The Bear Free House

I go to the Bear in Camberwell on a regular basis to eat and drink and thought it was about time I left a review. In my opinion it is the only decent place for pub grub in SE5 (having sampled the horrors on offer at the Sun & Doves, The Castle, The Grove and The Phoenix). I used to live in Wandsworth Common and previous to that I lived in Fulham so was spoilt for choice when it came to food. Thank god for the Bear; I was beginning to have my reservations about moving to Camberwell.

The menu is very limited but they seem to cover all bases: vegetarian, red meat, game, seafood, salads, cold dishes and puddings.

I can highly recommend the onglet (when it is on the menu) but please eat this medium/rare or better still rare; onglet shouldn't be eaten medium or well done as it is too tough (actually steak should never be eaten medium or well done in my opinion!).

The vegetarian dishes are always very tasty (usually cheese based) and very filling.

The bread and butter pudding (when it is on the menu) is melt in the mouth. I also like the miniature Le Creuset pots they are served in.

Finally, the staff are always really friendly and are knowledgeable about the food they are serving. I have no problem with the 12.5% service charge which is added to the final bill because of this.
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Ewok - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 18, 2008

Like the previous reviewers have said, this is a hidden gem. From the outside it looks like an old man's boozer in a dead location, but don't let that put you off. Inside it's been tidied up without losing the traditional pub features, the effect being one of effortless cool. The food is astonishing for the location - good ingredients assembled well in the zietgeisty modern British way, way above usual gastropub standard, and easily comparable to some of the best restaurants you find in Clerkenwell.

The only thing I'd say is that the prices are slightly higher than the competition in the area (around £12 - 15 a main course, whereas at The Dark Horse or the Sun and Doves it's more like £8 - £12), but that said, it's still cheaper than what you'd pay for the same dish of the same quality in town, so well worth a visit.
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hirekatsu
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 02, 2008

I stopped in here for brunch on a Saturday and have to say the eggs benedict was one of the best I've had. I think this place really deserves to succeed. They have an excellent selction of real ales and the menu is extremely tempting. I will definitely be back to investigate further! Recommended.
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Sean
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 11, 2008

I am so impressed with this place! I've eaten there a few times now - pie and ale on a Monday, belly pork on a Sunday and a great changing menu in between. 10/10 - need I say more?
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, June 15, 2008

We live just down the road from The Bear and have been there several times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They do a lovely ham, egg and chips for breakfast! The food is always fantastic, a small, well thought out menu using fresh and seasonal ingredients. They always have beautiful slow-cooked meat dishes and do a great roast on Sundays. The staff are lovely and service is excellent. The pub has a really nice and relaxing atmosphere. The wine list is good too. Perfect!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 13, 2008

Went down for sunday lunch last week and the place was packed with family's, but we were seated quite quickly. You can book a table apparently but we hadn't thought we needed to.

Despite the crowds the staff were helpful and efficient. We all had the roast which I have to say was excellent. Everything comes to share in Le Creuset dishes and the portions are more than enough. Meat was well cooked and much much better than I expected for a pub roast. Potatoes were amazing.

All in all a really lovely sunday lunch, they have a good wine list and a nice selection of real ales. We'll all be going back again soon.
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Tom Novachenko
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Friday, May 02, 2008

Sitting on an unprepossessing road in Camberwell just off the green is what I can only describe as my find of the year.

The Bear is newly opened and is as much a traditional boozer as you could hope to find, wooden floors and panelling, no music, no fruit machines, it's a very straight forward pub.

I originally went there for the beers as a friend had said they had a very good selection and he wasn't wrong. A selection of real ales and more bottled beers than anywhere buy Belgo's.

What I hadn't expected was the food. It is quite simply stunning sitting somewhere below excellent restaurant and above gastropub. The prices are realistic and the menu simple but the quality is just excellent and everything is served beautifully. I've never eaten food this good in a pub before. Rather a surprise for Camberwell!

I went back the next week for Sunday lunch as the owner said he was very proud of it and it was without doubt the best Roast I, or any of my friends had eaten outside of home. Everything is served to share and the portions are large, but not the price - £10 all in.

The place has been quite quiet when I have been there which I suppose is to do with it just having opened but I have no doubt that word of mouth will make this a destination worth going to for people who enjoy excellent food in a pub environment without the poncy "pan fried...on a bed of" menus.

It is well worth the trip just for the beers but I doubt you will eat better food in any pub in South London. I shall be going back again.
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Henry Irving
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 15, 2007