Old Fountain

I love everything about this place, especially their Sunday Roast. The atmosphere is cozy with the warm service. No need further testimony. Just visit and enjoy their beers.

Nice pub with relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff, close to the Old street. We ordered at the bar and the staff was really nice and helpfull. Definitely a nice place to come by and have a drink.

Great Sunday roast with some fun drinks. Lots of options for vegetarians and great service. The jackfruit fritters are so good! There’s a lady with pink hair which everyone else mentions as being a little upfront. She seems fine to me :) The staff are really patient and helpful and the food is really great. They even have a recommended beer with each of the roasts. What more can a person ask for on a Sunday than roast and a suggested pint to go with his food 🥘 🙌🏼

Big portions of Sunday roast and some of the best craft beer and cider in town. If you like cider, definitely ask for the Herefordshire Strawberry & Lime Cider.

The (very) bad: without being asked, or even told, I seem to have been charged extra so the change could be pocketed, despite going to the bar to order (i.e. not table service). See receipt - I paid by card, not cash, and I was charged the cash amount, not the total. The "service charge" also seems to have been applied to drinks, which I carried back myself. No service given or required on that front. I'm all for giving tips, but you can't take them without asking. Perhaps the pub can respond and let us all know if this is common practice. The good: burger was nice, beer selection was great, and when the staff weren't (literally) taking my money they were very friendly and efficient. Also quite a quiet spot on the Monday night I was there considering how close it is to Old Street.

I had heard this place was good and after a long day of exploring London with a 4 and 5 year old, we needed good food and the Old Fountain was about a 3 minute walk from our hotel. The food was good, the service was good (although a little slow, but it fairness it was a Friday night around 7pm and they were busy). The atmosphere was good, but was very loud (again, not their fault, this was more due to my timing). We had Fish and Chips, Chicken Wings and finished off with a Raspberry and White Chocolate Torte with Vanilla Ice Cream. The food was great, reasonably priced and beautifully plated.

Proper old east London pub. The Sunday roast is honestly that best I've had so far. Good wine, nice staff. Definitely my first choice for a traditional local.

Lovely, traditional free house, just off City Road and 2 minutes walk from Old Street roundabout. Great selection of cask and keg on rotation. Lovely staff and clientele; really busy on a Thursday evening, despite the Tube strike. Didn’t eat here but the food looked good. Maybe next time. But the main attraction is the beer; the best selection in this area.

Had so much fun. Went to visit for a BDay celebration. Great place. Great atmosphere. Awesome staff. Would definitely go back.

It's been a year since we came to this place and still talk about it. We arrived to Shoreditch and walked around the neighborhood scouting for a small bite and a drinks. We were jet lagged and new to this neighborhood. So glad we walked in. We were greeted by friendly staff and immediately introduced to London beers and hospitality. We sampled a few beers on draft and ordered some to eat. It was delicious and the memories of good times linger in my mind each time I think of wanting to visit London again. Hope this happens in 2019!

Persuaded by the abundance of positive reviews (thanks Yelp!), we picked Old Fountain for dinner one warm summer evening. And, of course, we weren't disappointed. I can see why so many people have walked passed without noticing it. It's the opposite of a shiny, polished gastropub. Not that it isn't quality - it is, just in an understated, comfy way. Venture in and you'll find a cosy layout, plenty of ales as well as some top nosh. The roof terrace is understandably popular and a little crowded. I probably wouldn't choose it for a quiet conversation or a date. But for a lively evening of cheerful boozing and eating it's perfect. With my blood sugar levels perilously low, I sought the most calorific, satisfying thing on the menu. Lo and behold steak with mushrooms and chunky chips saved the day. Tender meat, creamy sauce, crunchy salad on the side and some of the best fries I've ever tried - crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. So good, my sister kept nicking them - hands off sis! She'd ordered a halloumi salad, which was well presented and awash with vegetables, but I know she coveted my steak. My only quibble with this delightful pub is the lack of dessert options - ice-cream or cheese? Not so much. Still, if you're hankering for a thirst-quenching beer and a hunger-zapping steak with chips fit for the gods - you've come to the right place.

