Wells in Camden

We have visited this lovely local pub in Hampstead expecting a wonderful, simple, yet tasty meal, but unfortunately, our experience was quite disappointing. Over the years, anything we’ve ordered has consistently exceeded our expectations, so this was unexpected. I ordered sausages and mash—a straightforward dish—but the sausages tasted as if they had been prepared the day before, and the mash seemed to be from a packet, heated in the microwave. Additionally, the layout felt cramped, with so many tables squeezed in that it created an overwhelming sense of overcrowding. The noise from all the conversations made it hard to enjoy our meal. It’s truly a shame, as we have frequented this pub for many years, and we were left feeling very disappointed. Perhaps this was a one-off experience, but I suspect not. I’m at a loss as to why it remains fully booked. Staff wonderful

Perfect pub located near the Heath. Service is lovely, vibe is lively, and the food is great (and not a copycat of every other London pub!). Best of all? They allow well-behaved dogs indoors!!!

Honestly these people didn’t look out for the costumer. Poor service. The Peroni was off and the bar staff were accusing me of trying to swindle a free half pint as the first was flat.

Delicious menu that changes everyday. Friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Great selection of wines 👍

6 of us enjoyed a delicious meal last night . Staff could not have gone out their way more to accommodate us. A very big thank you 🙏🏻

This can be easily my new favourite pub. We made reservations on a Friday night after a show in the nearby theatre. What a wonderful experience. Initially we went there for a quick bite but the choises in the menu were so good that it quickly transformed in a 3 course meal evening! I pictures: blue cheese, pear salad with pecans, chateaubriand for two and banoffee pie. If you're in the area this place is a must. If you look for a more "casual" dining, they so offer burgers and other more pub-like dishes in the restaurant too. I'll definitely return!

I recently visited The Wells Tavern and loved the cosy vibe, especially enjoying a drink by the fireplace while the dog lounged happily. I've added it to my barguide.london site too!

We came here for some drinks. The cocktail of the week was great! A cucumber smashed gin tonic, really surprising. Great atmosphere!

Lovely experience sitting for a quick lunch with friends! Excellent food, friendly service despite being super busy and very accomodating to a group with dogs and a baby! My cauliflower steak lunch special was gorgeous. Proper hampstead pub :) apologies for the half eaten photo

The Wells Tavern in Hampstead offers a perfect blend of charm and comfort, just a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath. I enjoyed a delicious plate of bangers and mash, a classic done to perfection. The sausages were hearty and flavorful, complemented by creamy mashed potatoes and rich gravy. To top it off, I had a smooth, creamy pint of Guinness that paired beautifully with the meal. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with a rustic interior that makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re stopping by after a walk on the Heath or just looking for a great local spot, The Wells Tavern is a fantastic choice for a satisfying pub meal and a great pint. And they love dogs!

Fantastic pub, kind staff, amazing onglet, tasty vegetables. 10/10

Wonderful place and very good hamburger

Amazing neighbourhood atmosphere

Really nice staff, steak was lovely and came super quick. Pretty pub!

A typical rowdy atmosphere for Sunday lunch. The food was satisfying without being special. The service was chaotic. The waiter couldn't hear us because of the general loud din and we couldn't understand her as she spoke quietly. Everything had to be repeated twice. A frustrating luncheon and the famous roast beef meal didn't excite on the day.

Enjoyed sitting outdoors with a pint and a roast! Good food and friendly service.

One of our favourite Hampstead pubs. However on our last visit, the ladies toilets were filthy. I don’t think they had been cleaned for days.

Lovely pub but the sunday roast dinner was quite shockingly poor.. A very ungenerous plate, two bits of boiled vege and hard roast potatoes. Chicken breast was dry. Such a shame. Can’t quite understand why it remains booked out. Hopefully just having a bad day.

Horrible service and horrible food

Great meal here! We sat outside and appreciated the heat lamps for warmth. Good vegetarian options and delicious sticky toffee pudding and pavlova! They did bring us the wrong dish at first as the staff seemed a little thinly stretched, but got it sorted quickly.

Very friendly staff, good food, great location. Got overcharged slightly, but once raised, the error was rectified.

Im giving 1 star bcz i cant give 0 . Second time i went to this place and the bold guy is rude to me.. all the tables outside it's "booked " even the place it's empty and he comes "You know this table it's reserved right" not even "good afternoon, how are you?" Horrible experience

Lovely staff and location - but the food was rank average for the price. My girlfriend got a chicken roast with a tiny leg of chicken and two roast potatoes.

Galaxy cafe and restaurant is butiful cafe spot .and every food is fresh and standerd quality.

