The Blacksmiths Arms — Restaurant in London

This venue produced some of the worst service I have ever experienced in the UK. Went to lunch on Sunday 7 April with two others. We ordered food and, after nearly an hour of waiting, had to ask where it was three times before finally being told that the waiter had ‘forgotten to put the order in.’ Meanwhile, everyone around us was being served their food. There was no apology; instead, we were made to feel that we were the problem for complaining about it, with a snowflake waitress complaining about how we spoke to her.

After the main course, the staff took ages to give us the dessert menu. Their attitude was appalling throughout and, despite claiming to be busy, the staff seemed to us to be permanently chatting to their colleagues. We asked three times for the bill and only finally received it when we threatened to walk out of the restaurant. The promised discount for the late food took ages to be processed.

The staff in this venue seem to have an appalling attitude and to lack basic training and customer service skills. Very disappointing indeed.

The roast dinners were ok but overpriced and the service was woeful.

I am adding this paragraph by way of response to the below response offered by the pub. If your internet is so poor that your staff cannot communicate with your kitchen,, that sounds to me like a ‘you’ problem that you need to fix. Or your staff need to show some initiative and pick up the phone to the kitchen to check that orders have been processed properly. I should add that we asked three times about the whereabouts of our food and the first two times, we were fobbed off (basically lied to) and told ‘it’s coming.’The third time we asked and we were told the staff member ‘forgot to put the order through.’ I did not call anybody names, and frankly your staff need to learn to show respect to the customers who ultimately are paying their wages. Criticism when food does not appear after a hour is perfectly justified. You probably also need to train your staff properly in how to handle...

Great food, great service and good atmosphere! Went to this pub as it was recommended to me by someone when I was staying at the Hilton at docklands Riverside. It's located just around the corner and the menu is quite varied, so there is something for everyone. A colleague I went with was allergic to fruit and the staff bent over backwards to make sure that he was catered to (including letting him know h couldn't have the piri piri chicken special or the chicken burger because they checked with the kitchen and it had lemon and lime juices in the marinade) they were very thorough to check if he had any other allergies and made sure we were well looked after without being intrusive. Can highly recommend the salt and pepper calamari, its not often you get restaurants which get it RIGHT, but trust me it was amazing. Cooked to perfection and the salad it came with had the right amount of heat with chilli's to perfectly complement. I had the piri piri chicken special and it was succulent, well flavoured and the thrice cooked chips were delicious. My colleague had a beef burger which he thoroughly enjoyed. Mains are about £15 and entrees around £6. So very reasonably priced. Looked to have a really good range of drinks too. Overall, I would definitely come again next time I'm staying at the Hilton for dinner, and bring other...

The Blacksmiths Arms — A Proper Pub with Grit, Charm, and Heart

The Blacksmiths Arms is the kind of pub that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto something real. Tucked away in Rotherhithe, it’s got that rare mix of old-school warmth and lively spirit — a place where locals mingle with wanderers, and every pint comes with a story.

We had a fantastic time here. The food was surprisingly excellent — from classic fish & chips to Thai specials like Penang curry and sea bass, all cooked with care and flavour. The staff were brilliant: warm, funny, and genuinely welcoming. Whether you’re chatting with Lily at the bar or relaxing in the garden, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer.

Highlights

Great selection of ales, wines, and cocktails

British and Thai menu — hearty, fresh, and full of flavour

Occasional live music and a buzzing weekend vibe

Cozy interior, lovely garden, and even a private upstairs room for events

Final Thought The Blacksmiths Arms isn’t just a cool pub — it’s a local legend. Full of character, full of flavour, and full of heart. Highly recommended if you want a proper London pub experience...