The Golden Heart

We love the Golden Heart, the service and the food are consistently good. The pub has a lovely atmosphere and the staff are so friendly and efficient. Stuart and Alex often serve us food and drink and again they have gone out of their way to make our visit so lovely . The pub has a really good loyalty programme which we appreciate and therefore try to support as much as we can.

This is a traditional pub divided in two, a saloon bar and a public bar. It has a lot of wood panelling and that, together with the exterior canopies, makes it somewhat dark inside. They only had one cask ale, a Timothy Taylor Landlord at £6.60. It was busy for 4pm on a Wednesday afternoon. It is in a good locatioon, sitting between the numerous curry houses on Brick Lane and the trendy Spitalfields Market. There seemed to be a good mix of locals and tourists. My major disappointment is their lack of whisky choice with just a handful on show. In summary a nice, lively pub in a good location for a nice curry.

Great little pub! Excellent beer, lovely staff! Highly recommended, proper boozer!

This is one of the few times I ignored the Google Reviews score as I was guided by the Timothy Taylor’s pint finder on their website for a pint of Landlord. And we were not disappointed! On a busy Saturday with plenty of people in the area for the markets, this was a nice break from the madness. The young bartenders were super friendly and so helpful. We asked to look for the EPL on the television and to make a couple custom cocktails in addition to a proper pint of Landlord and some draft cider. They didn’t hesitate and were so cool about it. Without a doubt this place is better than its average score.

Great location, small pub with plenty of charm that doesn’t try to be more than it is. Good atmosphere and friendly service. Only thing missing would be some nibbles to order with the drinks.

An absolute disaster of a pub. Young bar staff who were fairly clueless but friendly, before the landlady came in. She was strange and rude to say the least, even to her own staff. Prices change depending on who serves you. Beer selection poor. Random television changes depending on the mood of the Landlady. Needs new management as it should be a gem given location and interior.

I’ve seen this place mentioned a lot on TopJaw and in one of the episodes I saw Sandra who is the owner of this pub. She just seemed so lovely and cool that I wanted to experience this pub and actually got to meet her?! She was even cooler and funnier in person! The staff is super duper nice! A great experience overall! Highly recommend!

From the gorgeous fresh flowers to the chilled vibe, I stop here whenever Im in London from Philly. The landlady is a gem and this East Ender boozer, is so much nicer than the Ten Bells I use that as a direction marker. I tell people to find that, then continue down the street to The Golden Heart. It’s warm, relaxing and the place you want to linger over a glass of wine or a pint. In a Sunday, you can chillax with Sinatra, Johnny Mathis or Dino. Hand on heart, the reason I chill in Commercial Street after a Spitalfields shop.

Horrible experience. Wouldn't recommend to anyone. Got kicked out within 20 minutes of being there by a rude manager who claimed all members of the party had to order a drink in order to stay. Proceeded to speak in an aggressive manner and kicked us out. Don't go here.

I came here with three other friends, and two of us ordered drinks. We sat down and were talking for about 10 minutes when the women in charge started staring at us. She came over and told us to leave because we were taking up space that other customers needed and that each person needed a drink for us to stay. She said she would love to sit around all day like us, but that we couldn't do that there. When we asked other employees there if that was the policy, they avoided answering the question and said she is in charge. She would not leave the table, and we eventually were forced to leave our table.

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS. My friends (POC) came here for a quick drink and 2 out of the 4 of them got a beer. The manager came over to them and very rudely told them they had to leave. The bartender was very dismissive and seemed as if she wasn't allowed to have a thought as she directed them to the manager when they asked her if the rule was you had to order a drink. Do not go here unless you want to be kicked out.

We went here when England was playing Panama and it was packed. We went here because we wanted a pint of Timothy Taylor. A lovely Landlord from a new keg on a hot day. Can it get any better? I can't say anything more about the pub because it was so busy that we stood outside drinking our pint. But a pub in London that serves Timothy Taylor gets 5 stars.

A won't even try to argue the point that this place gets crowded. It does and it's because it is earned. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, The Golden Heart is right across from the famous Spitalfields market. When there are thirsty people and they spot this massive pub on the corner, they're going to pop in. A few seats here and there plus on this day a roaring fire in the gas fireplace, what more did I need? Oh yes, a beer. After waiting patiently to catch the attention of one of the lovely ladies behind the bar, I was able to pick up and pay for a pint of Foster's that did a fine job of quenching my thirst. Just in time to catch the kickoff for a football match on the large screen TV. The crowd seemed to be evenly split between the two teams in a friendly enough way.

