George and Vulture
Quick info
About George and Vulture
On Castle Court in London, George and Vulture is a pub and chophouse restaurant that also serves as a European restaurant and bar. The menu runs from Steak and Kidney Pudding and Fish and Chips to Scallop with Black Pudding and Bacon, with Sticky Toffee Pudding and Cream to finish, drawn from a list of nineteen dishes. A window seat here is linked to Dickens' Pickwick Papers, giving the room a literary association beyond its food and drink. A private dining room suits groups looking to book a table apart from the main bar. The pub keeps to weekday hours, closing on Saturdays and Sundays, and reservations are recommended given the space. Beer is poured at the bar alongside the food menu, and the fireplace in the seating area gives the room a fixed point beyond the tables. Some menu items can run out over the course of service.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
Menu & Prices
19 dishes- Beer
- Steak and Kidney Pudding
- Fish Ans Chips
- Scallop with Black Pudding and Bacon
- Heritage Tomatoes Burrata
- Sticky Toffee Pudding with Cream
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken pie and mash, dickens history connection, slow service/wait times and private dining rooms upstairs.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken pie and mash, dickens history connection, slow service/wait times and private dining rooms upstairs.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers repeatedly return for the history at George and Vulture, from its Dickens connections to the centuries-old feel of the building, and this atmosphere, more than any single dish, is what draws people back. Several single out the chicken pie and mash and its "lip-smacking gravy," and the traditional English menu generally earns praise, though one visitor found the food good but noted the service was "haphazard" and that items including bread were unavailable. Staff and management come in for consistent warmth, described as attentive and happy to share the pub's stories, including one manager who spoke of the Hellfire Club and Dickens writing in the window seat. Private dining rooms have hosted birthday parties and reunions, though one reviewer flags the stairs down to them as dark and steep. Waits do recur as a complaint: one diner reports an hour between ordering and food arriving, and another notes a cold draft from a front door left open despite a roaring fire. The pub's narrow alley setting and festive December decor are also mentioned as memorable details by returning visitors.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers repeatedly return for the history at George and Vulture, from its Dickens connections to the centuries-old feel of the building, and this atmosphere, more than any single dish, is what draws people back. Several single out the chicken pie and mash and its "lip-smacking gravy," and the traditional English menu generally earns praise, though one visitor found the food good but noted the service was "haphazard" and that items including bread were unavailable. Staff and management come in for consistent warmth, described as attentive and happy to share the pub's stories, including one manager who spoke of the Hellfire Club and Dickens writing in the window seat. Private dining rooms have hosted birthday parties and reunions, though one reviewer flags the stairs down to them as dark and steep. Waits do recur as a complaint: one diner reports an hour between ordering and food arriving, and another notes a cold draft from a front door left open despite a roaring fire. The pub's narrow alley setting and festive December decor are also mentioned as memorable details by returning visitors.
Featured reviews
- Jonathan Naess
“Wow! I worked in the city for many many years and only just discovered the George and Vulture, almost next door to The Jamaica Wine House (which I also love and is very much worth a visit) on George’s Yard. Luke and Harriet who have recently become the publicans here were so attentive and interested to share the amazing history of this beautiful historic pub. We sat drinking in the window seat where Dickens wrote the Pickwick Papers and soaked up the atmosphere. Lovely buzz of city folk drinking after work on a sunny Friday and a unique experience all told. Thank you x”
- Kate Dougall
“I held my 40th birthday party here yesterday, and our experience was excellent. From booking a couple of months ago, to the day of the party, staff were polite and helpful, agreeing to open on a Saturday at a time of our choosing. Charles, the barman, was helpful, kind and patient with adults and kids alike. He was knowledgeable about the history of the pub and was happy to have a chat about Dickens. The pub itself is superb, retaining its victorian charm and honouring its links to Charles Dickens without being kitschy. Thank you so much, Charles (Dickens and barman), for facilitating a wonderful birthday party we'll remember for years to come!”
- John
“Arrived yesterday evening to be met by the square full of what must have been in excess of 200 patrons! Asked the landlady if they were still doing food, ‘absolutely’. My colleague and I were treated to a fantastic dinner with excellent …”
- er nest
“Very old pub with a great atmosphere. Maybe we had very bad luck, but in our case it took one hour to get the food after ordering it.”
- E.M. Blake
“Super busy on a Friday night in December. Loved the festive decor. Hidden litttle gem in Shoreditch I'd happily come back to.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Has great beer selection
- Has great wine list
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Accepts reservations
- Serves dine-in
- Serves alcohol
- Casual
- Serves beer
- Serves food
Show more amenities
- Has private dining room
- Serves spirits
- Has table service
- Good for solo dining
- Has toilet
- Cosy
- Offerings· 2
- Serves cocktails
- Serves wine
- Highlights· 2
- Has great beer selection
- Has great wine list
- Crowd· 1
- Good for groups
Location
Bars near George and Vulture
- The Hydrant, Monument4.12,1730.2 miWheelchair accessible
fish and chips, haddock finger sandwich, kilo of wings
- The Cannick Tapps4.45590.2 mi£20–30Reservations
2-4-1 cocktails, lunch pizza meal deal, burger with triple-cooked chips
- Crutched Friar4.41,0330.3 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
fish and chips, local beers on tap, QR code ordering
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George and VultureReservations | 4.4189 | — | £10–50 | chicken pie and mash, dickens history connection, slow service/wait times |
| The Hydrant, MonumentWheelchair accessible | 4.12,173 | 0.2 mi | — | fish and chips, haddock finger sandwich, kilo of wings |
| The Cannick TappsReservations | 4.4559 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | 2-4-1 cocktails, lunch pizza meal deal, burger with triple-cooked chips |
| Crutched FriarReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,033 | 0.3 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, local beers on tap, QR code ordering |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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