
Quick info
About The Three Compasses
The Three Compasses is a pub in London on Cowcross St, opposite Farringdon Station and near the Elizabeth Line. Upstairs, the Bouchon Racine restaurant serves seasonal British and French dishes, including côte de bœuf and picanha, and a balcony leads off the dining room. The main bar is a single room with TVs showing live sport. Seating is a mix of poser tables and regular tables and chairs, and there is standing space for larger groups. Drinks include a couple of cask ales, Moretti on tap and a wine list, and the pub food menu includes burgers. The pub gets busy after work hours, which comes from its position beside the station and the surrounding offices.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crème caramel, côte de boeuf, burgers and pizzas and picanha steak.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crème caramel, côte de boeuf, burgers and pizzas and picanha steak.
Customer Review Summary
Food draws the most praise, led by the upstairs Bouchon Racine, where reviewers single out the côte de boeuf and picanha, with the crème caramel called a must. Others mention steaks done to perfection alongside red wine, juicy burgers and tasty pizzas, and a lunch that stretched into the whole afternoon. Reviewers also describe friendly, welcoming bar staff, good beers on tap, and a high chair provided for a toddler. Complaints are fewer but specific. One reviewer says staff refused Scottish banknotes, with the manager saying they could be fake. Another says security told them to leave less than two minutes after a first warning while staff were still drinking. A third reports food that was slow to arrive, burnt toast, and no one checking in, along with filthy toilets, no loo roll, a toilet that would not flush, and sick on the men's floor, while noting the staff were doing their best to clean it.
Customer Review Summary
Food draws the most praise, led by the upstairs Bouchon Racine, where reviewers single out the côte de boeuf and picanha, with the crème caramel called a must. Others mention steaks done to perfection alongside red wine, juicy burgers and tasty pizzas, and a lunch that stretched into the whole afternoon. Reviewers also describe friendly, welcoming bar staff, good beers on tap, and a high chair provided for a toddler. Complaints are fewer but specific. One reviewer says staff refused Scottish banknotes, with the manager saying they could be fake. Another says security told them to leave less than two minutes after a first warning while staff were still drinking. A third reports food that was slow to arrive, burnt toast, and no one checking in, along with filthy toilets, no loo roll, a toilet that would not flush, and sick on the men's floor, while noting the staff were doing their best to clean it.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Bar staff were nice however they would not accept our Scottish money, the manager then came up to review the money and said she would not accept it as it could be fake money and why couldn’t we just pay by card. When we reiterated the cash was legal tender she said no and they can’t accept any £20 because they could all be fake.”
- Google user
“Was good until we were hurried out by security on behalf of the management despite other people still drinking including staff after work. Given first warning and then less then 2 minutes later told to leave. If you want people out faster stop serving earlier. Security was good if not well informed by the venue so no blame for him.”
- Google user
“Paris in London with amazing food to match. Two Michelin hat food at pub prices. Warm friendly atmosphere and delicious food. Great bar staff and good beers on tap”
- Google user
“Popped in for a little Saturday lunch. 2 adults and a one-year old. High chair provided. Staff incredibly nice, happy and proactively accomodating. Food was really good - enjoyed by all three of us. A really charming spot - quite quiet at 12:30 on a Saturday but slowly filled up while we were here. Had 4.1 stars on Google when we came here and that is a woeful misrepresentation of this place - it's really nice!”
- Google user
“Great little pub with amazing food and atmosphere we came for the lunch and stayed all day 🤣”
Highlights
“Relaxed, long-running pub featuring a variety of wines, beers & spirits in a cosy setting.”
- Great beer selection
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
- Casual
- Onsite services
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Food
- Solo dining
- Restroom
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great beer selection
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
Location
Bars near The Three Compasses
- The Sir John Oldcastle4.12,6910.1 mi
fish and chips, cheap pints, full english breakfast
- The Holy Tavern4.61,3780.1 mi£10–20ReservationsOutdoor seating
st peter's brewery beers, pub cat, truffle parmesan fries
- St Barts4.26570.2 mi
wedding reception venue, english sparkling wine flight, balfour lager
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Three CompassesReservations · Wheelchair accessible | 4.1531 | — | £10–20 | crème caramel, côte de boeuf, burgers and pizzas |
| The Sir John Oldcastle | 4.12,691 | 0.1 mi | — | fish and chips, cheap pints, full english breakfast |
| The Holy TavernReservations · Outdoor seating | 4.61,378 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | st peter's brewery beers, pub cat, truffle parmesan fries |
| St Barts | 4.2657 | 0.2 mi | — | wedding reception venue, english sparkling wine flight, balfour lager |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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