Reviews The Jugged Hare

Facebook
Mike Hoddy
+5
The food was so good we went twice ! We were staying in The Brewery and had a later booking but I have to say the service, wine and especially the food was superb. Our server, Carmen, was very helpful and friendly, even suggesting a decent wine when our wine of choice, Rioja, wasn't available (a nice South African full bodied Syrah) I had the Rib Eye steak, beautifully tender even served rare, and my wife had Monkfish. Absolutely no complaints and we went back on Sunday evening for the roast. We will be back and my wife said it's the best restaurant she's been to in a long time. Thanks guys.
Facebook
Rory O'Connor
+5
I was my first visit to the Jugged Hare, loved the decor, which first drew me to the pub, staff very friendly. I tried out the bar food and can recommend black pudding croquettes, delish.
Facebook
Kels Clark
+5
First visit to this hidden gem today and certainly won't be the last. The service is exceptional which matches the food. We started with the delicious pork crackling for the table and the food just kept improving. I opted to try the trotter with haggis which was fantastic. The mutton with trimmings was wonderful I think next time I'd ask for more gravy but that takes nothing away from the stunning dish. The veg was simply divine. I finished with the crumble which had the balance just right but my partner had the seasonal special eggsbunnidict which was quite frankly amazing something I'd expect to see served on the great British menu very clever. If you get the chance to go then don't hesitate do book as they get busy especially Sundays but the staff are very friendly and accommodating making the dining even better. Top class
Facebook
Marc Plessier
+5
The food was excellent, portions generous and the wine great. A wonderful restaurant, albeit with an extremely busy bar to meet friends and have a few beers before dinner. Old English fare, brought up to modern standards, tastes and expectations... in my view. A great City venue to meet and eat.
Facebook
Sam Pinner
+5
Stayed at The Montcalm for the Gin Festival and had a super weekend. Hotel gorgeous, bed super comfy, staff polite & helpful. Ate in the JH Saturday night hadn't booked until late and was offered a table at 8pm. Restaurant was buzzing, service & waiting staff lovely and attentive. Had the best rump steak I've had for a long time, hubby had the Tomapork also amazing big flavour. Fab night, great puds & not over priced. Would return & recommend. Thanks for looking after us. 👍🌟
Facebook
Anna Barnes
+5
Booked into Hotel close by and decided to eat in Jugged Hare. We were late and restaurant just closing but manager invited us to eat. Excellent meal enjoyed by the four of us. Staff were friendly and helpful especially the manager. We weren't rushed and felt relaxed throughout. Would definitely recommend a visit.
Facebook
Benny Martin
+5
...booked a table last minute for 10 people for Sunday Lunch yesterday with some friends and friends of friends from America. The latter had never experienced a British Sunday Roast. Nobody was disappointed. The meat was superb, the roast potatoes were awesome and the service was excellent. Apparently the Jugged Hare is the 2nd best in Londo for Sunday dinner.....I'd beg to differ and say it was no.1 🥇 Thanks guys for a really lovely meal! 🇬🇧
Facebook
Debbie O'Connell
+5
Fantastic sunday lunch, great wine great staff very helpful.definately worth a visit
Facebook
Valentas Val
+5
Lovely place, enjoyed the food and the drinks. Shout out to the bar staff who were extremely helpful with the selection of cocktails or drinks in general!
Facebook
Alan Hoare
+5
Popped in for a quick pint and a light lunch. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and the Haggis Scotch egg was to die for. Excellent.
Zomato
Roland DSilva
+3.5
Read interesting reviews about this gastro-pub serving offbeat cuisine, with an emphasis on ‘bone to tail’. Tried their eponymous dish – “The Jugged Hare”. Interesting textures and flavors, though not completely to my liking – having more to do with my taste preferences than the dish itself. You need to have an adventurous palate for this place. 

Service was friendly but we were rushed through our meal a bit – this is one of those restaurants who state they are open till 11 p.m., but at 9.45 p.m. we were told the kitchen was closing – what gives? 

