair - I can't remember what it was, but I would have preferred a blue cheese dip because I am mad about blue cheese. That's personal preference though, others might have preferred what was given. Both were reasonable sized portions for the price. For my main I wanted to have the spinach salad with a side of chicken wings, but unfortunately they were out of wings, BOOOOOOOOO. It's not a huge menu, so this was a little disappointing. Still, these things happen. The salad was really super delicious, and nicely southern. I approve. At the table we also had the burger with stilton cheese & sweet potato fries (a resounding YES) and the mac and cheese with bacon. All were happily devoured. The Sun & 13 Cantons seems to be a good choice for the Fat Bear's pop up restaurant. The pub is split into the pub side and the restaurant side, so really they can both get on with what they need to be doing. As it's a separately operating pop up, you do have to order your drinks at the bar yourself, but this isn't a problem - the bar staff were super friendly & efficient despite the bar being rammed on a Thursday night. We all had a very nice time here & enjoyed the food a lot. I will definitely return once they get a permanent spot and look forward to seeing what the service, atmosphere and food is like there. Maybe they will even earn that fifth yelpy star (the chicken wings being good might just seal the deal). Thanks FB! read more

My only advice to you is that you don't eat anything the entire day in preparation for your evening at the Fat Bear.... If you've come here when they had the Bob's Lobster residency, you'll already be familiar with the location above the Rising Sun pub. This time around, it's all creole and the best things of southern American food you could think of that oddly aren't around many other places in London. Get: Truffled gnocchi, chicken fried steak, cornbread, corn on the cob, chicken waffles, mint juleps, spinach dip, more gnocchi and a magic carpet to carry you home because you won't be able to move. They also do events, so check their FB and Twitter feeds if you're into crawfish boils. read more

Loosen your belts people! And starve yourself all morning in preparation! This place served up the most calorific but also tastiest plate of food I've had in ages. We came here for a Friday team lunch so had a long table for 9 and essentially took over the back room. It's well tucked away above the Rising Sun pub with little to give away what sits upstairs, so you really have to know it's there. We booked for midday so were practically the first to arrive and our server greeted us warmly. She settled us in for a hearty (though probably not so good for your heart) feast. We shared starters of Gator Bites which I loved, in panko breadcrumb with a moreish sweet chilli dip, and some poutine just because one of the girls hadn't tried it. The mains could probably start an obesity epidemic but cover some good old-fashioned southern classics with gumbo, chicken & waffles, burgers and ribs. I couldn't resist trying the Chicken Fried Steak out of curiosity and promptly made everyone jealous when it arrived - it was probably the largest main course portion at the table! I got particular green eyes from my foodie colleague who went for the jambalaya and got quite a small pot. The clue is in the name - it is indeed a rib-eye steak deep fried in buttermilk and seasoned flour, and like nothing I've tried before. The taste was amazing - combining the best parts of eating fried chicken with the fun of eating steak underneath. There were a few overly fatty bits I left behind but otherwise I was very happy with it, served with a peppery gravy and some pleasingly skinny fries. I definitely felt a bit like a fat bear after that. The decor is very white-walls-wooden-tables plain, but then it's a limited residency so understandable. The service was very attentive too, in fact almost overly so - it was actually quite annoying to start with as she kept coming over, adjusting one thing (e.g. straightening a fork or filling one water glass), then walking away only to return 20 seconds later and repeat. But I think she stopped coming on so strong once the place filled up, and she was happy to chat about some of the things on the menu we had questions about. Food comas ensued for most of the afternoon back at the office, so beware if you choose it for lunch. It's open all day though so you could probably make better use of the drinks menu in the evening, and think it works well for couples and groups alike as long as you book ahead. The best part is it's pretty good value for what you get, and I'd definitely go back - but one to take a break between visits methinks! read more