We stopped here for something to hold us over, until dinner. It was during the afternoon, and was very quiet. We'd traveled by train from Broadstairs, by the coast, in Kent, and were booked into St Pancras Premier Inn. Well, the Inn was shut down, so they sent us to the Premier Inn on Old Street. This was way screwed up, as we had booked our room, so we would be right across from the British Library. We were already worn out from the train ride, so being sent to another Premier, made us rather cross? And the kitchen was closed until 1700, and happy hour didn't start until 1800 hrs, so off we go. This place turned up, not to far from our hotel. Great, as we were on foot. Her Ladyship went to the bar to place an order for us, while I went out back to take a photo or two. There was only one other customer at the bar. He was trying to chat up the lady pib keeper, with out success. We sat down with our pints, and soon the lady delivered our order. I won't say this lady was out right surly, but certainly not friendly by any stretch of the word. I waited for "she WHO MUST be obeyed," to return, from the loo. I was looking at what she ordered, and thought maybe it was some kind of baked potato, cut in half? There was a small salad served on the side, cool. She returned, so it was time to snack. I picked up my half of whatever this was, took a bite, and oh my goodness. It took a few bites, before I even put it down to wipe my mouth, and get a sip of my pint. GOOD, Good, good!! Finally managed to ask what I was eating, and found out they were Scotch eggs. I was surprised, as I have tasted them once before, but nothing like these. So sad this was our last day, before going back to the USA. Would've like to return and tried there other beers, and food offerings. Also, it's kind of off the grid for where we usually lodge, but would definitely love to return sometime.

I came in, sat down, and as soon as I started talking to the folks who work here I was in such a carefree, happy mood. I visited alone from the US so I really enjoyed chillin' with them. They give off very positive vibes and pour delicious beer after delicious beer. I would know, I tried like 10 different ones during my stay in London - I was only a 3 min walk away (dangerous). The food is great as well!! Marco is a great chef. Alex, Georgia, Marco - sorry I got buzzed and offered to take you to Italy then didn't... :/ I will miss you guys!

A gleefully hidden roof terrace steps from busy City Road? Count me in! After work weekdays likely gets quite insane with the City and Tech crowds nearby, but our Saturday pre-dinner appointment with aforementioned roof terrace was bliss. I've walked past this pub no fewer than 500x since I moved to a flat nearby, but just never remembered to stop in. From the outside it is fairly unremarkable (though well kept, of course) -- but inside there is plenty of room, and of course the gem of a roof which manages to be secluded and lush with greenery, ample seating and sunshine when Mother Nature stops along to play nice. And, the food prancing about looked very promising. I'll remember that for next time. Real cask ales, some newer craft beers on offer, very passable wines, nice service and a pub menu a notch above the norm? Why aren't you here yet guys!? Pro-tip: reserve the large rooftop tables for a group if you've got your plans together to avoid disappointment.

A really cool, proper London boozer which is moving with the times in stocking a great selection of craft beer! Quite often these sorts of places can get a bit stuck in their ways and just churn out the same stuff to the same patrons even 20 years after they've died but in embracing craft and keeping the charm of a London pub they attract a super diverse mix of people. They surprisingly serve food (wish I'd remembered to eat - that would have balanced out the craft wobbles later on!) which a few friends said wasn't bad. They've also got the top deck set out as an open air beer garden which is a real strong selling point - nicely hidden but I'm happy to share it with fellow Yelpers :-) Get here - and enjoy - this area is slowly being swamped with chains so make sure this indi keeps shining through.

I think I'll do this review in list form. Best things: Chunky chips with cheese Great cider selection Good chicken sandwich Really helpful servers Good location Less fun things: Super loud Never any space on roof deck Sort of dark inside The chunky chips with cheese are my new addiction. I think I've found love.

