Anchor Bankside in Southwark

Very rude staff, don't bother so many lovely pubs elsewhere

One of the oldest English pubs, it dates back to 1799, a typical place, fast service and good food

We’re rushed by security to leave the pub because 9 pm and kids not allowed. They eve didn’t give us 10-15 min to finish the meal, repeatedly telling 4 times in 2 minutes we have to leave. Discussing behaviour. Only after talking to manager security woman calmed down. Anyway, our Saturday evening was ruined.

I've been here before, nice pub, lovely setting on the Southbank of the Thames. I didn't eat, l had 1 pint of Rocking Rudolph for £6.65!

Catherine is the best. she got my jacket back. give her a million pounds and a raise. x

I’ve never missed a stop here in my three years going to London! The service, the food, the atmosphere never disappoints! I will come back every single time I am in town.

I got charged £13 for two tiny plastic cups of orange juice and one cup of peanuts. Feels wrong even for central London

Food is ok - enough… you serve yourself basically - but the atmosphere is cool

Great food, authentic atmosphere. Loved how much different beer they had and just the general vibe! 😁 Can get pretty busy but you have to order the food and drinks at the bar so there is almost no wait time. 😁

Not disabled friendly at all, despite advertising as such. The only area accessible via wheelchair has tables far too high for someone in a chair.

Great food, got wanted and a very cute table in the window when making a reservation!

Seriously the worst staff ever. The rudest I have ever seen working in a pub

I wish I got to know the name of the server me and my girlfriend spoke with but unfortunately never quite caught it. So to the tall, long red haired man slightly resembling Yung Gravy, your polite demeanor and lovely info on this adoring Shakespearean pub has created such a fond memory of this place for us. Im a poetic fan coming from the states and this pub as well as its servers treated us with an abundant amount of amiability and hospitality. I very much enjoyed the food, drinks, history and beautiful details given of this pulchritudinous quaint pub. Because of the helping & thoughtful experience with the employee we came not once but twice to the pub on our trip, first for the incredible drinks and second for the scrumptious food. The first time without even having a server, he asked if we were alright; after informing him of our Shakespeare fandom he gave amazing help and story’s. The second time though we all stopped for a bite and some drinks but unfortunately didn’t get him as our server, though after 15-20 minutes of waiting for the one we were assigned he had stopped, asked if we were alright and pleasantly recognized us as well as clearing our table and giving help. Such a kind soul. The Anchor Bankside is a great pub and has even greater staff. Thank you very much to the man and for the hospitality. Sincerely - Ashton Lund

An awesome pub with great food and vibes. Highly recommend the steak & ale pie, Mac & cheese and sticky toffee pudding.

Good place for a beer in this lovely and surprisingly large riverside pub. Nice rooftop terrace too.

I give it 2 of 5. The turn around on the drinks was really slow. The waitress passed, and ignored me, at least 3 times. I had to finish my meal with the water in my bag. Ended up hailing another waiter to pay the bill and adjusting it for the ale I didn't get. Attitude was a bit lackadaisical which detracted from the atmosphere. Not recommended.

First time here beer very nice , but the food I had beef and Raclette pie was outstanding .

Thought it would be another tourist trap, but it was actually excellent!!. The staff were friendly and the food was really good.

visited recently, had a great experience with food, drink and staff! in particular a cute brunette curly haired young man who served me most of the night, very friendly and great service, very grateful.

Evening meal in this busy pub. There is a lot of noise and the music is quite loud. The fish & chips were good, but the Angus meat in the sandwich was nerve-racking. Good service.

Great location and a beautiful pub, however the staff need to be shown how to correctly pour Guinness.

Lovely roast dinner, on a cold day. Nice place, very cosy.

Atmosphere was nice. Toilets disgusting.

Good place next to the river to grab drinks with friends and sit outside / on the rooftop

Great pub right on the Thames, friendly staff and serviced some great food, well worth a visit 👍🍺🍔

Popped in for a quick pit stop and had a lovely couple of pints of Ipa,Great pub

The pub itself is lovely, however let down completely by the service. Terrible. Having ordered 2 x Sunday dinners, we asked for English Mustard and Horseradish (staple Sunday lunch condiments) - the first waitress immediately told us they didn’t have those particular condiments (just ketchup and mayonnaise) - we accepted this although found it unbelievable that a pub in central London didn’t have these staple condiments. We then asked another member of staff to which the response was, of course, let me fetch them from the kitchen downstairs. He never returned with said condiments. Either his shift ended and he went home or he just couldn’t be bothered to bring us what we’d asked for. A beef dinner without English Mustard or Horseradish is unacceptable. Terrible and will not return or recommend to anyone. To add to this, we witnessed waiting staff wandering around aimlessly with plates of food, clearly not knowing where the food was going or who had ordered it. The manager needs to pull their finger out and get a grip on the operation.

