The Camberwell Arms — Restaurant in London

Our second time here for a Sunday roast. We could only get seats at the bar overlooking the kitchen which was fine. Our slot was for 1pm but as we had to plan a cab ride down from the Spitalfields area we ended up about 15 mins early. We went in anyway, thinking that if the table is ready we may as well get on, if not, no problem we will happily wait. There was nobody but staff around when we went in and the greeter said that kitchen is not open until 1pm so we cannot order before that. I asked if we could have a drink and wait until 1pm - all ok so we ordered a bloody Mary each and checked out the menu. We skipped the starter course and went straight in for the main (half chicken sharing plate). Curiously the waitress was quite pushy in trying to upsell is to have a starter, but we stood our ground knowing that the mains are difficult to finish as there is plenty, and you can then have dessert.

The chicken arrived in good time and it was delicious but it was not very hot so it went cold a bit too quickly. You get a separate bowl of crispy roast potatoes, again lovely but they quickly went cold. The chicken is served in a very watery and tepid gravy... come on, how hard is it to make a proper consistency gravy. Overall, though it was a good main that could have been great if more care was taken with some small details.

For the last course I had the Comte cheese plate and my partner had the cheesecake. The cheesecake was delicious, the cheese also was good. We then asked for tea and coffee (by now it was 2.30pm so we were an hour and a half into our time) and the waitress asked us if we were sure because they needed the table back at 2.45pm. This was a surprise as a) there was no mention of the table turn limit in the booking or the greeting, or on the website (afaik) and b) whilst the place was fairly busy there were plenty of spaces available. There was no queue of people waiting to be seated in the doorway then, or when we left some 20 mins later. Knowing how fascist restaurants have become about this sort of thing we thought that we would be good until 3pm if there was any policy. Clearing up and resetting after us at the bar is a two minute job, so this did rather dampen the mood and sadly it is happening more and more often in...

I've been coming to The Camberwell Arms regularly for about 3 years now. I absolutely love it and have never been disappointed in the 40 or so times I've eaten here. I've eaten solely vegan and vegetarian options here, and their offerings are always delicious, varied and interesting. The pub is perhaps best known for its meat and fish options, but also do non-meat options extremely well aka better than a lot of solely vegetarian/vegan restaurants. This is such a rarity!!! They use a lot of premium and seasonal vegetables, as well as foraged and homegrown produce!

The desserts are killer. The drinks are really nice, the extensive and varied wine list keeps my dad happy, and they have a solid range of soft drinks too, like fresh lemonade, and Folkington's Elderflower presse.

Friendly, relaxed service. This coupled with the incredible food means I often see familiar faces there - lots of regulars. They do a couple of different jazz nights upstairs too in their lovely function room

Favourite dishes I've had here:

Allotment chard and ricotta rotolo (outrageous) Grilled January king cabbage, hummus, harissa, zhoug Ribolita House tagliatelle with purple sprouting broccoli, sheeps milk ricotta and breadcrumbs Their house focaccia, served before every meal Pizza fritta, burst datterini, capers, oregano Spanish rice with long aubergine and wild garlic pesto Can't forget the buratta with roasted and pickled Jerusalem artichokes Crispy sprouts, pickled red onions, crumbs and thyme

All time favourite: Spiced apple cake, cinnamon ice cream, butterscotch sauce Iranian pistachio ice cream (out of this world) Ginger cake, BBQ'd pineapple, milk ice cream Yoghurt and honey ice cream Passionfruit pavlova Lemon cake and olive oil ice cream

Also, I will often eat locally (Theos, Silk Road, Persepolis) then move onto Camberwell Arms for dessert. It really is that good.

I have had some life-changing meals here!! And I'd recommend it to anyone...

The Camberwell Arms is a delightful gastropub that effortlessly blends a cozy, laid-back atmosphere with elevated cuisine. Located in the heart of Camberwell, this spot is perfect for those who appreciate simple, high-quality food in a relaxed yet refined setting.

Ambience The moment you step in, you’re greeted by a warm and inviting space with rustic wooden tables, dimmed lighting, and an unmistakable neighborhood charm. The buzzing chatter of happy diners and the friendly staff make you feel instantly at home. It’s a place where you can unwind without any pretense.

Food & Drinks The menu is seasonal and thoughtfully curated, emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It’s not overly long, but every dish feels like a standout. Their roast dinners, particularly the beef or lamb, are a must-try—succulent, perfectly cooked, and served with all the trimmings. The smaller plates, like their house-made terrines and inventive salads, are excellent for sharing and showcase a keen eye for flavor combinations.

The wine list is equally impressive, with a selection that complements the menu beautifully. There are also some great craft beers and classic cocktails for those seeking variety.

Service The staff at Camberwell Arms are attentive, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. They’re more than happy to recommend dishes or pairings, adding a personal touch to the experience.

Value For the quality of food and service, the pricing is more than reasonable. It strikes a great balance between being indulgent and affordable, making it a fantastic choice for both casual meals and special occasions.

Final Thoughts Camberwell Arms is a testament to what a gastropub should be: great food, excellent service, and an atmosphere that keeps you coming back. Whether you’re a...