The Gunnersbury — Restaurant in London

🚇 Gunnersbury 🍺 £6.30 Paulaner

The Gunnersbury pub is located at the west end of Chiswick High Road in West London. The nearest Tube is Gunnersbury which is just across the road.

The John Bull Hotel was built in 1853, the name can still be seen on the right gable of the building. This pub has been altered over the years, it was converted into a Truman Gateway pub in 1972 and was also a famous music venue. Visited bands included The Who, T.Rex and Thin Lizzy to name but a few. The pub was renamed The Gunnersbury in 2009.

This is a two bar pub that is traditional at heart and decorated with some bold colours. The bar to the right is bright and airy, has a pink panelled servery with high level seating throughout. The bar to the left is considerably larger, has more subtle decor and an eclectic mix of low level seating. At the far end of the bar is a raised section which is a remnant of the old stage. A couple of nice features include the stained windows and photos of music legends. At the back is a partly sheltered patio beer garden.

The beer selection offers a decent mix of continental lagers, London brews and cask ales. I decided on a Paulaner, my pint was excellent, price point was about right, I loved the beer pump. The food menu offers burgers, pizza, club sandwiches and home cooked specialties, Fish & Chips costs £16.30.

I arrived just after 12pm on a warm Saturday lunchtime in May. The pub had not long opened and had a few punters in attendance. I met the Landlord who was kind enough to tell me about the history of the pub and his time spent in pubs and most notably his time being part of saving The German Gymnasium building by Kings Cross station. He mentioned that most of his trade comes from the local business park and fans on Brentford match days.

This was one of my most interesting pub visits this year. I loved learning about this pubs journey from the Victorian era through to the rock legends that performed here. A very good beer selection, first class hospitality and a nostalgic setting make this a must visit London Pub.

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Being right opposite the train station this pub is in a fantastic location so I was surprised that it was so quiet on a Tuesday evening after work, or perhaps it’s because it’s so nice and big that it still had a spacious feel. It doesn’t have a traditional pub feel inside and is split into two areas - a bar and restaurant section, although both are suitable for dining. Throughout it doesn’t have a typical pub vibe but it was super welcoming and also good for big groups. It didn’t have the sense of being a ‘locals’ place and the staff were all super friendly and chatty.

The food menu is surprisingly extensive and, just like the drinks, offers really good value for money. Although I never got the chance to sample it, spotting some of the dishes on the large tables in the dining area in the rear they looked impressive for the money.

The atmosphere was really good even while the place was quiet sitting at the bar and there’s some good music throughout. The toilets at the rear of the place are small but were nice and clean, as was the rest of the place.

Overall it’s a really nice place and one that I’d frequent certainly if I worked in the area. The friendliness of the staff and the good value means there’s little need to look elsewhere and to top it all it’s in a prime location....

Looking for a classic pub experience during our midweek visit to Chiswick, The Gunnersbury delivered in full. This old-school British establishment has a simple, no-frills decor that adds to its authentic charm. Despite its unfussy atmosphere, The Gunnersbury had a lively, upbeat vibe going when we stopped in for lunch. The staff was incredibly warm and attentive, providing service that was top-notch from start to finish. As for the food, it was hearty pub grub at its best. No fancy pretense, just well-prepared staples done right and portioned generously. Every dish hit the spot without breaking the bank.

While The Gunnersbury may not be the trendiest spot around, it excels at delivering a quintessential British pub experience. If you're after a laidback place to tuck into classic fare washed down with a perfectly poured pint, all backed by friendly service, you'll find it here. A neighborhood gem worth seeking out for an unpretentious yet memorable lunch or...