Being buried alive is probably a more pleasant experience.

Food is ok, not great but edible, top pint of Guiness and over all, a great pub.

Still waiting for the round of pints. Only ordered 3 times.

Anchor Bankside is a very charming pub situated on the banks of the Thames, with beautiful views of the river and London's monuments. Its historic interior and classic atmosphere make it an ideal place for tourists alike. Offers a wide selection of beers. Anchor Bankside is a place that combines history with modernity and is definitely worth a visit.

Decent place, good service. Nice food.

I wen there to eat something because it looked really beautiful from the outside and with loads of people in it. It was a nice pub but the food was disgusting. I ordered a fish and chips it was 18/20 pounds and it was so boring i almost passed out. The blandest food i ate in London by far it was sad, microwaved and lacking basically everything. As i was eating my food i heard a girl saying only the drinks were good and the food was disgusting, and she was very right. Truly disappointing.

A good place to go for a drink and dinner. Lots of atmosphere, you can see that it is liked in general.

Historic pub, excellent location

The best pub in London. Food, service, location so close to the Shakespeare's Globe. Excellent.

We had the most amazing time at the anchor Bankside! Ethan and Muna were brilliant bartenders. Lucy was an amazing manager! It was my 24th bday and I booked the “snug bar”; 100% recommend this place. Service was extremely quick and polite and friendly! When we wanted to light candles for bday cake it was extremely easy and the staff were very accommodating. In addition organising the booking was very easy via Csilla, another great member of staff! She cleared up all my queries very efficiently. I couldn’t be happier with my choice of establishment for my bday. Thank you Anchor Bankside and thank you to all the workers! See you again soon!

Nice Bar outside right next to Themse, beautiful at night with all the lights. Pub inside is great aswell, been there twice during our weekend trip 😁

Unacceptable! We reserved a table this afternoon to come and eat for the evening service. When we arrived, the restaurant was unable to accommodate us because same-day reservations are not taken into account. Go on your way. We will never come back. A shame.

My experience was great! The Anchor is a very traditional pub in London, and has been successful for decades! There are several environments, including rooms reserved for pre-scheduled events. There are tables, and there is no need to reserve. Be careful with the pickpockets on site (I didn't see anything besides police walking around and signs to take care of your belongings). We ate hamburgers and fish and chips, as well as beer, we were well served and we approved of the food! The outside environment was empty, as it was raining that day. I recommend checking out this London icon!

Lovely roof top area for drinks

Well worth it if you can get a seat by the river

The Anchor Bankside in London is a fantastic riverside pub located along the Thames. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, the venue offers a beautiful view of the river and the iconic London skyline. The exterior of the building is especially striking, with its classic charm adding to the welcoming atmosphere. We visited during after-work hours, so it was quite crowded, but thankfully we managed to find a spot. Despite the busy crowd, I really enjoyed the experience—sitting by the river was peaceful and the setting was lovely. The outdoor service can be slow, and the prices are on the higher side, but the atmosphere made it worthwhile. On chillier evenings, be sure to dress warmly, as there are no outdoor heaters. Overall, The Anchor Bankside is a great spot for relaxing by the river, enjoying the view, and having a drink after a long day. Despite a few minor inconveniences, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it.

The atmosphere here is so nice and pretty, so I definitely recommend going! A true British sensibility. The food is soso

Came here for lunch with relatives visiting from overseas. The service was very good & food was superb. I hsd the chicken & bacon sandwich served on ciabatta which was very good. The nachos sharer & triple cooked chips were amazing. Great location by riverside & a large venue with plenty of seating. Various areas to sit. Quite a few stairs to negotiate. Would recommend this pub.

Stunning outside seating right alongside the Thames - gorgeous at night! One problem, the plastic pint cups are really flimsy, so we ended up spilling our pints from grabbing the cups too harshly. Is there an alternative cup which is maybe tougher but still recyclable?

Nice place for evening time. Good beer, normal prices.

I loved our stop here for lunch, food was great, staff were friendly and helpful. The building itself is amazing although at times it felt like a maze with all the nooks, crannies and staircases, loved it, truly unique. I'd happily go back.

