Anchor Bankside

We had a lovely dinner at The Anchor Bankside and couldn’t have picked a better spot. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, with just the right mix of history and charm. The staff were friendly and attentive, making us feel right at home. Our meal was delicious, hearty, and perfect for the riverside setting. It’s a wonderful place to relax, enjoy good food, and soak up a bit of London’s character. We’ll definitely be back!

A Cozy Old Pub by the Thames This pub has such a charming, traditional atmosphere — super cozy and full of character. As tourists from Amsterdam, we really enjoyed the great beer and delicious food. The people here made us feel so welcome, and we had a good laugh with the regulars at the bar. This visit was truly one of the highlights of our trip to London! 🍻🇬🇧

This pub has a nice atmosphere and old world charm, the only let down was the food. I had the pie and mash and the mash was a disaster, had a glue like texture from being over processed. The wedge of cabbage as a side was average at best. My wife had the steak ciabatta and it was very average. Overall would recommend for drinks but not for food.

We loved this pub. So close to Shakespeare's Globe and with a wonderful view of the Thames. We ended up going there for drinks twice and for dinner once. The steak and ale pie and the sticky toffee pudding were so good.

Lovely place at the Thames with direct view if you sit outside. The fish & chips were great and both the food and drinks came fast. Good music as well!

Extremely disappointing! With reservations, we were tabled at an upper floor with no view. You're expected to walk downstairs to place your order at the bar, carry drinks to your table yourself, and they'll bring the food to you. Very confusing, and they really don't embrace the old-world atmosphere at all. Food was OK, but nothing special. Would not go back.

The fish and chip is legit. Thin layer of crispy batter with solid fish meat inside. The seasonal crab burger is fried soft shell crab top up with their special spicy mayo and soft bun. Battered Halloumi is highly recommended as well. Service is attentive and the view from the rooftop garden is awesome.

Popped in here twice as was staying close by with the dog and knowing it was a Green King, we knew it would be a very dog friendly pub. Was right! Staff lovely. Special shout out to the staff member (I didn’t catch his name but he told us the story about his bunny’s!) amazing friendly service. Food lovely too. Lots of little seating areas and bars. Would highly recommend

The Anchor is another amazing pub in London. The ambience is historic, amazing, breathtaking. The interior has something to see everywhere you turn. We sat both indoors and out and both were fun to be in. Staff was friendly and the food was very good as well. It's such a nice place to sit and relax, people watch and see tourist run about but it's also nice to sit inside and have some peace and quiet. We got a steak sandwich here and it was delicious. Really good crisps too. No complaints about the anchor! Beautiful views all around as it's right on the river as well.

This is a historic pub just steps away from the Globe theater; my dad and I headed that way for a few rounds before a play. We got there slightly before five and, by the time we left, it was so full - there were a line of people down the Thames with drinks. (They do offer drinks in plastic cups to takeaway or go outside.) Menu looked good - even though we only nibbled on some fries, as we had just come from the nearby market. Overall, it was a cool place to hang out for a few hours - tons of seating and cold drinks!

The Anchor is in such a cool building and there is literally something for everyone here. There are so many different rooms and nooks that it would take you forever to find your group, but you would absolutely have a different experience every single time you come. I was so happy we made this our first stop. You can just feel the history here. Just down the street from the Globe it is well located for a good time. We got fish and chips that were wonderful. Order at the bar.

Just stopped by for a beer because how could you not stop and have a drink with Williams spirit! this place is so big and beautiful. It doesn't matter which entrance you step in through there's a bar whichever door you go through. There's also seating right across the walk way getting a beautiful view of the cleaner river you've ever seen/ jk/ The girl at the bar was so nice and helpful although I couldn't get a hello from any other employee. Over all very cool, which the market wasn't so close because that where we decided to eat.