I think I fell a little bit in love with the Golden Heart pub when I saw its charismatic landlady polishing its brass fixtures one Sunday morning. That is what is at the heart (sorry) of this pub's brilliance, its owners actually take pride in its appearance, take pride in their business. Run by a mother and daughter team who are a veritable East End institution, unusually for a boozer perhaps, the Golden Heart comes replete with original Tracey Emin artworks - this being her local and all - hanging baskets outside, a jukebox and friendly, if sometimes a little slow, service.

Rude service, dirty, and smelled funny.

The Golden Heart is such a great pub. I love the atmosphere in here when it's starting to get busy on a mid-week evening. The bar staff are brilliant and the land lady is uber efficient and nice and friendly as long as you stay on the good side of her! They have a good selection of beers and ciders as well as some bottled beers. The jukebox knocks out some great tunes and there are a couple of open fires for the cold winter nights. It draws in different crowds of people all the time so it's not just your typical Shoreditch bunch propping up the bar. My dad thinks this pub is brilliant and if he thinks a pub is good then it's good. Ok?

Have started going here because it's my local, and in the last few weeks have seen it at its best and worst. Worst when the Shoreditch floppy-hairs come in, best when the long-time rummies corner me and complain about everything from America to the invention of the printing press. Drinks are reasonably priced, the jukebox is pretty good, and there's a fire. This is the sort of pub that you could take anyone to and they'd probably find something about it to like. My only complaint is that it's often too crowded to find a seat. Go on, Golden Heart!

Drinking here is like crashing a house party hosted by your mom's cooler, younger, more fun tipsy sister and her hot daughter's trendy and funky friends... some with city jobs, some arty farty, some grunge-tastic, some white-van delivery men and a few tourists who sit in corners looking shocked at how different the vibe is here. While the "cooler-than-yo-moma" host might snap at a pushy customer who needs an attitude adjustment a few times (each night), the fire burns bright and keeps things warm in this PROPER EAST END PUB!!! Snobs beware, there are plenty of other places to hang out in this area. If you want to act all VIP then go somewhere else. And leave my Auntie's pub party spectacular to the fun, chatty, types who can show some respect for the hostest with the mostest, even if it takes her a few minutes to get your bloody drink! ;)

There is character and attitude in abundance at this old-fashioned but edgy English boozer - and its no accident. It strategically situated at the confluence of Spitalfields and Brick Lane. Hence the resident after-work media set are joined by market traders, retail workers, casual tourists, premiership watchers and itinerant City types. They down pints of 1664 and Carling to a rockin' nineties chart jukebox soundtrack. Décor is provided by a massive Nike portrait of Wayne Rooney, cheapo wood panelling and a Tracey Emin original - above the female toilets a cursive flashing neon box: 'Stand Still & Rot'. Plus someone has come up with the ingenious idea of staffing the bar entirely with young females - a popular move. Mention should be made too of a couple of the permanent fixtures at the Golden Heart. Firstly, the little terrier dog who comforts himself under drinkers' tables and across their crossed legs. Then the landlady, an elder East London patron, who has been running the place, as she'll no doubt recount, since Spitalfields market was the wrong side of the tracks, an early-eighties doomed heroin den. Her daughter is as omnipotent a presence and only slightly less willing to grab traffic cones and dance the foxtrot across Commercial Road. In my experience, this is a great pub to kickstart a long night with some banter and reckless abandon. Just don't stick around too long...

A visit here is de rigueur if you are in the area. Unfortunately everyone else thinks so too and it can get crowded. A lovely pub run by lovely people, a place where you can meet a broad spectrum of people. Best visited in the summer evenings with a cold Magners - one of the best spots in London.

It was hot as BALLS inside this pub yesterday, and the guy next to me who dropped an eye wateringly bad fart certainly added nothing to the atmosphere. Luckily service was fast and friendly - £10 minimum to use a card, but they do offer change back if you don't hit the limit. It felt like the kind of place that would have the cozy factor ratcheted up by a trillion by the dim light of evening. Drinking out on the sidewalk was a much better choice, and after about half a pint, we even managed to snag a couple of chairs. Much better temperature, and people watching, and we could still sing along to the Abba fest going on inside. A good handful of the folks here had CLEARLY been having a Sunday Funday and were hammered - it seemed safer to stay a bit out of their way. It was a bit like watching a fashion show unfold in front of us - I don't know where everyone was coming from or going to, but it was a perfect way to spend a first evening in London.

