The Lamb & Flag

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#783 of 21,658 Restaurants in London$$ - $$$, Bar, British, Vegetarian friendly

+44 20 7497 9504+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 PM - 10:30 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

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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

4.5

1,282 reviews

#783 of 21,658 Restaurants in London

Travelers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

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PRICE RANGE

$8.00 – $24.00

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

meals, features

Location and contact

33 Rose Street Covent Garden, London WC2E 9EB England

Covent Garden

+44 20 7497 9504

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Details

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About

A historic pub in London's vibrant Covent Garden The Lamb & Flag was a favourite watering hole of Charles Dickens.

PRICE RANGE

$8.00 – $24.00

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

1,282 reviews

Excellent

661

Very good

443

Average

105

Poor

Terrible

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Niklas W

Östersund340 contributions

Perhaps London's most genuine pub

Dec 2024 • friends

If you only have time to visit one pub during your stay in London, let it be Lamb and Flag. This historic gem in the heart of Covent Garden offers not only an authentic atmosphere but also a taste experience that stays long after the last bite. Environment and atmosphere Lamb and Flag breathes history and tradition, with its wood panelling, cosy corners and a charm that feels both timeless and genuinely British. It's the kind of pub where you can imagine literary giants like Charles Dickens sitting and writing. The friendly staff and the lively yet relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect stop for locals and tourists alike. Maten We tried the classic Beer Battered Haddock & Chips, and it was undoubtedly one of the best we tasted. The crispy, golden fry perfectly wrapped the fish, and the thick, crispy fries were a dream in themselves. For dessert, we couldn't resist two of the pub's favorites: Sticky Toffee Pudding and Warm Chocolate Brownie. Sticky Toffee Pudding was a pure treat – moderately sweet, sticky and served with a silky sauce. The brownie was warm, rich and chocolatey, the perfect ending to a perfect meal. Summary Lamb and Flag is more than just a pub – it’s an experience. Here London’s history, charm and authentic food culture meet in a lovely symphony. If you're looking for a pub that truly represents the best of London, this is where to go. We can't think of a better place to spend an evening!

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Written December 3, 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.

Patrick Linn

Thank you so much for your wonderful and charming words, we are really blown away by your kindness. We are always striving to be the best that we can be and getting great responses like this make it all worth while. We do sincerely hope that you find the time to join us again in the future. Best regards Patrick L GM

Written December 17, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

writer48

Punta Gorda211 contributions

Wonderful and unexpected

Oct 2024 • couples

Wonderful and unexpected. We managed to escape the crush of tourists around Coven Gardens and found this place tucked away in an (almost) alley. It was crowded, and everything in London was crowded, but we asked for the dining room and were directed upstairs. It is clearly from an earlier century but well preserved and presented a great atmosphere. It was also not crowded up there, had a full bar, and we had an extraordinary meal. We would go out of our way to return here one day and we recommend it highly for others interested in excellent food and a wonderful atmosphere.

Written November 27, 2024

Patrick Linn

Hi There thank you so much for leaving such a fabulous review, it is always lovely to hear that people have discovered us and especially the dining room which despite being very busy is always welcoming and cosy. Kind Regards Patrick L GM

Written December 2, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Owen D

6 contributions

A must go to

May 2024 • couples

Where do I even start with this amazing pub. Me and my partner came across the old pub whilst on a walk out of our hotel. It is tucked away a bit so don’t miss it. We went upstairs for dinner and had the most amazing classic pie with the creamiest mash potato. It was so good, we ended up returning the following night after searching for another pub and were more than pleased yet again. Staff were very welcoming and accommodating for us during a busy time and we waited less than 10 minutes for quality food. If your staying in London, this is the only must visit pub I can think of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Written May 30, 2024

Patrick Linn

Hi Owen your words are much appreciated, it is always amazing to hear such great compliments and thank you for joining us twice during your stay in London, considering how much choice there is in Covent garden alone makes us truly proud that you decided to join us again for dinner. I will pass on your compliments to the team. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. Kind regards Patrick L GM

Written May 31, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

teacherandteacher

Montreal42 contributions

Overpriced and Overrated

Jul 2023 • family

I have no idea what happened on our visit, but honestly the service was terrible, and the food was terribly over priced for what we received. We firstly asked about the kids menu (we chose this location because they had one on their website), the waiter said "oh I'm not too sure, but I know there's a burger" the online menu said it came with a choice of sides, he said he knew nothing about that. We ordered a plain kids burger which was presented with some kind of spicy mayonnaise on it. They did replace this, but it meant one of our kids didn't eat until everyone else has finished. The kids meals were just a burger and a portion of chips. They did get a juice included. I ordered a regular burger which was £17, and it looked the same as the kids burger and had a pathetic portion of chips with it. It was also full of gristle. We were pretty much ignored by the waiter, and in the end a new person waited our table. We left feeling this was overpriced and not representative of the reviews which we had seen.