Stopped by this historic pub that I used to frequent when I was working here many years ago. The neighborhood is completely different. Had a Guinness, fish and chips and Sticky Toffee Pudding. It was the middle of the day and the area was bustling. Quick and friendly service in a very historic pub. Multiple floors and nooks and crannies.

Delicious, close to Boroug market. Was taken here after a tour and stayed for drinks afterwards. Had a pale ale with my fish and chips and afterwards had more pale ale and cider. Both drinks were wonderful, I always get ciders when visiting Europe since they taste better than in the US.

Delicious UK pub fare with a side of delight -- comforting, flavorful, and just the right amount of cheek. Great staff, a perfect pint, and even better chat. Cheers to proper hospitality!

Great and historic pub on the banks of the Thames. Beers are good but not great. I enjoyed the hazy. It costs a little more here due to the location but there a lot of nooks and crannies to hang around in and a deck that faces the river. Note your table number and order at the bar.

This is an historic pub but it is very modern and loud. Good selection of beers and food. Very crowded. Lots of noise. Not my first choice. Food was ok. It was generally bar food. It doesn't feel like an historical pub, more like a modern bar.

The Anchor pub is located where taverns of various names have operated for over 800 years. It all began as the "brewery tap room" for the Anchor Brewery, established in 1616. It was operating in Shakespeare's time, the Globe just a short walk away...William Shakespeare himself a patron here. Due to the location on the south bank of the River Thames and the historic nature of the building, expect crowds when you dine and/or drink here. The experience can be a bit chaotic. Don't expect a host to seat or instruct you. Go in, find a table and if you can, ask a server what your table number is. Once you've chosen from the menu, send a member of your party to one of the bars to order drinks and food. They'll ask for your table number. The food came out quickly considering the crowds, however the order was missing my entree and had to be reordered. Meanwhile, I split a Crab sandwich with another member of my party and when my burger arrived we split that as well. The crab was battered and deep fried and was overwhelmed by the flavor of the batter. The "Vintage Cheeseburger" was better but about average for what you'd expect for pub food. The menu description: Vintage Cheddar & Bacon Burger: Glazed linseed bun, aged beef burger, Beechwood smoked bacon and a melting slice of 1833 Barber's Vintage Cheddar. Served with house seasoned fries and East Coast IPA BBQ relish The East Coast IPA BBQ relish served with the fries was very good! In closing, this is where the closing scene of Mission Impossible (with Tom Cruise) was filmed. In the movie it was the terrace pub where Ethan finally gets to unwind...because you know, he chose to accept it...the Mission that is. This review will not self destruct in five seconds.

Tucked away within walking distance of Borough Market, this old pub feels like one of London's best-kept secrets. Surprisingly low on tourists, it's the kind of place that tells a history, with a layout that stretch out almost like wandering through a maze room after room, each with its own vibe and charm. The Guinness perfectly poured, smooth and creamy as it should be. And the fish and chips spot on. A flaky, tender piece of fish wrapped in a batter so crisp it practically crackles. Simple, honest, and everything you want from a proper British pub.

The Anchor Pub had been on my list to try while exploring London. It was on a couple lists I perused, I knew it had a rich history, and walking by it several times, the vibrant yet cozy exterior seemed to draw me in. The interior is similar to other pubs in the area. Plenty of small high tops, wooden bar counters, lively atmosphere, etc. There is also outdoors bankside/Thames River seating (and walkup bars). The staff behind the bar was nice and would offer up suggestions when prompted. The servers that brought us our food would not say a word to us, did not smile, and when we asked if we could have silverware they made us feel like it was all part of their plan to go back and grab some anyway. The food was mediocre at best. The fish & chips were nothing to write home about. There are far better fish & chips even within stones throwing distance. The sticky toffee pudding was nice, but they were out of ice cream so we had to make do with custard and vegan ice cream (I got 2 to try both options out). The steak and ale pie was a real let down. I had previously visited a couple other pubs where the pies were not only on point, they actually kind of blew me away. Anchor's pie was bigger, but it lacked flavor and the aged beef gave a lingering sour and salty taste. The ales were the typical ales you could find in any London Pub. I wish I had better things to say about the pub, but the ambiance was more loud and annoying than fun, the food was simply less than what I expected, and the staff was hit or miss in terms of quality service. If you're in the Tate Modern or Globe Theater area you can certainly swing by this pub, but you're actually so close to Burrough Market, and you should DEFINTELY check that out. And in terms of pubs, I would recommend the Red Lion Pub or Churchill Arms if you get a chance. Worth Noting: Pub Trivia lovers, the Anchor hosts a weekly Monday night pub trivia. I really wanted to attend, but unfortunately, I was busy that evening. Cheers!!