Desserts were ok, nothing exceptional, despite rave recommendations from the waiter
Nov 26, 2016
Zomato
Steve
+4.5
Excellent food with wild boar and black pudding both very well presented.
Great atmosphere for a restaurant with a game theme. Can recommend this for anyone who enjoys game.
May 28, 2016
Zomato
Chris Osburn
+5
Popular Barbican Gastropub, The Jugged Hare, is launching a limited edition “Finger Lickin’ Pheasant Bucket” available from 16 to 22 November in celebration of National Pheasant Week. Feeling game? I was when I accepted an invitation to sample a bucket. Now I’m feeling fine (and full). On a diet? Ph’ucket. Have a bucket!
Apr 04, 2016
Zomato
Mary Ellen @ Pâte à Chew
+4
Great quality English fare, particularly right after you've seen a show at the Barbican, as they are open late! The menu is heavy on game but I opted for the lighter steamed mussels, which really hit the spot. Portions are quite large.
Oct 03, 2015
Zomato
Dorota Nina Smith
+4
We went to the Jugged Hare on friday evening, and it was quite busy. Many waiters and waitresses were hovering around our table, which can be quite annoying, especially after you have been asked the same question by four different waiters. The food was nicely presented and tasted good, but it did not make a great impression on me. My cod on a bed of veggies was tender, and tasted, well, tasted like cod.... Overall , a busy place with good food, but nothing to write home about. Quite expensive too, two starters and two glasses of wine cost us 75 GBP.
Aug 15, 2015
Zomato
Alex Davis
+4.5
Delicious food, if a little smokey for me! Perfect venue for before or after an exhibition at the Barbican! Especially food for the English classics and interesting bar snacks! We had the pork with mashed potato, which came with black and white pudding!
Jun 22, 2015
Zomato
Mark Clayton
+4.5
Good night out. Very accomodating staff (for a party of 20 just turning up), simple well executed food, tasted great, not over the top prices and good friendly speedy service. Not 5 star dining, so don't expect that, but good honest food, I would definately go back.
Jan 11, 2013
Zomato
Tangmanstyle
+4.5
Great combination of beers (even the office Belg loves it here!), relaxed atmosphere and wonderful innovative food. Dishes include Wild boar head croquettes with apple caramel (£6.50), a decent (i.e. no Meatliqor/Umami burger) Longhorn cheese burger and Breaded skate knobs. It is a bit pricey, but very good value for money. All in all a great spot for celebratory lunches.
Sep 26, 2014
Zomato
Michael U.
+4.5
This post contains photos only.
Jul 21, 2014
Zomato
Vialaporte
+4.5
The Jugged Hare is a the sister pub/restaurant of The Gun in Canary Wharf. Tucked in behind the Barbican complex, it has a bar in the front, restaurant in the back and private dining downstairs. The atmosphere is Victorian bistro, in the same style of Dean Street Townhouse. It delivers hearty food based around an offer of high quality meat, including some lesser seen options like its tasty namesake; the hare. Recipes are traditional with a French brasserie finish.
Mar 19, 2013
Zomato
Social Concierge
+3.5
The Vibe

All creatures great and tasty. This gastro-pub, located in the permanently 70’s concrete jungle of Barbican, serves up a whole host of seasonal British game, wild fish and shellfish served with expertly picked wines to accompany the strong seasonal flavours. Split into a pub and dining area, The Jugged Hare has an after-office hours ambience generated by City workers relaxing after a hard day working for a FTSE 100 company. The only footsie I was interested in that evening was going to be taking place at the dinner table so we made our way past the suit-clad drinkers for our 7pm mid-week reservation. If you grew up in the countryside and spent time strolling in the fields trying to spot rabbits, pheasants and other woodland critters then you will have no trouble here as they are everywhere you look. Resembling a trophy room Mr Jones from George Orwell’s Animal Farm would be proud of, this is a manly place for eating macho food, so put your Barbour jacket and flat cap on and head on in.

The Order

Your Room 101 of food might include things like snails and bone marrow but that’s just one of the starters at The Jugged Hare. Be adventurous. Tender Herefordshire snails served with bone marrow croquettes were much more delicious then they had any right to be. Sautéed chanterelles and mushroom croquettes with a duck egg plopped on top was the closest either of us got to a vegetarian dish the whole night. Our knowledgeable waiter suggested a versatile Pinot Noir (La Bousselle, VdP d’Oc 2012) to go with. The main menu is an ornithologist’s guidebook to British fine dining: chicken, grouse, pigeon, woodcock, partridge, mallard, and wigeon (Google it) all fresh from the Yorkshire countryside. Prefer your animals with four legs? Venison, pork, mutton and a whole range of steaks are cooked on the grill. Fish is bought daily from Billingsgate in case you are tired of eating the Animals of Farthing Wood. It was Pheasant Week (of course!) when we visited and the ballotine of pheasant with wild-boar stuffing was a delight. My date went for the venison haunch, which was beautifully pink.

