The Clarence Tavern in Hackney

Lunch with friends at TheClarence - a joyful occasion. Fab assotrment of starters which we shared - all were excellent. Two of us had mutton as a main course (perfect) and two had skate wing....wonderful. Ate on the terrace, were looked after well........what more could one ask for?!

Having been a customer of their sister restaurant for over a decade, I had high hopes for the Clarence, but the bad reviews here very much reflect our experience. We struggled to get a table until late, and then were served food that seemed to have been reheated? Or just left out. A puzzlingly soggy pasta (not a complex thing to get right) and seemingly unseasoned meat. No one enjoyed their meal, and none the staff seemed to be at all interested in our table. Not only did they not ask how the food was, or really even look in our direction, we had to spend several minutes trying to wave them down to get the check long after we'd finished our food and drinks. They sent a follow-up email asking for feedback, I explained the problem and 'Sam' contacted me to discuss. I sent my contact number and never heard from the guy again. So, overall pretty indicative of the lack of care for customer experience. And really disappointing to see the reviews going back over a year with exactly the same issue. Avoid this underwhelming, overpriced trap in the guise of a cozy pub.

There is so much to like about this pub; warm atmosphere, delicious food and friendly waiting staff. Unfortunately our Sunday lunch visit was marred by a one hour wait for food - no explanation or even an offer to get more drinks. It’s a problem for the pub because there are plenty of other places within a mile radius that can also deliver similar quality food (even if slightly lesser quality, I’d take ‘good’ over ´great’ if it means being feed within 30 mins!) at cheaper prices. I don’t mind paying a bit more for a great experience but this wasn’t such an occasion. I won’t be returning sadly.

So, Sunday lunch in the garden…. Staff were fabulously friendly, and food was generally good, but…. Absolutely gob-smacked by the microscopic portions and the utterly exorbitant bill.. (a £9 Caprese salad arrives on a small saucer - a medium tomato sliced and about a quarter of a mozzarella ball)… Such a shame as it rather ruined a family day, I’m too embarrassed to say how much lunch for four was… I know tough it is to run a restaurant in these difficult times, guys, but this felt insulting, Great places if you’re loaded and don’t care, but otherwise, massively overpriced for good but not remarkable food.

Happens to me about once a year, the same schoolboy error. Walk into a place that looks and feels like a normal pub, order some lunch, and when it turns up realise, oh no, I'm in a gastro pub. Had a couple of pints of Neck Oil. So far so good. I like aubergines, therefore ordered a dish which contained it plus feta cheese. When I saw how tiny the portion was, primped up in an isolated little pile in the middle of the plate, that was when it dawned on me I was in posh nosh teritory. To me, the aubergine was so gelid it was like little more than a grey jam. Fortunately, they provided a couple of small bits of nice bread, which helped bulk it out. I'd also ordered a side dish of chips, which did look chunky and golden in their dish, to be fair, but turned out to be very dry. Waitress sombre. Place almost empty. Embarrassing all round. So this was a fail. But it's my own fault for not paying attention properly. But giving four stars, because I'm sure others are more capable of enjoying this sort of food.

We popped into this place because the pub we wanted to go to was too busy, so I will try and be fair. The decor inside is very plush and it looked like it had a nice outside area too. However, I didn't really see that. The staff all seemed a bit flustered and weren't particularly friendly. It was very busy though. I ordered a pint of Estrella and was asked to pay an eye-watering £7.40. I know there is a cost of living crisis, but for a pint of normal larger that is really taking the rise. This is one of these places that isn't really a pub, it's much more of a restaurant. The food could be excellent, so maybe just do that. But do not go in for a few drinks.

Thank you for a great meal.Fantastic service. We had a very attentive waiter who was lovely and made it a special evening. We can't wait to come back.

Having read the fabulous review in one of the Sunday broadsheets recently I was excited to find myself with friends in Stoke Newington, with a table for three and ready for a long overdue catch up and a good meal. We were told that the chicken pie we wished to order require 30 mins so we opted to go for starters first. They arrived and although the croquettes were well presented, a generous portion and hot they were otherwise completely tasteless. Having lived in Spain I know what a good croquette should taste like. My friend ordered from the specials board - heritage tomatoes in an anchovy dressing - the tomatoes were under ripe and the entire dish looked wholly unappealing. The much anticipated pie arrived after about 45 mins and looked lovely. I do question why the pie is advertised as being for 2 people! Why? Isn't it just as easy to make an individual one? Considering the wait, the relative simplicity of the dish, the anticipation of it being "special" as it was for two people, the abundance of excellent pies in similar pub environments, the reality under delivered on every level. The pastry was over cooked and tasted of suet . The contents were sloppy and under seasoned with mushy, slimy leeks and what looked like chicken left overs as the star of the show. There were bones, skin, gristle, cartledge in both our portions and the actual meat, instead of chunks of firm, lean chicken were stringy and over cooked. A friend had the lemon sole which said was greasy and small. The accompanying greens were tasteless and unseasoned - perhaps some garlic or some other ingredient for added flavour? The chips were excellent as were the dauphinois potatoes. On the whole very disappointing indeed and expensive at £55 per head.

