Pub of the Week: The Bishops Finger, Smithfield, London

The busy and bustling Bishops Finger, in Smithfield, was the first London pub acquired by Shepherd Neame. Almost 50 years later it remains one of the company’s flagship venues, located in the heart of the City and close to the world-famous Smithfield Meat Market.

Records show that the Market Coffee House stood here from around 1840. An alcohol licence was obtained in 1881, when it also became the Rutland Arms and, later, the Rutland Hotel. It was known as the Rutland when Shepherd Neame bought the pub in the early 1970s, in 1981 becoming the Bishops Finger after the famous beer of the same name.

Because of its close proximity to Smithfield, much of the produce that features on the pub’s extensive menu is sourced literally yards away.

Small plates include Smithfield hand-raised gala pork pie and a black pudding scotch egg. For the non-meat eater there is a vegetarian garden platter, which offers a selection of tempura vegetables, olives and baked camembert.

Also available are a range of sandwiches, alongside more substantial main dishes. These include Smithfield sausages with mash, the Bishop’s 8oz beef burger and, on the seafood front, traditional fish and chips and wholetail scampi. For non-meat eaters there is a spicy bean burger and Quorn veggie sausages. Jacket potatoes and a selection of ploughman’s lunches are also on the menu.

Bookings are now being taken for Christmas, and the festive menu features two courses for only £23 and three for £29. 

Food is served Monday through to Thursday from 11 am to 3pm, and from 5pm until 9pm. On Friday food is available from 11 am until 3pm.

At the bar you will find an extensive range, including Five Grain Lager, Whitstable Bay Blonde Lager, Sam Adams Boston Lager, Oranjeboom Lager and San Miguel. Cask ales usually include Bishops Finger, Spitfire Amber Ale and either Spitfire Gold or a seasonal beer. Also on tap are Guinness and Orchard View Cider. 

The Bishops Finger is open Monday through to Friday from 11am until 11pm. It is closed at the weekend but available for private hire. To find out more, visit the website or call the team on 0207 2482341.