please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Popped in here at the start of a day's london pub exploration, and rather enjoyed it - very limited ale selection but it tasted pleasant and the girl behind the bar was an amiable presence,food didn't look that appetising though.Overall, worth visiting for attractive location, get there early if you want a seat!
|
Have to agree with the regent.Was in here the other day and the drip behind the bar had to be seen to be believed. He was about as knowledgeable about his pub as the American tourists in there who were desperate for some history about the place. When they asked him 'where to find some real, real ale' he said go to
Belgos..they do nice beer.....
What a twat, and as the regent indicates..a tragic waste.
|
Brilliant location,I feel sorry for the tourists that get suckered into visiting this place. this rates as one of the shoddiest run pubs in London. If this was run by a dedicated landlord I'm sure this would be a place that you would look forward to visiting time and time again, this place has had no care, pride or attention lavished on it for many a year,just a cash cow for the owner, not that their is anything wrong with making oodles of money, just do it with some aplomb and finese.
|
Horrible pub, filled with horrible people. If you want a taste of olde England then this is the place for you, as in olde attitudes. Filled with dithering, wobbly Sergeant/Major types, like the guy in Faulty Towers but not as pleasant. In fact a bit nasty. Treat like a zoo or a window into the past, but don't stay too long. Oh and in agreement with some of the other posters..the food stinks. And the beer is very very average...clean to pipes for gods sake....Actually on second thoughts don't bother, people, after searching for this place, you'll be dissapointed..just go somewhere else..loads of nice pubs around that area....
|
Called in here recently on a quiet Monday afternoon. Pleasant location with an interesting history but the pub's atmosphere is badly spoiled by it's recognition on the tourist route. I admire the patience of the bar steward who endlessly described the relative merits of "English Beer" to a string of American and Oriental tourists. Pass.
|
We visited this pub today based on positive (historical) recommendations. It turned out to be the worst dining experience I have had in London since gastro pubs were a concept rather than reality. This place is riding on its prior reputation and that is all it has to offer. When one person in our party ordered a tea, asking for Earl Grey, she was told they only had 'English tea' as this was a real English pub (I must have missed the tea plantation on the way in from Brighton last weekend!). When the starters were delivered, 3 out of 6 had to be sent back because they were cold. When the mains were delivered, 4 out of 6 were wrong and 1 was cold. The waitress suggested we might want to just take the 4 incorrect orders as it would be another 15-20 minutes to bring the correct order. I should mention that none of the food (served hot or cold) was any better than average. At the end of our incredibly average and over priced meal, we were confronted with a bill which had an additional GBP90 service charge as a penalty for 9 no-show people which we had never agreed to. Quite frankly, the recent other diner experiences sum up this new management nicely. They are unprofessional, serve below-standard food and it won't be long before they are out of business.
|
Bring back the old licensee (Chris) as the new one is rubbish, she is never available in person or on the phone. The service has gone downhill and the prices have risen beyond belief. The new management have removed all traces/photographs of sunday "TOM"
The Grenadier was once a place of goodwill and great service, you are better off not going.
|
Rumours of its closure have been greatly exaggerated. Still very much alive.
|
my second visit to this pub both times ruined by hoorays who think its jolly good japes to fart in the pub,disgusting.i left my pint and wont return. There are far better pubs in Belgravia.
|
I've heard a rumour that the Grenadier has closed. I've not been there for a few months but if it has closed this is terrible news. This is by miles one of the best pubs in Central London
|
Friendly London pub in a nice area. The barman done really well when our group of 11 virtually all requested a pint of Timothy Taylors 'Landlord'. At the end of our London crawl he took some of our good natured comments very well, while he poured our pints. On the whole the pubs customers were very friendly.
An attractive pub both outside and inside.
|
Little gem of a pub, in a woderfully classy area, no plebs or chavs to depress you. popular with tourists who on the whole are quite friendly.
|
Smashing little boozer. Went there on Saturday afternoon, sun was shining, birds were trying to have sex with the bees, usual summer's day. Sat outside on the cobbled street, chatting, drinking. Not sure about the French bar-man's ability to pour the the perfect pint of Guinness though. Lot's of happy people.
|
Popped in one evening last week ; hadn't been before. One or two "hoorays" were present, as expected from reading earlier reviews:the weather was good so plenty of people were drinking outside. Quite hard to find.Enjoyed a couple of pints of Wells Bombardier, as if to maintain the military theme.
