Harden's survey result
Summary
“Still fantastic after all these years” – this celebrated foodie favourite near the Old Vic returned to being London’s No.1 gastropub this year, in a dead heat with Fulham’s Harwood Arms. “It’s a bit insulting to call it bar/pub food as it’s a level up from that” – “very strong, British traditional fare is made with added flair and style” from a “daily changing menu with lots of options” (“the shared roast and other meat dishes are quite unique and the eclectic wine list a joy”). And “nowadays they serve a well-priced lunch as well as its always-magnificent evening menu”.
Summary
“Still serving hearty gastropub food in a chilled-out way” – this “long-time favourite” near the Old Vic remains one of London’s top foodie boozers thanks to its “ever-changing menu” of “innovative dishes with a nod to nose-to-tail dining”. Its performance has been less consistent in recent years, though (“some options matched the reputation for robust, powerful flavours, but others in my party reported basic errors that we wouldn’t expect at these prices”).
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.
For 33 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?
36 The Cut, London, SE1 8LP
Restaurant details
The Anchor & Hope Restaurant Diner Reviews
"The best gastro pub in London!"
"Still going strong, though prices have noticeably risen, as I guess is true of most places. The back room is preferable to the pub room."
"The service both in the bar and next door in the restaurant was very attentive. The starters of lobster broth, cotechino and french beans with anchovies and parmesan were fine, but the main courses were truly well below standard. For a start duck confit is one of my favourite dishes, but the implication of the word “confit” means that the meat should have been salted for some decent length of time which, originally intended as amend of preserving the flesh, in the same way as ham, results in,it becoming much firmer than otherwise. As far as the two of us who had it could tell the duck had merely been boiled to death, losing all flavour on its way and becoming simply soft enough to eat with a spoon rather than a knife and fork. The veal Milanese was far too well cooked, being dark brown in patches rather than the usual overall golden and was not eaten after the first mouthful. Altogether an extremely disappointing meal, though the conversation which we supplied ourselves flowed well. "
"First visit for a while: still decent. Potted shrimp; cuttlefish puttanesca w/ polenta; crème caramel. Wine: £160."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
36 The Cut, London, SE1 8LP
Opening hours
| Monday | 4 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 4 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 11 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:15 pm |
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