Hasn't been a review in nearly 18 months so that should be changed. Visited here the 21st of January from America with an English friend. Walked in, not busy, very quiet and it was nice to get out of the rain. Ordered our drinks and the girl serving us was very nice. However, the drinks were a bit more expensive than a few other places we had visited in the past. Then. All hell broke loose. The land lady and her demonic grandchildren literally came busting through the door almost hitting a patron exiting. The kids were literally climbing on tables, blowing out candles on the table (including ours), kicking balloons through the restaurant, and had no regard for anyone's personal property. The behavior was being encouraged by the land lady and was quite frankly shocking. The lady then proceeds to play what I assume to be a local soccer clubs song at full volume to the point it became too loud for comfort just to watch the children ran rampant. As we had enough and decided to leave, the landlady was very visibly staring at my friend who was on her phone checking emails. I told my friend what was going on and my friend very politely asked if something was wrong. The land lady got extremely rude and snotty with her and proceeded to tell her that it was my friend who had the issue and not her. Absolutely avoid. This place only deserves one star as it's required and the actual staff were quick and very nice. I feel so sorry for them that they have to work in such a horrible environment under such poor ownership. Literally go anyplace else in London.

The Golden Heart is set in the heart of Shoreditch, and is the perfect pit-stop on the jaunt from Liverpool Street Station to Brick Lane. With outdoor seating , the Golden Heart is always spilling out onto the street for after-work drinks. The Golden Heart is a real British Pub, but obviously it's location in the East End has rubbed off on it, with a mix of beautiful clientele and old-school men who have probably been drinking there since the place opened (my guess: late 1800s!)

You never know what to expect in this pub! The two times I have been there it has been almost like entering the Twilight Zone. First time we had a lady that for no reason was just barking at a guy, which was so awkward. Then I turned around and you could see people that just go there trying to be "cool" which did not set the vibe of the place for me. Second time was great though we had a bit of a brawl with our bar tender we stayed and had a couple more pints, this man seemed more chilled and it ended up being a great nigh out. So go and expect anything to happen and a great jukebox.

The Golden heart has been around for a very long time, and is part of the furniture. Chaotic and sometimes unruly, this pub has hosted many a night of merryment in its years. Its success is partly its location, situated as it is next to the Spitalfields market. In the summer, crowds of people are gathered on the street, sinking a refreshing beer. The bar sits in the middle splitting drinking areas into two, of which the main part has a TV for sport. However, should football turn you off, don't fear, as it takes a secondary position to the general drinking, even when it is on.

This is one of my favorite pubs in London. I'm from New York, and I don't know many bars that feature original artworks by one of the city's most famous artists! The Golden Heart features Tracey Emin originals in a cosy, friendly setting. I love it here.

Great place for Friday starters, popular but bar staff are quick and the wait for drinks isn't an issue. Good vibes.

This is one of the greatest pubs to have a drink in Shoreditch. I think that it catches fully the meaning of the term 'pub'. This is what a real pub looks and feels like, in my opinion. They offer lots of ales and ciders and would really love to serve you. As other people mentioned here, the service and the crowd are what make the pub unique. There are loads of strange people gathering here and you'll surely stumble upon some tense situation or a weird-looking person.

Good for celeb spotting! well this is a regular haunt for me, I have been going here for years and has a great local crowd and great landlord. It does tend to get very busy on a Sunday because of the market, and on Friday night but it has great atmosphere and on a sunny day it is the busiest corner in London. I have spent many a night drinking with Tracey Emin, Dan Crookshanks and Kate Moss in here, so you can not get better conversations! The best time to visit is in the winter on a cold night in the little VIP entrence (the small bar) with the fire on and the land lady's dog on your lap with a few mates.

An old school, wooden panelled pub with two bars built around 1910, The Golden Heart attracts a constantly changing clientele of all ages and backgrounds, from shopkeepers to the occasional celebrity. A good jukebox keeps it buzzing inside and open fires soon warm even the most miserable drinker. This place gets rammed and sometimes you'll find yourself trying desperately to catch the barmaid's eye. With a variety of beers, and enough wines and spirits to keep most people content, this old school boozer is an excellent addition to London's pub scene.

Good old English boozer. Nothing more nothing less... Love this place

If you like a nice slice of bad service and snotty attitude with your pint then this is the pub for you. One particular member of the bar staff - a woman in her late 30s who unfortunately looked like she was in charge, has the nastiest manner with customers I've come across in a long time. No warm welcome here. And don't expect to get your money back when the jukebox doesn't work. AND you will be forced to listen to an awful Rod Stewart album on repeat. Will not be going back.

on several occasions you would catch local artist and city workers mingling with one another. i adore this place. not because im a local and come often, but its just got a simple charm to it.

cute place to duck in and get a drink after shopping at brick lane or spitalfields. boo for no hot drinks.

Great location, lovely decor and very comfortable seating both indoors and out. The service, however, was not good. I was there on a Saturday night - there was a good crowd, but I certainly wouldn't call it very busy (especially when compared to some other pubs in Shoreditch). There were at least girls behind the bar, but sadly, the wait to get a drink was ridiculous. And when we finally were served, the staff was less than friendly.