Top notch food and drink in a classic pub setting in a fabulous part of town. Couldn’t have been better.

There is nothing to dislike. Great food with decent choices. Love the dog friendly nature of the place (ideally positioned to take a walk on the Heath after a meal), the atmosphere. Found the staff to be REALLY good. Attentive and friendly without any overstep. Really enjoyed it.

Great Pub, excellent food and very friendly staff

Overpriced, slow service and mediocre food. I wouldn't have come here at all if I had looked at the latest Food Hygiene rating...they've been awarded a one. Paying a fortune for potentially getting food poisoning isn't my idea of a fun night out.

One of our favourite pubs in the neighbourhood Excellent food and great setting. We often take friends and visitors here and it is always a great choice.

Esther in the bar was just exceptional. She is nothing but an asset to the company. I would go back there just to have that experience.

Amazing service! Great Sunday roast (amazing beef cut no fatty bits) and yummy sav blanc! One of my favourite pubs in Hampstead! The patio is amazing in the summer

Just such a nice time every time. The salmon starter is so simple and so delicious

Some of the best pub food I've had in London. Nice terrace. Great spot to stop after a walk in the Heath.

Had to shout over the drinkers at the bar and outside of the pub. Food ridiculously expensive for what it is. really poor service - undoubtedly one of the worst pub experiences I've had in London.

Great service in a fab location. Food so so

Nice place to have a pint in the sun

The gastro pub with the friendliest staff in London!! xxx

Absolutely awesome experience. The weather was perfect, jerk chicken and sea bass was 10/10, beers were refreshing, service was tip top. Will definitely be moving into the neighbourhood if given the chance 🙂

Great place and vibe close to the Heath. Good service.

Nice enough popular pub in a charming spot of Hampstead Heath, the Sunday Dinner was the definition of average though. Nothing spectacular, no real thought put into it, was edible and that was it. Staff cheery enough although had to be prompted about a side and forgot the table water altogether when asked. If you’re in the area then worth a visit (especially for a drink) but wouldn’t seek it out for the food

Terrible food quality do not try Sunday roast. Under cooked and chewy. Rude front staff, extremely arrogant

Good service, vegetarian options and great cocktails!

Walked up and they very helpfully found a spot! Service fast and friendly. Just the right level of attention. Great lunch. Nice pint. Clearly frequented by locals of all sorts. Great vibe. Management are clearly on top of matters.

Food was great, I had the beef roast and the sticky toffee pudding. The service was really bad. I had to ask to get my order taken, my drink order was forgotten and then I waited 20 minutes after my plate was taken for my check, which I had to ask for again.

Staff were great, manager found us a table even though they were fully booked. Pub lovely and clean. Burger excellent.

Atrocious service, rude servers, terrible organisation - not clear if a table is reserved or where one can drink. We were told the small area available at the bar was reserved for “clearing glasses” leaving no space to drink, which seems counterintuitive for a pub. The server also approached this in an extremely impolite and unhelpful manner.

Excellent local pub in a magical part of London. Food is excellent (definitely more gastro pub than pub pub) and very reasonable price, good beer selection, great service and nice atmosphere. Highly recommend

Carmen & Leonis were amazing to us tonight, very attentive and made sure that we were seen to. Had a lovely Sunday here, would definitely recommend !

We had a lovely meal last night, the food and atmosphere was so good. Our waitress for the evening was Scarlett, who was fantastic, she was very professional and made sure we had everything we needed.

Cozy pub with friendly service. Very busy for lunch time, we hadn't booked but we're there early so got a table. Both had veggie burgers, which were lovely. Cider and beer were great. Quick service. Would definitely come back as also very close to The Heath

We celebrated my birthday at the Wells Tavern last week and couldn't be more satisfied with the experience. They setup a beautiful table for us and the staff was attentive and helpful. We had a few last minute dropouts, but they were incredibly flexible and made sure I had a lovely 30th birthday. This was already my favourite pub in London, but now they've separated themselves even further from the pack as a result. I highly recommend them!

As well as being in a super charming location and building, the food is consistently good.

Very nice tavern basically split into two ( top and bottom ) levels. Bottom level is more casual with nice atmosphere and dog friendly. Excellent service and very good food. So thumbs up all around

I found it to be a great spot in the summer for catching the last rays of sun while enjoying a nice drink and snack outdoors.

Excellent food, great service. Was recommended this place by friends and was exactly as told. Booked a table upstairs and everything was pleasant. Would highly recommend to others.