The Fat Bear - fat lunch - chicken fried steak! - American Near Me - London, XGL

There is a reason I'm choosing The Fat Bear as my first review. I visited this cosy restaurant tucked away in the side streets near Blackfriars a few months ago- however, unfortunately, I didn't have Yelp at the time so all my raving was limited to my friends and family. Thankfully, for my friends sake, I now have Yelp - so I can finally leave the review that this place really deserved. A sensible place to start will be with the food. AMAZING. WHOLESOME. HEARTY. DELICIOUS. All these are words that fall short of describing just how good the food was. Every course, from the corn dogs and hot wings starter, through the short rib and game gumbo main to the Oreo cheesecake and apple pie dessert was packed full of soul. In fact, the only way it could have got any more soulful would be if James Brown shuffled out with the food himself, belting out "Soul Man" at the top of his voice. The fact that I can not only remember what I had several months later, but that it still leaves my mouth watering just thinking about it really is testament to the quality of the food experience I had there. Now, I must confess something. I was with my girlfriend (I couldn't possibly have eaten all of the above myself) and I remember the overwhelming food envy and consuming jealousy I felt when her short rib came out - a huge single rib of tender, meaty goodness what can only have come from some kind of super-cow. I remember that sinking feeling of regret that I, fool that I was, had ordered the game gumbo instead. But this feeling didn't last for long. One forkful of gumbo in and all my fears were washed away by the explosion of meaty, spicy flavour. It didn't matter that it was a typical rainy windy day outside. I could close my eyes and find myself in the warm sun of the deep south. Okay, that's enough about the food. Next stop, atmosphere. Being faced with the busy boozer at street level, and the well-worn stairs to take you up to the Fat Bear, you might be forgiven for having second thoughts. But don't. What greets you at the top is a positively charming, cosy and friendly dining room. It's not a big place, but that only adds to the intimacy and really makes it feel like you've found somewhere quite special. I felt like this was my own secret discovery (despite the rest of the tables being full of happy eaters) and that I'd really nailed it with this choice of date spot. The music is an excellent, eclectic choice and suits the vibe of the place. The staff are excellent and very attentive - their care and passion for the place is really infectious. Ask about their cocktails, try them and whatever you do don't leave this place without a pickle back or two. I couldn't recommend The Fat Bear highly enough. I can't wait to return shortly to try some of the new menu items - although please don't all go at once because I need a table! read more

This is one of those tough reviews because it's probably a solid 4.5 stars, so do I round up or round down? Given the really great customer service, I'm gonna round it up. We came here for book group one night. My choice as we were reading "The Commitments" and I made the soul music/soul food link in my head. First we started with a cocktail, and I was really happy with mine. Everyone else seemed impressed with theirs as well. I liked how they had a mix of sweet and not-too-sweet cocktails as I prefer mine on the not-too-sweet spectrum of things. We started with a bunch of nibbles to share. We had the buffalo wings, the fried pickles, the spinach dip and the fried liver to start. I really couldn't fault the starters. The wings were tasty and the blue cheese dip was awesome. They maybe weren't traditional, but that's okay! The fried pickles were awesome. And those fried livers were really the best thing. Soft and delicious. For the main course, I had the brisket, but only because the chicken and waffles wasn't available. We also split the poutine, corn bread and beans on the side. The poutine was freaking amazing. I don't know if it's traditional, but that gravy was outstanding. The beans were incredibly good as well. The corn bread was the only disappointment of the sides as it was really dense. It had nice flavor, but the texture was all wrong. The brisket was good for London, but didn't compare to places you can get it in the US. I did really love the mustard barbeque sauce it was served with though. Dessert we split the pie of the month, and there were two: coconut cream and peanut butter. I was happy with both. I even had a bit of someone's sundae, and it was spectacular. I took some of the praline home, and I enjoyed it, but my partner thought it was too sweet. All in all the food and atmosphere (and cocktails) are great, and I would go back in a heartbeat. Maybe next time I'll plan on brunch. read more

Excellent choice! The menu is simple but great - I had the chicken and waffles and Oreo cheesecake, and it was delicious! Not terribly expensive, either. Very nice location (cozy English feel, second story) and good service. I would definitely come back here. read more

Really great! I got the vegan gumbo and it was delicious! The biscuits were to die for! And my dads chicken and waffles were great too! Pretty small place so definitely make a reservation before. read more

The Fat Bear - Vegan Gumbo - American Near Me - London, XGL

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If you ever feel like you want to have real Thanksgiving in London, this is just the place! Being in love with food, it always was my dream to experience this biggest food feast ever. And believe it or not, the Fat Bear reached my expectations to the core. Not just the quantity of the food which never seemed to stop and was impossible to eat, but also the quality. Our tables were bending over with food, just as out bellies were aching from overreaching our limits. As for starters, we got very delicious cheese spread, even better rabbit liver and some nice spicy chicken wings with garlic sauce. All these were followed by turkey, cheese macaroni, grilled veggies, rice, fish, some ham, meat cake, sweet potatoes and by some other three different plates which I could not try any more. And what it would be for a feast without a dessert. My winner was the Oreo cheesecake, however I strongly recommend also the warm pumpkin pie. All in one, the food was delicious, just as the service and very familiar atmosphere, just as it should be during Thanksgiving. Do not hesitate and try it out, but don´t be surprised if you stuff yourself way too much. I have warned you :) read more

