Havelock Tavern reviews
I have been going to the Havelock for years (about 10). On my last visit I found that there had been a change. The first thing I noted was there was space - this is very unusual! Then the pub was full of smoke, billowing out of the kitchen, and this didn't change for the next 2 hours. The food was not as amazing as I remembered, the staff were still fun, and the pub goers seemed to be a bit more posh. Hmm... has the Havelock had a change of management I wonder? Oh, but good news - they now take credit cards!
by lisah (5 reviews), 29 Apr 2008Lovely pub - friendly staff, good atmosphere, excellent selection of beers, and the best chilli ever!
by F. Griffin, 14 Apr 2008Popped in for last-minute lunch. Excellent food - not huge, over-facing platefuls either. Good ambience, and they're going to start accepting credit cards very soon! We'll be back.
by Marie Prutton, 18 Nov 2007Food: OK to good, occasionally very good. Staff: disinterested - felt like we were intruding.
by seeker, 20 Aug 2007Up until my last visit on a Saturday night a couple of months ago I had nothing but the highest praise for the Havelock, especially the food. But on our last visit the food was average, the service was awful (all the staff stood around chatting like it was their living room and you were putting them out with your custom). To cap it all off, the waitress (manager?) was eating something just outside the kitchen, licked her fingers and then walked straight over to cut the bread!
by Emma F (2 reviews), 16 Jul 2007The food here is nice - not spectacular, but good enough. The service, however, is terrible. Out of 5 people's meals, 2 came as ordered, 2 were 'lost' until it was brought to the staff's attention, and 1 was cooked incorrectly. The staff were rude and showed little interest in correcting the problem (with the exception of the person I think is the manager). Go if alone or a couple, but avoid like the plague if you're with a group of friends.
by NuclearToaster, 07 Apr 2007Not as snooty as the no-credit card rule suggests. Great food with a good range of choice on the menu, great atmosphere, and lovely decor. No screens showing sport makes it an ideal place for Sunday lunch.
by Anonymous, 15 Feb 2007I live in the area and am a regular repeat visitor. I love my local but I really notice up-surges and huge down-swings in the quality of the meals, which leads me to think there might be two chefs - one who rocks, and one who is a little behind... If the quality of the top chef can flow through to the other this place will get better and better and busier and busier (which adds to the atmosphere). Steven Merchant was spied there recently... must be good! I still love the expressions of people when they're told they can't use cards and the nearest place is miles away!
by maas, 29 Jan 2007It's amazing and I think the atmosphere is great and the food is delicious!
If you don't like it then you're obviously stupid. Any comment about the staff being rude is complete bull. They are so nice and friendly and actually talk to you.
A bit too busy, difficult to get a seat and not as good as it thinks it is but pretty good in any case...
by Anonymous, 01 Jun 2005One of the best pubs in London, yummy food and a relaxed atmosphere. And really good value! :)
by Anonymous, 18 May 2005I live above the Havelock and my dad works there. It's very nice food and the staff are really friendly. Anyone who thinks the food is crap is wrong.
by Anonymous, 25 Oct 2004Have we missed a great gastro pub in London? Let us know.
Photograph © Havelock Tavern
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