The Old Bell Tavern
Quick info
About The Old Bell Tavern
Behind a stained glass frontage at 95 Fleet St in London, The Old Bell Tavern is a real ale pub that Wren's stone masons used in the 17th century. Cask ale is the focus, with a range of ales that includes a best bitter, and cider is poured as well. The food runs to fish and chips, served with tartare sauce and vinegar on the side, along with meat pies. The room is small with limited seating, and the space at the back is an open alleyway rather than a beer garden. The pub takes walk-ins. Screens show Wimbledon.
Good to know
“Classic real ale pub behind stained glass frontage, used by Wren's stone masons in the 17th century.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, meat pies, cask ales and cider.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, meat pies, cask ales and cider.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw the most praise here, with reviewers describing batter that isn't too thick and very crispy chips, served with tartare sauce and vinegar and paired with cider. Close behind are the meat and steak pies, which several diners ordered and called very good. On the drinks side, reviewers mention the cask ale, a best bitter, and a Jubal peach beer as a nice alternative, and one describes a bartender who answered questions about which ales to try. The atmosphere is called relaxing, chill and cozy, and one reviewer brought a dog on a Sunday afternoon and found the pub traditional and unspoilt. Wimbledon on the screen gets a mention too. Seating is described as very limited, with no beer garden, just a bright open alleyway at the back. The main complaint comes from one reviewer who describes two staff chatting among themselves, ignoring them, never smiling or saying thank you, and being rude to a couple asking for a menu, though that same reviewer found the food tasty, the beer cold and the toilets clean.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw the most praise here, with reviewers describing batter that isn't too thick and very crispy chips, served with tartare sauce and vinegar and paired with cider. Close behind are the meat and steak pies, which several diners ordered and called very good. On the drinks side, reviewers mention the cask ale, a best bitter, and a Jubal peach beer as a nice alternative, and one describes a bartender who answered questions about which ales to try. The atmosphere is called relaxing, chill and cozy, and one reviewer brought a dog on a Sunday afternoon and found the pub traditional and unspoilt. Wimbledon on the screen gets a mention too. Seating is described as very limited, with no beer garden, just a bright open alleyway at the back. The main complaint comes from one reviewer who describes two staff chatting among themselves, ignoring them, never smiling or saying thank you, and being rude to a couple asking for a menu, though that same reviewer found the food tasty, the beer cold and the toilets clean.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Lovely pub with a great atmosphere and friendly service. A special mention to Nidhi, who was very welcoming and attentive. She made the experience even better. Would definitely recommend and visit again!”
- Google user
“Four of us took our dog to visit this lovely traditional, unspoilt pub on Sunday afternoon. The staff were very friendly and efficient and the best bitter was very good. We will be visiting again.”
- Google user
“We didn’t had any food but I heard they have great pie. Beautiful pub and cozy atmosphere. Beer was fresh and you can watch some Wimbledon as well.”
- Google user
“Just popped in here on the way back to the train station. Lovely small pub. Very limited seating, there isn't a beer garden, just a bright open alleyway at the back. Reasonably priced. Definitely recommend the Jubal peach beer. Nice alternative.”
- Google user
“Visited here as it was close to my hotel and what a great experience. My first visit to the UK, so I had to get some Pub food. The fish and chips were outstanding, plenty of great ales, tried cask ale for the first time as well and really enjoyed it. The bartenders were helpful and attentive, answered some questions about what ales to try. Very glad I chose this pub.”
Location
Bars near The Old Bell Tavern
- Ye Olde London4.32,0190.1 mi£10–20ReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
fish and chips, secret beer garden, pool table
- Nicholson’s pub4.61230.1 mi£20–30
fish pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash
- The Pregnant Man4.35790.3 mi£20–30ReservationsTakeout
after work drinks, rotating beer tap list, 2-for-1 pizzas
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Old Bell Tavern | 4.51,638 | — | — | fish and chips, meat pies, cask ales |
| Ye Olde LondonReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.32,019 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, secret beer garden, pool table |
| Nicholson’s pub | 4.6123 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | fish pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash |
| The Pregnant ManReservations · Takeout | 4.3579 | 0.3 mi | £20–30 | after work drinks, rotating beer tap list, 2-for-1 pizzas |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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