The Wells, Hampstead

pub details:

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location:

Hampstead

address:

30 Well Walk, NW3 1BX

phone:

0871 258 9940*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

Hampstead London Underground station
(390m) - zones 2/3

Hampstead Heath railway station
(680m) - zone 2

Belsize Park London Underground station
(1.1Km) - zone 2

Finchley Road and Frognal railway station
(1.2Km)

Finchley Road London Underground station
(1.3Km) - zone 2

how to find it:

From Hampstead Tube, turn left down the High Street until you reach Flask Walk on the left. This leads onto Wells Walk and you will see it from there.

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nearby attraction(s):

Fenton House (500m)

Camden Arts Centre (1.1Km)

The charming Georgian building at 30 Wells Street might retain the old 'Tavern' name on the outside, but this upmarket gastropub is a far cry from the olde worlde impression conjured up by such a word. Since local residents battled hard to prevent it being turned into luxury flats, we should perhaps be grateful for small mercies. Even so, drinking here is vaguely uncomfortable - despite calling themselves a "pub and restaurant", its clear where their allegiances lie; a good portion of the ground floor is dedicated to eating, whilst three restaurants grace the upper floors. Still, amongst the cocktails and menus you can get a pint - Black Sheep to be precise, along with a couple of lagers - so it's worthy of a review. The interior is certainly chic, with those clean lines beloved by hyperbolic critics, but isn't sympathetic enough to give justice to the building. However, it's clearly something people want and consequently very popular here - especially on Sundays. If you time your visit well, though, you can find an outside table, or grab a couch to enjoy a game of chess. If this isn't your idea of a classic Hampstead pub however, don't worry; there are some excellent alternatives nearby.

reviewed:
21/03/2008

Eating at The Wells ... we last ate here on 14/3/2008

The food is very good, beautifully presented, but expensive. The burger comes in just under £10, while Roast Pork Belly is £13.50. Starters range between £5 and £9.50. Dogs catered for, too, with some exclusive doggie food to enjoy at £2 a throw. Look at for the 12.5% service change if you were expecting a pub ethos, however.

- quality