Fox and Hounds — Restaurant in London

🚇 Sydenham 🍺 £5.90 Pravha

This pub is situated on Kirkdale in Sydenham, southeast London. The nearest station is Sydenham on the Windrush Line.

The Fox and Hounds was first licensed in 1826, the present building dates from 1891. Around 2011, the pub’s name was briefly changed to “Foxy’s” in an attempt to modernise its image, but this was reversed in 2023.

This is a good-sized, one-bar, two-room pub with a stylish contemporary feel. The main bar area is located at the front and is bright and airy, thanks to the tall windows and high ceiling. The servery is positioned along the back wall and features a modern back bar. The floor is carpeted and there is plenty of seating throughout. Just off the main bar is a large room with a vaulted ceiling and atrium. To the side, on a raised section, are comfy booths set against panelled walls, giving an Art Deco look. At the rear of the pub is a patio beer garden.

The beer selection is all keg and offers a range of familiar well known brews. I decided on a Pravha, my pint hit the spot, pleased to see the cost starting with a 5. Although the back room seems geared up for dining, the only food on offer is roasts on a Sunday.

I arrived at 4.30pm on a warm and overcast Saturday afternoon in July. The pub was quiet with a family group in the main bar and a young couple in the beer garden. The atmosphere was fairly laidback but was livened up by one of the staff playing tunes on some decks. I had a chat with the chap behind the ramp who hails from Preston. He was very friendly and personable and we had a nice chat about the pub.

This is undoubtedly a lovely-looking pub, but for me, it feels as though it’s unsure of its identity. The decor is very stylish, but it felt quite clinical and not homely or welcoming. The pub appears geared up for food, yet it only serves food on Sundays. The service was great, so all is well there. I have visited every other pub in Sydenham, all of which have their own distinct identity. I feel The Fox and Hounds needs to find its identity to become the pub it aspires to be.

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I recently visited The Fox and Hounds on Kirkdale in Sydenham, and I have to say, it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish!

The ambiance is warm, inviting, and has that perfect mix of a classic pub feel with modern touches. It’s the kind of place where you feel right at home the moment you step in.

The customer service is second to none. Jamie and his team, including the ever-friendly Henry, go above and beyond to ensure everyone feels welcome and looked after. Their kindness and professionalism are truly a credit to the establishment.

Now, let’s talk about the drinks—the Guinness and Cruzcampo on draft are nothing short of perfection. Fresh, crisp, and poured with care, they set the standard for quality.

As for the food, I couldn’t get enough of the pork bites and the salt beef bagels. Both are absolute game-changers and worth every bite. The flavors are spot on, and the quality is evident in every dish.

Overall, The Fox and Hounds is a gem in Sydenham, and I’ll definitely be returning. Huge kudos to Jamie and the team for creating such a special place. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food, drinks, and...

This is now our local! We've been a few times, because a few years ago, when I was accustomed to getting Jamie's excellent thin-crust pizzas at Charlton riverside before going to suffer my usual Saturday torture at The Valley, he let it slip that he was buying a pub in Sydenham and that I should visit. I did, a couple of times, but never suspected for a second that it would become my closest watering hole. Well, fate has a funny way, and here I am. I've just shared two of Jamie's pizzas with my girlfriend. They're still amazing. He even got up from his Scrabble game to make them for us, albeit quite chuffed with life as he'd just scored over 100 points by playing 'VOMITING' across two double word scores. Not our response to the food, as it happens, although if a spot of salmonella has snuck in I wouldn't begrudge it too much, the pizzas are just that good! Great Guinness, unusually good music choices (skewing 'classic rock' but with an ear for the non-obvious), friendly bar staff and a relaxed, homely atmosphere. The garden area is lovely in the summer. It's everything you'd want from a...