Lovely pub. The vegetarian 'roast' option on Sunday was delicious with the exception of the Yorkshire pudding which was disappointing (hard and tasted like it had been re-microwaved). Nice staff. Baby friendly with high chairs and a change table. Can get busy so you best to book.
Splendid, a real hidden gem of hampstead.
...instead of beef we got the roasted lamb shoulder. The atmosphere of this pub was the best part. Though the highlight of this meal was most definitely the scotch egg. I mean, it's a hardboiled egg wrapped in meat and fried... pure culinary genius.
it is an urban pub with a country-pub feel. The building is worthy of its location. The pub was built in 1643 as the stables of a house later owned by painter George Romney
Tucked away in the charming hillside village of Hampstead awaits this lovely little pub on a peaceful residential street, hidden from the rowdy world. This pub is really the place to get food! The prawns, the bread board with
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I was first taken here on a date without a clue of the name, and without sampling the menu. More recently I found myself back at this Hampstead institution for a Sunday Roast catch up with the girls. The Holly Bush is delectably everything you want in an English pub. Cozy, quaint, reeking of character and packed to the brim with polite and friendly locals. We were smoothly taken to our table by friendly staff. The back of the pub features a number of tables for food (or just drink if you can grab one). I ordered the pork roast, my friends the beef and the chicken. The most delightful part of the experience was the gorgeous golden retriever at my feet. I still can't get used to animals in pubs, but I do adore it... Our meals were quick to arrive. My pork was very very dry and not particularly exciting, but both the chicken and beef looked amazing. Trimmings were a solid mixture of root veggies and an insanely good Yorkshire pudding. Despite not being 100% sold on my meal, the entire feel of the place coupled with the friendly service scored the Holly Bush highly in my esteem. I'll definitely be back!
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Last Sunday, my dad was in town and we had to have a proper Sunday lunch, right? We were not disappointed after having The Holly Bush in Hampstead recommended to us by the lovely Collette.
While we had made reservations, I am not convinced it was necessary as at one o'clock there were plenty of tables unclaimed. Also, oddly enough you cannot make Sunday reservations on the website but rather you have to go through Open Table.
Seated at a table inside we were surrounded by lovely panelled walls and there were atmospheric candles on each table with flowers and aqua blue water glasses. While I missed the openness of my favourite pub, the Flask in Highgate, I appreciated the small touches such as the bottle of tap water brought to the table (as apposed to a pitcher). I reckon this would be the perfect place to visit during the Christmas season.
We each ordered a Sunday roast - Dad got the chicken and I ordered the sirloin. Both arrived quickly along with a bowl of vegetables to be shared family style. The Yorkshire Pudding was massive (!) and so delicious! The meat was succulent and tasty and the vegetables were plentiful.
My two complaints would be: one, that the portion of gravy on both our plates was minuscule and I had to flag down our waiter (something of a chore considering he did not look our way nor check on us despite the 1/2 full dining room) but he was more then willing to bring us a small pitcher of gravy when asked. Secondly, the meat might have been succulent and tasty but the sirloin was also quite difficult to cut with the provided utensils.
For the prices (£18.50 for the sirloin and £16.50 for the chicken) you would hope for choicier cuts of meat and better service. But really it was a lovely luncheon and the Yorkshire Pudding was amazing and the manager (?) who greeted us at the door was very kind and gracious in his welcome.
Would I recommend the Holly Bush? Perhaps during the Christmas season as I hear it is lovely all decked out with Holly Bush. And if someone was hankering for some amazing Yorkshire Pudding. But it does not compare to my all-time favourite pub, The Flask, in Highgate where the service, prices and food are great all around.
After a walk on Hampstead Heath, one of the largest parks in London, nothing like a drop in a good gastro pub to refuel! Since few recent years, a plethora of institutions revisiting traditional pub food thus offering really tasty alternatives appeared in London.
In the heart of Hampstead small village, The Holly Bush is a truly authentic pub by its decor (wood, tiles ...) and kitchen ("pious"). Nestled in a lane at the intersection of two streets, crossed by themselves, this little treasure is not easy to find, but it's worth making an effort! The "pies" are so good, the "ales" will delight lovers of beer, the atmosphere of this "sacred bush" is definitely very warm. Highly recommended!
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If its the traditional pub food you desire with the right kind of historical element, Holly Bush is highly recommended. This pub has got a good 200 plus years history of authentic British food, great beers, and lovely ambiance. I am not exaggerating but you might just run into some of the famous musicians or actors enjoying a drink at this good ol' place. A cousin of mine lives close to this pub and has had many celeb encounters (don't worry I am jealous of her too)
She is the one who introduced me to this gem of a pub tucked away in one of the corners. It was however buzzing with chit chat and music. It didn't look like a place where people just land up by chance, it was crowded for a reason. It is one of those places with a healthy number of regulars and the bartender recognizes quite a few people.
