The Havelock Tavern

The advantage of this pub over some other local gastros (Anglesea Arms for example) is that you don't have to pay a service charge so it is better value for money. Food is very good. However, when it is full with braying locals (or children on Sunday I suppose) it is very LOUD and NOISY - something to do with the low ceilings or whatever. So only go when it is likely to be not rammed full.
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Roy Grainger
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, January 20, 2012

If you're looking for a cheap and effective form of birth control - go to the Havelock Tavern W14 for a Sunday roast.

Whilst the food was sensational, the atmosphere was so horrendous, it actually put me, and many around me off our food. I understand that Sunday is a time for families to get together, and there were a number of families with well behaved children.

However, there were some children that were screaming so loud, it was the most unpleasant meal I've had in a long time (and I couldn't wait to leave) - which is a shame because the food was delicious (although there was a long wait), but at £15 for a main and £31 for a bottle of wine, I expect to have a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy it.

Interestingly - the screaming kids were stressing the staff out as well, but not enough for them to respectfully ask the parents to calm the kids down.
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4 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Food OK, but terrible service. An hour waiting for food? Won't be coming here again.
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BS
2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Saturday, October 22, 2011

Just tried to have a nice lunch at Havelock Tavern this afternoon and proudly took my boyfriend there as he is new to the area. Our previous visit was a sucess so we were looking forward to our food. My boyfriend ordered crispy duck with noodles and I ordered Kedgeree.

It took over 45 minutes before our food arrived; and my boyfriend was served noodles with soggy duck skins with some pieces of meat mixed in - noting it was a noodle dish, rather than a duck dish, and with no crispness whatsoever on his duck. My kedgeree was just boiled rice and peas flavoured with curry powder - although there was a soft boiled egg on top, the promised smoked hadock was missing altogether!

When we called the manager, initially we wanted to have our dish re-made, however, the manager appeared to be very indifferent and made no effort to appease us. He didn't acknowledge the dishes were not satisfactory, or offer to change the dishes. At which point we have decided to leave and ask for a refund (we paid on ordering the food), and the manager went back to the inside the bar. He then started doing something else and my boyfriend had to go to the bar to remind him after a while. When he came back with the money, he even had an audacity to 'complain' for our making a complaint to him.

We have decided not to return to this pub - life is too short to waste time on this place.
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YK
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Sunday, September 11, 2011

I've been eating at the Havelock with my family and friends ever since the pub opened and it has been through many incarnations - some of them disappointing. With the new chef James however, he has got the food back to the wonderful hearty, imaginative and comforting food that we all want in a local gastro-pub. Please keep it good.
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Miranda Taylor
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Sunday, August 07, 2011

What a great Brook Green local. The gastro food has picked up considerably during the last year or so and the atmosphere is as buzzing as ever. Decent beers on tap and a good selection of wines by the glass. Bavette steak, chips and salad is the perennial favourite, and rightly so, but there are loads of other interesting combinations on the daily-changing menu, chalked up on a blackboard above the fireplace. Come early to be sure of a table, either inside or out in the peaceful back garden.
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Dom
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Havelock seems to have returned to its former glory - I've eaten here 3 times over the last week and am really impressed with the standard of the food. The freshly baked bread is delicious and the menu is varied and inventive, covering all corners of the globe. I nearly always have the fish but people bang on about the Bavette steak in the evenings if you like your meat.

The new(ish) manager, Andy, is very friendly and seems to have a good rapport with the locals. He's got a great team of staff and generally the service is much improved. Expect to wait a bit at busy times but it's a small price to pay for such delicious food and everything is cooked to order.

Brook Green is lucky to have such a fantastic local - and the head chef is pretty dishy too!
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Hungry horse - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

I have eaten here a few times and don't have a particularly bad word to say..the food has a British feel with some strong international influences.

Evenings can be quite busy so try to get their early. The red wines and ales are pretty special and the the Bavette Steak is a Havelock faithful and a must try.

Lunches are pretty varied and cater for all palettes. I had thai pork balls and rice last time, prepared by the charming and talented Head Chef James Howarth and his team, which was delicious, succulent and tender.

All meals come with a healthy portion of freshly cooked bread. The clientele range from young twenty somethings to pensioners with their jack russels! The staff are young, attentive and diligent.
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Benji
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

I am probably biased, because it is my local and I can always count on a warm welcome and a reliably good menu, but none of the discerning friends I have taken with me, have ever be disappointed. I would recommend this friendly pretty blue tiled pub in the heart of Brook Green to anyone.

The ingredients are always well sourced and fresh and the menu, which changes daily, always has something for even the most regular punter and I get the feeling that the Head Chef is always looking for new exciting ideas and does not rest on his laurels.

By day it is a friendly, light and bright place to be and in the evening you feel as though you may have discovered one of the coolest places to be in West London. The pretty patio garden and the people watching tables at the front, provide an added dimension in the summer.

Whether you just fancy a drink or a slap up meal, the Havelock Tavern is an excellent choice.
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Carolyn
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

My favourite pub in West London!

Amazing food, ever changing menu so I eat here more than once a week and know there will be something new on the menu. Brilliant freshly baked bread,

Great selection of wines by the glass and loving the new carafes!

Toilets could do with a lick of pain but on the whole the new management has this place buzzing again with a great atmosphere, highly recommended!
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 20, 2011