The Coach & Horses — Restaurant in London

Booked a table for 2 for a Sunday Roast at 2 o’clock (arrived there 20 min late, my bad - shame on me), we were sat down straight away. The ‘pub’ area was quite busy, while the ‘dining’ area was not even full for 3/4 of it. Ordered our drinks and mains in the following 10 min (it was now 2,30). After waiting for exactly 1 hour (it was now 3,30) we received our - only - starter, a portion of (4) coated/deep fried prawns. At this point I asked the server how long for the mains, as I was starting to feel quite hopeless, she said ‘A few minutes’. Mains arrived after 10 more minutes. We both had a beef roast which consisted of 2 slices of beef rump, 2 potatoes, 2 carrots, 1 parnisp, 1 broccoli and a small bunch of cabbage leaves with a generous covering of gravy already poured all over. Now, the food was decent (I mean, beef could have been a bit more generous for 19 pounds and being in Leyton, rather than Central London), but did I really need to be waiting 1 h and 10 min for a roast? I don’t think so. That said, I understand that the kitchen was busy (even if I believe that with 4/5 chefs in it, the situation was still manageable as it was), but keeping people waiting longer than an hour for a meal that has been ‘pre - prepped’ in the morning? Come on! Other than that, nobody ever came to apologize, to let us know how long still, not to mention offering a drink or at least a stupid discount to amend for the inconvenience. I am assigning 3 stars as the food was alright, but will I go...

The Coach & Horses isn’t just a pub—it’s a London institution. Nestled on Greek Street, this characterful spot has long been a refuge for writers, eccentrics, and anyone seeking a proper pint with a side of storytelling. It’s a place where tradition lingers in the woodwork, and the spirit of old Soho still flickers in the corners.

Atmosphere Inside, it’s all etched glass, creaky floors, and a bar that feels like it’s seen a thousand confessions. The vibe is warm, slightly scruffy, and refreshingly unpretentious. You’ll find regulars nursing bitters, tourists snapping photos, and the occasional poet scribbling in a corner. It’s not curated—it’s lived-in.

Food & Drink The menu leans classic British, with vegetarian and vegan options that feel considered rather than obligatory. Highlights include:

Steak & ale pie – rich, flaky, and deeply satisfying

Fish & chips – crisp batter, proper mushy peas, and hand-cut chips

Vegan shepherd’s pie – hearty, flavourful, and surprisingly elegant

Cask ales & craft beers – well-kept, with rotating guest taps

Wine & spirits – modest selection, but well chosen

It’s not a gastropub, but it doesn’t need to be—the food is honest, and the drinks are...

The last time I went to the Coach & Horses was over a year ago. It was pouring with rain so I nipped in to shelter. The pub didn’t seem to have changed - or been cleaned much - in the last twenty years. Everything seemed run down and soiled and standing up was the best option. What a change from our visit yesterday. It’s now been taken over and refurbished and everything looks very clean and comfortable. We were surrounded by large post Christmas Parties but we were well cared for by the very nice front of house lady. We ordered pie and mash. It wasn’t what we expected in terms of original pie and mash. It was a modern version but it was great. The pie was full of tender, good quality beef and the mash was smooth an tasty. The liquor was a revelation. We really enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone. The chef served it to us and he clearly knows what he’s doing. The house wine was exceptional value. The only disappointment was that some of the beers weren’t available, although I’m sure this was to do with the Christmas demand. We’ll be back even though it’s not...