We had the most splendid food when we came to visit. They also had fantastic drinks. I absolutely recommend this amazing and historic place. ❤️

Absolutely awful tourist trap. Tasteless food. Zero service.

Second time I make a booking and they cannot find it. Turns out the website doesn't work but confirms your booking They crammed us into a tiny table. Ordered chicken bacon sandwich- the bread was so old and chewy my jaw still hurts. Overpriced bad quality and bad service

The vibe here is amazing. Went last week on a Thursday, and it was very lively.

Cozy pub spread over several winding floors. Friendly, nice and fast service. Pub was busy, but the food came quickly and was tasty. Despite the very good location, prices are within the normal range

The food and drinks were amazing, I had the sirloin streak, chips with gravy and loaded nachos. The steak was cooked perfectly, the chips were crispy on the outside, absolutely fluffy on the inside and the gravy was to die for. I have lived in Britain for nearly 5 years now and I have never come across a nacho plater like that. The nacho chips were made in house. They were wonderfully made and the guacamole was pristine, it reminded me of my cousins Abuela's from when we were kids. I do not drink but my husband does and his drink was very tasty according to him. We were on the dockside bar and the view was stunning. I could see St. Paul's Cathedral from where we were sat and the view was breathtaking. The staff were friendly, helpful and thoughtful. If we were staying in London longer I would have definitely gone back there to eat. If I could give them 10 stars I would!

Good historic pub atmosphere. Fatty food. Good welcome. Children's menu with choice.

Went with a friend who has a dairy allergy, she went up to order specifically to say she is allergic to dairy and ordered the chicken salad. They gave her a HALLOUMI salad. Criminal. They gave her a full refund regardless but the waitresses didn’t seem to care too much, only the manager. The other food myself and another friend got was sub par, definitely a microwave chef, seasoned with the tears dropping off my face. Drinks also went ‘missing’ on the system and didn’t arrive until we finished the food. Only good thing was location and music.

Nice pub but there is a building site next door.

Excellent pub, deserves its fame, had some of the best fish and chips I tried in London. An environment that internally still maintains that aura of the historic pubs of London. Advised

Make your own tartar sauce. Head office sort it out, stop sending out that bottled rubbish. So easy to be better, cummon. At 18.75 i would expect that

£5.75 for an orange juice and lemonade. Great views from the outdoor seating area but heaters would have been greatly appreciated. Bustling on a Sunday evening

Beer and a snack on the banks of the Thames? A place to eat! Even during the day, the mood is a gangster.

Just passed by for a drink after a long day of walking around London. This place is very touristy and extremely busy. Fortunately, you can find a quiet spot here and there, given the enormous building. Their own Anchor bitter was very tasty

The pub is very quaint. The outdoor terrace overlooking the Thames is its strong point, along with the beers

The Anchor Bankside Pub is a beautiful place to eat, drink and enjoy the view of the area. Love it.

Definitely a very cozy pub and nice staff, but the food is nothing to shout about. Some of it was almost inedible.

Quite a large "pub". We didn't find it as quaint here as in many other pubs. Few locals, more tourists.

Great food, quick Service (once that you found out that you've to order by App). It was quite crowded on this friday evening and therefore very loud. The Type of music could be more suitable for a pub

Nice and cozy pub, good food and drinks. Great vibe

No pictures because this was our first stop and I was famished. Fish and chips was perfect both in portion and crispness and their mac and cheese is top notch. Great atmosphere with rooftop and a lot of separate rooms for great ambiance.

Nice place, just wouldn’t recommend the sirloin ciabatta, not as described Get the BLT.

Next to Globe Theatre. On the Thames. Kitchen open to ten. Food was excellent pub grub

Ordered via the App and had to ask multiple times to receive our drinks. Very beautiful location and great food.

Its a cracking location, the outside bar is very nice. The bar staff we're lovely, however we had a table booked for 2.30, we arrived at 2.00. We went to our table, first there was no menus, on a reserved table. When we enquired about the Sunday roasts, we were told that they were all sold out. How can you sell out of roasts on a Sunday by 2.00pm? Anyway our food came, it was ok. Just ok. There was a massive wait between starter & main course, far too long of a gap. When it did come, there was no cutlery, we had to ask for it & then my wife starter came out, not once, but twice. Both meals was very mediocre, no condimonts in the condimont tray. As i said the bar staff were very friendly but your waiting staff just seem to walk round with there head in the clouds. Quite bad service. This was our first time here, would i come here again, for a drink? yes, for a meal? Proberbly not.

