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The Astronomer, EC1
Review
About
If City of London pubs can sometimes be soulless and cold, The Astronomer provides the antidote. it's everything you could wish for in a pub.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Digital Payments
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Mastercard
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Visa
Wine and Beer
Location
Spitalfields
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Contribute
3.9
214 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
102
Average
21
Poor
11
Terrible
16
Trevor
London74 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
Have been to this pub a few times before, located very close to Liverpool Street. One of the few pubs I've found where you can book a table in advance which means I know I'll be able to sit down.
Upstairs is always *very* noisy, and especially that close to Christmas, you had to shout to be heard.
Fortunately, we had a table downstairs which is more for seated dining. Mostly set up for Christmas dinner parties, but we had a booth and it was much quieter. Downstairs is table service and yes, it was busy down there, and it was a bit difficult to get the waiters attention for more drinks but they were very friendly.
The food came out quickly after we'd ordered it and it was a huge disappointment.
We went for a selection of small plates for variety, but "small" is an understatement. I don't expect food to be cheap, but my goodness, the portions were tiny.
Two chicken skewers, each about the size of a sharpie pen were £8. What probably amounted to one mouthful of "ribs", £9. It all looked overcooked and the onion rings (which were the only decent sized portion) were tasteless. This part of the menu needs an overhaul and some TLC.
If I came back again. I would order from the main menu in the hope of something more appetising.
Overall, pub is find if you can get seated downstairs or during a less busy time.
Written December 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.
Cailise H
Brentwood9 contributions
Apr 2023 • family
We booked for dinner, our table was downstairs in a dimly lit room. The service was pretty sporadic, the food beyond basic and bland. All in all, it felt like a Wetherspoons just massively overpriced, the food was very subpar, including the pies they pride themselves on, they weren’t even filled properly. Time for a new and reasonably priced menu I reckon. All the best
Written April 14, 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.
Helen D
Hoddesdon58 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
I booked a table, very nice it was too. Plenty of staff around so no delay in getting served.
Shame on Fullers for asking up to £9 for a glass of wine and they can't be bothered to tell you anything about that wine on the wine list, not even what country its from.
It mentions the staff can help with information, what a daft thing to say, they are busy and i wanted to read and decide myself and not make a quick decision at the bar.
Written September 6, 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.
Michael P
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • couples
Where do I start……we were very much looking forward to a lovely Sunday roast, we were told there where not many bookings and to sit anywhere which was red flag no.1, when the food came it looked so unappetising my partner didn’t even touch it, every thing looked old under cooked or overcooked…so that’s red flag no. 2 my beef was supposed to be served pink but came out like a sole of a shoe and absorbed the little gravy that it came with like a thirsty horse. So that’s red flag no.3 Theu did t ask us why we hadn’t eat any of our food, didn’t take any thing off the bill so we boxed it up and gave it to a homeless man. Side note we went to the Lightbar just down the road and we ordered pretty the much the same food and drink and ii was not only was thousand times better service/food and atmosphere it was cheaper!
Written August 25, 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.
georgia c
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • family
Waste of time
Booked a table for a roast at 3:30 on a Sunday… I called ahead to ask if it was okay as wanted a roast.Asked the lady behind the bar if my table booking was successful and she was the rudest waitress , she huffed and puffed asking my name and booking. After walking round she rudely pointed and said “ yh fhats your table “ we were early and still waiting for others to arrive so had a drink at the bar. The Same lady comes over “ do you want your table or not“ it was still 20 mins before my booking but we went over
Following she comes over and said if we were having food, they have no roasts despite me specifically asking before, she didn’t know why or when they ran out or apologised just stormed off
We all had a pie which was actually okay but they do not tell you when the kitchen closes either and we wanted a dessert but were too late at 5ish on a Sunday ..
Other staff seemed lovely shame about the poor service from one person ruining a whole day. Also very expensive £18 for a small pie and scoop of mash and some cold veg
Written October 15, 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.
Steve
Croydon37 contributions
Feb 2025 • friends
Joined a few friends at the Astronomer for lunch, not our first time. There’s plenty of choice in the area but this pub is special, amazing choice of well cooked food for every taste. A big shoutout to the manager Lorenzo and his team, he’s the perfect host, always on hand with a smile on his face. Can’t wait for our next visit in the spring.
Written February 11, 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.
smith3149
Upminster16 contributions
May 2024 • family
Really enjoyed this place and was made to feel really welcome. Would highly recommend the expresso martinis - they are amongst the best I have ever had. I just wish they served more bar food / nibbles as they would have gone down well without buying a big meal.
Written May 14, 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.
ClockworkNellie
Essex799 contributions
May 2024 • business
Stopped here as two couples. The general ambience of the pub is similar to a Wetherspoons. So fairly basic and functional. Not your quaint pub. Thing that lets this place down is the slow service which was exacerbated by inattentive bar staff who didn’t seem to be either switched on or that interested in their job of giving people good service. There are many better pubs in the area.
Written May 8, 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.
