The Ship Tavern in Camden

Genuine London food & hospitality experience ! Rediscovered this gem around a year ago after a 25 year absence. My God, it’s like going back in time! Nobody is on their phones, everyone (including staff are remarkably friendly), the atmosphere is one of joy! The food, is incredible, especially the Cauliflower and fish & chips! Even the house red was far better than the last time we visited back in February. A true and genuine London pub. Unlike the others, this place does not ask you to review. If it did it would have 5 stars! Been to many establishments in recent years and this is by far and away the best on offer.

What a nice surprise! We sat downstairs at the very cool old school bar. The service was excellent, the beer was amazing, and on top of that we had the best fish and chips we ever had. The English Burger didn't disappoint etiher. For a great, casual, afternoon pub lunch you can't get much better!

Reservamos la cena para tres en el comedor, que está encima de la casa de cerveza y en el segundo piso, para nuestra primera noche en Londres. El lugar es muy acogedor, encantador, y el personal era amable. Gran pescado y patatas fritas para el niño de 12 años y pidió fuera del menú de los niños. La esposa y yo disfrutamos empezando con la vieja y peculiar cerveza rarebit. Ni siquiera recuerdo lo que ella consiguió como principal porque estaba devorando el cofre de carne ahumada. Dios mío, era tan sabroso, tierno y delicioso. Pastel de manzana, pudín de toffee, y helado para postres y éramos una familia encantada y feliz. La experiencia fue tan buena que reservamos otra mesa para nuestra última noche también. Mientras disfrutaba del paquete de fletán, me arrepentía de mi pedido cada vez que se sacaba carne ahumada para otras mesas. Esa cerceta fue bastante memorable. Nos lo pasamos muy bien en nuestra segunda cena. Esta vez el niño pide los pescados con papas fritas más grandes del menú regular y todavía le encantó. Solo quiero señalar que los baños para el comedor no están en el mismo piso que el comedor. El baño de mujeres está en el piso del pub y el baño de hombres está en el sótano. Ninguno fue un problema para nosotros, pero esta información puede ser útil para otros con movilidad.

A group of 10 of us for Sunday lunch. The only thing that was hot was the plates. Boiled potatoes then roasted tough beef and rock hard processed Yorkshire pudding. The worst part was we mainly paid by card with the remainder as 130 cash we counted it out several time and 3 of us confirmed it was correct. The waitress turned away then back and claimed it was£10 short. We paid it not to cause upset but please be warned food not worth having at any price and the waitress was a thief

Amazing Sunday roast. Great service and atmosphere!

An exquisite hideaway. The pub below is lively and filled with a young pleasant crowd. The dining room/restaurant is top-notch. Every dish we tried was excellent as were the drinks.

Very good pub food. Beef and ale pie nice, the meat was very tender. Fish and chips is enormous !

Cracking pub. First visit but will be back

Very nice typical pub, the fish and chips were excellent and large portions! The atmosphere was great Only drawback, a little expensive

Such a great spot for a pub lunch in central London. I usually find pub food can be a bit lacking but every meal was great. We booked as a big group of 9 and the upstairs dining room is so lovely, and the team are very friendly. We had great service and everyone enjoyed their meals. The portions were big and super filling. The burgers & pot pies (both beef and chicken) were favourites from our table - but some British classics like beef wellington and venison all looked great, would definitely come back again!

A really lovely hidden away pub just around the corner from Holborn Underground Station. The food is very nice, the staff are friendly, and the atmosphere is lively. A pub I would definitely recommend! ☆☆☆☆☆

Reservamos para un asado del domingo en la taberna del barco y era 10 / 10. Tengo el pollo y nunca he visto tanta carne en un asado! Definitivamente valió la pena el dinero y no pude moverme después de él. Vi salir otra comida que se veía igual de bien, como pescado con papas fritas. El personal fue muy amable durante toda la visita. Incluso tenía las seis naciones abajo, lo que era una ventaja adicional. Definitivamente vale la pena una visita, incluso si solo aparece para una pinta

A nice little pub tucked away behind Holborn station. I’ve only really used the upstairs restaurant area which has dark wooden booths and tables and is decorated very nicely. The staff are all attentive and helpful. The food also arrives quickly, and is piping hot! Portion sizes are great. There’s lots choice from what you’d expect on a British pub menu. I’d recommend their pie of the day! Would visit again.