Out of all the pubs we visited on our trip to London, Old Fountain had the best beer list. By that I mean the list had the biggest variety of beers with the most appealing options. In addition to the beers on the list in my photo, Old Fountain also had several taps that I believe are their "standard," non-rotating beers. Old Fountain also had a tv where our friends could watch the Wimbledon semi-finals. The only really sketchy thing about Old Fountain was how many people were drinking outside, not just directly outside the pub as is typical, but also across the street in this abandoned lot. It was very odd to behold.

We wanted a Sunday roast at a local pub. It's served with several options for the main (pork, chicken, beef and a veg option) with the traditional Yorkshire pudding and assorted veggies. Great selection of drafts and bottled beers. And the best sticky toffee pudding I've had served piping hot with vanilla ice cream. All this while Elvis Costello and Hendrix play in the background.

What a hidden little gem this is. In the heart of bustling old street, you genuinely would walk by thinking this place was closed on a quiet evening but if you head inside you're greeted with a truly British local experience. For me, this pub epitomises everything that a pub should be: friendly locals, British beers on tap and a laid back and relaxing atmosphere where you truly feel at home. Perfect for an afternoon or evening beverage. I opted for the house rose and it was delicious - not too dry and not too sweet. Sadly I didn't give the food a try but it looked delicious and smelt even better. I'll definitely be back to give those chunky chips a try that's for sure!

Must visit spot! My daughter and I got here just after 5pm on a Friday night. The terrace was already full but there was plenty of seating inside. Definitely a pub experience. The menu online hadn't been updated so the specials weren't the same. I had the sausage roll special which was delicious with a nice light fresh salad on the side. My daughter got the porky chips which had amazing shredded pork shoulder. We shared the toffee pudding for dessert... warm with a side of vanilla ice cream. Service was friendly and fast. I will definitely come back here on my next visit to London.

I've been to England twice and both times I ate at this little gem. The place has character, crowd is laid back, food is great, and the beer is very good. I had their Chicken Caesar salad with the recommended Saison which was rhubarb flavored. Both were excellent and the service was charming and attentive. Paired with reasonable pricing it is a guaranteed great experience.

This was my first visit here, and was only a 10 minute walk away from work. We all met on the roof top bar terrace which was extremely enjoyable. A busy bar but we got served relatively quickly, and found a great range of beers for those who look for great choice! The food was also good and arrived in good time...I didn't have a full meal but the burgers were recommended :) I'd definitely return whether under the heaters in the cold or in the sun under the umbrellas!

Fun place. Decent food- the bangers and mash are good but I'm not sure it's not all out of a CAN. Cheep beer but limited selection. Wait staff isnt super helpful in directing you to good options if you aren't familiar with British beer. That said, Fantastic atmosphere!

This place is awesome!!! They have a huge selection of beer (22), they know what they're doing and it gets a great crowd and has an awesome London atmosphere. The staff here are friendly and will help you find the exact right pint for you...even if you're a bloody Yank!

Fantastic. Favorite neighborhood pub in the Old Street area. Great food (had caprese salad and chicken burger and both were delicious). The tap list is BIG. The service is fantastic. And it's pretty laid back vibes. Like!

We have been to the old fountain a few times with friends, family and co workers alike. It's a great place to socialise, grab a nice cider or ale (great selection) and a bite to eat. Nice roof terrace - great for a lunch time catch up during the week and buzzing on a Friday evening. I would recommend their beetroot and goats cheese salad for a satisfying light bite but their burgers are pretty tasty if your after something more filling. My friend is also very fond of their cheesy chips. We will and have returned. It's perfect for de-stressing after a long days work.

