The Horniman at Hays Reviews Summary

Location and Views

Pros:

• "Nice terrace with a stunning view on the Tower Bridge, Walkie-Talkie building and the WW2 warship HMS Belfast direct at the river Thames."
• "Location is absolutely perfect with a view of Tower Bridge nearby."
• "The location is great, easily accessible by foot from London Bridge station."
• "The view from the terrace is awesome."
• "Only a short walk from London Bridge train station and has awesome views of HMS Belfast and the Thames."
• "This is a great vibrant location directly by the Thames."
• "Great traditional pub in an amazing setting by the Riverside with incredible views over the London skyline and tower bridge etc."

Cons:

• "Location is great but was VERY crowded on a Tuesday evening."
• "Beautiful pub, was extremely busy at Christmas time."
• "Great pub by the Thames, very very busy and popular especially after work and during good weather."
• "The location is at Thames Side. There is an outdoor seating area."
• "But eye-watering prices for what in the end is distinctly average pub food."
• "Pub in a lovely location on the river and very nice inside too."
• "This has to be a must visit restaurant cafe as it's set right beside the River Thames beside the famous HMS Belfast and also Tower Bridge."

Service

Pros:

• "The service was good and the staff were helpful and friendly as I find they always are."
• "The security team seemed very professional and were quick to watch out for people's bags and personal belongings advising them to keep awareness up for thieves etc...good to see how friendly and observant they were."
• "The staff working there seems to be qualified - I saw that they spotted a phone left on the table and they immediately asked the owner to take it."
• "Good atmosphere and friendly staff."
• "Staff were all very attentive and knowledgeable, their friendly service couldn't be matched."
• "The staff are efficient and very friendly and helpful."
• "The staff here are always extremely friendly and efficient."

Cons:

• "Lack of staff - staff weren’t receiving orders via app but didn’t realise until people complained about waiting."
• "50 min wait for fish n chips was way too long, no apologies from the staff or ownership of the problem just that it was busy 🤷🏼‍♂️."
• "Not one staff member was smiling and seemed unhappy in their work."
• "The manager apologised and gave me a beer and refund but it was very disappointing to be honest."
• "Staff rude - literally grabbed the menu off me, and couldn't order desert (mince pies and coffee at 7.30 pm?)."
• "Service rather slow, didn't look so busy for Friday afternoon after 2.30pm, chips came out cold."
• "Services in basically non existent. You order on phone and our server literally brought drinks with no tray or napkin or even working straws."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The nachos were priced at £10 for a medium sized bowl - pricey for even London."
• "For the location, ambience, quality of food prices are reasonable."
• "All but one of our group had the Nicholson's Fish & Chips, which was excellent: crisp, cooked to just flaky and still moist."
• "The pie came out piping hot and the cool beer was a perfect match for it."
• "The fish and chips were incredible and great atmosphere."
• "The food is flavorful and well-presented."
• "Food is delicious and the plates are quite big."

Cons:

• "It would have been 5 stars if the staff/security had enforced the no smoking rule they have, right near us."
• "The turkey was OK but the single pig in a blanket was stingy and the carrots were nigh-on inedible as they were so tough and insipid."
• "But the 1 star review was as a result of how atrocious the nachos were."
• "The food wasn't particularly hot, as though it had been waiting to be served with everybody else's food."
• "The lentil cottage pie was a little disappointed as the portion was a tad small."
• "The food was not great. I had the fish and chips. The batter was not cooked."
• "The bangers and mash were a disappointment...just OK and were very bland."