Definitely save some room for the sticky toffee and chestnut pudding with mince pie ice cream. It’ll make you grin like Cheshire cats (which is probably on the menu in the next couple of weeks).

The Game

Before heading off for some literal game, we met at Bar Smith in Farringdon for some of their house-infused spirits and cocktails. An industrial, east London bar with exposed brickwork and atmospheric lighting we perched ourselves at the long bar which is in prime sight of the kiln where they make their own pizzas, the smell priming our appetites for dinner. The “Basil Fawlty,” a gin based cocktail with elderflower, lemon juice and cranberry topped off with basil syrup started a conversation about my dislike for Monty Python but my date insisted she could win me round.

We goose-stepped towards The Jugged Hare, which is in close proximity to the Barbican Centre and it’s the perfect place to eat after going to the Barbican Cinema (massively underrated) to see the latest film starring Benedict Cumberbatch or the Barbican Hall (amazing acoustics) to see the latest Shakespeare production starring Benedict Cumberbatch. With our bellies full of game, post dinner we went for a half-pint at the Old Red Cow where our convo turned to the strangest animals we had ever eaten. A ghastly gastronomic Top Trumps ended up with my Crocodile (practically a dinosaur) beating her Kangaroo (Australian bouncing cow). We took a jaunt down towards St. Pauls where we had a late night cocktail on Madison’s roof terrace which overlooks the stunning Cathedral. We debated the best buildings in London with the Cathedral being a clear favourite for her whilst I was trying to big-up the Shard. One cocktail turned into three, with the ”Rooftop” cocktail of Hendricks gin, elderflower and Prosecco going down exceedingly well.

To prove her point on her favourite building we strolled hand-in-hand across the Millennium Bridge to the south of the river to see the Cathedral standing out spectacularly against the busy, modern buildings of London’s skyline. Invest in a Tate Modern membership, mainly for the exhibitions but also for a drink in the members bar overlooking the Thames and north London. If she’s not impressed by the artwork then the views will definitely seal the deal.

The Faults

If your date is one of them vegetarians that you read about in the papers then probably give this place a miss. If your date enjoys eating fresh, seasonal British produce that wouldn’t look out of place on Best of Countryfile then this is your place.

Sex Factor

2 – Masculinity oozes from the walls. Woodland animal taxidermy might not get you ruffled under the feathers but the tastes and smells definitely will.
Dec 17, 2014
Zomato
Amit Sinha Roy
+4
We were staying at The Montcalm and this was the breakfast venue for almost a week. Very nice variety on the buffet as well as the choices on the menu. Service is consistently good.
Oct 29, 2014
Zomato
Sarah Bailey
+4
I love this pub/restaurant, it always gives me a warm feeling walking in. Full either of after work drinkers or Barbican goers. The staff, dressed in their tweed, friendly, smiley and helpful. The jugged hare dish is great hearty food, the venison scotch egg a winner, and the burger tasty and cooked perfectly.
Oct 08, 2014
Zomato
Wes Kabiri
+4.5
My friends and I heard about this place and their apparent famous Sunday roasts so thought it would be worthwhile checking out. I can assure you we weren't disappointed.

We didn't have a booking so we got some drinks and waited by the bar. When we got in, we all ordered the same which was the roast longhorn beef. Firstly; when the plates came, my friends reaction was quite disappointed as the only things on the plate were beef, a Yorkshire pud, horseradish moose and some decorative leaves as you can see from the pic. When the waiter left, my friend asked me straight away 'is this it?' Well it definitely was not 'it' and he ate his words later, or would've if he wasn't stuffed to the brim. Let me tell you what followed, the roast potatoes, carrots and greens came in separate cast iron dishes looking and smelling absolutely moorish. It definitely did not disappoint the taste buds. The meat was perfectly cooked roast beef, the gravy was so meaty and savoury and with the horseradish cream bought together the very rustic Yorkshire pudding. The carrots and greens were lovely but above all, the roast potatoes were the best I've ever had. Cooked in duck fat, they were so crispy on the outside and so fluffy in the middle.