Palais1968
Edgware171 contributions
Jan 2024 • friends
This Fullers pub has become a traditional annual meeting point for some school friends and I before going to a nearby curry house. It's only five minutes walk from Liverpool Street station too. With a well designed interior based on its namesake the amicable staff are upbeat and courteous. We have only ever had drinks in there so cannot comment on food menu. A large selection of decent ales is available besides London Pride and major lagers / ciders.
Written January 6, 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.
G777
Hoddesdon25 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Looked inviting from the outside and inside was comfortable, from the prices on the menu we was looking forward to a good meal. Firstly we received a flat coke, we was offered an alternative which we was happy to accept but the state of the chicken schnitzel was not acceptable, I wouldn’t of fed it to my dog! It very obvious wasn’t fresh, had been reheated and was so tough we couldn’t even cut through it. You now have to pay upfront via the app when you order, so we didn’t even have the option to refuse to pay for it and when mentioned it to a staff member there was no offer of a refund or replacement/alternative.
Written November 1, 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.
Indra_TheAstronomer
Good morning,
Thank you for your review - any feedback is always appreciated.
I am sorry for the quality of the Schnitzel you have received. At the moment it is one of our most popular dishes and it is a shame to hear it wasn`t up to scratch.
I came to your table myself, offering to take your order, but was told that you were happy ordering online. When ordering online you do unfortunately have to pay in advance.
We did offer alternative dishes and I am truly sorry if we didn`t handle your complaint well.
Hopefully we can rectify this for you in the future and provide food at the standard we normally strive for.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Best wishes,
Indra
Written November 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dotty406
Enfield5 contributions
Dec 2023 • friends
Popped in to this pub for some food. Decided on the small plate/starter option which I know the clue is in the name but have to say the chicken satay skewer option was a bit of a disappointment. Two tiny sticks with minimal chicken on them. Felt this wasn't value for money for nearly £9., 🙁🙁. My friend had the pastrami option this was much better value.
Written December 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.
E H
1 contribution
May 2023 • friends
Upsetting experience last night with the door man asking to see ID for our 39 year old friend who was in drag. He was aggressive and asked her to step out of the pub on her own. We left. I would not recommend this pub to our queer friends as is was hostile and unwelcoming. The manager was unhelpful and took a very long time to refund our untouched drinks.
Written May 5, 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.
Eyekaytoo
Leverkusen3204 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
It being a Friday evening I guess that we were on a hiding to nothing to try to find a quiet pub in this part of town (Bishopsgate). Eventually we stumbled on "The Astronomer" and, even though they were doing a roaring trade, we found a large circular table at which two mature ladies were sitting and were happy to share. No hint of a conversation though - oh well.
Anyway, I started out on the Fullers ESB (Extra Special Bitter) beer whilst my drinking companion stuck to large glasses of dry white wine. Eventually the lovely ladies left us having successfully and studiously ignoring us all evening. Having satisfied our collective thirsts we got hungry and I had to try out the "Traditional East End meat, posh mushy peas & pie liquor". In my haste I forgot the vinegar to "to get the real authentic London taste". But who cares. I was hungry and the pie was delicious. The way that my friend wolfed down his "Fuller's Frontier battered haddock & triple cooked chips, crushed peas, tartar sauce, lemon" gave me the distinct impression that he was happy as well.
Anyway the noise levels here were compatible with our needs to be able to talk without shouting and the service at the bar was exemplary. I got to sample a number of the beers on tap before deciding to stick to the ESB... And by the end of the evening the crowds had all drifted away - either to the clubs, or more likely home.
Written February 11, 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.
Indra_TheAstronomer
Hello,
Thank you so much for such a brilliant review! It as made our day.
Our chefs will be very happy to know you liked our great East End Pie and our amazing Frontier Fish & Chips. We do take pride in our Cask and Keg premium beers and we are glad you liked our ESB, it is a great bitter indeed.
We hope to see you again soon, hopefully you'll find a more chatty table to make the atmosphere even better.
Our best wishes to you,
The Astronomer Team
Written February 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CG1988
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • none
Went for a cheeky lunchtime bev and a bit of grub! Menu is massively deceiving, it looks decent and lures you in with lots of tasty looking options and seemed like good value.
I went for the 4 plates for £18 deal and my word, I felt like I had been robbed. The peanut bang bang chicken was like some dry sliced packet chicken from tesco, the wings tasted like they had been cooked a week ago, the scotch egg was over cooked and drier than the desert and the bbq brisket tacos had some tangy after taste that I likened to a sweaty shoe.
The service was utterly pathetic as well which didn't help my mood.
Guys seriously, there are sooooo many decent lunch options in the area!
AVOID THE ASTRONOMER AT ALL COSTS!!!
Written February 21, 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.
John Speller
Dagenham809 contributions
Feb 2022 • friends
I went here for a lunchtime drink with a friend. It was reasonably busy. There is a good selection of ales. You get a free pint if you order a pie meal, although it is probably factored into the price. The pie was delicious. The staff are friendly. The toilet is a bit of a trek, down steep stairs. A nice traditional boozer.
Written February 28, 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.
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