We popped in for a casual lunch after walking the dogs around Clissold Park. Staff were very welcoming and there was a friendly atmosphere,. The wine list is very interesting, I just had a chicken burger with great chips. My friend had a simple endive and blue cheese salad. I will definitely return. Very dog friendly.

We went with the family to The Clarence for Sunday lunch. We ordered the chicken, leek and bacon pie which was £42 for 2 people (!!) which easily could have fed 4 people. The pie was distinctly average with a tiny portion of soggy green cabbage which was underwhelming given the price of this per person was £22. Oddly, there was a washing up station in the corner of the main restaurant which staff were quite literally chucking crockery and cutlery into from a height which against the hard surfaces of the pub was deafening and really ruined our meal as we couldn’t hear each other over the piercing noise. The service was fairly good but overall I’m afraid we were dissapointed and don’t feel the the expense equated the underwhelming food. Wouldn’t go again.

I wanted to thank you and the team for being absolute superstars in helping to organise last Saturday. We couldn’t have asked for more, in making the lunch so welcoming. The team were so attentive and did well in supporting us, especially as it couldn’t have been easy tackling the stairs in the heatwave, We had a super time, and there were many who asked to pass on their thanks to you all. We’ve always loved dining with you, and the food was as amazing as always! It was a great space and just perfect in housing us all, for a long overdue birthday celebration! Much love to the Clarence, as always!

The Clarence is a local pub me and my friends have been talking about visiting for a long time. This evening we finally decided to pay a visit for a round of drinks and a snack and we were initially met with friendly faces. That soon changed when our server (by the name of Robert) came to our table, completely dismissive taking our order and couldn’t even look us in the face to help serve us. The red-faced ignorant man made us feel like we were less than the average customer as we weren’t ordering full meals. I don’t know whether it was our age, our “knowledge of orange wine” or my painted nails but something about us clearly disagreed with him. All in all his behaviour was either classist or homophobic! The one redeeming quality was a lovely waitress who brought us our bill and took our complaint called Julia who when we asked for his name, the first thing she said was “was he rude?”. Bad vibes all vibes all around and it was clearly a regular occurrence for them. They have lost the custom of three local gays and my younger sister. We payed the bill no questions asked, yet a shame for an establishment that we were quite excited to try.

Sunday lunch today with my husband and son was a 'mother's day' treat that didn't disappoint, at this deservedly popular venue. My spiced beetroot starter was packed with interest & flavour and the chicken and leek pie (for two people, & generously so) was superb; creamy, well seasoned filling sat underneath a pastry lid that caused me some irritation - the reason being that I've never been able to make savoury pastry this good (I meant to ask one of the waiting staff how the pastry was made, but our meal was so enjoyable that I just forgot). Aside from the food, I loved the relaxed terrace area where we sat, the genial hum of the other diners - dogs & babies among them - and the cheery waiting staff who looked after us so well.

We reserved a table and received a good welcome and shown to table immediately. Specials and menu were all interesting and exciting combinations. We went for Hake resting on greens and a lovely bean. We had a buttered green and a hearty potato dauphinois as sides. Service was good. Its easy to see why its a special place with food carefully presented and respected. A lovely culinary experience.

Sunday lunch is a British tradition, & EATER, LONDON writes 'The Best Sunday Roasts in London, for which The Clarence was on Friday's email & is one of the 12 London restaurants mentioned. Hence my visit. Eater writes "The Sunday roast, or “Sunday lunch,” is among Britain’s best and most celebrated food traditions; when it’s right, it can compete with the world’s most-loved national dishes. The centre piece is roasted meat: beef (with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish), lamb (and mint sauce), chicken (with redcurrant jelly or bread sauce), and pork (with apple sauce and crackling) are the most famous. It’s served with roasted potatoes, an assortment of roasted or blanched vegetables, and gravy made from the roasting juices. It is advisable not to stray from tradition and to adhere to the condiments as accompaniments listed above. We were tempted by 'short rib' dish, as cheaper cuts of beef, braised, often have more flavour. I started with the pork terrine which was tasty; however the wing rib special, £ 64 for two people was served with roast potatoes 'confit style' and watercress. No other trimmings, so clearly straying from tradition. If the meat had been tasty, all would have been well, but with tasteless meat was disappointing.