Great food. Good drinks. Atmosphere was unique and the service was good. But there's no way anyone would know the seating procedure or ordering procedure because there are no signs or anyone helping out. Despite that it's a cool place and worth a visit.

We hung out here for a while- we were tired of walking and were waiting to get into the Globe. We tried a variety of dishes and all of them were delicious! I had the pea and mint soup, which had a wonderful complex flavor, and made me want to have mint in more savory dishes. My mother had the vintage cheddar Mac and cheese, which was so rich and indulgent, but had a great sharp, cheesy flavor. We also shared the halloumi, which was battered and fried in the style of fish and chips- this was great for me as a vegetarian who can't have the actual dish. For desert we shared a lovely and airy blackberry Eton mess and a sticky toffee pudding- which was the opposite of airy, but was delicious nonetheless. I still think about it quite often... The service was very good- everyone was nice and helpful, and had great recommendations for us. The pub itself is a rather large space, but the dim lighting and dark furnishings make it feel comfortable and cozy.

Very cool old bar and good food! We sat outside and had a great time. We were chatting with the bar tender and asked how old the bar was and we were offered a quick tour of the place and she gave us a mini taste testing. Awesome service!

Fun spot for a pint on a sunny afternoon in London. Solid pub food, good service. The pub has lots of character and plenty of seating. The outdoor patio area is fantastic.

Grab a table & the table number from one of the many seating areas, head up to the bar to order & pay. You'll walk away with your drinks & the food will be brought to your table. We ate & drank here a few times over a 4 day visit. Had to have the fish fry for my first meal in London. Excellent choice, everything was good! Although, the smashed peas would be better used as wallpaper paste. Just not a fan of peas. I had an awesome cheeseburger on my second visit. The Anchor gets real busy during the weekend, probably overflow from the Borough Market just around the corner.

Probably the coziest pub on the Thames! The Anchor has a fantastic historic charm with plenty of snug corners inside and a great roof deck with stunning river views. It's the perfect spot for a pint while watching the boats go by. The only downside? The beer is on the pricey side--but with the atmosphere and location, it's still worth it. A must-visit for a classic London pub experience!

Would not recommend. They don't care about service. Food was soooo bland and the chicken was as hard as a shoe. Not a good experience. Not to mention there was a long blonde hair wrapped around my sandwich. There were many people it is really loud inside.

GO BACK IN TIME TO 1676 at this ancient riverside pub. Rebuilt after the great fire of London in 1666 , the anchor offers a rare glimpse of what the old riverside pubs were like in the 17th and 18th centuries. Once frequented by river pirates (can you say Arrrrr) and merchants alike, you can enjoy some of the same fare as they did so long ago. Steak and Ale Pie with Cabbage! This traditional British invention comes with a side of delicious gravy (dripping gravy) which you pour over your pie as you eat it. The pie comes with a thick crust, although in some places the crust is thin. Also here, there is plenty of gravy already in the pie, but you can also put it on your mash (mashed potatoes) or if you got fries you can dip your fries in it. I tried it on my cabbage but it I think it actually detracted from the delicious cabbage flavor. Oh, and I think it's called Steak and Ale Pie, not because it's made with ale but because you're supposed to have a pint with it! But you know I just read a recipe on-line and there IS dark ale in it. The rest of the recipe, what with the crust and everything is SO complicated, that I really felt like "I should not try this at home" but hey, if you wanna take a stab at it, be my guest, but a least have a couple at some Brit restaurant so you can get an idea what it's SUPPOSED to taste/look like. When you arrive you find a table. (Remember your table number) then go to the bar and order/pay and they will bring it to your table. Meat and Ale Pies vary in taste and technique, I've only had one other, so, I'm not an expert. I thought it was pretty good though so, if you don't like it, try another place. I think though you will really enjoy having a pint or even a burger with the ghosts of merchants and pirates at The Anchor. Arrrrrrrreee