In other words the best roast dinner I've had. That's bound to cause some controversy as I can almost hear ppl saying my mum makes the best roast dinner; well my mums asian and her idea of roast dinner is a tandoori so as roast dinners go, this was awesome. I've had really good roast dinners in various other places, the only other that comes close to this is the Laughing Gravy on Blackfriars road. I've been told to try the roast dinner in Roast in Borough Market as it is supposed to be the best in London but has a price tag to match. Maybe I'll work my way up to it.... Well thanks for reading and if you want an amazing roast dinner in the city, defiantly try the Jugged Hare at Barbican.
Oct 07, 2014
Zomato
Claudia Holbrook
+4.5
I came here recently for some work dinner and drinks and well and truly fell in love with the place. Their 'Jugged Hare' ale went down a treat with the guys and their wine selection was brilliant. We sat around a beer keg with our drinks before going to the restaurant for dinner. I ordered the goats cheese tart for starters which was beautiful - flaky pastry and filled with creamy goats cheese and a mustard dressing. Main was a mutton shank with a summer bean stew - green beans, butter beans and peas, served in a cast iron dish - absolutely charming! The lamb fell of the bone and the stew itself was light and full of flavour - there was some definite food envy around the table. Service was attentive yet not intrusive and the restaurant had a lovely laid back atmosphere. I'd come back here without question - the food and wine is worth every penny, so pleased i discovered this place! Completely recommend.
Sep 02, 2014
Zomato
Cschuhle
+4
Great pub, with an interesting beer selection (comprising the jugged hare pale ale). The food menu is legendary too. A proper gastropub.
Aug 04, 2014
Zomato
Philip King
+4
http://culinaryworldtour.com/2013/10/27/game-boy/

The Jugged Hare is an interesting proposition, given that it’s half pub, half restaurant, and is a very traditional venue in some respects, yet quite progressive in others. Situated in the City of London in what was once a Whitbread brewery and now adjoins a four star Montcalm hotel, The Jugged Hare has a certain feeling of grandeur that comes partly from the location and clientele, and also from the decor of coach-house pub style, with quirky twists and embellishments, including numerous stuffed and mounted animals of the species you are likely to be eating once you’ve supped a couple of fine ales.

When I arrived on a Wednesday evening, the bar was busy, but not so as anyone was waiting longer than a minute or two. The staff all dressed in their Prince of Wales check tweed frock coats with red velvet buttons looked rather dapper. I kicked off with an otter, served cold. Thinly sliced otter …I jest. A pint of Amber Otter ale, served to perfection. My date had the convenient audacity to arrive late so I moved swiftly and gladly on to an Adnam’s Spindrift. Brilliant beers at reasonable prices given the location, and I only regret she didn’t arrive later so I could have sampled the Jugged Hare Pale Ale. City slickers do have a tendency to jostle you quite a bit at the bar, but then again what’s a jostle between traders? Probably something that costs more than most of us earn in a year, but then again that’s not saying much.

Along came her nibs and we passed on through to the refectory-like dining space at the back. This is without doubt a popular spot, as there wasn’t a spare table in sight, and the raised voices and laughter suggested people were staying for the duration, although they may have been chuckling at my hacking jacket and plus-fours. Judging from the aromas emanating from the kitchen, I could understand why nobody was in a hurry to leave. The menu reads particularly well and has daily specials too, so there is never a dull moment. Naturally the emphasis is on game, although there is a good selection of fresh fish and shellfish to cater for most tastes.

