The Anchor & Hope

"Anchor & Hope is not only the name of our eventual sailor rom-com, but it’s also a cosy boozer in Southwark that serves some pretty amazing Mediterranean meets British food. From the outdoor picnic tables to the smoky dim lighting, this place feels like your quintessential British pub, plus a weekly changing menu of things like three cheese and hazelnut soufflé, crab beurre blanc, and chopped octopus salad. Once you’re sufficiently full and buzzed, go for a stroll along the South Bank and reminisce over how good that baked poppyseed cheesecake was. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, sinead cranna

"The Anchor & Hope works well for giving out-of-towners the full British pub experience, but also if you want to kill time before catching a show at the Old or Young Vic theatres. Cosy, with dim lighting and a brilliant menu, it’s the kind of place you can happily while away a few hours over a couple of pints and some Mediterranean-leaning food. Things like Venetian-style cuttlefish, luscious asparagus risotto, and a hunking seven-hour lamb shoulder all feature and it works just as well for a couple of pints as it does for a casual meal of great gastropub cooking." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley, sinead cranna

"Nothing says getting to know London like a trip around the Eye, a quick tag in the legal graffiti tunnel, before a crisp, refreshing pint at BrewDog Waterloo—an unofficial adult holding pen with its own egregious slide. If that doesn’t appeal, then maybe something a little more neighbourhood-feeling will. Part genuinely gorgeous pub, part consistently excellent Mediterranean restaurant, The Anchor & Hope is a stalwart that’s part of the same family as the Canton Arms and The Clarence Tavern. Simply put, these are nice places for everyone. The Anchor & Hope opened in 2003 and, on a warm day, when London regains its serotonin and cackles can be heard from streets away, there are few better places to eat outside. Benches line this corner of The Cut and glasses of sauvignon blanc are paired with plates of parfait. Nothing about The Anchor & Hope’s menu is especially complex, but everything is gratifyingly delicious: three cheese soufflé, pink beef rump and chips, and sweet San Marzano tomatoes on toast. It’s food to celebrate on a summer’s day or a candlelit winter’s eve and, as far as truly London experiences go around Waterloo, it’s pretty much perfect. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch" - Jake Missing

"A proper British pub nourishing tourists and locals for over 20 years, offering dishes like fish stew and roast beef." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team

"The Anchor & Hope is the perfect date spot for anyone who’s ever said ‘love is dead’, while also secretly having photos of George and Amal Clooney’s wedding on their phone. This Southwark pub isn’t the kind of place that screams romance. It sort of whispers it instead. Sure, most of the walls are painted red and there’s foie gras on the menu but it’s also very casual. Like you. Grab a pint or one of their classic cocktails and sit at the bar. Then, if by some small miracle you don’t despise them, move to one of the outdoor tables and share one of the many bottles of wine. And, should you actually like them, go for a romantic walk along the river to end the night." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, sinead cranna