Harden's survey result
Summary
“The ultimate gastropub” – this Southwark “pioneer of quality pub dining” missed out this year, by the narrowest whisker, on re-taking the crown as being London’s No.1 favourite hostelry in our annual diner survey. The gutsy, honest food is “top-notch every time” and – even though no longer viewed as achingly cutting edge – comes “at sensible prices, and with good beer and wine to go with it”. Service is “super-nice”, and all-in-all it’s just “a great, laid-back place to relax”. Best of all for some folks, they “now accept reservations!”
Summary
“Still nailing it after all these years” – this “unpretentious but brilliant” Southwark boozer near the Young Vic was again very narrowly beaten into No. 2 place amongst London’s best gastropubs (by the Harwood Arms), but maintains a massive fanclub, and “you still have to queue to get a table”. The draw is its “hearty” British cooking – “always-fascinating-and-unusual” dishes (often using game or offal) “delivering great flavours and textures”. Top Tip – you can book for Sunday lunch.
Summary
“Still nailing it after all these years” – this “unpretentious but brilliant” Southwark boozer near the Young Vic was again very narrowly beaten into No. 2 place amongst London’s best gastropubs (by the Harwood Arms), but maintains a massive fanclub, and “you still have to queue to get a table”. The draw is its “hearty” British cooking – “always-fascinating-and-unusual” dishes (often using game or offal) “delivering great flavours and textures”. Top Tip – you can book for Sunday lunch.
Summary
By a single vote, this “amazing” South Bank boozer finally lost its crown this year as London’s No.1 pub (to Fulham’s Harwood Arms), but it still remains “the ultimate gastropub” for its huge fan club. It’s “cramped”, “busy” and “difficult to get a seat” (you can only book for Sunday lunch) but “worth the gamble” thanks to its “changing but always interesting menu at very keen prices”, with an emphasis on game, offal and other “thoughtful”, hearty British dishes.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Anchor & Hope?
Restaurant details
The Anchor & Hope Restaurant Diner Reviews
"This was a disappointing experience overall. While some dishes matched the reputation for hearty powerful flavours others in my party reported basic cooking errors that we wouldn't expect at these prices.. "
"This has a good rep, and decent write up on here, however we had a really disappointing meal. 4 of 7 items on menu weren’t available, service was mediocre and the bill was high for the quality of what we got "
"still the best food in a pub"
"Buzzy gastropub with well executed food, albeit not cheap for pub grub"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £16.00 | £18.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £8.80 | £18.80 | £4.50 | £6.80 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £21.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
36 The Cut, London, SE1 8LP
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm |
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