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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Shaws Booksellers, EC4
Review
About
A great pub near St Paul's Cathedral, Shaws Booksellers combines the understated charm of a trusted local with a thriving City centre location.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Digital Payments
Discover
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Mastercard
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Visa
Wine and Beer
Location
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 12:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Contribute
4.0
109 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
44
Average
17
Poor
3
Terrible
5
Valentina V
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • friends
I have a lot of allergies and they made extra sure that my food was safe. That level of care is so rare and I appreciated it so much! The food was delicious, too. And while we were in the restaurant, we got to see the wonderfully talented bartender draw St. Paul’s Cathedral in chalk on the specials board. Highly recommend this place - great energy, lovely people, tasty food, amazing service.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne
21 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
During a recent trip to London, we visited twice, once just for drinks. We ended up being the last customers (at 9 pm!) but were encouraged to stay - no sudden calling of Last Orders! We'd enjoyed it, so went again, this time for a meal. Both times, we were served by Marubia, and her manner and attitude added to our enjoyment of the evening. Both of us enjoyed the food, and the prices were good value compared to other places we saw. Would definitely go again.
Written September 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jannerbloke
Plymouth13555 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
After being almost driven out from the adjacent pub just down the street, we came I; here for several pints and some food. Very welcoming to a corner table. Started with an excellent IPA with the hummus and the crispy Norfolk chicken wings. Followed with three or four more pints. Staff and neighbouring drinkers could not have been more affable and helpful. Really liked the ales too. Three hours later, the place still buzzing with post work drinkers and passers by. If down this way wouldn’t hesitate to come in again.
Written September 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aferry
New Orleans235 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
Shaws Booksellers… I won’t even try to explain the name, but I enjoyed this pub without a bookmark, but with a fork and knife on a pork chop special with a Meantime Ale.
The service was good, not great, but very friendly. The food and drink were very good. Prices were standard London pub prices, so a bit high. The décor is classic British pub, though brightly lit at noon, with a curious iron beam overhead. Interesting.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy W
41 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
What a wonderful little place. We had passed this place before, it had always been very busy so never got the chance to get in, but post COVID we got a table no problems and enjoyed a few drinks and some very good food, do they the triple cooked chips! Lovely staff, Amia (hope we spelt that correctly) was wonderful, and spent a little time to talk with us when she could. If you get chance do visit, it's well worth it.
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris R
Belfast66 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
My wife and I ate here while staying close by at Wardrobe Place. Like most pubs, it was noisy and very busy, so difficult to have a conversation.
The table we were given wasn’t the most desirable, but the food we had was very good, service friendly and prompt. We enjoyed our meal.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simitomi
Budapest14 contributions
Jan 2025 • friends
It was just a quick beer before we we had a dinner close to this place. Lots of people, loud environment, but a nice and friendly feeling.
Written January 22, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad E
71 contributions
Apr 2023 • friends
Food was outstanding, including the fish and chips, which was a surprise. She busy day was wonderful as well. Service was a little slow, but the food was worth it.
Written April 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KSM
1 contribution
Nov 2019 • friends
Really weird experience, leading to two of us forking out ÂŁ40 for a lunch where we both left as hungry as we arrived.
The menu we were given was British “nose to tail” specialities. Ox cheek or liver seemed a bit heavy duty for lunch but we ordered ham hock and a turbot - the best options from a bad choice. We waited over 40 minutes (making us late back to the office) while other tables who arrived after us were served and left. We noticed they were eating such things as burgers or fish & chips that were not on our menu.
Eventually the food arrived. My £17 turbot was the size of my palm and disappeared in a few bites. The ham hock was incredibly salty. After a tasting, neither of us could eat it. Sides of chips were also liberally covered in salt. (A heavy handed chef - thanks, but I can salt my own food.) “Poisonous” was my comment to the server. She took one portion away and replaced it with unsalted chips. You might also ask why I had to order sides with a tiny lunchtime main that cost £17? I know I did.
After an hour our bill had no adjustments for the delay, or uneaten ham hock nor did we receive any decent apology. We asked about the alternate menu and were eventually told - after an incomprehensible story about it being Tuesday - that it was on the blackboard. I looked and saw two blackboards - neither had a menu on it. We left with the bar staff seeming to look at us as if we were trouble makers, or weird for ordering from the offbeat menu. Is there a hidden code we were unaware off to get a quick, good value meal in here like most other customers were enjoying? I assume regulars know the trick but no danger of me becoming one on this showing.
I imagine I’ll be up tonight drinking water after the salt overload. A lunchtime meal to remember for all the wrong reasons.
Written November 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeoffWJohnson
London104 contributions
Sep 2019 • business
Never heard of the place before but what a surprise! Excellent friendly service, good food & just a good pub/restaurant atmosphere
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sidonie R
Thank you for the 5 star review. Really pleased that you enjoyed the atmosphere, service and the food. We hope that we are better than basic, but nonetheless, very happy that you are happy! Now that you know where we are, please do come and see us again.
Written October 18, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Catriona F
Guildford520 contributions
Feb 2019 • business
This is a pub but the biggest upside for me is that booking a table is super easy on-line and hence you can have your own table when you get there.
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray P
Ipswich892 contributions
Feb 2019 • business
Visited midweek after attending conference in nearby Grange St Paul's and enjoyed some good beer in spacious surroundings. The pub does not open weekends and offers food during the week. Short walk from St Paul's Cathedral this makes for an excellent venue if in the area and in need of re-fuelling.
Written February 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulkrisman
Radlett306 contributions
Feb 2019 • business
Thank you Shaw’s. First time, really impressed; great service; decent fare; lovely, bright space.
I’ll be back... wild horses wouldn’t keep me from the smoked haddock risotto - kudos to chef please.
Give it a go - it’s off the beat and track a little so worked out superbly for a lunch. Will swing by one evening sometime when need a crafty beer near Blackfriars and see what atmosphere an evening crowd brings.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
icaANON
London73 contributions
Nov 2018 • business
During a recent visit to the Mermaid conference centre, we ventured out for a quick lunch. Must admit this was one of the first places we stumbled across but we could tell immediately it was worth it! Apparently a book shop until 20 years ago, it still holds on to it’s past with quaint touches.
On arrival, friendly staff greeted us and arranged a table for 4 of us immediately in a busy lunchtime rush. I’m sure many places would have turned us away or made us wait but accommodating us was really made to feel like no trouble at all!
We were astounded by our servers ability to memorise our orders perfectly without a notepad! Even our individual requests, not on the menu.
It’s pub food, but it’s good pub food. Felt like a proper meal rather than the quick bite to eat we thought we’d be getting. Highlights were the sausage and chive mash!
More suitable for veggies than vegans but still possible to pull a meal together from chips and side salad on the menu. Hit the spot!
Written November 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
louis c
8 contributions
Nov 2018 • friends
Had the haddock and chips, which was perfect along with a pint of lancer. Absolutely perfect, great staff, lovely little boozer plus easy to get everywhere after.
Written November 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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