The Wrestlers — Restaurant in London

The Wrestlers — A Pint of Heritage in Highgate

Nestled just off Highgate High Street, The Wrestlers is a pub that wears its history with quiet pride. With roots tracing back to the 16th century, it’s one of those rare spots where time seems to pause—offering locals and wanderers alike a moment of calm, a well-poured pint, and a sense of belonging.

Atmosphere Traditional without being stuffy, The Wrestlers feels like a living room for the neighborhood. Think low ceilings, timber beams, and a fireplace that crackles in winter. The crowd is a mix of longtime Highgate residents, walkers fresh from Hampstead Heath, and the occasional curious tourist. It’s the kind of place where conversations meander and no one’s in a rush.

Food & Drink The menu is classic British pub fare, done with care:

Sunday roast: generous, comforting, and reliably good Fish & chips: crisp batter, flaky cod, and proper mushy peas Ale selection: local brews and national staples, well-kept and rotated Wine list: modest but thoughtful, with decent reds for roast night

Prices are reasonable for the area, and portions...

What is it, 6+ pubs going out of business a week in England? We all know the usual culprits...people have just had enough of ridiculously high prices for both food and drink, miserable bar staff, etc... Let's take a look at the Wrestlers. For what used to be a buzzing place with real character, it's a shadow of its former self. I won't be returning....why? Because I don't expect to pay God knows what for two drinks, only to be promptly presented with plastic skiffs just after midnight. No. This isn't a bloody university bar. It's not a festival. It's a local sodding pub. When there are 6 customers in your establishment you just wait for people to finish their drinks. Hell, even if there were more people, who cares? They have paid good money to have a decent drink instead of sitting at home - but no, you spoil yet something else of the pub experience. I left my drink where it was. Money down the drain. I guess most people just do the English thing and say nothing - and then never return? Ask yourself why most people only come in for last orders.....SHITE like this! What...

If you want a good roast elsewhere!

I attended this pub with three friends for a Sunday roast. Although the roast was overall quite tasty, my friends beef was 95% fat and as she isn't Jack Sprats wife she couldn't eat it!! When the plates were cleared we Informed the waiter of the issues assuming that it would be cleared once paying the bill. We ordered pudding and more disappointment insued. My Eton Mess was a mass of cream with about five small pieces of meringue and what seemed like one strawberry chopped up into small pieces!!! Again when the plates were cleared I stated that I would not be paying for my pudding. The waitress came back and confirmed that the manager accepted the non payment of the Eton Mess but that they would be leaving the beef?!!!

When paying the bill my friend spoke to the manager (Sarah) who point blankly refused to take any money off the bill for the roast fat or offer any good will gesture!!

Bearing in mind that Highgate has so many amazing pubs for food I would avoid The Wrestlers...