Barman rather condescendingly told me they didn't sell crisps and he put the beer into plastic glasses even though I'd said I would be drinking inside.Nonetheless a good find overall.
|
I am an American and a frequent visitor to London. After finding the Grenadier in 1983, it became a favorite watering hole. The Grenarier may be small but it has atmosphere, ambiance, friendliness, excellent ale AND food. I have never encountered a rude customer or staff. While it can be said that it has become a tourist trap, you Brits had best realize that the entire city is a tourist attraction. As for the noise, patrons desiring quiet seem to migrate outside. The Grenadier is a great place to socialize; I have met English, Scots, Welsh, Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, many continentals, and asians; all were friendly and it developed we had something in common - we were all veterans. All in all, in spite of its age, the Grenadier is well worth the visit. I may see you there.
|
I spent a very happy Sunday afternoon in this quiet pub. The owners were more than friendly (they gave me a London Pride t-shirt for free!), the service quick and efficient despite the crowds, the ales excellent, and the other patrons friendly (one Italian gentleman invited me to stay with him in Rome whenever I feel like going). It is rather difficult to find, but it is worth the wandering about in this beautiful neighborhood to find it. Oh, yeah - and the pewter bar is AMAZING.
|
It's a wonder this pub has any customers it's so hiddeen away, down an exclusive mews cul-de-sac and totally invisible unless yu walk to within twenty yards or so of its doors. a very nice old-fashioned pub on the face of it; I wandered in around 8pm on a tuesday evening and it was busy without being uncomfortably so. Most of the customers looked like well-off local who could afford to have their dinner in the pub rather than cooking at home after a long day at work, although the food smells were a bit overpowering for someone such as myslef just wanting a quiet pint of decent ale. Speaking of which: four handpumps including London Pride and Old Hooky, which was on good form. Unfortunately I'd been there barely a quarter of an hour when the place was invaded by a large crowd of young American student types who couldn't seem to keep still and were talking very loudly. (One or two of their number didn't even get a drink in - being irritated by people who aren't even proper customers was the final straw!) After several minutes of aural assault and being constantly brushed past I drained my glass and left. As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, this pub isn't really suitable for groups of more than three or four. Certainly worth checking out though and I'll definitely give it another try.
|
Been coming to this pub since I discovered it by accident in the 70s (I really don't remenber what I was doing down alleyways off Hyde Park corner). It has its faults but it always features on my tour of Belgravia's hidden mews treasures. One of the first places to have Old Specckled Hen on draught around 10 years ago - which has got to be a tick on the plus side. Too small for any group more than 2 or 3 to drink in comfort - but I like it.
|
Yes its a bit snobby but the beer is good and the food is excellent , if a bit expensive. Very nice barmaid and good ambience. Well worth a visit.
|
No smoking, no mobile phones, no making loud noise, no drinking beyond the designated area, no atmosphere. Yes, it's a nice pub and the food looks tasty, but the service is slow and it can take a long time to get served behind the masses of American and Japanese tourists / businessmen who come here. Quite hard to find unless you really know where to look.
|
Very small pub. Service was awful. Somewhere to try out your posh accent. Full of Horses types. Sorry my inverted snobbery coming out again.
Only plastic pint glasses outside.
Beer OK but expensive but the area is generally
|
A lovely pub and well worth seeking out.
Be warned though that it is not big and when I visited it was a bit busy - the bar staff were as fast as sloths, meaning that I ended up waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting…..
|
It's charm is it's hidden location (you have to be Sherlock Holmes to find it), but it's well worth a lunchtime visit.
I found the staff to be very friendly, considering I was part of a 15 man stag do.
Quality of real ale, good.
|
On my recent visit the beer was fine and the place hadn't changed of course. Varied clients, all a bit squiffy in the sun. The service was adequate but not friendly or welcoming for such a small place. History and character yes and in a good little place.
|
Yes, it has history, but not quite sure what the fuss is all about. Not quite a hidden treasure, but also not as friendly as I would have expected.
|
lots of character, good selection of ales and pleasant atmosphere. It's off the beaten track so need to be an orienteering champ to find this place! As a historic pub it is on the tourist map, so be prepared to "bite your tongue" when large groups from across the pond descend on the tavern - one of the reasons why they get away with charging the prices they do. Nonetheless worth a visit if in the area.
|
Visited for the first time on Sunday. I did think it was a nice pub with nice bar staff, but the circulating landlord gave off an unpleasant attitude and the beer selection was extremely unexciting. What is the point in offering Young's bitter, Pride and Adnams bitter? Why not serve one or two standard bitters, and maybe something else like an ESB, a mild or a real stout/porter? A common gripe of mine.