Delicious food and equally strong service. Highly recommend.

They do the best pies in London.

Dining room is nice but pub is okay. Bit of clutter and lack if seating limit its utility when busy.

Very polite staff, unique atmosphere

My mother and I were brilliantly looked after for the Ireland v England game - our server (who I think was called Megan) really went above and beyond - thank you!!

We visited again this old traditional pub on a Monday evening having not being for quite sometime. The first thing that struck us was the strong smell that resembled that of a dirty mop. I asked the bartender what it was and she explained it was the cleaning solution they use? Anyway the smell just lingered the whole time while we were there. That wasn’t the worse thing about the experience, that was the fact they insisted on playing loud jazz music continually. Frankly not really appreciate for a bar built in 1549.

Some good beers in a comfortable and very typical pub environment. The ship theme doesn't feel contrived. Great pork scratchings, too. Approx £6 per pint (Jan 2025), which is about right for London, I'd say. Lovely people behind the bar who are just happy to help. Table reservations possible even in the main bar area.

Wow what an amazing little gem of a place. Great Sunday roast with a very old traditional English setting….we will be back:)

My husband & I stopped by this pub after exploring the British Museum. It was easily the best food & experience that we had in London. The staff was very kind to us lost Americans & let us eat there between reservations so that we could experience the full menu. We were so extremely grateful for this. We had excellent drinks & the BEST Fish & Chips/Sunday Roast. We've been recommending this pub to anyone who will listen because it is THAT good. We can't thank them enough for making our honeymoon so special & going out of their way for us when they did not have to do so.

Very good beef Wellington Good wine list A bit expensive but probably London prices

Stopped off for a pint before dinner. Great atmosphere and great service at the bar.

Great little pub Upstairs is great for a nice meal - staff are great and friendly (yes - in London) Steak and ale pie was out of this world

Popped in with friends and my dog. They were very welcoming and asked if the dog needed water and would he like a treat. Beer was excellent and the ambience really lovely. Liked it so much I'm popping in this evening as I'm in the area

great place to visit. Best service ever from Catia. Would recommend to all my friends!!! Small shoutout to Tony and Silvana, also great servers!

Our dining experience at this London pub was nothing short of exceptional. The food was a delightful showcase of British food at its best. Coupled with fantastic service, the atmosphere became a warm and cosy ambience making it the perfect spot for a memorable meal. Highly recommended!

Great atmosphere with a long history. Good food and friendly staff. Can highly recommend this place if you are in Holborn and looking for a nice pub for dinner.

Catia!!! What amazing n service. She was so kind to us, Tony was amazing too. The team were amazing. The best pro scratching all night.

Silvana was so personable and fun. Food was great and an authentic British pub atomosphere!

Great service from Silvana! Great food & drinks as well.

A very well run Ship. One of London’s best kept secrets. A delightful traditional pub, with fine dining, next level pub food and excellent service upstairs. If you’re a hospitality student and want to learn from the best and be treated like royalty you can learn a thing or too by being looked after by the wonderful Josephine. 5 star service.

Wonderful steak and ale pie in a lovely, cozy room.

Proper pub, surprisingly good food and super friendly staff

This was our 4th visit and, as on previous visits, the food was excellent! However, the atmosphere and service fell short of our previous visits. On the evening we visited the upper floor restaurant was very busy and the servers were obviously very stressed and struggling to cope. The manageress was curt with customers who arrived and whose tables were not available at the time they had booked, telling them just to go downstairs to the bar to get a drink and wait. Many were clearly displeased at the way they were dealt with. Despite the harried staff, our first and main courses arrived in good time, but we had trouble getting any of the servers’ attention for anything extra (including the bill) after the arrival of the dishes. We ended up paying in cash (rather than waiting for a card machine) and were forced to leave the money on the table inside the book. Overall this restaurant would normally merit a 5 star rating in every category, but on this particular occasion it was hard to relax and enjoy the food when we could see the pressure that staff were under. Such a pity!

