Westminster Arms — Restaurant in London

One day I decided to take a walk around St. James’s Park and happened to notice this pub across the road. I’d heard of the name before, so I thought, “Why not?” and popped in for a cheeky half pint.

From the outside, it looked interesting, and I was curious to check out the interior. Once inside, I found it just as nice. That said, I could imagine that if it got busy, it would quickly fill up and people would start spilling outside, as there didn’t seem to be much standing room.

When I headed to the bar to order, the bartender didn’t notice me right away, which was fine. It looked like it might’ve been a cleaning day, as a few of the staff were tidying up the place (or maybe they were just a bit bored and keeping busy, who knows, haha). Either way, he was working, and it’s totally understandable that he didn’t spot me immediately.

I decided to try something new and went for their stout, not Guinness, but Shepherd Neame’s Iron Wharf. The bartender was super friendly, served me with a smile, and overall the service was great. The staff all seemed busy keeping the place clean.

Before heading outside to enjoy my drink, I asked if it was okay to take it out with me (since some pubs don’t allow that). Another staff member said it was totally fine, but also suggested checking out the cellar if I preferred to sit down instead. I went outside in the end but slightly regret not exploring the cellar, it would’ve been nice to see more of the pub. I hadn’t planned this visit, though, so I’ll definitely check it out next time I’m in the area.

As for the drink, it was fantastic. I could instantly tell the lines were clean because the stout tasted smooth and creamy, with no off flavors at all. It might sound bold, but this half pint of Iron Wharf actually made me prefer it over Guinness. Definitely glad I gave it a try!

I didn’t order any food, so I can’t rate it, and I didn’t see any being served either, so I can’t really judge based on that. The crowd seemed like a good mix, some local workers, maybe a few people who live nearby, and quite a few tourists. Given the location right in central London near St. James’s, I imagine it gets a steady tourist flow.

Overall, it’s a great pub. The atmosphere can swing from awkwardly quiet to busy and buzzing, depending on when you go. The place was clean, the staff were genuinely friendly, and even though it was a quieter day, they were still attentive and helpful. I do feel like the pub is missing something to really make it stand out, but I can’t quite put my finger on what that is.

Either way, it’s a good spot to check out if you’re in the area, right in the...

🚇 Westminster 🍺 £6.45 Spitfire Lager

The Westminster Arms is located in the heart of central Westminster, close to the Houses of Parliament. The nearest Tube is Westminster.

The pub was originally built around the 1820s and began life as The Red Lion. It was rebuilt in 1913 and has been known as The Westminster Arms for some time.

This traditionally decorated, two-bar pub is spread across three levels. The main bar area is on the ground floor, with an imposing servery dominating the right-hand side. To the right of the servery is a cosy snug with several stools and a drinking ledge. There are also two nooks to imbibe in, making for an atmospheric spot to enjoy a pint. The decor features a boarded floor, beautiful dark wood panelling, simple bevelled mirrors, a central chandelier and, of course, the division bell.

Head downstairs to find the cellar bar — a compact space with its own servery, flagstone floor, intimate booths, stylish poser tables and a deep red ceiling. It makes for a particularly characterful setting. Upstairs is The Queen Anne’s Dining Room, which was not open at the time of visiting.

This Shepherd Neame Brewery pub offers a solid beer selection, featuring both craft and cask brews from their range. I opted for a Spitfire Lager — an excellent pint, with the price reflecting the area. The food offering focuses on hearty British classics; fish and chips costs £19.75.

I arrived at 11:30am on a sunny Friday morning in September. Initially, I was the only punter in, soon joined by a group of American tourists and some local office workers. The atmosphere was upbeat — the tourists inquisitive, the office workers talking shop. Service was first-class; the lad on duty was all smiles, informative and very friendly.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Although close to the hustle and bustle around the Houses of Parliament, it felt like an oasis away from it all. The beer choice was top drawer, the decor stunning, and the atmosphere made it easy to settle in. Highly recommended.

Follow @westminsterarms for updates.

📅 12th September 2025

If you want to see all my pub reviews in one place, head to @londonpubmap on Instagram or...

Three of us went for lunch. The best thing about the Westminster Arms is the deck or which is really not too bad, it has been recently spruced up and it shows. However, the service was really not very good. It is clear that they are understaffed and constantly need to be chased. At least one of the serving staff had such a strong accent that they were almost incomprehensible and it was impossible to understand which real ale was available. We had to go for one whose name we recognised as the only option we felt safe with. The beer was fine, satisfactory to good, one of my friends felt it was a little cold, but I was OK with it. We tried to order 3 Ribs of beef. They only had one. This is surprising because it was relatively early in the day and the part was not particularly full. I then tried to order the minutes take, but they would only cook it well done and I wanted it rare. I tried to order the beef burger and exactly the same happened. I did not give up. I ordered the loaded chips and the Scotch egg, but they didn't have any Scotch eggs either, out of desperation I ordered a sausage roll. This arrived replete with nuts. I cannot eat nuts, but at this stage I was desperate so I carefully scraped all the nuts off and ate it. I have now had a minor reaction because of this. I have looked online and not found any allergy information, I assumed it was my fault at the time. It does not get any better I am afraid. The loaded chips were only just cooked and certainly not crisp. I should have sent it all back. I was with friends so I did not and we did not have much time as well. I certainly regret it now. My friends found the food passable But not exciting and the quality acceptable. The service was not the slightest bit attentive and to be honest deeply uncaring. This is not an experience I would repeat. This place clearly exists to serve tourists and does not consider a regular clientele. My advice find somewhere...