View pictures and read more at http://culinaryworldtour.com/2013/10/27/game-boy/
Jan 08, 2014
Zomato
Anjaneya Das
+4.5
Had a brilliant meal here back in July 2012. Started off with the bath chaps (succulent, done well) and followed it with the steak (similar). The meat was cooked just right, and the steak was juicy (I asked for an extra lime garnishing to suit my Indian palate).
Jun 11, 2013
5
Valentine Vix-Caminati
+5
Great place! We had a very tasty lunch, the service was just perfect. The staff made us feel confortable. All dishes were delicious. I was delighted to find vegetarian and vegan options, everything made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Thanks and see you soon!
5
Wayne Minnicks
+5
Probably one of the best meals of my life. Order the Jugged Hare signature dish. The Bloody Mary was fantastic. Would fly back to London for this meal.
5
Ellie Curran
+5
Had a lovely Sunday roast here last weekend. My partner said its the best roast he's ever had! The staff were lovely and the manager made sure they were able to accommodate my dietary requirements :)
4
Neil Cameron
+4
The grouse season opens on Aug 12 and apparently the JH has had it available on the menu since the 16th. I enjoyed mine on Aug 22 and it was excellent. Cheese board was also very good and the sommelier's recommendation of a sancerre pinot noir was spot on. For the second night in a row, I had the pleasure of being looked after by a delightful Canadian woman in a British gastro-pub. Unexpected, but fun. Only concern - truly inedibly salty cabbage as the veg, hence the 4/5 for food. I didn't eat it past the first forkfull, please don't tell my kids....
4
Grace Mitton
+4
This was my first Sunday roast and it was a good first impression. The potatoes and carrots were especially cooked well. Sticky toffee pudding was also good, though the ice cream a tasted a little like it had freezer burn. Good place, a little pricey for it to be a regular occurrence.
4
Ronnen Brunner
+4
Great gastro pub, as a carnivore I liked the decor - stuffed animals everywhere- builds the appetite I had the duck leg, it was nice but not much more, the rest of the people I was with really enjoyed their portions so I think I was just unlucky as everything looked very good and the service was good as well
4
Immy
+4
We visited the jugged hare after going to a gallery visit. It was a very pleasant experience! The food was very good but it was very pricey which i think was justified however i think if you are paying that much the service should be seamless and it was far from this. One of the staff serving us was very pleasant however everyone else really seemed to have no idea what they were doing. When we asked if we could sit in the restaurant we were ignored for quite sometime and then finally nonchalantly seated without any care or acknowledgement of us really. Then we had multiple different servers over the night which i really think isn’t suitable in a restaurant like this (i think one server should be with you for your meal). Also our table was laid wrong which wasn’t great considering how expensive the restaurant was. However, overall I would return and the ambience and food was good, i think maybe the management and staff needs a bit of tweaking.
5
Mike 1991
+5
I went with my girlfriend on 13/08 we had a lunch. The food was amazing and the service fabulous. My girlfriend had an allergy and the manager Nasir (I'm sorry if I spelling it wrong) look after us very well. He was on top of everything. He recommended few dishes from the menu. Excellent food and customer service.
4
Kevin Gamble
+4
The food here is exceptionally good; easily one of the best Sunday roasts I’ve ever had. The bar area is dog friendly and staff kindly brought ours a bowl of water. Service at the bar was a little slow and confused at times but it appeared at least one team member was new/in training, so allowances should be made. Overall, I highly recommend The Jugged Hare.
5
Lelaina Lim
+5
We found this restaurant that is close to our theatre show anything goes and it really is nice and good is great. We had fish and steak dishes and they are both delicious; tasty and very well presented . The service staff are also friendly and offer great ideas. Will recommend to my friends for sure ! The bread pudding is just as sweet to end the day before our show!
5
Dennis Asselman
+5
The Jugged Hare is unique spot in London. It's ambience, service, friendly staff and superb food made us dine in 3 nights in a row. Delicious starters to share, high quality food on the menu: amazing pies (fish and meat), lovely meat, seasonal food, ... and delicous desserts. Everybody wants to be there, so make sure to book a table or jump in and have a dring at the bar while you wait for some spot. Hope to get back soon! Congratulations
5
Linh Nguyen
+5
Really interesting menu! I will have to come back to try more dishes. Food was good and nice staff.
4
Alex Conkleton
+4
Edge of the City, London Pub on the corner, under the view of brilliantly brutalist Barbican. It's a great combination, sophisticated decorative finishes with retained heritage reproduction & some orignal features blending brilliantly into a gastropub that is still a pub up front. Eclectic decorations of ale yards, & taxidermy. Too noisy & missing a vibe but it's got style.
5
Ru made
+5
Went on a Saturday a couple of weeks ago at about 14:30 and were able to get in without a reservation for the bottomless brunch. The food was delicious; I loved the heritage beetroot, my venison was gorgeous, and it was maybe the best mashed potato I've had in my life. Waitress was attentive and vivacious; we felt very looked after and welcomed. The only thing I would change would be adding in a cider to the included drinks on the bottomless brunch, as I'm gluten free and wanted to balance the prosecco and bloody Mary with something a little lower percentage! Is it expensive? Yes. But the food is good quality and we had a really good time. Definitely a special occasion visit rather than a weekly pub lunch.
Clicca per espandere