The Bear in Southwark

We were really to excited to try the Bear as we had experienced the chefs food a number of times while they were at Naughty Piglets. We went for Sunday roast to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday. We had the burrata, cod roes and beetroot salad to start which were delicious. But the roasts were way below average - both the beef and the porchetta were not just rare but almost still moo-ing/squealing. Preference should have been asked if serving so rare. There was no Yorkshire pudding!!!! There was no roast potatoes but they served skin on fried potatoes which were bland and didn’t offer the absorbency a roast potato would provide with gravy. We were also served a savoy cabbage which was just a soggy mess and lacking flavour except for the two outside leaves. The French beans were delightful though. So a very hit and miss food experience. Apart from the food the venue set up was weird. With tables crowding into one third of the bar and the rest of the bar empty. I hope this is all teething problems of a new venue and they can get resolved. We tried providing feedback directly to the restaurant through Instagram as we would like to see a new venue succeed. But heard nothing back.

Nice music with local brand beer collection.

Superb food both at the counter and the pub bit. Feels like fine dining in a relaxed setting. The clientelle is decent and everyone's there to have a good time. The vinly collection and the dj deck makes the place pretty unique.

Grabbed a nice meal here. Check it out.

Great staff. Nice vibe. Visit it regularly. Heard the food is very good but not been there when served. DJs get up and down a short set and they get some excellent DJs - Mia, Rachel and the daughter of some famous US DJ(Roach?). However, the last visit wasn't good - 3 male DJs thought they would wind up the customers for 45 minutes, e.g. playing a record of a man speaking french. I was with two DJs and they weren't happy. But, one bad night isn't going to stop me returning. Prices reasonable, staff great, vibe great. Good stuff.

This is a fantastic combination. A brilliant boozer with great music and a Michelin quality dining room attached. Whats not to like?

We booked a table days in advance for Sunday dinner at 14.30.We arrived at 14.15 on the said day to be informed they had sold out of all food,Goodbye....oh try up the road ! As is goes the place imo looked a bit of a dump.Btw all local pubs were all booked and full,we ended up in a Greek restaurant which was fantastic in every way.

As soon as I knew The Bear was ran and owned by the same people from Naughty Piglets I knew it was going to be a banger. Wonderful chilled out service and really enjoyed the counter experience. It’s the one. The menu comprises from staples such as the crab and pork but wow, every dish was truly stunning. £160 for all 7 dishes, bottle of wine and service for 2 - good luck finding anywhere better!

First time diner. My partner and I enjoyed the tapa plate concept. The Beetroot Tart and Hispi Cabbage were the stand out dishes on the night. Booked on a Saturday night - nice atmosphere for cocktails and a chat. However, as diners only the music was a tad loud. Next time will opt for the daytime for lunch or chef table.

Amazing food, great service. Best meal out I've had for a while! Sitting at the counter is perfect for two people. Staff were all super friendly. Great atmosphere :)

10/10/10 don’t miss out on the kitchen counter experience. Each dish we tried was insane, the ambience was immaculate and the service was a perfect balance of attentive but relaxed and fun. Was also surprisingly great value considering the overall experience and quality of food. Hope they’ll still be around next time I’m in London.

Best place in Camberwell at the moment. Music and atmosphere top top

The chef and crew here are insanely good. The crab and the scallops were perfect dishes and the deserts are too good. Almost want to keep a secret but I am too nice and have to share. Get down there before it gets famous

Some of the tables are too tall for shorties. Not inclusive :p

Cool vibes at this pub! A bit more craft brewery or bar vibes (albeit with a medium beer selection! Could do with more craft and local beers)

Great service, drinks served and prepared to a high standard

Just fantastic! The food here is a religious experience, and the price reflects the value. Save up, and make the pilgrimage. The staff are a great bunch, and this pub is an uncontrived oasis of solid London community life. I want to live in this place.

Amazing chefs table experience, food was incredible, expertly prepared, the chef also made a few adaptations for veggie dishes. Small plate format but substantial and enough to share, highly recommended for an intimate dinner date or special occasion.

Amazing atmosphere, service, and food. Staff are friendly, food is delicious, music is good. Cavatelli and crab are the highlight. My only possible improvement would be to offer some cushions.

Went to meet up with one of my Best friends, we had lunch and it was Delicious 5 ⭐ food. The staff were lovely full of knowledge friendly and it had a great atmosphere Loved it ❤

Music is way too loud guys. It’s a pub not a club, I want to hear my friends. I can’t hear myself think. Turn it down.