A corner of New Orleans in central London - Creole soul food doesn't get more real than this. Try their gumbos and corn dogs, both spicy, filling dishes that'll go perfectly with their impressive selection of drinks. Their Oreo cheesecake is equally indulgent and lovely. 5 stars! read more

The Fat Bear - American Near Me - London, XGL

I was really impressed and happy with my experience at the Fat Bear! After searching Yelp for the perfect place to take my husband on a date, I found the Fat Bear. I was initially attracted based on the reviews and food offered (American soul food). Plus everyone at my work highly recommended the restaurant. I was very impressed with the decor. It has a romantic cozy atmosphere while still retaining a laid back vibe. My husband doesnt particularly like fancy restaurants and the Fat Bear perfectly straddled the line between very nice and too swanky. The candle lit ambience was very nice in the small venue. The music choice was interesting without being too loud to hinder conversation. Overall, it was perfect. Despite being a Saturday night, the venue wasn't slammed. There was only one waiter and one bartender working, but they still ensured that all tables were looked after. The waiter was very attentive and had an American quality customer service, which was greatly appreciated. The food was probably the highlight of the evening! My husband had the slow rib, which he said was maybe the best thing he had ever eaten. The food had a subtle spice with a smokey flavor. They even had real maple syrup on the desert waffles! It was very good food and we left feeling very full. In fact, I felt full far into the next day! I was very happy with our evening here as it was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you Fat Bear for making our evening very special! read more

Was very interested in eating here but the experience was lackluster for me and not good for my husband. Both the catfish and shrimp skewer apps were overcooked and dry. The fries were good. While the wings had a tasty hot sweet sauce on them there was just too much sauce. Yuck. What a mess, and I am a woman who never shys away from a mess. My husband's Short Rib dinner was not enjoyable. It was a poor cut of meat - mostly cartilage - and the meat needed a steak knife to cut it was so tough. It should have fallen of with a fork. The cocktails were good but the one we initially wanted were not available as they were out or primary ingredients. We did not order dessert. Overall, it wasn't worth my money. The fish and meats were poor quality and they depended on heavy spicing or saucing to compensate for the lack of quality. read more

This was our first trip to London and the first restaurant we tried, as it was close to where we were staying and had good reviews on here. Man I'm glad we came! The service was excellent, everyone was very warm and welcoming. It was also off this nice, little alley and the restaurant had a lot of charm. The food was amazing! I had the mac and cheese and my fiancé had one of the burgers (which both sound simple enough) but they were soooo good, not your average burger and mac and cheese. We were too full before dessert so we didn't have anything but I regret not trying the Oreo cheesecake - I'm sure it would have been fantastic! read more

This might only be a pop-up/residency but they sure aren't holding any punches. I went to The Fat Bear on a Saturday night with a group of friends, which meant that I got to sample what everyone was eating. My favourite items were the Deep Fried Pickles, the Pimento Cheese and the Mac&Cheese - trust me for me to say Mac&Cheese is good it has to be good. Get there while you can read more

I can not recommend this restaurant enough! As long as you can find it, you will have a great night! The staff is friendly, attentive and efficient; the food is delicious and unlike anywhere else in London. I would definitely recommend booking befor hand esp for the late evenings. We ordered the 2 entrees and the Prime brisket and chicken fried steak . The brisket is one of the best beef I've ever had ... preparations beautifully cooked with delicious sauces and side dishes. read more

Absolutely tasty!!! I actually found this joint here on yelp. It's really close to the cathedral, it's a little hidden but it's super cute and they have amazing food! My mom ordered the club sandwich, my dad a burger with shrimp and I ordered the southern chicken burger. Handsdown the best chicken burger I've ate in my life. Not even because I live in California have I ate a burger this delicious. read more

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You need to look for the entrance (it's upstairs a pub) but your reward is your dinner. We got to try most of the menu and it was yummy. Hands up for the chicken, that was moist and tender and full of flavour. (try the buttermilk southern fried chicken). For you mac&cheese lover, not only do they serve very creamy jalapenos mac&cheese they also serve a lobster version. If I had to choose between the two...well I wouldn't, I'll pick both. Now to the desert, oreo cheesecake was to die for. I wasn't hungry anymore, swear I couldn't eat any more, but I ate my entire slice. Service was really good and I love their outfits (they have something similar to a singing quartet with brace and tie, loved it) read more

Great food, great atmosphere, very friendly service! This is truly a gem that can be found just off the beaten path.