Written July 10, 2023

Patrick Linn

Thank you for taking the time to reach out and highlighting our shortcomings, we got it badly wrong and as I have stated in my other reply on another site I can only apologise for the poor service and for the confusion around the kids menu. Regards Patrick L GM

Written July 16, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

GlobeTrotting713952

Las Vegas4 contributions

The Restaurant Ran Out of Meat

Oct 2023 • couples

We had reservations on a Sunday for 5:30 pm and they ran out of meat. We received the last pork roast dinners (which was very disappointing) because there was no other option. The reason I made reservations was so I could be assured to get a meal of my choice. Additionally this restaurant automatically charges you 10 pounds if you miss your scheduled reservation. It seems to me that if you charge for no-shows, you should give a credit to those who do show up and the restaurant is unable to fill your order.

Written October 22, 2023

Patrick Linn

Hi there I am really sorry that when you arrived it was at the end of one our busiest ever Sundays, this menu is only available on one day of the week, whilst we try to ensure that we have enough to last until 5.30pm which is our last service slot of the day we were inundated with dining walk ins in the bar downstairs which used up a larger than normal proportion of the stock. In regards to the £5 per person request to secure a booking on the weekends this is in response to the huge amount of no shows made when people blanket book multiple venues and take up slots that were ultimately not honoured, people who genuinely miss a slot are rarely charged. Thank you for giving us a positive score for the atmosphere and please accept my sincerest apologies fore running out of some dishes when you visited and apologies for my late reply, I have been on vacation. If you are still in London pop in and I will buy you a beer by way of an apology. Best Regards Patrick L GM

Written November 9, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

paul h

1 contribution

Below average food - TV dinner/Ready meals 5 times better.

Oct 2024 • friends

I havent been to the Lamb and Flag for ages... used to be an afterwork favoutite.... and I would still recommend it as a drinking pub. Sadly I booked a table of four for Sunday roast...and I cannot recomend. Have you have ever bought one of those Iceland Roast ready meals for under £3, well Icelands are 5 times better. The portion I got was smaller than a kids portion (we mentioned this and they did come out with more beef to their credit, it was served on a side plate and looked just like two trainer inner soles). Our bill was £170 for four below average roasts and two bottles of Merlot. I regretted not booking Gouchos, 2 mins away and it would have been 10x better and the same price. We had wanted a pub atmosphere but but but but but.......lesson learnt.. it is now just a tourist pub. Surely the Lamb and Flag can do better, even it is for tourists!

Written October 20, 2024

Patrick Linn

Dear Paul thank you for your review, I am very sorry that you had a poor experience yesterday, I have sent you an email directly. I have launched a review into your issues and look forward to hearing back from you. I can assure you that we take all complaints seriously and we always strive to do better when we drop the ball. Thank you for being fair and even handed when mentioning the pub as a whole. Kind Regards Patrick L GM

Written October 21, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elliott P

Skokie598 contributions

Fun, lively English pub in the heart of Covent Garden

Jun 2024 • family

If you’re looking for a restaurant with fun and lively atmosphere, the Lamb and Flag is your best choice. Surrounded by beer-drinking revealers of the Covent Garden neighborhood, this pub is a hot spot for weekend celebrations. I came here for dinner during my first day visiting London. Recognizing me as a newcomer, my waitress was very helpful in recommending the best dishes and drinks on the menu. (Word to the wise: “lemonade” in England really signifies lemon-lime soda like Sprite.) I started with some crayfish cocktail cups as an appetizer. They came served cold on lettuce leaves with crunchy slices of apple and mayonnaise-drenched mini crayfish. It was a lovely, light and refreshing appetizer. I also enjoyed the slow cooked cheddar nuggets, which were not overly cheesy. I would describe them as crispy, fried meat pies. All the food here is extra enjoyable because of the jubilant atmosphere and historic dining room. It’s worth noting that this is one of the oldest pubs in the country; Charles Dickens once ate here. For my entree, I tried the salmon. It came dressed in a light balsamic drizzle, roasted peas, quartered fingerling potatoes and crumbled feta. The fillet itself was moist and flakey, not the least bit dry or overcooked. It was prepared expertly and I loved every bite. Because of the great food and good vibes, I would recommend the Lamb and Flag to London visitors in a heartbeat

