Solid 4 stars for The Surprise in Chelsea. Drinks and 3 course dinner for the 3 of us came to £150, which is very good value for the area. Service was very good and the atmosphere was lively. A great spot to end the working week. Will definitely one here again.
🚇 Sloane Square
🍺 £6.95 Birra Moretti
❤️ A superb Chelsea Gastro.
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The Surprise freehouse is located in a tranquil backstreet in the heart of swish Chelsea. The nearest tube is Sloane Square which is about a ten minute walk away.
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This beautiful pub was built in 1853 and is named after the frigate that brought Napoleon's body from St Helena to France. The Surprise was refurbished and opened under new management in 2021.
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The decor here is traditional and has a touch of class about it. On the ground floor is the main bar, upstairs is the Hamilton Room which is set aside for dining. Throughout the pub are some lovely features like comfy handmade leather chairs, an extensive collection of artwork by British artists and an elegant stained glass partition. The overall vibe is a relaxing homely feel, this place feels like an upscale village pub.
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There beer selection was diverse and featured a number of London breweries. I had a pint of Birra Moretti. My pint was good and price point was to be expected at just under seven quid. I visited with my daughter specifically to try out the roast as I read a number of rave reviews. To start we shared a pint of prawns and some tasty cocktail sausages. Then on to the main event, our roasts. We both had the roast pork belly which was delicious, the meat was juicy and crackling crispy. To finish we had sticky toffee pudding which was just great. I must mention the chap who served our food, he was personable, charismatic and really looked after us.
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We arrived around 3.30pm and the pub was packed and the vibe upbeat. The crowd was predominantly well healed locals who were in the know about the pub. Throughout the month there are live music evenings and interesting guest speakers to entertain you.
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This is one of the best gastropubs I have visited this year, I couldn’t fault it. Yes, @thesurprisechelsea is a posh pub serving posh nosh but there was no snobbery or pontificating here. The beer, food and service were excellent, price point a little pricey but worth every penny. A must visit London pub.
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ℹ️ Info correct on visiting 05.03.23
Wow, what a buzz. The place was full including the pavement outside. They found a great table, for us and the dog 🐕. Great food with great service. Absolutely nailed it.
Deceptive place this one, Nestled in the back whacks of Chelsea a 2 minute stroll from the kings road,What looks like just a local pub is actually much more than that, beautifully decorated with a great mixture of eclectic art, we sat upstairs in the lovely cosy dining room with about 35 covers, A great
Selection on the Sunday Menu, Honey Mustard Sausage’s with mustard Mayo Excellent 👌🏽Then a choice of roast, I went for the beef perfectly cooked finished of with Sticky Toffee Pudding, As good as it gets ⭐️ A very extensive wine list and reasonably priced. Around £50 a head with a glass of wine, not pub prices but way above pub grub quality with superb service, would definitely recommend.
Haven’t been to The Surprise Chelsea in a few years. I ordered fish and chips which can be risky at a pub. I was pleasantly surprised 😮 how delicious and perfectly prepared the fish was, not to mention how fresh. I’ll definitely return just for this dish.
I have been to The Surprise for dinner and lunch a number of times and celebrated my birthday in the private dining room this year. Every time I go I have the best experience! The staff are always lovely and the food is consistently delicious. The interior is beautifully decorated. The best pub in London
First time at The Surprise and can't wait to go back. Popped in for a late lunch this past Saturday. Could not fault service or food. Wait staff looking after the upstairs section were friendly and attentive - refreshingly delightful! Would highly recommend
The Surprise is no surprise, perhaps the most leaked secret in Chelsea. However, the Surprise is none the worse for that! A lovely pub with a fine atmosphere. Good beer from the keg and the cask. There is also a decent menu with options for most. Service is brisk and friendly, what more could you ask for. A most enjoyable place for a beer.
Comical service. They obviously make their money from food as not many places to sit and just have a pint. I would recommend it as the clientele are nice and it’s a warm atmosphere.
Exceptional pub, from the warm welcome, to the wonderful service and the beautiful interiors. Having eaten here a couple of times, the seasonal changing menu is always a delight, as are the wide range of cocktails!
They offer an average dining experience with decent food and an okay ambiance. While it may not be exceptional, it provides a satisfactory option for a casual meal. There is room for improvement, but it's still worth considering for a simple dining outing.
The nicest pub in the area, having crept up the rankings in recent years. Excellent decor and feel to the pub. Lots of beautiful and interesting features. Worth seeking out. Great bar staff too and outstanding food. Top marks. Definitely beats the Coopers and Phoenix now. A proper boozer, as my husband says.
A fabulous gastro pub tucked away in residential Chelsea. Great service and really good selection of drinks and food. The 1936 lager is well worth a try!
Great food . Brilliant staff who you can have good converstion with. Lovely atmosphere especially when there's live music.
We didn't really have food as the kitchen was closed at the time but we did get their marinated olive snack to go with our pints which were absolutely tops and can imagine their menu would be quite nice.
Pedro was a gem in serving us and even indulging us with a bit of local history of the establishment and Chelsea area.
It appears that everyone has found out about this little gem of a pub. This pub has the most amazing traditional setting, but everything about it oozes a bit of class. The drinks are great, well-kept beers, and I've been told a pretty impressive wine list.
The food is exceptional, a little pricier than your average pub, but this is reflected in the quality.
Absolutely delicious Sunday roast. Had the whole chicken for 2 - well cooked, delicious potatoes and gravy. House red is excellent! Staff super kind and professional, despite having just opened a week ago. Will definitely be back to our new local!
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