The Grapes

A lovely old narrow listed pub serving good real ale and (it was unanimous among those who indulged) delicious fish and chips (which you can get downstairs, or in the restaurant bit on the 1st floor)

The pub dates back to 1720, so more than 250 years older than most of the ugliness nearby! Hard to believe you are a stone’s throw from Canary Wharf here, in what was originally a working class kind of place (although Dickens came here...come to think about it his name crops up when mentioning most of the pubs in this part of London! Boozehound)

Also has a prime waterside location that is to be envied in summer, particularly if the no kids rule is strictly enforced!

Why has it taken so long for me to visit this place? It is a gem. From the outside it looks unassuming and when you go inside, it still is. But oh how the small darkened interior invites one. It teeters over the Thames and gives you the feeling that you are in a truly historic house, more so than the nearby Prospect of Whitby.

We had the classic Fish and Chips and they were simply the best I have ever had in any sort of restaurant/pub/bar/diner anywhere. We had to wait a while for them because they were being freshly done from scratch. The staff could not have been nicer and more politely apologetic. But was it worth the wait? – You bet!

The ales are first class, the lagers less so. But on this occasion I will simply say that you can ignore this minor quibble and urge you to check out this inviting, historic, cosy and atmospheric Thames-side pub.

Incredibly unfriendly :-( Twelve of us turned up for food early evening when it was almost deserted but were turned away because we had two, impeccably behaved, 16 year olds with us. We were told this was because their licence only allowed 18s and over to enter. According to their licensing authority this is UNTRUE – 16 and overs can not only enter, but also drink beer, wine and cider in the bar providing they are with an adult and only drink alcohol with a table meal. When we later phoned to enquire why we were incorrectly informed of the licencing regulations, the licensee was incredibly unfriendly and refused to comment on why we had been misinformed. She continued to maintain under 18s were not allowed until I explained I had checked with their local licencing authority at which point she became even more stroppy. While licensees may choose to decline service to anybody, we were amazed that we were lied to and then discovered they were so blatantly unfriendly. The truth, and a simple, “so sorry, we prefer to be an adults-only pub” would have been so much more appropriate.

Pretty good value for money but have been here times when the food has been grate and other times when i have sent back service usually friendly but don't argue with Big Bill haha

Just because something small, there's no reason why it can't be lovely. The Grapes may not be as large or brash as other pubs but it's a distinctly cozy and tight affair (fittingly it resides on Narrow Street) that creates an atmosphere where leaving is a wrench.

The main bar is small and wooden, and there's a small area overlooking the river, plus a restaurant up some narrow, rickety stairs. It's the kind of pub your dad might declare "They don't make 'em like this any more."

There's an excellent selection of real ales while the fish and chips we had at lunchtime was delicious. Unlike many pub fish and chips, this was lightly battered so as not to overwhelm the freshness of the fish. The chips were nice and chunky and the tartare sauce was delicious.

A cracking little out-of-the-way treat that may well be worth five stars, but I'd need to pay a few more visits to definitely be sure. It won't be a hardship finding out.

I'm hugely fond of 'the local pub'. I've heard great things about this place from friends in the area, and they're not wrong. This is a blindin' pub.

What do I like? The selection of ale, the rickity tables, the friendly staff (who are lovely even when they shout at you for taking your drinks outside), the food is FANTASTIC. The sign in the ladies loos (see pics attached)... everything. This is an awesome little local pub and you could happily live here.

It's not even very expensive - Landlord l is on at £3.10. I want to come back here and try the whole menu, drink all the beer, give myself happy Grapey hangovers. I here there's even a little terrace out back. I imagine if I ever get a seat out there, I'll never ever leave.

The Grapes is a pub and restaurant specialising in fish, but it serves a killer roast at Sunday lunchtime. The cosy, historic building has a charming character and was once a favourite of Charles Dickens.

Food-wise, the portions are generous, tasty and fresh. Fish with a light butter sauce sounds basic but the chefs know how to bring out its sublime flavour. Expect to pay £30+ a head on weekday evenings and the roast is £8.95, as mentioned by another reviewer.

Weekend service has always been an absolute pleasure with friendly, knowledgeable young staff. However, last week (on a weekday evening) I was greeted by an imposing woman who literally uttered the words “Christ, another service” as my girlfriend and I walked in. She was flustered and annoyingly self-important, and I overheard her criticising another diner for a choice of scallops without the normal bacon accompaniment.

What a pity that such a great restaurant is failed by this miserable woman.

I cannot fault the Roast Lamb I had here last Sunday, it was cooked to perfection and a decent portion too, though not quite sure the veg were fancy enough to qualify the £8.95 tag. I didn’t like much else about the place though; when I’m hungover I expect to be treated with compassion/revulsion in equal measure by the bar staff, but not patronised. It’s a small, narrow pub and does have the advantage of being close to the riverside. Just didn’t like the atmosphere there the day I visited. But like I said; stonking hangover.