Harden's survey result
Summary
“Ever popular and always delicious” – this “absolutely fantastic” Camberwell gastropub has earned a reputation almost equal to that of its famous south London stablemate, the Anchor & Hope. It’s a “great local spot” – “busy but welcoming” – “with generally excellent and ambitious food (we’ve had the occasional less successful plate, but the success rate is high)”.
Summary
“The menu is SO enticing and the food SO delicious that it is difficult to imagine better pub food than at The Camberwell Arms” – “buzzy” sibling to the famous Anchor & Hope. “When on song (and not full of refugees from nearby Peckham) this is one of the best gastropubs in London”. “The wine list is very interesting, with some out-of-the-norm bottles that are modestly priced; and the cocktails are gluggable too”.
Summary
“The menu is SO enticing and the food SO delicious that it is difficult to imagine better pub food than at The Camberwell Arms” – “buzzy” sibling to the famous Anchor & Hope. “When on song (and not full of refugees from nearby Peckham) this is one of the best gastropubs in London”. “The wine list is very interesting, with some out-of-the-norm bottles that are modestly priced; and the cocktails are gluggable too”.
Summary
“Exactly what a good gastropub should be” – Camberwell’s sibling to the acclaimed Anchor & Hope offers “outstanding cooking with very fresh ingredients” and “oomph and umami galore”. “An upgrade to the interior has kept its neighbourhood boozer charm”, and locals are “thankful it’s open for lunch once more (if with a somewhat restricted menu)”. It gets very busy: be prepared for “noise” and a bit of “jostling”.
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).
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Restaurant details
The Camberwell Arms Restaurant Diner Reviews

"good sunday chicken roast, poor lamb steak, roasted potatoes too salty and some of the veg a bit odd. The music was somewhat overpowering (maybe we're getting a little old for it ... ) but the service was efficient and charming. The lamb was chewy and a bit tight, like it had been cooked to quickly and not rested. The chicken was better. Of the started the bavette and brocolli were good, the anchovies a little divisive but I enjoyed them, especially with the chilli sauce - the mayonnaise was a little bland. Beer selection disappointing - basically draught lagers and a few bottle craft beers. Feels like they expect you to hit the wine list or have cocktails."
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £22.00 |
Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
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Bread | £0.00 |
Service | 12.50% |
65 Camberwell Church St, London, SE5 8TR
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
Sunday | 1 pm‑5 pm |
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