De Beauvoir Arms — Restaurant in London

A group of 9 people, we booked a table for a Sunday lunch, at 1.30pm. Despite the pub was very quiet, the staff seemed to be quite sleepy and not really accommodating. The table we got assigned was at the back, in front of the kitchen. The weather being very hot, we asked to be moved since the place was practically empty and there were many 4-seats tables available at the front (fresher, with air circulating from the outside). We got told that they couldn't join tables to sit 9 people with no further explanation. I would have understood if there were fire issues, security regulations etc. but there simply wasn't a reason. When it came to ordering food, the staff wasn't very clear on whether we had to pay upfront, or not, and they weren't very friendly in explaining the whole procedure. With big groups often ordering can be tricky, so a bit of clarity would have definitely helped. Also 3/4 of the menu was sold out (not available), literally every single starter (there were about 10-12 on the board, being a mediterranean-inspired pub with smaller dishes to try). When some of us asked for a side of chips with their roast we got told that they didn't do chips. Again, not a crime, but the way/attitude we got told was very much "computer-says-no", and not very accommodating. When some of us asked if there was the possibility of having coffees after lunch, again, sold out. Only problem was that the coffee machine was there fully working and the coffee grinder full of coffee beans. The food was nice (the few items that were actually available on the menu), and that's the only reason why I'm giving it a 2/5 stars. Everything else, simply terrible and...

HIPSTER HAVEN

The pub came recommended, but by the end of the evening, I found myself wondering if I’d accidentally stumbled into an ironic social experiment in customer endurance.

It’s a local hipster haven, drawing a crowd so homogenous it’s as though someone handed out starter kits at the door. Still, the vibe was mostly warm and friendly—a bit like being in a curated Instagram feed come to life, if you don’t mind everyone looking vaguely identical.

The food? Surprisingly good. Hats off to the cooks, who managed to deliver dishes worthy of praise. Unfortunately, that praise stops right there. Our server forgot the order, leaving us waiting over an hour without so much as a “sorry” or an offer to soften the sting. As for the bar staff, they seemed to be operating on a strict diet of frustration and caffeine, snapping and eye-rolling their way through each transaction.

Now, the atmosphere: we were a large birthday group on a Saturday night, so yes, it was packed. But this wasn’t just busy—it was cacophonic. The noise was loud enough to send my ears searching for a quieter escape route, and the lack of acoustic panelling made every attempt at conversation feel like shouting across a motorway. Intimate, it was not.

And finally, the toilets. Let’s just say they looked like they’d seen some things—a state of affairs that might have added a gritty charm to the place if we weren’t expected to use them.

In all, it was an experience that left me...

De Beauvoir Arms – A Toast to East London Comfort Tucked into the quiet curve of Southgate Road, De Beauvoir Arms feels like a local secret with a Mediterranean soul. We dropped in for a relaxed evening, and it turned into one of those quietly memorable pub experiences — the kind that makes you want to linger long after the plates are cleared.

The atmosphere? Effortlessly cozy. A mix of candlelit tables, soft chatter, and the occasional piano notes drifting through the room. The staff were attentive without fuss, striking that rare balance between friendliness and ease.

We sipped on a velvety red and shared a few small plates — the patatas bravas were crisp and comforting, and the lamb was tender with just the right hint of spice. Even the coffee had character: rich, aromatic, and served with a smile.

Whether you're here for a Sunday roast, a Friday night with friends, or a solo moment by the fire, De Beauvoir Arms offers warmth, flavor, and a touch of East London charm that’s...