We ordered a few beers and cocktails from an excellent and large selection of alcoholic drinks. When hunger pangs kicked in from the smell of food we decided to place our order. I ordered a roast pork belly with mashed potatoes and tossed veggies. It was juicy, flavorful, crunchy and the herbs tickled the tongue with every bite and the portion size was huge, it was beautifully complimented by the mash and veggies. She ordered a lamb pie with veggies and mash and loved it too.
The prices are probably a bit on the higher side but its well worth in my opinion. A meal and drinks for two (Not if you are in a mood to get smashed) would cost you somewhere around £40.
My verdict
Definitely worth a visit, preferably on a lazy and sunny (good luck with that in London - the sunny part, not the lazy) Sunday afternoon.
Holly Bush, simply my favourite pub. Crystallised in time in the best possible way. This place is like a warm hug and a taste of old England. Wish there were more like this.
Nice local pub with good ambience.
A group of us went for dinner on a Saturday night. The food was okay. We ordered the poussin and the cote de boeuf, the hake and the halibut. And the merlot to go with. I tried the poussin and the steak which were fine. The steak could have been of better quality though. The guests who had the fish dishes seemed happy with them.
The dessert was very good though. I had the chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream and it was amazing. Served hot and was full of flavour.
Just a cheeky drink for us today, however the roast here on the last is also elite. Pretty happy for find a Burgundy by the falls today and we enjoyed a few drinks and conversation tucked away in the back room while the locals bathed in the sun out front. Great pub 🍷
HOLLY BUSH 🤩🙌 this pub is a hidden gem !
Unreal find , old authentic Harry Potter vibes , highly recommend a visit here , fantastic service and staff , great atmosphere , and 10/10 food .
By far the best pub I’ve been to in a long time
We had the cote de boeuf to share with the chilli and garlic broccoli, plus some Merlot .
The blonde waitress who looked after us was delightful, smiley and attentive. The steak was delicious, and cooked as requested, fab chips fluffy and crunchy with the broccoli adding a little more heat .
Car parking is a bit of a nightmare but parked on the High Street and walked up 5 minutes to the pub .
I was blown away by the food and the atmosphere. Downstairs is a normal local pub, upstairs is a fantastic date night with food you'd be happy to find in a Michelin star restaurant.
The Holly Bush is a must stop. I enjoyed one of my most unpretentious and flavourful meals here.
The experience may differ as the menu changes, but you'll find a stable selection of good wines in a tasteful wooden interior.
Give it a go!
We had a private event last night and the staff were fantastic - massive shout out to Rachel who just absolutely nailed it. She was on top of everything, making sure everyone had a drink or food or water and she was also hilarious. She also took absolutely fantastic group pictures for us - She is an absolute gem!
I had the pleasure of dining at this 18th-century pub. The Sunday roast they offer is nothing but amazing. The set menu may lean on the pricey side, the quality and deliciousness of the food make it well worth it. For a casual pint is also worth it, great atmosphere.
I hadn’t been to the Holly Bush for years and it’s changed so much, the dining experience upstairs is top notch and food is too the highest standard, felt like I was in a fancy restaurant rather then a pub.
I had the trout to start followed by the mushroom risotto with a side dash of bread. All very tasty, all of very high standard.
This really is a busy pub if you wish to dine. Especially popular with the locals. There is so much history here and being listed as a Grade 2 building.
You need to make bookings to avoid being turned away from their doors.
Food is good and service reasonable.
Food 8/10, ambience 8.5/10, service 8/10, value for money 8/10.
Quite a hidden gem!
Fantastic food, five stars service, very helpful and polite staff. I had stone bass and my friend ordered fish and chips which I ate some of it. Both were really fine dinning quality. The chef is a magician because I have never had a tasty, crispy and thin batter like this fish and chips despite being a big fish and chips eater and tried many fish and chips in the uk. I highly recommend this place and would definitely go again.
Amazing place to celebrate my boyfriend birthday.
The service was kind and great, the food something we will remember.
We live in Italy but we hope to come back soon.
Thank you for the lovely evening
After 20 odd years of frequenting pubs and bars all across London, I'm happy to announce that this is my all-time fave. Tucked away off Hampstead high street, you have to experience it to understand what I mean. Whatever the season, the Holly Bush invites you in with its intimate atmosphere, knowledgeable bar staff, delicious menu and lovely fellow revellers! You might have to prop up against the bar until a seat becomes available, but it's all part of the Holly Bush vibe. Enjoy 🥂
Ondi Arisera Tongchaitanawutti
+4
Had a great Sunday roast here - beef and with extra gravy, of course. One of the other diners had the pork, which also looked and smelt good. Generous portions - most of us were not able to finish! It is a bit of a tight squeeze and especially if you come with dogs (as we did), it might be worth asking for a table with a bit more space (or in a corner).
A little gem, in the centre of historic Hampstead. I suspect parking may be an issue in the area, good-sized drinking space, and large dining areas. The usual range of Fuller's beers is well-kept and friendly bar staff. We'll worth a visit.
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