Written June 9, 2024

Patrick Linn

Hi elliotp297 thank you for joining us and for taking the time to leave such a lovely and warm review, you had some of our wonderful new menu dishes that we are particularly proud of. We try very hard to make the atmosphere warm and friendly, our waiters are encouraged to be natural and to enjoy interacting with our guests. I will pass on this great review with the guys. Thank you for your wholehearted recommendation. Best regards Patrick L GM

Written June 13, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Simbet

Minneapolis1364 contributions

Great place for drinks and ambiance

Oct 2023 • couples

We went to The Lamb & Flag on our first day in London. We walked in at around 3:30 in the afternoon for a trying-to-stay-awake early dinner, which was terrific as there were very few people upstairs in the restaurant. Our ciders and wine were very good, and our server was friendly. We’ve had better pub food (so so fish and chips, pretty good burger, salad covered in dressing, okay sticky toffee pudding), and so we’d probably not eat here again. (As a side note, we discovered that in London, battered fish is usually made with the skin on the fish, which is common in the southern part of England; it is definitely “skin off” in the northern part of the UK. And the virtues of either is a subject of much debate!) However, the history and ambiance of The Lamb & Flag is really cool, and we’d definitely recommend it to hang out and have drinks.

Written November 23, 2023

Patrick Linn

Hi Simbet thank you for your kind comments about your time spent with us, I am sorry that the food did not quite hit the mark but I am pleased that you liked the atmosphere and service, thank you for recommending us and hope to see you again very soon. Best regards Patrick

Written November 25, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kathryn W

Birmingham237 contributions

Nice location/surroundings, I didn't enjoy my meal

Sep 2024 • friends

Really interesting building, quirky and a great spot for a drink, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for food but that could be because I chose badly. I just didn't enjoy it. Their specialty is lamb sausages. The issue is they come with chilli sweet potato mash and it just wasn't very nice. And there wasn't much of it if I had liked it! £20, 3 sausages, inedible mash and bit of watercress greenery. The lamb sausages might have been the specialty but I couldn't taste anything because of the burning chilli mash. I don't think it really represented value for money either.

Written September 15, 2024

Patrick Linn

Hi TourismProfessional I am really sorry that you did not enjoy your menu choice and felt it did not offer good value, the sausages are made specifically for us by our butcher, if the chilli mash was too spicy I am really sorry and will review the recipe with our head chef to check the spiciness level. Thank you for complimenting the pub and the pub atmosphere, it is much appreciated. I take all feedback and ensure you that we will look into your concerns about the dish you mentioned. I hope we have not lost you as a customer and look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Kind regards Patrick L GM

Written September 20, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Karen V

2 contributions

Great for Sunday Roast but best make a booking to avoid being disappointed !

Dec 2023 • couples

Sunday lunch at the Lamb and Flag was great we both had the roast beef with a side of pigs in blankets . Trifle and crumble for dessert. Food cooked beautifully and the staff are welcoming and chatty, wonderful historic surroundings which is a little oasis in the busy Covent Garden - also a great selection of fins to choose from

Written December 17, 2023

Patrick Linn

Hi Karen thank you so much for leaving such a lovely review, I will pass on to the team who are working incredibly hard to deliver great experiences even in this crazy busy period. We are very proud of our Sunday roasts as we know that this occasion holds a special place in their hearts. Hopefully you will find time to join us again in the future. Kindest regards and Merry Christmas Patrick L GM

Written December 18, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elizabeth S

18 contributions

Disappointing Sunday roast

Aug 2023 • family

We booked this pub because they had a homemade nut roast. What we didn’t realise was the whole roast was plant based so got a really weird vegan Yorkshire pudding and cauliflower cheese. The staff were very good and did replace them but it isn’t at all clear that the roast is plant based. I know you have PB next to it but it is not a common marking on a menu. VG would make it clearer and then vegetarians would have the option to ask for a proper Yorkshire pudding. I am slightly baffled as to why pubs have completely stopped offering vegetarian options and it’s either meat or vegan. Vegetarians generally just want no meat and not this plant based nonsense that vegans eat and who seem to be ruling restaurant menus these days.

