The Builders Arms — Restaurant in London

🚇 South Kensington 🍺 £7.90 Stiegl Weisse

The Builders Arms is located in a quiet residential street in well-to-do Chelsea. The nearest Tube is South Kensington, it’s a ten minute walk to get here.

This pub dates from 1841 built by a local builder called George Todd. It is said he built the pub to service the needs of the masons that built nearby St. Luke’s Church. In 1884 the pub served as the Tap House for Matthews & Cannings Anchor Brewery which stood next door. The brewery was taken over by Whitbread in 1899 with brewing continuing until 1907. Today, this pub is part of the @cubitthouse stable of pubs.

This is a traditionally decorated two roomed Gastro with a refined upscale feel. The bar area is located on the right hand side and has a good size servery. Opposite the servery is a panelled wall with a long drinking ledge plus a few stools. As you head further back, the bar area opens out to a cosy space with a welcoming corner fireplace. On the left hand side of the pub is a smart dining area which has ample seating and some wonderful old world signage.

The beer selection is premium continental, London craft, Guinness and two cask ales. I decided on a pint of Stiegl Weisse, my pint was excellent, priced point was expensive. The food menu is elevated pub classics and Mediterranean inspired dishes, Fish & Chips costs £21, Roasts are available on a Sunday.

I arrived just after 5pm on a rainy Friday afternoon in March. The bar area was busy with a mixture of locals, some were wearing hoodies, some were wearing black ties and orf to a posh do. The atmosphere was laidback and local, there was a lovely ambiance to the place. The service was great, the team were friendly and courteous.

Even though this pub has Gastropub credentials, there is plenty of space to come and enjoy a beer. I loved the atmosphere, the beer selection is great, if a little pricey and the surroundings wonderfully traditional. @thebuildersarmschelsea is a great place for a posh pint, one for your list.

ℹ️ Info correct on...

I was a little wary of how much you’d have to pay for a roast in Chelsea, just off the King’s Road but at The Builder’s Arms £16 for a Chicken Roast seemed pretty reasonable. Then comes the concern that it might not be up to scratch considering it’s not priced en par with the other premium places around the area, or even the drinks within the place itself (which are pricey, but within what you’d expect for the area).

However, I needn’t have worried, the roast was fantastic. Best I’ve had in ages. Most importantly it nails the three corner stones of a good roast:

Gravy is supplied in a jug on the side so you can manage your own soggyness. It is not stingy with the roasties; 4 good-sizes roast potatoes is a good helping. None of this less is more nonsense. They very wisely supply a satisfyingly-hefty Yorkshire Pudding no matter which meat you choose (there was beef, chicken or pork belly for our visit). Avoiding the “only with beef” snobbery you find elsewhere.

On top of that you get a great helping of vegetables (perhaps more than I’ve eaten in total in the past two weeks) including swede mash, cabbage, parsnip, carrots and butternut squash.

The only fault I can find is that our table for two was a little cramped for two big plates of roast dinner and two drinks. But what a problem to have, huh?

9/10 - would totally...

This is my first review, but I feel so disappointed I have to say something. Yesterday I visited the builders arms with excitement as I have been watching the renovations take place. I brought my new team with me telling them how amazing this pub was. As the 9 of us arrived everything seems great , then as we where seated I noticed all the work men fitting the carpets right in the middle of lunch service. They where using vacuum cleaners, and a very strong glue which was incredibly unpleasant. Anyway we order the food, the waiter seems a bit nervous, after we ordered we all realised there was a nice specials board he didn’t mention. 30 minutes go by and I’m chasing the staff for the food and asking when noise will stop! My guest, well they where less than impressed. After chasing 3 times the food slowly arrives, i chase for the veg, they forgot and it arrives later, I relax and we start! The burgers where missing advertised ingredients and to be honest the fish and chips wasn’t great. I

The staff where ok but clearly on top of things.

It’s a real shame as this place used to be great. I even had my 40th birthday here. Not sure it’s still the beating heart of Chelsea.

Felt like it was having a heart attack while we where there.

Hope they get on top of things and the new owners sorts the kitchen...