+44 20 7405 1992+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Mon
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tue
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wed
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thu
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Fri
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sat
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
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.
Ratings and reviews
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, British, Bar, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Special occasions, Large groups, Bar scene, Business meetings
Is this location primarily known for Bars & Pubs?
Details
About
The Ship Tavern is a classic British tavern with first floor dining room situated on the edge of the tranquil Lincoln's Inn Fields. The Ship is steeped in history, and has been part of the Holborn scene since 1549. Offering great British pub classics paired with quaffable real ales and a wide variety of gins as well as daily specials from market suppliers. With its mahogany walls draped in candlelight and a flickering open fireplace the tranquil first-floor dining room oozes Dickensian warmth and charm.
CUISINES
Bar, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Jazz Bar, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
1,088 reviews
Excellent
607
Very good
356
Average
67
Poor
22
Terrible
36
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Emily Mirjam
59 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
Cute little place - they make a very good Gin&Tonic. When my friend asked for a Tequila-based drink the bar staff sort of freaked out but sorted it beautifully with a lovely Tequila Sunrise. The place was also packed on a Tuesday. I'd love to visit again.
Written March 12, 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.
The Ship Tavern
Thanks EmilyMirjam .
See you Soon
Ship Team
Written May 2, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ale
Province of Avellino9 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
As soon as you enter the little street that leads to the pub, you feel transported to another era. The Ship Tavern has been open since 1549, and is ranked in the top 5 oldest pubs in London. The place is super characteristic, full of history and charm (the bill is brought to the table inside a book that made the history of English literature, I loved the detail). The cuisine is truly delicious. We had dinner here on Sunday, taking advantage of the Sunday Roast (a typical London Sunday dish, but we also enjoyed some excellent fish & chips. We had water to drink. The price is in line with London pubs (ÂŁ57)
A truly unique experience.
Written March 24, 2024
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.
The Ship Tavern
Thank you so much for your Review ,we are so pleased you enjoyed your vist , hope to see you again.
Written March 26, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Teacher91 ❤
Temple49425 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
I knew I only had one chance to have a traditional Sunday Roast in London, so I did my research and chose carefully.
The Ship Tavern delivered on every level. The food, ambiance, history, and location really ticked all my boxes.
Our party of three, all decided on the beef option. Included with the perfectly cooked, medium rare meat, was a Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, a medley of root vegetables, gravy, and horseradish sauce.
We were all so full when we finished, we almost skipped dessert. Thank goodness we did not give into that foolish urge.
The Kraken Rum sticky toffee pudding, topped with a little clotted cream, was amazingly delicious, and worth every calorie.
10/10
Written November 11, 2024
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.
Oliver P
London9 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
This place is excellent and a special thanks to Gin, who helped rescue our evening. Our group had planned to watch England v Germany at another pub but turned out they had double our table booked leaving us out on the street a few mins before kick off! Gin and team made a real effort to squeeze another table into a fully booked pub, so that we could enjoy the game - what a hero - amazing service. Apart from anything else this is a charming pub with friendly staff, not many left in London like it, (this coming from a Londoner!)
We’ve already booked to come back for the next match!
Written July 1, 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.
Jerry
21 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
We came here for Sunday Roast. It was delicious! Welsh rarebit was a treat you don't see on many menus. It was all good. My wife had the beef and it was good, but I thought the roast pork belly was really good (and enough for a sandwich later). The pub was close to our hotel and the Tube station so we were back later in the week for drinks and it was packed. This is what I expected/hoped a London pub would be like.
Written April 20, 2024
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.
fairlysane
7 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
Tourists wanting traditional Sunday roast, but we don't eat meat. The Ship Tavern was perfect- Vegetarian Wellington, cozy dining upstairs, great service. Bonus that my ancestors had lived couple streets over. This was in 2018, but I was reminiscing and wanted to share the experience.
Written March 19, 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.
Alex P
3 contributions
Aug 2022 • solo
I visited here 4 times over the course of my week visit. 2 for drinks downstairs and 2 upstairs for dinner. The bar was nice. Decent selection of beers. I went to dining area both times towards closing and was welcomed, which is more than I can say about other pubs nearby. Diana and Federica were superb servers. They were helpful with menu, prompt with service, and enjoyable to carry on conversations with. The food was exceptional. I would highly recommend this hidden gem near Holborn Station.
Written August 30, 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.