We took a dear friend of our family to the Clarence Tavern for her 90th birthday. What a fabulous place!! The food was excellent, great selection of wine, all the staff were friendly, super helpful and totally professional. It really was lovely and our friend was understandably delighted!! I would highly recommend this place, and we will definitely be returning. Huge thanks to all the staff for making it such a perfect occasion.

We had a meal for 9 people which was our first get together since lockdown restrictions easing. It was a real delight the Sunday lunch. We ordered bigger sharing dishes between people. All the food was amazing. and the service was really good considering the size of the group. So nice to be able to go to restaurant with natural wine.

This was a very special family lunch, we live in Spain and wanted to enjoy time with our three children and their partners after being separated for a long time. We had a lovely table in the covered outside terrace which was perfect for accommodating...

Tried this as a meeting point for friends. Loved the atmosphere - the fresh bread and small shop were great. The rest of the place was lovely and the terrace is great when the weather is good. Service excellent. We loved the food - the...

I have already provided my feedback directly to the staff so am not going to be too thorough here. Nice flavours but the portions were really small; there are no big mains for vegetarians or vegans and we had to order several small plates which...

Really interesting and varied dishes, cooked perfectly. Felt a bit St John inspired but done it's own way - the asparagus with egg salad or the spatchcocked quail were my favourites. The service felt a little bit hectic but they didn't slip up once and...

Nights out are rare enough these days, that it was great to go somewhere with good food and good service which also felt very safe! We were in a little booth on the terrace which felt very safe. Good cocktails to start, and very nice...

One of the best wine lists I've ever seen, almost all natural wines with plenty to choose by the glass, and most importantly, completely reasonably priced! I could spend months exploring the depths of it. Then there's the food....aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh the FOOD! Nothing try hard about...

Fantastic venue with fabulous helpful staff - nothing was a bother (including dealing with my allergens) Exceptionally helpful in recommending a really good wine to accompany my meal. Will be back again when next in the area, that’s for sure!

Love the food and wine 😋 🍷 Staff helpful with wine choice 😃 We were there for daughter's birthday and she had a great night 🌃

This was our first visit and we were impressed. Good food, friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere. Will come again.

I love this place. It’s large and comfortable in relation to social distancing but also has a great and bustling atmosphere. The food is superb and the wine list is brilliant, with such a fair mark up. Service is great and some of the staff...

Great staff and great food are a winning combination. Thanks to everyone who looked after us and gave us a lovely meal on the eve of our daughter's wedding.

Food was nice but the slow cooked lamb could have had more flavour and accompanying salad and potatoes were very small portions. Service felt rushed and cursory and not totally genuine. Perhaps we caught them on a bad night.

The food was so delicious, the atmosphere great and it’s so large that social distancing is possible. The wine list and grocery shop attached are particularly worth visiting. I’m now a regular.

From the door to the table, from the appetisers to the dessert, absolutely stunning. Top service and amazing food. I really enjoyed my experience: we had quite a lot of starters and mains and managed to get through to the dessert, which was absolutely delicious....

Faultless from start to end- cocktails, knowledgeable staff and delicious food. Would especially recommend the lemon sole and the greengage tart. And omg the dauphenoise... The kind of meal I'll still be thinking back on fondly months later. The outside area is lovely and atmospheric...

I visited the clarence tavern to try it out since id heard alot about it. It was amazing, food was excellent and the place had a real vibe about the it which was exciting in the covid environment. Thanks to the staff for the wine...

I don't live too far away and was interested to try it out as newly reopened. Felt comfortable to sit inside and tables were well spaced. We had dinner which was delicious, especially the dessert. The service was friendly. Since my visit I've been to...

If you want to wait an hour for a small plate of food, this is your place (tasty though). Bangin' elderflower and apple juice but again, a long wait. Staff bought drinks over on a huge tray and left the tray on the table (the...

Lunch in the beer garden on the hottest day of the year was my first outing to a restaurant or pub in over 5 months and it was a great experience. The place was spotless with sanitizers everywhere and I felt very safe. Friendly service...

So many better options on the same street. Mediocre food and the service was hit and miss...we won’t go back.

The Clarence is a top-notch experience. They saw me through the pandemic with a fantastic selection of wines and food delivered to my door, and now they are back open for business I find it hard to think of anywhere else I would choose to...

Reopened after a refurb, and all the charm has gone. The drink prices are ridiculous. Won’t bother going back in there.