Cannot remember the last time I enjoyed a meal as much as tonight. Everything we ordered was 10/10. The chefs were super friendly and informative. Stand outs were the tomato’s, the pork belly, the eel and the chocolate mousse though I couldn’t fault any of the dishes we ordered. Can’t wait to return 10/10!

really nice staff and really nice food

A perfect local restaurant - great food with a relaxed atmosphere - lovely service and chit chat with the chefs.

Hidden gem in Camberwell, went with friends and tried all dishes. Unpretentious and simple quality ingredients made it a fantastic meal.

Freshly reopened, under new management. New fresh look. Met the owner, who’s super friendly, and we chatted away while enjoying a Guinness. Definitely worth putting back on your list! Edit: New(ish) restaurant is absolutely amazing. Kitchen counter style, so you see your food being made and can interact with the chefs. Excellent food and ambience.

Incredible food, incredible pub, can’t recommend enough

We were very impressed with the food, service and ambiance in The Bear. It’s an extremely unique dining experience with all tables being a chef’s table, and space for around 6 couples making it intimate as the chefs serve the exquisite food. The atmosphere is very relaxed. The food is perfect for sharing, with one dish coming at a time meaning you have time to enjoy the flavours before moving on to the next course. We will be dining again soon and recommending it to our friends.

Over all the obvious dining institutions London has to offer, this is time after time my top recommendation. Walk through the doors to this unassuming pub and you'll see a DJ playing and people having a great time over good pints. You certainly won't be expecting the dinner that sits around the corner, though. Through a small opening sits a 14-seater counter dining experience, serviced by the same bar and atmosphere, but secluded enough to feel mature and refined. The walls are covered in raw plaster and lit by candles, allowing the stainless steel, state of the art looking kitchen to take centre stage. Although (very lovely) servers supply your drinks, it's the chefs who curate the entire experience, from taking your order to explaining your dishes. We were served by Aaron, and his ability to host was exceeded only by his talents in cooking. Genuinely incredible food, genuinely incredible hospitality. Well priced and well full when you leave. This is a gushy review but I really think it's warranted. Thanks guys.

Great little local gastro pub. Went there twice, and both times had some great vinyl playing. Would definitely recommend to stop in for a bite to eat and a pint

Nice little indie place with outdoor seating and zero pretence, very enjoyable

Cool pub, great atmosphere. Main let down was the beer selection. Other than Guinness, every tap was a product owned by Heineken. Even the cider.

1yr anniversary! Zuzanna was amazing so caring and attentive. Looking forward to the next year!

Being at the bear is like hanging out in a pal’s living room. Records are spinning, always great DJs. A simple, calm and casual pub environment. The restaurant part is a separate room except on Sundays and they serve incredible food. I end up dancing more often than not, very few places in this city have that effect. This is what community is about. Go regularly and you will see why this place is a gem. Sometimes I miss the culture back on the east coast of Canada, the bear is the closest I get to feeling at home.

Great pub showcasing local artist, pub quiz and vinyl nights. We ate at the counter, must tries are the XO Noodles and the Lemon Curd Doughnuts!

Amazing food! We had lunch here and my scallops were absolutely delicious. I have never had doughnuts so light and fluffy accompanied with a sharp citrusy sauce. Definitely worth a visit and a complete find.

Love it here, but really quite loud and could do with some sound deadening! Atmosphere great but that could make it even better

It's an ordinary pub with nothing special.

Good bar with nice selections of beers, but sadly no gluten-free had to make do with a cider. Nice corner where the music is played on old vinyl. Seating could do with some cushions to make me stay longer.

Unbelievable gem of a neighbourhood restaurant

Great local pub now also serving fantastic food. Cannot recommend enough !

This is a pretty spectacular food experience — a completely open kitchen serving interesting twists on classic European dishes. Special mention for the XO sauce but it was all really very good. Enjoyed that you could drink pints from the room next door alongside the refined and exciting cooking.

Attended the Paul Partridge quiz with some friends. Great place, has had a refurb. Quiz was so much fun.

Lovely little boozer. Loved the fact we could sit at the bar.

Awesome vibe. Delicious food, lovely people. Go go go.

Always cold. Music was so so for a Saturday night.

Can't fault the experience I had here this weekend. Looking forward to returning!

Such a unique, laid back vibe and now that the restaurant is up and running there really is no reason to leave. I visited with a friend to see in the weekend and we were taken care of by Aaron who is a credit to The Bear! An impeccable team of chefs and such warm service. The food is sublime.

Great to have this pub back, excellent atmosphere and great food. Staff were brilliant too. Hipster vibe with yacht rock playing on vinyl and a stripped back interior. But a great pub needs great beer and this is lacking. Landlord was the only cask option, though it was well kept. The keg selection was 3 from Brixton brewery, Guinness or macro lager. There are brilliant small independent breweries in the area, use them!