A very old, busy pub on the river thames

A Greene King pub and might be the best I've been to! Great outdoor seating and greater inside! This old building is really sensational, with different rooms to match different moods. You can find your typical Greene King food and drinks menu here. If you're nearby looking for a pit stop or you want to experience a unique pub, this a place you should try!

We were recommended by a tour guide to eat Fish & Chips and it was a success, both that and meat pie. Huge tavern with several floors, a variety of food and a variety of beers and drinks.

Lovely pub in a superb location with a big terrace just on the river side. Not great for food but guessing it works for tourist mostly then locals. A bit overpriced for me. Overall great pub

Rude service. They refused to turn on the outside heaters even though it was 5 degrees because it was “too early” in the winter. Rude service at the bars as well. Would not recommend.

Food and service is ok. The pub itself is nice.

The atmosphere was great, and the three of us enjoyed the little break.

Many levels and plenty of seating.

This is one of London's great pubs and was my regular watering hole when I lived in Kensington. But I was served a half empty glass when I ordered a pint, I pushed it back and asked for the glass to be topped up. Our party of four was served our main course with the starters and two of the meals were tepid. Another was served with roast beef that was just gristle and had trouble with the staff when asking for the beef to be replaced. Honestly, it was like the staff were there for work experience.

After a long wait for service, we downloaded the app. But they didn't have a number on the table for us to complete the order. After queuing at the bar we were told to first find a table with a number. So we left, customer interest lousy.

Fantastic spot overlooking the Thames and the inside feels very historic. I’ve knocked off a star for the extortionately priced and very average beer. But the location is unbeatable if you come here on a warm day.

Dirty Guinness glasses which is a shame. Nice atmosphere in the pub.

Superb place with beautiful terraces.

A place with 800 years of history. Beautiful building, atmospheric decor, delicious beer. We recommend!

view on Thames and St Paul's Cathedral is stunning

They seemed to be a lot of staff but there was only one guy serving in the bars I was where there were 6 people, at one time, waiting to be served. The other staff were standing around our wandering about with knives, forks, salt and pepper pots. Got sick of waiting and went elsewhere!

Fantastic Pub like the vast majority of pubs in the city, spacious, comfortable, clean and with good treatment from the staff. It has outdoor tables, ideal for having a pint or lunch, I visited it the first time I was in the city and we repeated the second time, we will return if there is a third time.

Great spot near the Thames with lots of history. Food was ok...nothing spectacular...

A properly old pub wit lots of history. Gets very busy as its close to the globe theatre. Food was nice (if not large) and london prices. The building could do with some TLC

Only issue is the smoking in the outdoor area. I don't smoke and had to inhale second hand smoke. It should be no smoking on the premises with a separate smoking area.

Super cool location and vibe. They had the chain menu seen all over London, but it was still good food and drinks. Had to place orders at the bar and they weren't very pleasant, but we came to expect that throughout London. Especially cool when the weather is good enough to sit outside by the river.

We reserved a table a month in advance. When we showed up they brought us to a table that was up several flights of stairs, tucked away in a corner, sat us and left. After about 20 minutes someone came up to seat another group and I asked why no one had come up to serve our table. She informed us that we had to order at the bar downstairs and through several rooms. Everyone downstairs had table service. Once we ordered the food arrived within 5 mins. It was ALL very clearly precooked and microwaved food. The food was not good at all. I would not recommend this restaurant at all.

A very atmospheric, typically British pub combined with a restaurant, in a picturesque area. There are several nicely arranged rooms at your disposal. Very crowded, we waited a long time for a table, but it was definitely worth it. We ordered traditional fish & chips. We didn't have to wait long for the ordered dishes. Delicious, fresh fish in crispy breading. The fries were well seasoned and served with a tasty sauce. Free self-pour water available at the bar. A very tasty place where you can feel the atmosphere of this city.

Checked out the Anchor Bankside today while exploring South Bank and Borough Market! It was definitely a nice pit stop! The service here was good and the staff was really nice! The food was good, we tried the Cheese Toastie and the Chicken-Bacon Sandwich, and enjoyed both!

I have never eaten a worse steak anywhere, but I must admit, the waiters immediately offered to return the money, the bar is good, the employees are polite. Fire the chef and everything will be perfect

A large pub with a nice view over London, I recommend the Abbot beer to try.

If you are strolling down the Thames, really no better place to pause and grab a bite or a beer. Awesome service, even better people watching.