The Dovetail

Being from Brussels, working in London for a couple of years. I adore this place. It makes me feel like I am back home and stops me getting home sick.

The beer selection is second to none and I have always found the staff knowledgeable and helpful even giiving tasters of beers you have'nt tried before.

Where else do you get that in London.

The only slight downside is it can get quite busy in the evening so BOOK if you can.

Sunday lunch here is however tranquil and ideal for a city walk to walk off the roast and the beer.
Comment on this reader review

christian Schloppet
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 08, 2009

After visiting this place it is safe to say it is very hit and miss.

The service seems to be quite poor - messing up orders has happened both times - and on our last visit one person's order was left off completely, which meant they never got their food until everyone else had actually finished.

It has quite a good beer selection and the food does sound quite good, but it really is the luck of the draw as to how it will taste (and when it will arrive).
Comment on this reader review

NB - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Thursday, September 25, 2008

Been going to the Dovetail for years and years (nearly ten now actually), but sadly the new management has taken the shine off the place - so much so that I've sadly not been back for about a year.

The last time I was in here, the service was appallingly slow - so bad that the manager could be overheard complaining that people didn't understand that the kitchen was busy, therefore food would be slow (people were complaining as they'd waited over an hour to get their food orders). Maybe it's rose tinted glasses, but I never remember it being that bad before.

On that visit I was told (quite rudely) that the beer my girlfriend had ordered was supposed to have sediment floating all the way through it - laughable, considering we'd had it before in Belgium, the dovetail and the Lowlander in covent garden - all poured properly. It's not hard to poor certain types of Belgian beer properly when you know which types are which, and that kind of brings me onto my last point.

Previous to this takeover, the staff in the Dovetail were supremely knowledgable about the beer they served, offering recommendations as well as a good knowledge of which beers tasted similar when your favourite tipple had run out. I got the sense from the above incident that the new staff are a long way short of that insight. And I find it a bit of a shame really, as this used to be one of my favourite boozers in London, and the place where I'd gladly have most of my big nights out (numerous birthdays and leaving do's as well as just the normal run of the mill few jars on a wednesday).
View/Add comments (1)

Loz
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, August 05, 2008

The bangers and mash (Toulouse) were the best I've had in a long time. Great selection of Belgian beer, nice laidback atmosphere (music volume was thankfully kept low), and the service excellent. I will be back!
Comment on this reader review

Steve O
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 18, 2008

Oily lasagne, oily potatoes and oily salad. Stick to the beer. For drinkers, not foodies.
Comment on this reader review

James
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

I noted some of the criticisms of the management. I am a regular here. The manager I have met is great value, and sits down with regulars for a beer.

If, however, you want to sink 10 pints of lager, and start singing your Arsenal football anthems then yes, head off to the blood and tooth down the road. If you want good Belgium beer, nice staff, and some nice bar food, in an atmoshpere where you can chat, then this is one of the best in London.
View/Add comments (1)

Kris
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, October 11, 2007

I don't normally write on sites like this but was moved to by some of the negative reviews. This is an atmospheric little bar, with a super range of Belgian beers and proper staff with proper attention to detail (ie serving beers correctly). One of London's best - and I've been in plenty.
Comment on this reader review

Paul Coupar
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 16, 2007

While the hostess was quite fun, the manager was possibly one of the most unwelcoming people I've ever met. If you're looking for a Belgian beer experience, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Monday, January 22, 2007

What a shame, fantastic place, great food, staggering selection of beer and a very helpful friendly waitress who made our party of 20 very welcome. However the management of this gem seem to have a different idea of what is allowed in a bar! Our party of 20 (Annual school re-union lunch) had planned a full day in the Dovetail but after twice being told that we were being too noisy we decided to pack up and leave after a couple of hours. This meant the manager could finish off doing his rota's in peace with the other 6 customers left in the bar. Obviously good atmosphere and profits are not on the business plan of this place. Such a shame as we really loved the Dovetail but due to the amazing stuffiness of the manager I will be advising everyone to give it a miss.

What a waste.
Comment on this reader review

Leighton
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 18, 2006

Awesome place. It's hardly changed in the last 5 years which is a statement in itself. Food is great, tasty, quick, beer is amazing - try the Duvel, it goes down well everytime, staff are friendly and efficient. GO!
Comment on this reader review

Mag Leahy
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 30, 2006