Sole survivor of the River Taverns from Shakespeare's time. They have been around since 1676. Yes, I know, very American of me to appreciate how old a building is. But wow! Beautifully maintained. It's expansive. Lots of varied floor heights, as you may expect. You can go upstairs and eat at the bar or on the balcony. The balcony would be my favorite if it wasn't so windy. It's sit yourself. Pay attention to the number on the disc that is on your table. You will need to go to the bar to order, tell him your table number, and he'll bring it out. We had the steak and ale pie with mashed potatoes and merlot gravy. It was wonderful. The pastry was light and flaky. The beef was tender. The gravy was perfect. Not too floury or salty. The merlot gave it a great flavor.

When they joke about England having the worst food ever this is it. I had the scariest salad of my life, and my Mom's fish and chips were so so greasy. There were hardly any clean glasses for water and I had to bus all the tables myself. We went since it was close to the theatre venue we were heading too but I wish to God we hadn't. Truly a scary meal. (Who puts sour cream, peppers, chicken and hot sauce as a salad? WACK)

Had to stop by on our way to see a show at The Globe as it is on all of lists of "iconic" bars & pubs in London. The weather was perfect so we sat outside and enjoyed people-watching while drinking our pint. We only ordered a beer which came quickly and was cold, albeit a little more expensive compared to other pubs we visited.

Great place by the River. For a tourist it's a Decent spot to get some fish and chips and a pint. The food was actually pretty good!

Yes please! Sausage rolls are delish, location is perfect and the pints are plentiful!

Had some drinks and appetizers today! Great service, food was delicious, beer was cold. Great view of the intercostal water with all the boats coming and going!

Carly and Connor were great, top notch service. Very attentive to complex orders and managed a large crowd very well. Appreciate their help!

Horrible food and disgustingly filthy dining room (dirt, sticky tables and dirty dishes everywhere. We asked for cutlery but it never came - we found it in a drawer in one of the side tables/buffet. This was by far our worst dining experience in London . We left our meals (bland tasting, no seasoning and cooked in old oil) and walked out hungry. Sad for the staff as they were friendly at the bar.

The Anchor was good! Owned by a very prevalent restaurant group, the beers and menu was the same as a few pub-like places we walked into. My friends and I all ordered draft ciders which were delicious and crisp. We started with a hummus platter, which to my surprise was really good and fresh. For entrees, my friends ordered two different savory pies, and I decided on fish and chips. The fish was a little bit over-saturated with oil, but I picked around certain parts and it was fine. The pies were a hit with my friends. The location of Anchor was great. We walked by it during the day, and it seemed to be packed with tourists. When we went at night for drinks and dinner, it was way more manageable.

This was a fun and historical place to visit. I liked the fact that Shakespeare whoever he/she/they might be, might have their presence there. The beer was good and there was a place for me even when it started raining and everyone came inside.

We booked a table beforehand knowing the Anchor would be busy. After finally finding someone that could check us in after multiple rude staff, we were brought to a small room INFESTED with flies. The menu had a QR code to order from, which we did. We ordered appetizers, drinks, and meals. After about an hour we were beginning to worry, but our meals finally came. It was horrible and room temperature. We still hadn't received our appetizer or drinks and had to track down any staff member we could find to get the rest of our order that we paid for. The drinks ended up coming nearly an hour and a half after we initially ordered. It was a very cool place and a great atmosphere but horrible everything else.

