Christoff.ai

The Princess of Shoreditch

restaurants•
London
London

The Princess of Shoreditch

76-78 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NE, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Nestled on Paul Street in Shoreditch, The Princess of Shoreditch has managed something quite remarkable - earning both Evening Standard's Top 50 Gastropubs recognition (#20, no less) and 2 AA Rosettes while maintaining the soul of a proper Victorian pub. This two-floor 19th-century establishment offers a genuinely dual experience that works whether you're after craft beers and casual vibes or a refined dining experience.

The Princess of Shoreditch: Victorian Charm Meets Modern British Excellence

A split-level gastropub that's earned its stripes in London's competitive dining scene

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The Princess operates on two distinct levels, quite literally. Downstairs, you'll find a buzzing Victorian bar that honours its heritage with Edwardian tables and an energy level that hits 7.5 out of 10 - expect it to get properly loud down here. The craft beer selection flows freely, and there's an authentic gastropub atmosphere that feels both lively and grounded in tradition. Ascend the spiral staircase (worth noting for accessibility considerations), and you're transported to a pastel-green dining room that dials up the sophistication to a solid 7 out of 10. The Victorian charm remains, but it's refined rather than raucous. This split-level approach genuinely works, offering flexibility depending on your mood and occasion. The venue scores 7.5 for uniqueness, and you can see why - it's not often you find a place that seamlessly transitions from proper pub to elevated dining room within the same four walls.

Food & Drink

The modern British seasonal menu here isn't just pub grub dressed up - this is serious cooking that's earned those 2 AA Rosettes. Signature dishes span from Rima's chaat and cured sea bass to more adventurous offerings like octopus doughnut. The Ibérico pork chop and venison Wellington speak to the kitchen's ambition, while the legendary Sunday roasts maintain that essential gastropub connection. Mains range from £19-£29, positioning this firmly in the elevated dining category. The 3-course set lunch at £28 offers genuine value for this level of cooking, while the £60 tasting menu lets the kitchen show off properly. They've thoughtfully included gluten-free and vegetarian options, showing awareness of modern dining needs. The seasonal approach means the menu evolves, which keeps things interesting for regulars and speaks to the kitchen's commitment to quality ingredients.

Service & Experience

The service style adapts to the venue's dual personality - casual-elegant is how they describe it, and that feels accurate. Downstairs operates on a walk-in basis for bar tables, keeping things relaxed and spontaneous, while upstairs requires reservations and operates with more structured service. The staff clearly understand they're working in an award-winning establishment but haven't let it go to their heads. The venue scores 5.5 for flexibility, suggesting they can adapt to different guest needs while maintaining their standards. Pet-friendly policies add a welcoming touch that many gastropubs overlook.

Value for Money

At price level 3 out of 4, The Princess isn't cheap, but the value proposition makes sense when you consider the accolades and quality on offer. The £28 set lunch is genuinely fair for London standards, especially given the 2 AA Rosettes. Mains at £19-£29 position this in splurge-worthy territory, but it's the kind of splurge that feels justified. Wine starts at £33, which is reasonable for this level of establishment in Shoreditch. The ability to experience the venue at different price points - from craft beers downstairs to the full tasting menu upstairs - means you can control your spend while still accessing the quality that's earned this place its reputation.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Monday through Thursday (12pm-11pm) offers the most relaxed experience, while Friday-Saturday extends to midnight but expect higher energy levels. Sunday (12pm-10pm) is prime time for those legendary Sunday roasts. For the full experience, arrive around 5:30pm for downstairs drinks, then transition upstairs around 7pm for dinner.

What to Focus On

The Sunday roasts are genuinely legendary and shouldn't be missed if you're here on weekends. For dinner, the venison Wellington and Ibérico pork chop showcase the kitchen's skills, while the octopus doughnut offers something you won't find elsewhere. The 3-course set lunch provides excellent value for experiencing the upstairs dining room.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book upstairs tables in advance but know that downstairs bar tables are walk-in only - perfect for spontaneous visits. The spiral staircase to upstairs dining means wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor bar area. The venue gets significantly quieter upstairs, so choose your level based on whether you want buzzing energy or refined conversation.

The Final Verdict

The Princess of Shoreditch succeeds because it doesn't try to be everything to everyone on the same floor. The split-level concept works brilliantly, offering genuine choice between casual gastropub vibes and elevated dining experiences. Those 2 AA Rosettes and Evening Standard recognition aren't just marketing - the food quality justifies the accolades, and the Sunday roasts live up to their legendary status. Yes, it's pricey, but the value proposition holds when you consider the quality and flexibility on offer. The Victorian setting provides authentic character that many newer establishments struggle to replicate.

Christoff's Rating:
7.8/10

Perfect For:

couples seeking a sophisticated date night with optionsfood enthusiasts wanting award-winning gastropub cuisinegroups looking for Sunday roasts that live up to the hype

Quick Details

1

The Princess of Shoreditch

🍺 Award winning gastropub
⭐️ Split level dining
⭐️ Victorian charm
⭐️ Craft beer focus
⭐️ Sunday roasts

This 19th-century gastropub operates like a choose-your-own-adventure dining experience. Downstairs buzzes with Victorian bar energy - craft beers, Edwardian tables, and the kind of conversations that happen over pints. A spiral staircase leads to the pastel-green dining room where modern British cuisine gets the full treatment. The octopus doughnut sounds gimmicky but delivers genuine flavor complexity, while their Sunday roasts draw queues of locals who know quality. The #20 Evening Standard ranking and 2 AA Rosettes aren't just wall decorations - they reflect consistent execution across both casual drinks and elevated dining. The venue's dual personality means you can start with bar snacks and level up to the tasting menu without changing locations. Service flows smoothly between both floors, though the upstairs dining room offers refuge from the downstairs chatter.

What's Great

✓ Evening Standard Top 50 recognition with 2 AA Rosettes for proven quality

✓ Flexible dining options from casual bar to refined upstairs restaurant

Keep in Mind

× Spiral staircase to upstairs dining excludes wheelchair users completely

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Start downstairs at 5:30pm for bar tables, then move upstairs at 7pm for the full experience

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Thu: 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat: 12pm-12am, Sun: 12pm-10pm"
📍76-78 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NE, United Kingdom
💷££££
📞+44 20 7729 9270
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

The Princess of Shoreditch has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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