The Bell Walthamstow Reviews Summary

Atmosphere & Decor

Pros:

• "A really great atmosphere an an enjoyable experience."
• "The place was been transformed since I last visited many, many years ago... now it's more of a hipster/retro pub/diner which was heaving on Sunday afternoon with lunch orders."
• "Tasteful timber decor."
• "Lovely atmosphere, great service."
• "Great atmosphere, spacious and very friendly staff."
• "The pub...has charm and atmosphere."
• "The place has a nice feel about it."

Cons:

• "An ambiance worth avoiding."
• "It just lacks a bit of character."
• "The atmosphere is really cool."
• "Stripped of personality...Now it looks and feels like every other chain pub in the UK."
• "Loud terrible music, screens everywhere to the point of distraction."
• "Too noisy, music playing & football on. The lovely homely vibe has gone."
• "Feels & smells a bit like a day care centre or creche with toddlers running around & babies screaming."

Service

Pros:

• "Amazing service. This is a top tier joint in E17 I come here to get away from the wife."
• "The staff were really friendly and welcoming."
• "Staff were friendly and attentive."
• "Service very quick and all the staff are very polite."
• "Service is always fast and efficient."
• "Staff were helpful and generous, service was friendly and quick."
• "Service excellent - friendly staff and nothing too much trouble."

Cons:

• "Staff are nice except this one little rat that rushed us out and made us feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome shouting for us to leave."
• "The service is terrible."
• "And service was shocking too… Complained and response was well that’s ‘just how it comes’."
• "The service was absolutely abysmal."
• "Service abysmal - no knowledge of beers, kept me waiting 15 mins to change a beer barrel only to be told it was off, staff pretty rude/dismissive."
• "Staff was irritable and unapologetic when we politely asked (once) about the waiting time."
• "Stressed unfriendly staff, we booked a table but they hadn’t saved one for us."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The fish cakes were really tasty."
• "The Sunday roast has never disappointed."
• "All the food was good."
• "I had the halloumi salad which was delicious!"
• "Food was good and served nice and hot."
• "The food was wonderful and had a decent time."
• "Yummy food."

Cons:

• "This pub is definitely quantity over quality."
• "The food was terrible, both were lukewarm, the vegetables were uncooked and grey."
• "Food is a bit overpriced for what you get in terms of quality."
• "The food was bad - really bad."
• "Poor food - had a horrible, sour tasting nut roast."
• "The food is terrible; nothing on the plates was well prepared and everything about the presentation of the food was poor."
• "But the food is where this place lets itself down. Cold fries and cold burgers, hot chips and cold fish, etc."

Family & Pet Friendliness

Pros:

• "Very welcoming to families with kids."
• "It's incredibly child friendly and there is always a good atmosphere."
• "Very child friendly with a great selection of food and drink available."
• "Good for families with kids as the pub is huge and it has a nice outdoor area in the summer."
• "The staff are friendly, hardworking polite and accommodating."
• "A friendly welcome and reasonable food in a nice room."
• "Very nice place, family and dogs friendly."

Cons:

• "Can be a bit like a creche on a weekend but the kids always go home eventually."
• "Half the pub is overrun by screaming children, toys and colouring all over the floor."
• "The staff seemed frustrated with kids being there."
• "Feels & smells a bit like a day care centre or creche with toddlers running around & babies screaming."
• "Can get overrun by ankle-biters but safe after 8pm."
• "Decided to have a meal and a drink here with my little French Bulldog Poppy. Didn't enjoy it at all as the pub was like a yuppy Mothers meeting ground."
• "The rules don't appear to be stuck to."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "The craft beer/wine range looked excellent."
• "The drinks were great with a wide variety!"
• "Great selection of ales on tap with staff who were clued up enough to answer questions I had."
• "Nice pub grub. Mac n cheese was yum and the best bloody Mary I've had."
• "Great range of quality beers."
• "The food here is outstanding for a local corner pub, in fact any pub with large portions, full of flavour and fairly priced, you will not be disappointed."
• "Good beer selection."

Cons:

• "Expensive (especially whiskey)."
• "Food is a bit overpriced for what you get in terms of quality."
• "EAT BEFORE YOU VISIT .....£12 burger....hmmm...this lot are just taking the mickey out of customers.....they now charge for cheese and bacon on the same burger that used to have it included."
• "Overpriced alcohol in a recession."
• "Food really overpriced - £14 for a boiled veggie hotdog and some chips."
• "Below average Sunday roast, especially for £15.50."
• "Tables weren’t cleaned at all... burger was a budget burger at a premium price tag."