Dinner in a typical English pub which surprised us with a quick plate of fish & chips.

Very nice tavern with a superb atmosphere we were able to eat there with friends. The dishes were very good, the typical English atmosphere, a little chic but friendly, was very pleasant and the waiters and waitresses were excellent. Very good beef Wellington

Proper boozer with fantastic staff. Recommended

One of the best pub kitchens in London

My wife and I recently visited The Ships Tavern with hopes of enjoying a classic fish and chips dinner—and wow, did it exceed our expectations! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, perfectly setting the tone for a great dining experience. The fish and chips were absolutely fantastic—crispy batter, fresh fish, and perfectly cooked chips that left us thoroughly impressed. The portion size for the fish was huge, making it incredible value for money. For dessert, we opted for the baked hot apple pie, and it was absolutely outstanding. The rich, warm filling paired with the perfectly flaky crust was pure comfort food bliss. It was the perfect sweet finish to an already amazing meal. The highlight of our visit, however, was the exceptional service. The waitstaff were attentive and friendly throughout the evening. A special mention goes to one young staff member who went above and beyond to ensure my wife and I were well looked after. Her professionalism, warmth, and genuine care for our experience made all the difference. We would highly recommend The Ships Tavern for anyone looking for quality food, generous portions, and outstanding service. We’ll definitely be back!

Very friendly and attentive staff, very good food (the cheesecake is killer), excellent pub atmosphere!

One of only two pubs in London that I know to have Old Peculier from Theakston Brewery permanently on tap. Apart from the best ale ever, it's got the great vibe of an old London pub.

Website says open. I've travelled for 1 hour and 25 minutes to get here and they are closed. Not a good first impression.

Great old pub, hidden away down a pedestrian street. Great selection of real ales. Had a Butty Bach which was very well kept. Worth a visit. 🙂🍻

Absolutely gorgeous old style English Pub, delicious food, the roast of the day with all the trimmings a highlight, and excellent service. Upstairs dining room really lovely, don’t forget to book ahead

Hello, we loved the place, the beef Wellington is wonderful...thank you for this superb moment...

Pure rock bar. Very recommended

We stumbled across this place Boxing Day 2024 and it didn’t disappoint. The food was some of the best pub food we have tasted and we’ve tasted a lot, the service was even better. Very much recommended.

Thank you for a lovely time on Boxing Day. The service was excellent in both the bar and restaurant. We ordered from the Festive Feast menu. The food was out lf this world. Thank you for making our Boxing Day special

A quintessential Ole London boozer, just down a side street, everyone enjoying themselves.

Great staff and Theakston's Old Peculier on tap! Brilliant

Hands down one of our favorite meals we had on our recent trip to London. Despite making tons of reservations at many highly researched restaurants, it was a last-minute walk-in lunch meal at The Ship Tavern that left us most impressed. Excellent service by the nice young man, who kindly and patiently explained the different beer and food options. Great presentation for both of our meals and will be sure to stop in (with a reservation this time) upon our return. Thanks again for squeezing us in!

The Ship Tavern in London offers an exceptional dining experience that blends fantastic food, warm hospitality, and a cozy, nautical-themed atmosphere. Every dish we tried was outstanding, showcasing both high-quality ingredients and expert preparation. Our meal included brisket, beef wellington, sourdough, and a kids’ turkey dish for the little ones—all of which were delicious and beautifully presented. For drinks, we had Inch’s cider and Coldharbour beer, both perfectly refreshing and a great match for the meal. The smoked brisket and beef wellington —perfectly cooked with rich, savory flavors. Fully recommend it. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. While the prices are on the higher side, it feels justified given the exceptional quality of the food and service. The atmosphere is phenomenal, with its ship-inspired décor creating a charming and welcoming vibe. It’s the perfect blend of traditional pub warmth and unique thematic touches, making it a memorable spot for both families and foodies. Overall, The Ship Tavern delivers on all fronts—great food, drinks, ambiance, and service. A must-visit if you’re in London!

Pricey place with scrumptious food. The food was great but the bill was exorbitant. Service was friendly but very slow late afternoon on a weekday. We enjoyed a plate of calamari, a burger, a pie and one pint for IPA - total bill £74.