A tremendous find, right next to my hotel in Shoreditch. While I didn't try the food, I really enjoyed the wide selection of beers available here. There is a chalkboard with the list, including the abv, brewery, location, as well as the price. It's also a pleasure just to walk the length of the bar and look at the pull handles. For the less adventurous, there are plenty of lagers, ciders and the usual selection of spirits. The wifi is free and there's a code posted above the bar in the second room. Pricing is reasonable by London standards.

Those chips, by God. Hard to spot, perhaps, but it was the first meal we had in London and it hasn't been topped yet. If i lived here, this would probably be my pub.

If you can get a seat on the rooftop I imagine it would be a really great place to hang out. If you can't get a seat, the bar is perfectly fine and comfortable. I'm a big fan of this place - good wine and friendly bartenders.

Solid burger. GREAT selection of independent beers, both on tap and in casks. Chill, casual, unpretentious vibe. Exactly what you want in a pub. Oh, and perfect pours.

I love this place, especially for a quick and boozy afternoon lunch with work colleagues! Hidden away just off city road this pub is everything you need from a London boozer. Good selection of drinks, classic and well presented pub food (chicken burger was excellent) and your obligatory roof terrace (well we are quite near hipsterville) for those few and far between days of sunshine. The pub itself is fairly dark and most people head to the terrace during the summer months but I can see this being an equally great place for those long winter evenings when all you want is a pint and a burger to warm you up! Staff were friendly, food was served fairly quickly (even during a busy lunch hour on a Friday) and the standards were good. Nothing wrong here!

Standing outside Old Fountain while nursing some real ales we had never before seen on tap, we kept saying to each other, "why has it taken us so long to come here?" Eight real ales on tap plus one real cider, 19 different kinds of bottled beer from Kernel Brewery in SE1, and other assorted bottles. CAMRA loves it (it won the CAMRA East London & City Pub of the Year 2011) and so do I. I didn't have any food, but they have a deli-style counter near the front door that offers lunch from noon-2:30. If you want to try some great English beer, Old Fountain is the place to be.

Very British pub with a good selection of real ales and craft beers.

Brilliant pub!! Interesting ales (not for me, but the lads I was with seemed impressed) and really strong, smoky-tasting, delicious cider on tap (that changed half way through the night.) The decor was old-man pub-ish with lots of wood and plenty of room to sit down. The service was pretty speedy and very friendly. Oh! and after I had finished my first pint, we discovered cheese boards which made my whole world better. Woot! For some reason, last Friday night when we came here there was a huge number of blokes in this pub. But, this was good too- less queue for the ladies loos - yay!

A great find just off the city road. A runner up in the local CAMRA branches' pub of the year no less. It is within throwing distance of Old Street Station too, even if you have a weak arm and are suffering from tennis elbow. Has two entrances on 2 different streets so while it's sort of hidden, it is quite easy to find with just a vague idea of where it is. Many ales on tap (and not just the regular ones you see everywhere). They also have an extremely interesting selection of other beers. They even have the Alpine Lager which I have never seen outside a Sam Smith's pub before (not that you'd need it with all the ales, but it is above average as lagers go). It's an old fashioned pub with no screens, which makes it an excellent place to escape the football on big match nights. Has a beer garden for the summer months. The food looks very reasonably priced too, but I can't vouch for it yet. Check out the website for their latest guest ales. You can even follow their ale updates on Twitter!

Great selection of drinks (beer my goodness, the beer!) and great food. No really, great food. Like the red wine reduction is tasting the way it should at a 35-40 pound platter somewhere else but you're only paying 1/3 of it because it is dressing up some very well executed chicken thigh in a PUB. I am so coming back for Ye Old Fountain!

Right by old street, Old Fountain has a pretty standard pub feel. Nothing particularly distinctive about the place but it's warm and inviting. Perhaps unsurprisingly it was fairly packed on a Friday evening but we were able to get a seat eventually. The beer selection is what makes it stand out though! 13ish craft beers on tap, a great selection of bottles, and friendly and knowledgeable bartenders. Kitchen is being re-done at the moment but it somehow feels like the sort of place that would have good food.