By far the best food we had in London, maybe all of Europe. We loved it so much the 1st night that we came back the very next night. The sauces are top notch. Burgers are tasty, fresh, and perfectly cooked. The pimento cheese is absolutely a must, on a burger or mac and cheese or just crackers. Chicken and waffles were terrific, the honey mustard maple syrup sauce was a perfect mate for this dish. The house recipe drinks are delicious, especially the Bear House Punch. The restaurant is small, cozy, and inviting. The waiter and bartender were so friendly, patient, helpful, and kind. They made our family of seven feel very welcome. I would consider another London trip specifically just to eat here again. read more

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The vegan gumbo is very good, but it would be nice if it had tofu in it. If you don't like things hot and spicy you might not like it. Interesting vibe and atmosphere. read more

Great meal for the 4th of July. Waffles and chicken was top shelf. No reservations when we walked in, but they fit our family into seats at the bar. Corn bread is huge and good. read more

The Fat Bear - Chicken and waffles - American Near Me - London, XGL

As an American who lived in the south for quite a while, I was curious about this restaurant. It didn't disappoint at all. The buffalo sauce is clearly catered to the British palate and is extremely mild in spice although tasty. They honored my request of changing the menu option without hesitation, and even credited our check when the drink we ordered ran out of the requisite spirit. Highly recommend this place and will be back. read more

The Fat Bear is above the Rising Sun pub, with the entrance tucked into a little alley off Carter Lane. It's a nice, cosy restaurant with a lovely ambiance. We had a set menu, served family style, and the food was seemingly never-ending! There was a great variety of dishes to try, and although some were definitely better than others the food was very tasty. Although I hate to think how many calories I consumed! The service was also good, with the staff very friendly and helpfully explaining each dish to us as it was brought out. read more

Wow wow wow As a first timer to London this establishment was recommended to us Amazing The food was exquisite!!! I had such an amazing time Thank you Debra and staff for making us all feel like one of the locals And Debra...maybe that's not even your name but I hope you remember who we are so you know we appreciate you!!! read more

The service and wait for food ruined our experience. We got a table right away but then waited a while for someone to take our order. While appetizers came out in a normal time frame, our meals did not come for a very long time. We watched as several tables that came in after us got their food. When we finally asked the server for an update, she said it was coming and then disappeared for the next 10 minutes until finally bringing our meals. read more

Made it here with a large group booking. Helped me with everything all the way through. Food was excellent and the group wasn't just crammed into a table far too small but instead almost given a whole room. The Oreo cheesecake is to die for aware the wings and chicken. Cocktails topped off a great experience read more

Hmm...I guess I'm spoiled when it comes to southern/bbq style food. First thing first - I hope you guys received your Argos order (aka fans). On a hot summer night, with no air circulation whatsoever, we kept chugging water with lots of ice to cool ourselves down. Then we proceeded with ordering wings (tiny), tacos, a few other stuff that I can't seem to recall and drinks. Dear reader, have you ever seen this video on instagram or your facebook feed, where chefs prepare little burritos for little hamsters? Those burritos and little guys were really cute, right? Well we got those burritos, unfolded, served as tacos. I felt the rage when I stared at my tacos and decided to drink my misery..wait, what? I got a margarita that is literally a sample size drink but charged fully. Come on now, tequila, lime and agave syrup are no expensive ingredients and ice is a really, really important part of this drink. Especially when you do not have an AC in your restaurant and all your windows are closed. We will probably not be back. read more

Superb. Great host great atmosphere and most of all, great food. Had the pickleback which was very interesting way to have a shot. Beef rib tacos were served warm and had great flavor with a kick of spice, main was the cioppino, one of the best seafood dishes I ever had, everything was perfectly cooked. Finished off with a marvelous Oreo cheesecake. Will definitely be back when I'm in London read more

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Brilliant hidden spot! You really need to know where you're going to find this gem. We had such a hard time deciding what to order because EVERYTHING looked fantastic! We settled on the briscuit sandwich and the muffuletta sandwich. Luckily i ordered the muffuletta as the half size because it was still huge! The briscuit was yummy and juicy topped with yummy bbq sauce. The muffuletta was fresh and full of flavor. Chips were also great! Will go back! !! read more

The Fat Bear - Brisket sandwich - American Near Me - London, XGL

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Back again last week and good to see that things are going well for The Fat Bear. This is the place for you if you appreciate good cocktails and Louisiana food. The service is excellent and music completes the effect without getting in the way. The wine list is solid, and they know how to pair well. Keep up the good work! read more

