The Lord Stanley

What a brilliant find!

I was put onto this place by a mate who regularly visits for a pint after playing footy round the corner. I don't usually write reviews of pubs but after I'd been I googled it and was gobsmacked to read even one negative comment - I really don't see how you can fail to love the place.

For starters the food is immense. Best roast beef I've had possibly ever. Great bloody mary's and best of all, really really nice staff. I can't think of a better place to spend a Sunday and I'll definitely be back mid-week.

And it's really not expensive either, not by London standards. The quality of the food is really good - you definitely get what you pay for, if not more.

My advice? don't be swayed by any bad reviews, check this place out for yourself.
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Tyrell
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, November 11, 2011

I moved to the area in May this year and have been a regular at The Lord Stanley ever since.

Having read these reviews I was almost put off - I'm so glad I gave it a try, it's a fantastic pub and I now feel it's my duty to set the record straight and write an honest review of the place.

Obviously I have no experience of the pub before May - so perhaps the service and food have deteriorated but I can honestly say that if it has it must have been an exceptional place before, because as it stands the food is good and the staff and regulars are friendly.

I go maybe 2, 3 times a week - sometimes just for a drink, sometimes for food.

In 4 months I have only seen one member of staff leave and one new member join - hardly a large staff turnover!! Perhaps the other reviewers aren't as familiar with the staff as us regulars are? I always find the staff helpful and cheery – happy to recommend a wine or a dish off the menu.

Occasionally the service can be a bit slow but hand on heart in 4 months I have never waited more than 5 minutes to be served. Never. Not even on a busy Sunday.

In 4 months I have only once or twice seen items on the menu sell out – usually the roast beef on a Sunday or a more popular desert – this is absolutely standard and to be expected at a place where everything is made fresh. Personally I’d rather know my bread is being baked freshly and therefore have to wait, rather than it being dug out of a freezer. Just saying…

I would urge anyone in doubt to give the place a try and judge for yourselves, it’s a great find, tucked away from Camden Road with a lovely little garden. They have a pub quiz on a Thursday now and they have a theatre group who perform upstairs - I haven't watched them myself but have heard they're good. They also do a 2 set menu which is fantastic value – something like £12.50 for two courses.

Love the place!
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CherryCherry - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

I'm sorry to say, that we agree with most of the comments below, i.e. that this pub used to be great, with good service and lovely food.

However over the past few months due to rapid staff turnover, as does happen in this industry, the staff, including the chef clearly do not have their eye(s) on the ball and in my opinion don't really seem to care.

There is no discernible manager keeping on top of things in general, the bar-lady is rude, slow and acts as if she doesn't really want to be there. Also, the chef that is currently working at the TLS has really let things slip. - The menu always seems to have things that are not available, even simple items like bread and olives!...Lastly, the dessert part of the menu regularly now only has one item on it, apart from the cheeseboard, and this week the alternative was cheesecake! - Lol.

The owners need to get on top of this, or alternatively, just get rid of the restaurant part and run the place as just another drinkers venue like most of all the other pubs in Camden.
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Alex
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Friday, August 05, 2011

As a once loyal customer to the Lord Stan, I'm sad to say I'm now on the hunt for a new local! The poor service and lack of customer skills from the ever changing staff, mean that you are stood at the bar for 15mins to get served and are waiting for food to arrive in over an hour (and thats when it is quiet). I will no longer recommend this to friends.

Such a shame it's changed for the worse.
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Sarah
2 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, July 04, 2011

This used to be a good pub, and served really good food. But no more.

The change of staff is weekly (which clearly states 'all is wrong') and the food is the worst its ever been. This place was famous for its steak. Priced at 17.50 you'd expect it to be - but you'd be better off at one of those steak houses on oxford street (if you know what I mean).

Such a shame.
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dwl
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The rudest Landlady in North London. don't bother visiting this pub, no atmosphere (all you can hear and smell is the extractor fan from the kitchen which is in the main room) the food is overpriced and really all the rest is too.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, June 14, 2011

There is nowhere good to eat out in this part of London, so maybe that's why the Lord Stanley has any custom at all. I suppose the locals don't know any different. It combines bad pub service with restaurant prices. Why doesn't someone open a cheap and simple bistro in Camden?
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SHAUN DREW
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Thursday, April 14, 2011

Having recently moved to Camden from Primrose Hill we visited The Lord Stanley for the first time a couple of weeks ago and were not disappointed. What a great pub! It really has something to offer everyone. My partner and I are young professionals with a small child, my elderly parents were visiting so we decided to take them for some breakfast. The manager was so kind and helpful with my family and the food was delicious. We were so impressed that we have decided to make The Stanley our regular haunt and returned the following week for drinks with friends and to watch the England game (which was sadly not so impressive!). We’re so pleased to have found a lovely local right on our doorstep that not only caters for families but for grown-ups too! Keep up the good work Lord Stanley!
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Mary
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 22, 2010