The Old Fountain is a lovely, slightly hidden away pub. There is a good selection of drinks, from beers to wines and cocktails, as well as lovely pub grub. It has a fun and lively atmosphere so not the place to go on an intimate date, but definitely a good place to meet up with friends for a boozy night out. So happy that I've discovered it and will definitely be back!

Enjoyed the rooftop ambience for a quiet Sunday lunch. The beer selection is good, but the Sunday menu is small. I got the stuffed pepper, which was quite tasty. I will go back and try the roof at night.

Omg this place is great. Stumbled on it by accident and ended up eating and drinking here two nights in a row. Best cooked burger (med rare) I have had in a very long time and a fantastic craft beer list. Some of the friendliest bar staff I have ever experienced in London (and I lived here 5 years). Just do it.

I really love this place, especially their rooftop, which is small but does the trick. An oasis by the nightmare that can be the Old Street Roundabout.

I've been here quite a few times now and I just love the ever renewing selection of craft ales and kegs. The food is fantastic pub grub. There is also a roof terrace, probably the best part of the pub, apart from the bar of course. There are 2, step split, areas, each with a bar so plenty of space to get a drink and a few award certificates on show behind the bar, not surprisingly! The staff are always pleasant and friendly, albeit busy.

Awesome pub. I've been here three times for their beer festival. The setup is classic British pub. Plenty of seating, lots of beer ephemera, dim lighting, worn wood. The beer selection was great when I was there, what with the festival and everything. On a normal day it looked like they would have eight cask ales going. Prices were good, service was kind and attentive. Will return for sure.

A pub that not a huge number of people seem to know about, right around the corner from Old Street tube station. With nice beers. And a lovely roof terrace. It seems like a myth, but it's not - this pub is excellent, but please, don't tell anyone.

So, 1.6 years after my first visit I had a second visit (funnily enough, once again as pre-Nighjar dinner). I was really happy to see the quality has remained the same (which is to say, excellent). This time, I ordered the Fountain burger, which was excellent, but the patty was just slightly too dry which was a shame, but otherwise it was very good. I was also very happy that the the chips are still as good as I remember them (stil the best ones I've had outside of Belgium. Since I'm now in London more frequently for work, I'll definitely be coming here more often.

Burnley Dave says it's the second best beer pub in the area.......

We went out for some Halloween drinks and bites after work but it was so full - all tables inside and outside were taken and there was no place in the garden upstairs. We ended up drinking standing on the street after it took us 20 minutes to order drinks as there were so many people. The weather was nice and there were also many people drinking outside and there was some kind of party atmosphere but we drank on empty stomachs as it was impossible to order any food. We left tipsy and in high spirits but hungry. I am left with mixed feelings for this place as it looks nice and it serves nice drinks and cocktails but they should find a way to deal with high demand on some occassions.

Recently this pub has really expanded its range of beers: there are usually 6-8 real ales on draft from a variety of microbreweries and larger regional brewers. The staff really know their stuff and the beer is always well kept. Since the smoking ban this pub has become much more pleasant to visit (although there is a garden outside for smokers). Even the fish in the tank look healthier.

Loved this place. Has a cozy local feel with great food, very nice ciders, and a beautiful rooftop! I went months ago and am planning a return to London and had to research to recall where I went so that I could go back. I know where I'll be in a few week's time!

Truly a gem ! Friendly people, good service, excellent selection of beers, and extremely good pub food. Had a cheese plate that was awesome! Burgers and fries were excellent as well. Even the salad was very good. I ate here 3 times during a 2 week stay - I highly recommend it.

Been here twice and always really enjoyed it - a great roof terrace, good drinks selection which is reasonably priced, and a good atmosphere. Food looked great but never actually eaten here...

Fantastic range of real ales. Lovely roof terrace that gets the perfect mix of sun and shade. I haven't tried the good, but it looked really good.