Dinner reservations for 7 ?

We don't have any specific places we want to go, but I think we would like to eat primarily in old pubs and have an "English" experience while in London. I know there is great Indian food and other ethnic food in London, and maybe it is even better than English food, but we really want to experience the old pubs, nothing fancy.

With seven I would always make reservation. That is a actually two tables. You can always slip in two somewhere in a pub but seven is a bigger problem.

I can let you know in a couple of weeks how it works for our group of 6 in London. I don't anticipate having problems at pubs so I don't think we will reserve ahead. I've found that many pubs indoor seating is nearly empty in the summer when they have outdoor seating too-- these experiences are slightly outside of the central London area like Chiswick and Richmond. This summer we'll have a 13th birthday to celebrate so if I can identify the type of restaurant she'd like, my plan is to stop by a couple of days before to make a reservation for this restaurant. I also may pre-book a pre-theater restaurant on Drury Ln. that we like if we end up choosing a play near there. I'll let you know how this kind of flexible approach goes later in July!

Yes, I think you will be right, Emma, we may get tired of English food. When we travel, eating is part of the experience. I like to try to make it as different as I can from home. The architecture of a really old building will also be part of the experience, beyond the food. So, I'm sure there are many restaurants that will make us happy, but mostly just want an "experience", you know?

I'll look up the places you mentioned. Thank you!

The Crypt below St Martin's in the Fields was cafeteria style when I was there last -- should be able to push some tables together. Very atmospheric.
Maybe with your Dad you'll all be eating "early bird" schedule??

Yes, very possible! My dad eats according to the clock, not his stomach!

Not to be too picky, but dad is also very hard of hearing, even with hearing aids, so a big noisy place will be very difficult for him to hear any conversation. Maybe that will be the biggest challenge.

When we were in London with dad in 2013, we found "The Ships Tavern" near Holborn. It was very small upstairs and and quiet so it was fabulous for us. So, I'm hoping to find more places like this, and we will return there again this year, too.

I read through and didn't see this, but might have missed it... but beware of pubs if you have kids. Many will not allow them - at least not at dinner time. Example: I emailed with Southwark tavern and kids have to be out by 6. Similar a pub in Edinburgh (I know, this is the England board!) - one allows kids until 8 but only if they are eating. So just double check on the pubs!

Had my heart set on Southwark Tavern... had to reorganize the schedule to get it in at 4:30-6! :)

Kim

Thanks Kim, good heads up. Luckily our youngest is 20 years old so we should be ok.

Sadly, over the past 15 years many of the traditional owned pubs have evolved into gastro pubs. In many cases that has meant the loss of stellar interiors, higher priced food offerings with "traditional" English meals tossed out with the dishwater as well as private ownership becoming corporate ownership.

Happened to my favorite neighborhood pub, The Old White Bear in Hampstead. Destroyed the traditional dark wood nook and crannies interior, became a pretentious wine bar and to make matters worse, it failed. Place is now permantely closed. Some things should be left alone. Sigh.

That said, you can find a table for 7 at The Landsdowne in Primrose Hill ( though not "traditional" fare), the Cittie of York is worth looking at. I suggest you check out the Crosskeys in Covent Garden and http://www.simpsonstavern.co.uk/.

London is such a melting pot that there are numerous wonderful ethic restaurants to enjoy. Don't short change yourselves. Lastly, and something to remember, In many pubs the dining areas are up a steep flight of stairs. Not too mention the loos can be located in basements and or on 2nd levels as well. Travelers with any mobility issues should take that into account.

Well we are down to a party of 2 after 4 family members left this AM for their music camp in Scotland. As a group of 6 we managed to pop into curry restaurants and pubs and always find a nice table to accommodate our group. We did scope out one beautiful pub and spoke to the bar person about making a reservation for the following night near our Wicked theatre (Victoria station is a BiG construction zone BTW) but didn't make a reservation there either because of the plodding nature of our group. It all worked out fine but IF you have your heart set on a specific pub with smaller interiors and no garden in central London, I think it would be worth it to make a reservation.

You could consider trying the pubs for a Sunday lunch or early supper. A Sunday roast, with all the fixings, is an English tradition. Roasts may be beef, pork, lamb or chicken. I've never been disappointed. Especially when the meal includes Yorkshire pudding and roasted potatoes! :-) Also consider going to eat around 5:30 or 6:00, as many people don't like to eat supper until 7 ish or later.

Not all pubs take reservations--I'm old-school enough to think a proper pub shouldn't. A little further away, near Waterloo, is The King's Arms on Roupell Street. A tiny, old-fashioned pub that has great beers and does take bookings for food.