I don't do this often and I wish I didn't. We saw this place and thought it would be a good experience for my family. But if I do not think I ever had a place forget our order took forever to bring some food out. Just forgot most of our order. Then they don't do recess so they said sorry can't do anything when they charged us for a 20$ sirloin when we ordered something else for 10$. We repeated our order numerous times and to no avail. Honestly just disappointing for what is supposed to be a fine establishment. Awful way to spend time in London

If there is one place to go in london....go to the Anchor.. Service is the best!!! And the location on the thames is so beautiful

Very busy pub, very average food. This pub is super busy on Friday evenings, like most central pubs in London. They do have several bars throughout the different rooms, so ordering doesn't take too long, even at the busiest crush times. The food was only average pub food quality, disappointing mac&cheese that tasted like cardboard and a rather dry pie that needed lots of gravy to make it edible. The food looked nice, but didn't deliver in taste and texture. It was also very loud and crushed at times, so not what I'd call comfortable. We had booked a table, but the group next to us just took over part of our table, spreading out way too far into our space. There's definitely better options in the area.

My wife, myself, and kids ages 9 and 13 chose this place for dinner. The place has a huge outdoor section that has a great vibe, and the indoor area is well Spread out on several floors and there is a lot going on. Once you arrive you place your order at the bar and then they bring the food to you. My wife ordered the Chicken Tikka and will not stop raving about the dish 5 days later. I had the bangers and mash and it was yummy.......very filling. Kids had a burger and Mac and cheese. We split a bottle of wine and the kids had water. Great place for a stop to eat!!!

What a historic place to eat and drink at, in a city of historic places! The Anchor has the original red building, and additionally, a patio across the walkway. Both sites were so much fun to drink at. Great crowd on a Friday. Very good fish and chips. And good beer selection. Loved the building with all its chairs and rooms throughout. Would go back every time.

Not good. Cold Food. No service after mistaken food. Worst of British food. Even the gravy is bad. Very sorry we came here, won't happen again.

Screwed up setup, blah food.... not impressed. Don't waste your time or money. Will not be back.

This Anchor Bankside was a great choice! We had some fun cocktails to cool us down (the Aperol Spritz was fantastic!) during the heat wave. We also ordered the fish and chips and basically licked our plate clean they were so delicious! You have to order at the bar, but super easy. Location is great, right by the river, and right next to the Globe Theater, London Bridge, and Borough Market! Definitely stop in and give it a try!

Great pub! My wife and I were visiting from New York, and are admittedly not the curators of London cuisine, but we had some great food and a great time! Service was quick and friendly, the prices were definitely a bit steep compared to some of the other pubs we visited, but we felt the end justified the means. This place is a bit of a landmark, and you definitely pay for it, but the interior and exterior are adorable, and the location is bar-none right on the Thames. Notes for outsiders (like us!): There is traditionally no wait service at pubs in London (probably everywhere in the UK? I can only speak to London). You order and pay at the bar and the food is brought to your table. The ordering and paying also takes place at the same time. Additionally, tipping is a whole different ball game here. What most of the locals and others explained is that tip is not expected but is appreciated and you typically just round off your bill with the tip. For example, if you bill is 27.50 pounds, you can be nice and just give them 30 and call it even. Maybe we're wrong, but that's what everyone seemed to be doing. Now, a vast number of the pubs in London are "Fuller's" pubs. I never really understood this entirely, but it basically means that the menu and beers are extremely similar everywhere you go with slight deviations (a different pie here, a different beer there) but we were a little confused when so many of the pubs (despite having different names) were nigh carbon copies of each other as far as the menu went. We didn't complain, because it was all great and we were having great experiences, but that was definitely noteworthy.

