The Mayflower

An attractive looking pub with a great sense of history - and that, sadly, is about it!! A decent enough half of guiness but the 'cumberland' sausage ciabatta with onions made the average burger-van fare seem positively gourmet!! Two limp grey boil-in-the-bag (microwaved) chipolatas with chopped soggy onions (frozen, I suspect) hiding in a huge doughy lump. I was assured that 'no one has ever complained before' and that the offending 'sausages' were indeed cumberland because the 'chef' checked the box !!

To be fair I was offered a replacement (swiftly declined ) and a full refund by a baffled barman.

A pub cannot survive by winning Southwark in Bloom alone. The food needs a radical overhaul.
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Disappointed
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 18, 2010

I have been visiting this pub for 18 years now. It has a fabulous atmosphere and charm, and the sense of history one gets on visiting is spot-on. The fire in winter is very welcoming. I haven't eaten here in a few years and perhaps I will (great sounding menu, with lots of seafood) - but not until they sort out the beer. I keep coming back for the aforementioned reasons of atmosphere etc, but never stay long - I really don't know what they do to the Greene King IPA but it never tastes quite right. It's a beer I usually enjoy, and have had many hundreds of pints of it over the years, but I can't put my finger on what's wrong with it at the Mayflower. The place has often been quiet on my recent visits (3 or 4 since Autumn '09) and maybe (early evening visits) I've had one of the first pints through the pipes? Perhaps a real-ale aficinado can help me out. Oh, and the wine (a very ordinary malbec) was pretty steep at £4 for a small glass.
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Marcus Holden - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Sunday, February 21, 2010

I have had 2 meals at the Mayflower in the last week. Mussels and the burger. The best and the most fresh ingredients I have had in London, and I have eaten often at the expensive end. For pub food it cannot be beaten, high quality and large servings. A little more expensive than the normal pub fare but worth it. Best pub I have been to for food. Great old world decor. I will be going back often and soon.
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Mick Timoney
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 26, 2009

I was reading the comments and decided to go. I HAD the BEST BURGER of my life.. excellent. had been to the restaurant on the corner as well, must say that was good. But much more the mayflower .. not really into leaving a statement. but must say, the food best ever and the staff great.
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Pablo
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, October 30, 2009

Lovely location for a pub, but the service is rude and the food is not always fresh. Drink prices are also higher than other pubs in the area. (For example a glass of ordinary Shiraz is £6,75, compared to a good wine in Zone 1 that typically sell from £7 in the expensive boutiques.) For good food rather go to the restaurant on the other side of the Church.
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Jaco
3 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Sunday, October 11, 2009

Been there for dinner a while ago. Very nice river view. I certainly enjoyed the seafood paella. Probably go there again if I am around that area.
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King - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, March 17, 2009