73 Dulwich Village,
London,
SE21 7BJ
0872 148 4582
The ViewLondon Review
Known locally as The Dog, the Crown and Greyhound in Dulwich offers a taste of village life, just perfect for those lazy Sunday afternoons.The VenueSituated in the heart of Dulwich and moments from the park, the only pub in the village does a cracking trade feeding and watering both the locals and the visiting tourists. The decor is typical of any Victorian pub, with cavernous ceilings, huge pews and secluded snugs all crowd around a couple of well-stocked bars. This rambling drinking hole has barely changed over the years bar the odd lick of paint and the welcome additions of a sunny conservatory and seated garden terrace.
The AtmosphereThe clientele of the Crown and Greyhound is as varied as you can get. Generations of local residents mix with tourists drawn by the park and the Picture Gallery. The weekends are generally handed over to young, hip families with a brace of kids and a jug of Pimms on the go. The staff are hired for their speed of service as well as their charming chat. It's at its best at the weekend when you can laze about with a pint, reading the weekend papers and letting the world drift by.
The FoodThe Sunday roasts are renowned at the Crown and Greyhound and it does get very busy. A choice of three meats and a vegetarian option are all accompanied by the usual roast fineries. You can't book but it's worth knowing that the banqueting suite upstairs opens on a Sunday which is great for families and larger parties. For the rest of the week the above average pub menu applies and throughout the summer the garden barbecue does a great trade in fine burgers and steaks.
The DrinkThe Dog is one of the rare pubs in London which serves Japanese beer on tap. A pint of Kirin is a good start, but for those who really like beer there's usually an impressive range of guest ales on offer. The wine list is vast and varied as are the spirits, and for gin connoisseurs its well worth a visit.
The Last WordA visit to the Crown and Greyhound in Dulwich on a sunny Sunday afternoon is a lovely, lazy way to wind down the weekend. Recommended.