Amazing first meal at the newly opened Kitchen at The Bear. Thanks to Joe, Teddy and the team for a great meal.

We always visit this vibrant and energetic pub when we come up to stay with family.Teddy and Joe are very friendly and welcoming. Tonight we had some small plates from the new menu and they were out of this world. Will definitely be back for a Sunday roast.

I played some of my vintage vinyl at their ThrowbackThursday event - it was excellent. The facilities, sound equipment and atmosphere were all on point, so looking forward to playing there again. It's a great space, recently reopened and looking to add to Camberwell's vibrant music scene. Definitely worth a visit and to see how it develops.

Popped in for a couple of drinks on a Wednesday and had a great time. Selection of really good wines. The owner - Teddy - was an absolute gent and offered a very warm welcome. Will definitely be back.

This is exactly what a pub should me. Always a great vibe, welcoming smile and fantastic time at The Bear. Great deals and a wonderful atmosphere, you couldn’t ask for more. 6⭐️s for me!

Drinks were, reasonably priced. The pub is a work in progress but a warm atmosphere and is full of potential. Will definitely go again the pizzas look tasty

اذا كنت جزائري غير انسحب من غروب تيليغرام ومتسقسيش علاه

Great atmosphere. Really solid DJ on a Friday night. And they serve Italicus Spritz cocktails. Amazing!

An exciting new local! Love the pub quiz and pizza’s. Looking for some more exciting beer options though

Excellent pizza by Alessio! Great music! Friendly staff!

It's always going to feel a bit of an odd pub, as it's currently mid-refurbishment. In the plus column, the new owners are energetic, seem like decent blokes, and clearly want to create a pub that is at the centre of the local community (and locals seem to have responded by supporting the pub, which is nice). On the down side, some of the design choices appear a bit odd - there's no soft furnishings to speak of, and there's little in the way of comfortable seating. Genuinely wish them all the best, but hopefully they can make the pub a bit cosier, and add some decent cask ales. There's a mooted plan to serve cocktails in the back room, but this feels like trying to ram two different concepts into one building - just be a local pub, but be the best local pub! There's certainly a vacancy in Camberwell for a non-mediocre boozer.

Najlepszy pub w Londynie. Są, może ładniejsze, z większym doborem piwa, w ciekawszej lokalizacji, ALE jeśli chcesz pójść do spokojnego, lokalnego, przyjaznego lokalu z bardzo uprzejmymi właścicielami tuż za ladą, oraz móc zaczerpnąć i zaobserwować okolicznego Londyńskiego życia gdzie wszyscy niezależnie od wieku, klasy i rasy spotykają się na piwie to nie ma właśnie lepszego pubu w Londynie.

Velký výběr piv. Velice dobrá obsluha a piva

Bear returns. selection of beer has narrowed (Brixton Pale Ale is as close to a craft beer offering as they seem to go nowadays) and the prices are as high as the most expensive local competition. Want this selection of beers? then go to the kennington up the road and save money, want wider selection? try the old dispensary, stormbird, joiners or even the hermits cave. A shame that what was a unique and worthwhile visit in 2018 is wholly unremarkable in 2023.

Show me another place in London that does £5 double spirit and mixer (happy hour Wed-Fri) not to mention that they are lovingly prepared by the world's most passionate pub owner/barman/therapist, Teddy. This place is ideal for a chilled early evening drink, a home away from home or to find your people at vinyl nights. Could not recommend more.

Nice pub freshly re-opened. Not selling food though till January 2024. All food pics are from many years ago.

Finally the bear reopened with a nice new settings with nice staff. As soon as the kitchen opens and they do not serve only Chi-Chi food like the original bear, it will become our new local .

Loved this pub! We went there on a sunny Sunday and we had a delicious lager from south Spain called Cruzcampo! Great beer definitely coming again as is the only pub in London that offers it. 10/10

Great atmosphere and really good wine list. Very friendly service.

Cool venue in a cool spot with cool people.

Has just reopened after six years boarded up. Ignore all reviews prior to 2023, it’s a new establishment. The landlord has plans including kitchen, music, pool tables, etc but as of now it’s drinks. The beer is very good… They had Gem from the Bath Brewing Company on the pump and it was very well kept. A range of wines and fancy cocktails as well. I came on a Friday around 6 pm, and everybody was enjoying pints in the sun, very friendly place. Fantastic addition to the neighbourhood. Will return.

Recently refurbished with an excellent drinks range.

Nice pub reopened, owners super cool and worth a visit if local!

Newly reopened with paired back interior, positive and upbeat atmosphere (vibe). Going back to to get a second taste - only had drinks so far, unsure if food is on offer.