Great dinner, great service and great food. Really recommended

Each year I take my partner for a Christmas Lunch, last year, it was The Wells was the venue. Having been there perhaps 10 years ago initially, and once or twice since I was sufficiently impressed to have suggested the venue to many people – personal and professional. However, I regret to report how disappointed the whole experience was today. From the ‘greeting’ which took the form of a grunt and a shrug to basic errors of table and kitchen service, this had all the markers of amateurs playing at operating a pub rather than a heritage establishment. The greeter simply strengthens the case for automation – a tablet would have exuded more care and warmth. Matters did not improve with the hoody bedecked, Skecher sporting waitress who really did look like she wanted to be anywhere else in the world. She took our order, didn’t write it down and with dull predictability stuck her head around the corner moments later enquiring what was it again that was ordered? The mackerel terrine arrived with cold, yes cold toast. Being an occasion I chose to stay quiete. I had the soup, which tasted of largely of blended creamy spuds. Nothing more. The steak arrived which I requested medium –and with (this phrase again) dull predictability arrived well done and , despite the weather, a level of foliage better suited to a summers day in Sardinia. Perhaps the head chef got his hemispheres confused being from NZ ‘they are innovative without being intimidating, responsively seasonal and in parts as cosy as a pair of favourite slippers’. How are lettuce leaves seasonal in December UK? Take your time. I requested firstly the extensive foliage be removed – it really did not belong there, and it duly was taken away and returned minus the jus. I stated that I asked only for the foliage to be removed and so the dish disappeared again to the kitchen, as my partner munched away on her clearly dry chicken. It arrived back with the jus, and I cut it to reveal that if it was certainly not a first cousin of the chicken it was a relative by dryness, being well done. So, the staff agreed to replace and by now I was irate. It arrived as my partner was approaching the end of her dish. No greens were ever suggested, which had they, would have ordered. The goldfish - memoried waitress, completed forgot the Malbec I ordered, so I did so again. As we waited for the crumble, I noted a neighbouring table was vacated by a party of about 6. Despite a not especially busy period, their table was left untidied for what I noted was about 30 mins – including , I kid you not, come half eaten bread. (I shudder to think what hygiene standards are out of sight in the kitchen, if the are so casual about leaving half eaten food and dirty crockery in the areas where paying customers can clearly see). So for this pleasure we paid about £120.00 For the same price, 1KG fore-rib of beef and a great Amarone could be married in our own kitchen without disappointment. In effect, we paid The Wells only so we did not have to wash up, because none of the experience could be said to be enjoyable apart from the not washing up. However, the fact of the matter is once I interacted with the greeter, I could have scripted the experience so utterly, utterly charmless, unengaged and off- hand was his manner. This was a new level of determined ignorance, I am pleased to have never witnessed before but which I note is now a clear theme in many of the reviews. . This review was sent to Beth@thewellshampstead.london and ignored. Interestingly, she is sister to Evening Standard 'Food Writer' Fay Maschler, who makes a living out of reviewing restuarants. Time she sent a ghost reviewer around to her sisters place perhaps and send her a note that heritage is not a bottomless well. Rgds Cian

Delightful, delicious place to stop in for a cozy meal after a walk on the Heath. We return to The Wells Tavern whenever we're in London and it never disappoints.

It's alright, with decent service from almost all staff. It isn't a pub, though; it's a restaurant where all tables are prebooked. I mistakenly thought it was a pub, so our visit was a bit pointless, being shoved onto a cold table with no working heaters.

I went to the Wells tavern on my birthday and it was by far the best treat I was given that year. I would recommend the ribeye steak as it was the best steak I have ever had, purely exquisite. And the potato and leek soup is delicious. Despite being absolutely packed in the pub, the chef was able to produce my food in good time. I would highly recommend this pub it is amazing.

Un pub che sembra più un ristorante. Si trova in una zona molto più tranquilla di tante altre di Londra. Il menù offre soluzioni di carne e da bere piuttosto varie. Il prezzo è alto ma come tutto a Londra. Ambiente e servizio nella media. Va bene per un pranzo ma gli inglesi lo scelgono per qualsiasi cosa, compreso il ricevimento di nozze

love it here - always good food and lovely atmosphere

All three of us enjoyed all three courses of our food, which can be a little unusual. Great ambiance, great service, good value for money and great food.

Perfect experience. And they welcome dogs - properly welcome them and not just put up with them.