Paul O
Reading1 contribution
Oct 2023 • solo
I have over the years always gone to this pub for a drink when I am.in London. The last two weeks I have visited twice. I wish I had asked the Lovely Ladies there names who were working and gave the Pub Lovely warm feeling as though you were so welcome. I will describe you both as you were working together. One young Lady had a very short short haircut and the other Longer dark with Gold Highlights. Thank you both. was the chap who asked for an Amstel that was off and had the Heineken instead. Thank You.x
Written October 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.
The Ship Tavern
Thanks Paulo , hope to see you agin soon.
Written December 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DWL
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
Made a reservation two months in advance on their website for a team coming from Asia for a nice team dinner. Arrived to check the reservation. The "manager" claimed no reservation in the system. That the room was closed. I showed written confirmation sent from the restaurant directly. He replied rudely and made no effort to honour the reservation. He was simply a jerk the entire time. If he represents this place it is an establishment with no class and no integrity. All-in-all, it was a fine welcome to London for a group of first timers that I was trying to impress. Luckily, we met with a better type of people in the pub down the road. They went out of their way to accommodate a walk in group even though they were equally busy. Whoever owns this place should do their best to get rid of that manager. He only brings you down to a level no restaurant would want to be.
Written July 12, 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.
Chris
Hertfordshire3 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
The pub is sticky everywhere. They're overcharging for drinks and food. The Barmaids that were on duty weren't properly trained. You'd think a vodka and tonic wouldn't be hard to make, but it was a real chore.
They need to clean their act up . . .
and the pub !
Written February 12, 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.
militarybratSG
30 contributions
May 2024 • friends
The tavern looks like a fine place and seems like it has good history but the management is absolutely the rudest I have experienced. We had planned a special night with visiting friends. We made a reservation on the website that we had proof of in an email response from the restaurant. We arrived on time (5min early actually). When we greeted the hostess, she said there was no reservation in system. When we asked for the manager, he told us we had missed our reservation. We pointed to the time showing we were in fact early. It became clear during the course of the conversation that they had given our table to someone else and did not want to admit it. When we asked them to honour or our reservation, the manager told us to bugger off. When the hostess finally tried to come to our aid, be helpful, and offer an alternative, the manager growled at her to shut up. This restaurant management is very dishonest. This experience ruined what could have been a special night.
Written July 12, 2024
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.
The Ship Tavern
Hi Traveller03996218002, Thanks for your feedback .
I am very concerned by your feedback could you please email directly on info@theshiptavern.co.uk giving me more details then i can reply personally to your complaints, as this is a very rare occurence that we have poor feedback such as yours and I want to Investigate further and get to the bottom of this umprecebdent situation .
Thanks John GM
Written July 16, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tartanjohn
Olney405 contributions
May 2022 • friends
Group of us meet up monthly to reminisce and put the world to rights. The ship is on our visit list and not without good reason.
A great selection of real ales and spirits keeps our voices in fine fettle encouraging us to sort out societies problems and its proximity to some decent Asian restaurants just makes our day.
A real Victorian pub, off the beaten track this pub has a wonderful atmosphere and good staff who make you very welcome.
Written May 14, 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.
nannymac
Leeds59 contributions
Jun 2023 • couples
First place we were recommended for food when we arrived in London for the first time. We loved it very knowledgeable bar staff recommended our wine. Amazing food, home cooked and fabulous. Such a historic building- google it its very interesting
Written June 20, 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.
The Ship Tavern
Hi Voyager,
Thank you for taking the time to rate the ship tavern and its hard working team an amazing 5*, we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Ship Team:)
Written December 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
1981Nina1981
Buntingford160 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
Lovely selection of ales. Lovely staff. Nice cosy venue and not busy at all. Very welcoming. For a drink, a great little place.
We did have lunch, this was very average. Extra salty chicken wings and a very beige ploughman's which was missing the apple. Wouldnt go here just for the food, but definitely worth a trip for a drink.
Nice place. I'd go back.
Written February 18, 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.
Amy F
North Little Rock5 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
We loved this place so much, we went twice during our week stay in London! It is a casual pub downstairs with The Oak Room above for a lovely dining experience. The staff and manager were all kind and gracious when we showed up with no reservations and they worked us in quickly. The food was amazing!! Don’t miss the Sunday Roast if you can, and the Fish and Chips and Pot Pie were delicious as well. My favorite was the Sticky Toffee Pudding, so save room for dessert!
Written November 19, 2024
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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