Pub of the Week: The Rose & Crown, Blackfriars

The Rose and Crown is a charming and characterful pub in a part of London heavy with history. Paris Gardens, as this quarter of Blackfriars was once known, was an area of playhouses, brothels and bear-baiting pits. As such it was the stomping ground of Shakespeare, and Paris Gardens even gets a mention in Henry VII.

Down the years this was also an area with many taverns, and the Rose and Crown is one of the oldest to survive. The current, rather elegant building dates from 1887, although records of the pub itself go back to at least the 1780s.

A lively place, popular with locals, office workers and students, the Rose and Crown is the ideal venue for a drink with friends or to grab a tasty bite to eat. 

The menu features traditional favourites such as fish and chips and a selection of hearty sandwiches, through to a range of burgers which include the vegetarian spicy vegetable and red lentil burger.

Also available is a taster menu which features, among other dishes, breaded scampi, pork pie, honey mustard Spitfire Ale sausages alongside mini cheese rarebit, lamb kofta and nachos with Mexican cheese.

Pouring at the bar are a fabulous range of fine cask ales and premium lagers from Britain’s oldest brewer.

For more information, food and opening hours, visit the pub's website.