Written August 8, 2023

Patrick Linn

Hi Elisabeth thank you for taking the time to offer your feedback and for complimenting the staff when they swapped out the plant based elements of your dish. I am sorry if you felt confused, there is a slight difference between plant based dishes and vegan dishes which is why you see PB on our menu description rather then VG, we do try to cater for all dietary types but can only put so many dishes on the freshly made Sunday menu, I am really sorry for any confusion caused but hope to see you again, if you do come just let us know you are not vegan and we will always happily swap the plant based Yorkshire and the plant based cauliflower cheese as we do this for many of our guests already most weeks. Best Regards Patrick L GM.

Written August 10, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kerry

Lincolnshire87 contributions

A hidden gem

Oct 2024 • family

Happened to be walking by after leaving the transport museum in Covent Garden, around lunchtime. We were informed that young children were not allowed in the downstairs bar but were allowed upstairs. Lovely old atmospheric pub. The oldest in London apparently. Delicious fish and chips for myself (adult portion) and a child portion for my son aged 8. My parter had a club sandwich, Delicious. Great portion size of fish and delicious crispy battered haddock. Staff were really friendly and chatty, so welcoming. A hidden gem on a side street in London near Covent garden. We will return

Written October 23, 2024

Patrick Linn

Hi Kerrysta glad you found us whilst wandering through Covent Garden and it was great to hear that you and your family found a spot upstairs (licensing restriction prevent us from allowing children to remain in the main bar area but we always try to accommodate in the dining room upstairs if possible). Thank you for the five star review and kind comments about the quality and hospitality. We look forward to you return. All the best Patrick L GM

Written October 29, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Steve Smith

Exmouth1 contribution

Lunch with friends from USA

Nov 2022 • friends

Overall we were disappointed with our visit to the L&F. The traditional British pub venue is fantastic and the beers perfect but the food and service fell short. I can’t fault the efforts of the one member of staff who served the dining room but she was overworked and service was slow. The menu is reassuringly compact, but when the “none left” items were revealed it became very limiting. Most of us had fish and chips; sadly the fish was over cooked and the peas dry (the chips were fine) and the chickpea salad was dry and unappetising. I suspect there would usually be more staff for a busy afternoon in the restaurant. If staff shortages are known perhaps filling every cover risks tarnishing your reputation. It’s a tricky balance to reach - today, unfortunately, it didn’t work. Stephen Smith 1330 table for 9 23 Nov 2022

Written November 23, 2022

Patrick L

Hi Stephen thank you for you feedback, please accept our apologies for not living up to your expectations, as you suspected we were short staffed on that shift due to being let down at very short notice. I will bring up the food quality issues you have raised with our head chef. As you have intimated it is a very tricky balance and sadly we appear to have not managed it on this occasion, for that I can only again apologise and assure that is not the norm. Regards Patrick L GM

Written November 30, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JoyaAnna

Boston33 contributions

Loved our dinner here!

Nov 2024 • friends

Loved our dinner here! This restaurant was recommended by our hotel concierge in Covent Garden and it did not disappoint. Traditional English food, Chicken pie was delicious, a tap Guinness and sticky toffee pudding was really good! Highly recommend.

Written November 14, 2024

Patrick Linn

Hi JoyaAnna please pass on my thanks to the concierge, they do a great job in our hotels and are a great source of insider knowledge. It was a pleasure having you join us and we sincerely hope that you find your way back to us very soon. I will pass on your compliments to the team. Patrick L GM

Written November 17, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

LSN73

London2 contributions

Pub not resto

Dec 2022 • friends

We had dinner upstairs. The room and ambience and serving staff are nice but the food was appalling. I’ve always had good food at Young’s pubs so can’t understand why it was just so bad. To be fair, I didn’t eat it and told them it was awful and they didn’t charge me for it. Fair play to them for that.

Written December 17, 2022

Patrick L

Can you contact me on lambandflag.manager@fullers.co.uk I am not sure if this was meant for us, we are a Fullers managed pub and not part of Youngs, that said if this was us may I express my apologies that you did not have a good experience, I have asked the team and nothing of this nature was brought to my attention over the last few days. we pride ourselves on the quality of our food and drinks so would like the opportunity to find out what happened and when so we can try to rectify this. Best regards Patrick L GM

Written December 18, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.