Good little London boozer. Had a really nice pint.

One of the oldest and finest pubs in London. Excellent beers and excellent staff.

We each had a Sunday roast and found the beef very tender, the roast potatoes nice and crisp, and the never ending cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding done beautifully. The service was efficient and friendly in a very warm atmosphere.

Very nice place to have a meal (in the dinning room upstairs). The food was perfect, not cheap but well priced.

Amazing place to eat would definitely recommend great staff 5 star service from Federica jack thaisa Josephine and selena

What should have been a pleasurable dinning experience, turned into a fast. First of all we were squashed onto a tiny table surrounded by way too many people who had also been squashed in despite requesting a booth when we booked way back in the summer. We were told don’t worry the people behind will be leaving soon and you can shuffle back a bit. The starters we ordered turned up and my sister’s soup was stone cold, which they quickly replaced. The main course then arrived we had all ordered the Turkey Feast. All 4 dinners turned up without any roast potatoes. 3 had the stuffing missing and the sprouts were not cooked and were so hard we could have used them as golf balls. The service was a bit hit and miss and we felt that they were more interested in serving the 2 large parties that were there. I feel that this small beautiful tavern had bitten off more than it could chew and the management had decide to put quantity and money over quality.

Great place. Proper London boozer.

We spotted The Ship from the main road, and stopped off for a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio. Warm welcome from friendly staff, in a beautiful old pub, resplendent christmas decor. A wee gem in a busy spot.

Great food. With some stuffs different than in other pubs. It worth a visit.

Servers were so lovely, but service was very slow. We waited over an hour for our food and many others got their food before us. I didn't really pay attention to what they ordered though so maybe there was an issue with something we ordered. The pub is so cute and homely, especially around Christmas time. I love that you get your bill in an old book with a little message. We visited especially for the roast off a recommendation. Food looked very impressive but I ordered the pork and received an edge piece which was very overcooked. I had to pick up the pork to attempt to break off the crackling but it was a struggle to bite throughh. My friends' dishes looked better though, and they didn't have any complaints. Sides and yorkshire pudding were much better.

Me and my family visited The Ship Tavern for lunch on a busy Friday. The staff found a table for us at the restaurant despite their busy schedule and the service was great. We tried a lot of items on the menu, the beef Wellington and mushroom gnocchi was everyone’s favorite. We would visit this pub again, strongly recommend it! Shout out to Emilia for her help and service!

You feel like you're in a real London pub.... walking past many other places... Empty.... they were all in here.. Next to what could be a seedy ally... low lighting and great atmosphere. Worth a stop off or visit. Beer very reasonably priced too.

Very cozy Pub and nice staff. Fish and Chips was very delicious.

Great place, music was little loud tbh

Super nice pub with a good atmosphere and delicious fish and chips.

Beautiful Pub inside and out. Dog friendly, staff are great, coffee & wine were good. Will definitely be back to eat as the food on the menu looked really tasty and unlike the typical pub fare... Came back for food, wasn't disappointed at all. Great tasting food cooked perfectly.

A very cute, cosy pub with lovely staff.

Incredible roast here yesterday (Sunday) with friends. The atmosphere is amazing, the service is great and the food is unreal!! We'll be coming here again!

Great meals and service in a wonderfully atmospheric old pub. So good that after one Sunday Lunch I booked in to have another the following Sunday. Highly recommended.

Hidden gem. Great Sunday roast. We had the turkey and it was excellent. Best roast we’ve had in London :)

This charming pub offers a delightful dining experience. The tapas were both delicious and substantial. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive. Highly recommended

Wonderful experience. Nearly a 500 year old establishment. Great ambiance. The steak and ale pie was superb. Warmed us up on a cold London night. Great friendly service too!

We travelled down from Cambridge a few weeks ago for a meal here and wow what a lovely pub, both the food and service was exceptional, we look forward to coming back.

Weird!!! Food was amazing, BUT when we turned up, we got told our table wasn't ready, we waited about 25 minutes, when we sat and ordered, I ordered the beef Wellington, which was amazing, but asked for no cabbage, food turned up about 45 minutes later, with Cabbage on, I asked if she'd send back. We then had the food which was amazing, ha d no pudding and asked for the bill, withing 2 minutes of paying the bill we was asked, can you move on, this table is now booked. Ridiculous!! We got the table late, ate the food, paid the bill, but then asked to move on.... Really weird, frustrating, but lovely all at the same point!