Great location and good times. Amazing views right on the Thames and several areas to choose from: indoors, outside standing room, beer garden patio, or rooftop terrace. Great selection of food and drinks, good crowd but not rowdy.

Yummy cider.. great food.. Cozy place, with great service. Upstairs n downstairs, so plenty of space. Fish n chips are finger licking good

This beautiful old pub provides a great open mic and is an interesting place to perform. The staff are friendly also.

The most advertised menu item... fish and chips (of course). But, you can't serve fish & chips when you have NO CHIPS! Bar tender couldn't care less and had no idea how to make a martini. I know, it's a pub. But it's London and I even said "shaken, not stirred." Actually, I didn't. But in James Bond's own country, they should've been able to take care of me.

The Anchor Bankside is a wonderful historic building located right on the banks of the River Thames. It has enjoyed a colourful history providing services to the local community since 1822. Nowadays, however, the only services this place provides are aimed at increasing the already large numbers of tourists that come for the 'quaint' appeal of this drinking establishment. As such continued refurbishments have robbed it of much of its original character and the prices and quality of service have respectively gone up and down. The Anchor is massive. Set over a sprawling four floors it incorporates a fish and chip shop, restaurant, bar, roof terrace and a tearoom. The large outdoor spaces of this pub make it an extremely popular location during the summer months. The atmosphere here is loud and raucous and the crowd made up predominantly of office workers, tourists and a few shoppers from the nearby Borough Market. After office hours the place can become filled to the rafters so this place is one to avoid if you're after a quiet drink. In terms of drinks you'll find a decent selection of bottled and draught beers but not much else besides. The tourist trade ensures that the prices here can also be quite steep. It's a shame that such a rich historic building as this has been rinsed of the identity it once had, hopefully other historic pubs will not go the same way.

I have fond memories of my recent visit to the Anchor. I was able to enjoy a few pints along the river in their beer garden and even got a sunburn. The location is great and makes it a tourist trap. I've never eaten here, just drank some good beers of which they have a nice variety. Since the usual gloomy weather parted and the sun baked London, everyone was outside and the riverwalk was a popular place to be. The beer garden was splendid on this particular day and I found myself a quiet table and read my book, people watched and had a few nice brews. Whenever I'm around Borough Market, The Globe or Tate Modern I always make my way here for a pint. Sunburned, in London. I can't make this stuff up.

Beautiful looking from the outside, lot of character from the outside and brilliant location - as many before me have written. Lots of space inside, but maze like in the ground floor and a nice out door patio to sit. Went after dark so the view was so so. From the fare perspective - while the bar tenders were friendly they didn't have basic single malts we asked for, asked for a double gin and tonic but I believe I got vodka lemonade instead. I am was told by my friends that the house wine was nice. Food was below average - we ordered some veggie nachos but it was too salty. We asked for some ketchup for the chips which never came. No one cleared the tables on cue and there were broken chairs lying around which had the potential to cause serious bodily harm - with protruding nails. As many would agree - looks good from the outside, nice location that's pretty much it. Tourists might enjoy but I will probably not visit again.

Fun little pub on the Thames. Good for a pint. Didn't try the food but enjoyed a drink while watching the river go by.

This pub shares the name of a dive bar relatively close to my heart. It was less inspiring of affection, but I did have a good time at this Anchor. During my time in London I happened on a few pubs that shared an identical menu, down to the font and drawing of fish on the cover. This was one of them. If someone could explain this chain of unapparent chain pubs, I would appreciate it. I didn't eat here, but I did indulge in a couple bottles of some reasonably priced, potable wine with a few friends. The place was big, with a nice relaxed atmosphere suggestive of a long and very British history. Service at the bar was efficient and friendly enough. Otherwise, I have very little to report. I had a good time, but I don't exactly have strong feelings about this Anchor. Also, of all the places to have a Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_Bankside.