The Monkey Puzzle in London: photos, reviews

About

Top Choice Award

2025 Bars

The Monkey Puzzle, located in the lively Tyburnia area of London, offers a delightful blend of casual and cozy vibes, perfect for both social gatherings with friends and solo dining experiences. With an inviting beer garden and a variety of service options, including outdoor seating and dine-in, it's a great spot to unwind without breaking the bank.

Highly rated at 4.5 stars, this pub is a beloved destination for tourists and locals alike. The menu features modern British pub grub, with their beef and mushroom pie and classic fish and chips earning particular praise. Guests can enjoy a wide array of drinks, from refreshing cocktails to a selection of beers and wines. Whether you're making a reservation or spontaneously stopping by, The Monkey Puzzle promises a memorable experience without high prices.

Price

$$$$ 20 - 30 GBP

Services

Reservations available, Outdoor seating, Dine-in

Offering

Serving alcohol, Serving cocktails, Serving beer, Serving wine, Serving food, Serving food at bar

Payment

Payment by credit card, Payment by debit card, NFC payment

Atmosphere

Casual, Cozy

Best for

Meet up with friends, Solo dining

How to get here?

The nearest public transport options for your convenience.

Paddington Station (Stop H)

Bus stop 271 m walk

Bishops Bridge (Stop K)

Bus stop 718 m walk

Marble Arch / Bayswater Road (Stop C)

Bus stop 639 m walk

Edgware Road / Praed Street (Stop ED)

Bus stop 296 m walk

4.5

based on 2,754 reviews

Google

4.5/5 1,926 reviews

Facebook

4.6/5 828 reviews

Tom Montgomery

Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I LOVED this place. Went twice whilst visiting London. The staff was great. The outdoor patio (with the eponymous monkey puzzle tree) was absolutely delightful (indoors fine, nothing to write home (or on Google) about). The beer selection (especially cask-conditioned) was fab. Yet, I gave The Monkey Puzzle 4 stars overall and for food. Why? Their fish and chips were OUTSTANDING. A large fillet of moist whitefish masterfully breaded and fried to perfection, served piping hot. PERFECTLY-browned fries. The prototypical portion of mashed peas. All unbelievable. But the tarter sauce? Not a house-made dill-laced delectable dollop, not even a passable bottled tarter sauce from some mega manufacturer. No. What, then? Believe it or not, they provide those little 1 x 3 inch packets of tarter sauce (that are hard to open and dribble over fish, if you're so inclined), devoid of flavor or nuance or . . . anything. (Catsup in same packets too BTW.) UGH! Using that tarter sauce is like splashing paint on the Mona Lisa, or chiseling the nose off the David. Inexplicable. But don't let me dissuade you -- go and order something else, or bring your own tarter sauce, and if they remedy this single but essential faux pas, it'll be five stars all the way.