The Narrow Boat

On the back of several recommendations and some good reviews, we went to the Narrow Boat for Sunday lunch on 10 Feb. Sadly, despite being in a lovely location and us being seated at a cute little table with canal views, we will not be going back in a hurry. To explain why: we ordered a bread board which took 40 mins to arrive - the warm bread and dipping oils were delicious but the wait seemed far too long. Our mains then took another 40 mins (1hr20 wait in total) and although my roast chicken was ok (i.e. 5 out of 10), my partner's lamb and all of our vegetables were really disappointing - the veg were almost raw for example. To top it all off, my partner had asked for the ale gravy rather than mint gravy (due to not being able to eat mint) and his plate still came covered in mint gravy. By this point we were too fed up to ask for the food to be re-done and so we just ate the bits we could and paid the bill. Given that our waiter's response to us saying the food wasn't good at all was 'would you like to see the dessert menu?'. we had a quiet word with the Assistant Manager when leaving to make sure they can try to avoid other people having a similarly bad experience in future. While apologetic, we were simply offered a drink on the house, which doesn't quite cut it when you've paid close to £40 for 2 roasts that really disappointed. Hopefully our experience is not the usual one!

Most of the pub has a generic feel, but if you manage to bag one of the few balcony tables, you get a lovely view of the canal. Good selection of drinks and the menu looked appetising, but didn’t stay to eat, partly due to the noise level within the pub. Sound seems to bounce around inside.

I quite liked this place. The location wasn't too bad and I had a couple of nice glasses of wine. I wasn't particularly keen on the food I saw others ordering so I didn't bother myself. Given the location I had sort of expected something a little better. Still it is not a terrible place to pop into for a quick drink.

Helpful staff. Decent enough crowd. Amazing location.

The house wine is better than you'd expect, there's a great smoking area beside the canal. It's great in the summer.

I'm astonished that this got such a miserly rating!!

A group of 15 of us came here for Sunday lunch, it was recommended by the staff in more popular Sunday Lunch staple The Island Queen.
We were delighted with the food, generous roasts and awesome desserts with the incredibly accomodating service, the lovely stroll to get there, and the relaxed atmosphere.

I really recommend you go while it is relatively easy to get a table

15 of us, and not a single complaint or critism.

Good for a beer, but not great for anything else - food is on the whole pretty dull and served with contempt by mumbling disinterested waiting staff. Many many mistakes which, after a quiet word with the manager, remained exactly the same. Except that we were slightly more disappointed.

Having passed this place frequently while cycling along the towpath, I recently took a friend here for a birthday lunch. We were both waiting for bike repairs at Lock 7 on Broadway market (see later review) and asked one of the staff there for a recommendation. 'Try the Narrow Boat - just down the canal'.

'Just down' turned out to be a 25-minute walk which, when you're hungry and don't know quite where you're going, ain't good. But it was worth a bit of a schlepp, as the food was unexpectedly superb.

Arbroath smokie paté with toast to start, a huge lemon sole with new potatoes (black sauce - capers/butter etc), roast lamb with new potatoes. The sole was sublime - by coincidence I'd used the same recipe for skate some weeks ago, and it's definitely a winner.

Tempting to knock a star off for the sticky tables - the varnish is corrupting, degrading or some such and they've not put cloths over them. But I'm in a generous mood, so I'll let it slide.

I'd definitely recommend this place for a Sunday lunch on a summer's day. £55 for two included three courses each and a glass of wine. Pretty good value, and nice service

We wondered down a rather deserted looking road in Islington and stumbled upon the Narrow Boat. It looked deserted from the outside, but like some kind of porthole to the Sunday Roast land we found, upon entry, that in fact is was vibrant and packed.
Seated downstairs by the canal added to the lazy atmosphere, and with four kinds of roasts, all large and inviting I feel that we hit on a winner.
i can recommend the the lamb and a side of patience, as all the staff seemed content to look busy and not make too much eye contact, but all int all it was a great slow way to spend 3 hours of a an even slower weekend.

Not the best food in the area but its friendly staff and amazing location make up for it. Went here for Sunday roast, the menu is quite limited (5 mains and 5 starters, just one vegetarian option) and around 15 pounds per head, but really enjoyed it. Got a table in the corner, cozy sofas overlooking the canal, perfect for a lazy sunday. 3 stars and 1 more for doing their best in accommodating our food allergies (dairy / wheat)

This is a pleasant, if slightly gastroesque pub on the canal near Islington. It can even be accessed from the canal and has a few benches outside (no glasses) for the nicer weather (not for a while then eh?). The layout is narrow, as you might have guessed (but is on 2 floors).

They served 4 real ales I think…a couple from the Fullers range as I recall. The staff were friendly enough, clearing away all the food stuff so that we could sit and drink in a pub…as God intended.

Not my favourite pub in the area by a long chalk, but I will be back in summer!

Cute pub on the Regents Canal near Angel. Good spot to enjoy a beer outside on the terrace if the sun is shining. People actually seems to sit out there no matter what the weather is like.
Unfortunately their food is quite boring and a little expensive too. I had a risotto with no flavour at all. Not even salt. And my partner had a strange sandwich - and not strange in any good way. Their coffee (latte) was not very good either - it was more like warm milk with a little coffee taste.
So stick with the alcohol and it is a great place.

Wonderful, canal side cosy pub.

Having enjoyed a brisk winter walk (in the sunshine) along the canal heading towards Angel, this was the perfect watering hole.

The Narrow Boat serves Harvey’s Ale, alongside the usual lagers and a decent looking wine list. Suitable for groups and lone drinkers alike. We enjoyed our beer overlooking the canal on one of the small terraces and as soon as it was too cold to stand, we moved inside to thaw-out in front of the rawing open fire.

They serve food, though we didn’t eat (this time), I’m looking forward to the next visit.

The Narrowboat is in a fantastic location on Regent’s Canal. You can either walk down to it from Islington or up from Old Street.

It’s quite a small pub, but there’s enough room to pull up a seat and have a drink. I’ve been to a few parties and work dos here too. They also do food, and there are tables on two levels.

If you’re passing on a summer’s day and have a thirst, it’s nice to take your drink down to the towpath and sit on the seats overlooking the water.

I have fond memories of sitting down there one balmy summer’s evening with a pint from the Narrowboat and watching a fantastic moonrise in a lilac sky over the water. bliss.

Used to go here quite often when I worked in the area. Think it used to be a bit of an old man’s pub before it was refurbished. Now, it’s not quite a gastropub but it’s a decent place to come for a few drinks and some food in a nice setting on the Regent’s canal. Great for a stop by if you’re walking along the canal. There is a nice buzzy atmosphere at lunchtimes but it’s not too busy so that you can’t get a table. There is an upstairs and a downstairs. I have always had lovely food here and it is quite reasonably priced.