Terrible roast. Potatoes were either burnt or boiled soft. Vegetables looked like they came from a microwave ready meal. Meat was fairly bland. Gravy was watery and thin. Yorkshire pudding does not come with the food and is to be ordered separately - which we did and it was not worth the hassle - they tasted like stale egg bread. Probably up there with worst roasts of my career so far. The only thing that made this experience ok was that the pub has a nice vibe and the service is alright. Sorry! 😕

Stopped for a drink after a walk through the Heath. Grabbed an unclean table outside, as it was the only one that did not have a reserved sign. Another family stopped outside the pub and debated having a meal. One of their party went to check if there was availability (they were right next to us outside, and made a funny joke, we could clearly hear them, stating ‘let’s give it a try’). Moments later, a staff member who I believe was a manager exited, and told us that the ‘reservation’ for our table had arrived. I politely apologised and mentioned that there had not been a reserved sign on the table (hence why sat there rather than one of the other 3 empty tables with reserved signs!). Whoever the man was rudely laughed in our faces and told us yes, there was. Quite confused, I again iterated to him that it was fine however, no there was no sign, as there was still empty glasses and rubbish on the table from whomever had been there before. He rolled his eyes and said ‘oh it must be under the table’ as though we hid the reserved sign, and then demanded we moved to the benches on the pavement. I worked in hospitality for over 10 years and understand that tables roll over quickly. The man clearly lied about the reservation as the table who took over from us was the group who said ‘might as well give it a go’ as they had no reservation but wanted to eat. Because we only had a bottle of wine rather than ordering food, we were rudely made to leave. There was a very simple way to politely ask for the table back and not immediately come over aggressively demanding things. No need to lie to us about a reservation, simply ask that we move to the bar if you need a table for food (as any other restaurant would). I’m assuming this was the manager on duty because he was then scolding the bartenders telling them not to do anything without speaking to him first (micro manage, and quite loudly was berating them in front of customers). It’s easy to be nice, but one needs to go out of your way to behave how he did, which this man clearly cared about. Not the first bad experience there and not what one expects in Hampstead. Won’t be back x

Excellent beef roast on a rainy sunday

The food here is a cut above every other place we go to. Try their chateaubriand for a special occasion, their steaks, fish, or anything else. Lovely decor, excellent staff and very dog friendly. People who come here also tend to be very nice and we have struck up some nice conversations with other customers.

Just had the most brilliant meal to celebrate wifes birthday could not fault the quality of the food and the friendly sevice have been to resturant many times upstairs more formal downstairs a bit more casual cant recomend it stongly enough

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a Sunday roast at the Wells tavern , and I must say, the service was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I walked in, the staff was warm, attentive, and truly made the dining experience memorable. The Sunday roast itself was a delight – perfectly cooked, flavorful, and served with all the traditional trimmings. The atmosphere in the pub added to the charm, creating a cozy and inviting setting for a leisurely Sunday meal. However, the only downside to an otherwise outstanding experience was the discretionary service charge. Unfortunately, this seems to be a prevailing phenomenon across London establishments. While I understand the concept, it's disheartening when such charges are automatically added without clear transparency or choice for patrons. In conclusion, if you're looking for an exceptional Sunday roast experience with top-notch service, Wells tavern is a fantastic choice. Just be mindful of the discretionary service charge, a quirk that, regrettably, extends beyond this particular establishment.

This is the second time I’ve been here and I cannot rate it enough! The staff were INCREDIBLE from start to finish and went out of their way to make our Sunday afternoon wonderful! The food is good and fairly priced and they have a wide selection of drinks. The Wells Tavern is a cute pub in Hampstead (it does get busy on a weekend so booking is recommended) - a lovely atmosphere and great for a Sunday lunch or a late night drink (we ended up staying for about 5 hours!) strongly recommend a visit!

I am extremely happy with The Wells Tavern. Excellent dishes, beautifully presented, great quality, and professional staff. It has been a great discovery for me, and I must cone back to enjoy other dishes.

Abbiamo avuto fortuna e trovato un posto all'aperto di domenica senza prenotazione. Menù vario, pietanze ben impiantate e di buona qualità. Consigliato! Prezzi ok.

Paid £4.50 for a pint of coke. Unfortunately only received about £4s worth of it :/

I took my partner and our dog here for my partner's birthday and it could not have been better. We had the chateaubriand, which you don't get at every pub. Perfectly cooked and elegantly presented. The house champagne is very good. I had a second glass. The service was faultless. The surroundings are beautiful. It is a very friendly pub. Our dog made friends with the neighbouring table and we ended up having a pleasant chin wag. We have eaten here 3 times over the past month and the food has all been delicious. Given the quality of the food, the prices are mor than reasonable. We would have eaten here months ago, but it is always bo9ked up on weekends, though as we discovered last month, if you turn up they might be able to squeeze you in.