Our visit was pretty much ruined by an extremely obnoxious group of about 8 middle aged ugly americans, smoking cigars, drinking champagne and SHOUTING.
anonymous - 18 Apr 2006 10:10 |
A well hidden pub - come equipped with map, compass and preferably a GPS receiver. Probably a good thing it's elusive though as it's a bit too popular with organised tours already - on the plus side the ale is usually very well kept and the Bloody Marys are truly excellent.
|
Had a terrible experience in terms of service there a few weeks back. The quality of service of the waiter was not greta and then guy who was looking after the restaurant could not have been ruder towards the end of the meal. Made us happy to go and spend our money somewhere else
Wouldn't recommend it to anyone
|
Will be back for the bloody mary! Good little place. Very charismatic. Nice ale. Very small.
|
Delightful little pub, very well hidden down what appears to be a private mews but full of charm and English tradition. Oh and did I mention the toffs?! Fully expected given its location and calls for much entertainment, naturally! Well worth a visit if you can find it.
|
Struggled to find this one from Hyde Park Corner. Was worth the effort. Enjoyed a pint of Greene King IPA on a slow afternoon.
Other than one overbearing American blathering on about how great the lager it was a great experience.
|
I love this pub. Have been here many times & - although it can get very crowded - I have always found it difficult to leave when it is time to go. The food is superb,the ale fine,the staff more than efficient. Go there - you may even see the Grenadiers ghost!!!
|
It's a pub I want desperately to hate. But I can't. It's fabulous. There's a bloke who owns a Ferrari-estate just up the road too (very rare). Stand outside on a summer's evening and you might see it ....
anonymous - 4 Jul 2005 09:37 |
Jolly good Bloody Mary.
|
It's got a great atmosphere. I went there during a heat wave and for some reason (maybe it was the pewter bar and breeze from outside) found it a tonic. Nice drop, nice fries. No ghostly encounters though...
|
A must on any pub crawl in Belgravia. Fullers London Pride is consistently good and perhaps not quite as expensive as might have been expected given the location.
John - 8 Nov 2004 12:39 |
Went there one hot Friday lunchtime with my young family and mum, a bit of a nostalgic visit as my great Grandmother (Mrs Cowlard) used to live at 21 Philips terrace, Old Barracks Yard in the late 18th Century.Nice pint of Fullers London Pride but expensive round as that, a glass of house wine and a Gin and pineapple gave no change out of a tenner !
Mr Phil Gurr - 6 Aug 2004 18:33 |
One of the better pubs in this area, which is crowed with characterless places catering to overseas visitors. Yes, it is expensive, but consider the location.
The food here is great, but you need to be sure to book ahead of time. They also serve food at lunchtime, which is a better bet for a seat without a reservation.
radandmark - 11 Jun 2004 19:45 |
Sometimes Madonna and Guy Ritchie can be seen here, but mostly it's OK if ferociously expensive.
OK, just a quick half - 11 Feb 2004 17:15 |
A good pub, and conveniently out of the way in a mews. However, can get a tad crowded as the punters fight for space at the bar. After 9, unlikely to get a seat. Some good Fullers ales.
Oliver - 18 Nov 2003 14:14 |
Nice old pub. Don't go for dinner without a reservation. Plenty of open seats but the stuffmeister's won't seat you.
Bruce - 17 Nov 2003 19:37 |
relies on clients from nearby 5* hotels who are prepared to pay top prices. lots of problems with local residents especially during summer when drinkers gather outside. it pays to make friends with the manager, Patricia, who is not one to cross swords with!
anonymous - 23 Aug 2003 02:49 |
Good exterior and atmos but I nearly had a rectal prolapse when I looked at the menu for the restuarant. Fish and chips 12.95!
Rich - 24 Jul 2003 19:30 |
Disappointed last time I went October 2002. Bar was dirty and under the counter were bar flies.......
Hope theyve cleaned up their act because it used to be a great pub.
tony chetwyn - 9 Jul 2003 05:55 |
A truly elegant old pub. Very real history as this was the Duke of Wellington's original Officers mess hall. The Pweter bar is over 200 years old. Small and cosy. A few locals and tourists and it is more of a "suits" place. Nice clientale, frienly staff and cthe food whilst basic at the bar the restaurant is excellent. I recommend the "stilton puffs" as starter.
A high recommendation for a visit.
J. Reeder Pennsylvania-USA
J Reeder - 8 May 2003 14:19 |
Went on 4/25/03 and have been there each time we visit London, and the atmosphere and friendly mix of locals & tourists draw us back. Friendly staff.
Paul & Debra Williams - 30 Apr 2003 15:49 |
i used to work in the pub as well
and it kind of grew on me.
definately a place worht visiting!
tanja tuomola - 14 Feb 2003 13:41 |
i have been working there and i must say that it is wonderfull place1!!
|
A great, authentic and historic English Pub. Menu is a bit starchy, as would be expected, but worth the calories.
Chris - 3 Jan 2003 16:06 |
Lovely historic pub with genuine charm and character. Do not visit though for the food which is vastly over priced for very basic.
Peter Green - 13 Nov 2002 09:08 |
Great little pub, gets a bit busy. appears in tourist guides so often frequented by lost septics...
Phil - 7 Aug 2002 10:11 |
skip nav