Such a cosy place and plenty of good, traditional english food! Very worthwile taking a detour for.

Another great Sunday roast at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. We always depend on this gem for outstanding service and exceptional food. It is obvious they care about providing a superior experience.

We went here two days in a row. First day we had the beef brisket (order this, sooo good !) and the pork sirloin, very refined kitchen. And today we went for a classic with the Fish and chips. Good, honest food. Really cosy setting now for Christmas especially, with a jazz music playing in the background. Real Nice personnel as well. Tip: book a table in advance !

Nice pub and great atmosphere, very polite and helpful staff

Busy, well located with great atmosphere

Gave a 1-star rating because I was pickpocketed on the way up to the Oakroom when walking through the pub on the first floor. There was obviously a staircase from street level to bring us directly to the second floor where the dining area was BUT one guy who was smoking at the entrance at street level stopped us from using that staircase, and told us to walk through the pub because “it is much easier”. Rubbish! He was in cahoots with the pickpocket! Diners beware!

I knew I only had one chance to have a traditional Sunday Roast in London, so I did my research and chose carefully. The Ship Tavern delivered on every level. The food, ambiance, history, and location really ticked all my boxes. Our party of three, all decided on the beef option. Included with the perfectly cooked, medium rare meat, was a Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, a medley of root vegetables, gravy, and horseradish sauce. We were all so full when we finished, we almost skipped dessert. Thank goodness we did not give into that foolish urge. The Kraken Rum sticky toffee pudding, topped with a little clotted cream, was amazingly delicious, and worth every calorie. 10/10

Really just average overall. The calamari was overcooked and very chewy. Fish and chips turned soggy after a few minutes. Burgers overcooked. Nice atmosphere though

Great food. The staff were great. They found us a more comfortable seat for my wife who is using crutches which made her very happy. Can't fault the place.

Great food and nice atmosphere but pretty expensive at £50 for a beer, a pie, and a pudding.

You must make a reservation if you want to eat upstairs. It's worth it though. The food was the most flavorful I had while visiting London. The cheesecake massive!

A place I hadn't been to for a number of years, and it's better than I remember! Well-cooked, traditional dishes, served by excellent staff, plus a good range of real ales. What more could you want!

Typical food from England. Was very tasty and pleasant. The employee's compliment about my shoes was lovely. It seems very family-like.

we got the seasonal promotion drink that was advertised on the boards outside The Pumpkin Margarita and it was the nastiest drink i’ve ever had. The fries were really nice especially the sauce but Do Not get the Pumpkin Margarita !!!

Super feines Restaurant, typisch British und super lecker! Personal sehr Aufmerksam! Vielen Dank Marco und Federica! Ihr habt den Abend unvergessen gemacht!

All very good and the waitress really helpful

Been on my visit list for ages and did not disappoint.Lovely pub hidden down a side street.Had half of there anniversary IPA and poured in a proper beer glass.Will definitely pay more visits 🍺❤️

I am a regular customer of the Oak Room at The Ship Tavern and it is one of my favourite places to have a meal for many reasons. I usually have their Beef Wellington, as it is one of my favourite dishes, but even the starters are all well cooked and tasty. Also, their sticky toffee pudding is divine and I like how they serve it with clotted cream instead of ice cream like many other places. However, what really makes The Ship Tavern special is the amazing staff. Everyone (and I mean everyone) is friendly, helpful and welcoming. Even when they are very busy, they make time to make sure you are comfortable or just have a quick chat. It really makes a difference. I always look forward to my next visit to The Ship Tavern and definitely recommend it if you want to have great British food in a friendly and relaxing environment.

Loved the many types of beers you can have there. I suggest trying two or three

A very lively pub (even during the week), and with very good burgers. Highly recommended for having dinner and enjoying the local atmosphere.

Loved the Thai food, spring rolls excellent, we had the sharing plate......really great place, we will try Sunday roast next!!