One of the top 3 burgers I ate, from my terrible short term memory. * The waiters were friendly and efficient. * The aforementioned burger was to die for. * The atmosphere is warm and cosy. * Rich beer selection

Awesome little pub, perfect for a cold pint after a lovely walk around the heath with friends. Lots of yummy beer taps and the food looked outstanding.

Really lovely staff and good grub

During our stay in London enjoyed lunch at Wells Tavern and liked it so much that we came back for dinner on our last night. Both times were impressed with food in regards to variety, presentation, preparation and taste. Typically Pub fare tends to be lots of gravy, sausages, chips or mash, battered fish etc. which while once in a while is ok, can feel heavy especially during the summer months. Wells Tavern is an exception to this with a more up to date, lighter selection of menu items. From their excellent soups to the main courses, right to desert whoever does the cooking there knows what what their doing. Overall a nice down to earth tavern feel with a an elevated, up to date menu catering to a more health conscious clientele. Well done!

Pretentious restaurant. If you want a real pub walk on to King William IV on the High Street.

Best service in London, 5-stars! Food, top quality (not just pub food, but in general). Excellent excellent and will come back

Excellent miso aubergine plate. 10 out of 10. I specifically walk up this little gem in Hampstead as the vibe is quiet, enjoyable and really cosily elegant. Having said this, 1 large glass of Sauvignon Blanc will cost you £15. Ouch! Not exactly for the non-affluents of North London.

Excellent miso aubergine plate. 10 out of 10. I specifically walk up this little gem in Hampstead as the vibe is quiet, enjoyable and really cosily elegant. Having said this, 1 large glass of Sauvignon Blanc will cost you £15. Ouch! Not exactly for the non-affluents of North London.

Ubicación muy atractiva y generosa, sobre todo en épocas de buen tiempo. Es muy agradable la estancia debido al espacio dedicado a "taberna clásica" inglesa. Hace fachada a dos calles, lo que le da más vistosidad. Siempre está concurrida de clientes. Pasamos una tarde fantástica en compañía de familiares y amigos. El acceso a los aseos situados en el piso superior, es muy estrecho y la escalera bastante peligrosa.

Well Well Well, What a tavern. Food was really nice and the customer service was great. Would defiantly go again

Прекрасный Sunday roast.... Лучший! Особенно курица была восхитительна. Но к ней не подаётся пудинг

I had the best experience! The bartender Lori made the best cocktails and she was extremely lovely! X

I was spending the afternoon in Hampstead, and wandered into here on a very hot afternoon. They had fans running which was welcome. Excellent Bloody Mary. The owner has chosen some wonderful artwork to decorate the walls. I discovered an artist that I was able to get a print of the original from the London Transport Museum.

Really great food at this pub! Good service as well all table service. Make sure to make a reservation if you can. The ahi tuna salad is fabulous.

Cute pub near Hampstead Heath. Nice, covered outdoor seating. We had the spicy Margaritas which were lovely. Mains were all tasty. We tried two different steaks, a burger, a seared tuna dish and a roasted Aubergine dish.

Great place for drinks and dinner!

Standard service and enjoyed a drink here. The interior feels like a cross between a Harvester and a Wetherspoons. There small beer patio outside has a better feel to it.

Super happy we stumbled across The Wells Tavern. We didn't have a booking and managed to get the last table. The staff were lovely and we were super impressed by the food! The wine selection is great and the desserts looked amazing - we'll have to come back to try them.

Beatifully located with good selection of beers, they even have wheat beer which is rare for London pubs! Only had food once but the burger and the apple crumble we had were amazing. One of my favourite pubs in London. The vibe there is great, especially in warmer months with people chilling and drinking outside in the quiet leafy street.

We were looking for a nice local neighborhood pub as a stop over on our way home.... Boy were we wrong with our pick... The bar lady was so rude and extremely dismissive and made us feel beyond unwelcome... we barely ever complain but after paying £14 for a glass of wine, I feel a very sour taste....

Lori was the best bartender! She provided us excellent service! She out of everyone deserves a pay rise!

Cracking pub in a lovely neighbourhood location. Very often busy for good reason and does a lovely Sunday roast.

Nice veggie burgers and excellent fat chips for lunch

Came here today on an impulse after walking on Hampstead Heath. Although the bar tables were fully booked our party of three were invited to use two sofas which we were happy to do.Despite the fact that the bar was so busy we were served almost immediately by pleasant andattentive staff. We all went for the Sunday roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. There were very generous portions of beef all beautifully tender accompanied by well cooked vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. All delicious. Good draught ale was also appreciated and at a such a reasonable price that we actually double checked the drinks menu ! All in all an excellent experience and great value.

Generous good food, nice environment, not too pricey.