Good pub on Camberwell New Road a couple of minutes walk from the Green. It reopened on 5 May after being closed for 6 years. Only one cask beer on handpump available but it was in good condition. Light and airy feel about the place with recently plastered unpainted walls. The original beautiful bar remains. No food on offer at the moment.

Finally reopened and looking better than ever!

Great to see the Bear coming out of a long hibernation, a little bare bones at present but looks hungry for local opportunities

The Bear offers good pub food and a nice ambiance. Everyone I was with enjoyed local beer, but I had an okay glass of wine. The service seemed slow, but that may have been because it was so busy.

One of my best pub on my list. Great lakes selection that change frequently, so beer is quite often new. It's a relaxing unpretentious place, cool with very nice staff, and the smallest garden in the world! Try it! The food is ok, I don't remember nothing special, but great chips.

Lovely weekend pub with great beer selection

I celebrated my 30th birthday here and I couldn't have asked it to be more perfect. The staff were absolutely brilliant and the space out back was ideal for what I wanted. This pub has a great vibe, great beer, great people. Get's my vote!

Este pub tiene una excepcional selección de cervezas, el personal también están muy bien informados acerca de cada una de las cervezas y puede ayudar a hacer una elección informada sobre sus preferencias. La comida es también de primera categoría. Compartí el jamón con un amigo que shock estaba perfectamente cocinado y nos enamoramos del hueso, por no mencionar las verduras deliciosa y gran Yorkshire llameantes. Se hace el jamón hock para compartir y teniendo en cuenta que cuesta 18 libras (9 libras cada uno) su valor excepcional, sobre todo cuando se nota que no pude terminar ya que ambas eran muy completo! Ahora también tienen un concurso en un domingo que decidimos participar, fue muy divertido y aunque llegamos más cerca de la última que la primera, lo pasamos muy bien y nos sentimos muy bien acogidos entre los clientes habituales.

Ham hock Sunday dinner paired with an exotic IPA- fab.

Has boardgames, cider and food. Good times.

Nice, cosy place with great beers and great food!

Realmente disfrutamos de nuestras bebidas en este pub. Precio medio, con tipo de comida de pub aparentemente servida a todas horas. El bar un viernes por la noche que supimos está abierto hasta las 3. A las 30 a.m. e incluso cada dos noches, hasta bien pasada la medianoche (00.30 / 1.30 a.m.).

Brilliant beers and brilliant staff, can't go wrong with this boozer!

El oso ha sido uno de los pubs que ha sido inconsistente durante unos años.

Lovely beer (or should I say bear) selection! Malt and pepper menu which was delicious. Highly recommend!

Con una recomendación amigos cuando pase hambre el domingo pasado aparecimos en un asado y estaba delicioso. He tenido unos cuantos asados y es allí en la cima como uno de los mejores. Sin duda volveremos! Nos sentamos afuera, ya que el tiempo era soleado pero por dentro tenían un concurso y por lo tanto parece bastante agradable pub animado.

If you like your Sunday lunch cold, without gravey, dripping in grease and your pork to be a slab of fat without crackling this is the pub for you. Very disappointing.

The Bloody Mary was good and the staff friendly, it's such a shame the food was appalling. Roast beef was overcooked, barely warm and served without either the Horseradish or Gravy. Friends Pork was mostly fat and also barely warm and missing the Apple sauce and gravy.

One of my favourite locals. Lovely inside, great selection of beers, good food and brilliant staff. the music selection is superb, the small outdoor table (in a tiny courtyard) is great for escaping the noise and bustle on a busy day. Tons of board games to choose from and if you are really lucky, the resident dog, Luna, may be about and spend some time with you!

Great staff, great music, ambiance....Thursday night favourite!😉 And mixture of individual bringing their own energy and it works beautifully

Fuimos en una recomendación de amigos, me dijeron los asados eran increíbles.

Great selection of beers / craft ales both on tap and bottles!

Está bien si estás después sosa promueve (como se puede ver no soy un ventilador), entonces este lugar debería ser evitado. Sin embargo, si eres como yo y disfrutar de cervezas diferentes que tienen excelente sabor y variedad, este es el lugar. La comida también es estupenda (hamburguesa es fantástica, y tienen el mejor pepinillos)

Excellent ale, cider & beer. Welcoming friendly staff, very helpful. Great selection.

Este es uno de varios locales para mí y me encanta - es mi favorito de entre algunas otras joyas de la zona. El personal es absolutamente encantador y la cerveza está brillantemente cuidada y la cambiante clientes cervezas deliciosas. Es bastante caro para comer, pero la comida es de una calidad muy alta.

Love the staff knowledge on the craft beers on sale

Confy place with good Chester sofas. Medium selection of craft beers