I have to confess that when I found out this place existed I was disappointed I hadn't found out about it earlier. The Fat Bear has taken a 1 year residence above the Rising Sun pub and I hope it stays longer. The menu is a mash up of US (and Canada) favourites - apparently the chef is a Canadian with New Orleans roots. And it shows. The appetisers are superb. We had them all - deep fried pickles, wings, gator bites. Sweet chilli sauce with the gator isn't traditional but works well. The mains were also good. We had the shrimp Jambalaya which looks great, the Southern fried chicken burger and Southern Fried Chicken as a main were both great. The crispy batter is excellent - I added the poutine to my main and so glad I did. The Gravy is a smoky delight. So good! No room for dessert sadly. Next time. Cocktails were very original and excellently presented. And picklebacks have to be tried - only way I will drink whiskey now! Go here and enjoy. Food,drink, service are all great. read more

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I'm an American studying abroad in London, I've been here for three months and can officially say that this is the best American food in London. I had chicken and waffles, my dad had the gumbo and we split the fried pickles. Everything was delicious, the service was friendly, the atmosphere great. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a nice meal that's still creative and fun. read more

Very cute place! After reading another yelper's review, I thought I must visit. I had previously not heard of or seen any other places in London claiming to serve authentic Cajun or REAL chicken and waffles, so it was immediately bookmarked. Upon walking in, the decor has a very New Orleans, speakeasy type vibe. Very cute date night spot, nice place to grab drinks after work, or to have a meal with a group of friends. Very friendly staff- found out later that it's family owned and operated. The only reason I've only given 4 stars is they had no chicken and waffles or ribs!!! The two dishes we wanted to order were not available. Very disappointing. The buffalo wings were good. Nothing to write home about, but I'm a harsh critic with wings having lived in Atlanta for years where all the original wing spots exist. According to UK standards, they are quite good. Jambalaya- 5 stars. Very flavourful and the two tiger prawns on top add a nice touch. My friend had the Coney Island hotdog and for her that was just a bit much. The chilli was impressive, but I wouldn't recommend unless you were really craving a hot dog specifically that day. The cocktails- great! We had the bartender, Brian, bring over an original drink from New Orleans on the house once we got settled at our table. Very impressive, very strong, and indeed, very New Orleans. He also made a lovely mocktail for my preggo friend and the mint rose daiquiri was just as described. Very fresh, very flavourful, just delicious. And the presentation is fantastic. 5 full stars for the cocktails. We decided we'd save dessert for our next visit, which we definitely will do soon to experience the chicken and waffles. All in all, I'd highly recommend visiting. Definitely for a great cocktail, great food, and an overall nice evening out. read more

The Fat Bear - Jambalaya - American Near Me - London, XGL

I'm so glad I found this place. From the moment the I stepped.. the service was amazing. The gentleman couldnt have been more lovely and polite. The food was yummy. I had the gumbo. BUFFALO WINGS WERE TOO DIE FOR. Thr marinade was so lush and the blue cheese was divine. Cocktails were also yummy as we're the waffles and ice cream. Probable realised I'm a food fatty and tried to order everything. Would recommend 100% read more

The Fat Bear - American Near Me - London, XGL

Chicken and waffles are amazing. Great small atmosphere and the music overlay is excellent. The glazed ham is also incredible and if you are super hungry Spring for the starter gumbo and you won't be disappointed. read more

The best craft cocktails I've had in a long time. Great service. I had the gumbo. The andouille sausage in the gumbo is specially made for them and is spectacular - Smoky and spicy, but not overpowering. They say the use this sausage in their corn dog app. I am definitely coming back here again. The Fat Bear is a real treat. A great experience. read more

Overall disappointing. Mixed results on he meal. The fried chicken was good but not great. It came out hot and crispy but didn't have very much flavour or juicy enough for a 5 star piece of chicken. The waffles were offensively bad. They looked and tasted like frozen waffles. Thin, soggy and a little freezer burn flavour. The syrup was this sriracha maple sauce which was ok but didn't add enough depth of flavour to make it worth using over a good maple. Felt like it went with the chicken but fought with the waffle. I would have preferred a classic maple and then add flavour with a side of country gravy. If all you want is a decent piece of crunchy fried chicken, this is a fine place. For the rest of the dish, meh. Not sure this was good enough to inspire another visit to try the rest of the menu. read more

Small place so definitely get reservations, it's worth it. We got a bunch of appetizers and they all were excellent. It's a relaxed place, very warm and inviting. We've spent many years in the south and it was just like being back there. It's my favorite restaurant I've eaten at in London. read more