Located off the Strand with the chambers of law firms for company, Edgar Wallace adds a touch of class to the idea of the traditional London pub.

The Venue
Edgar Wallace adopts a simple approach to pleasing punters. There are tables crammed in upstairs and down to satisfy their needs during busy lunchtimes and evenings, a long bar with plenty of staff manning the pumps to avoid the spread of impatience, and a hint of modernity with hangings on the walls and dashing lamps. There is also a bar upstairs that opens during busy periods, complete with a dartboard hidden in its cupboard.

The Atmosphere
The Edgar Wallace seems to be predominantly overrun with those working for the surrounding law firms. The sharpness of the suits draped across starched collars shouldn’t put you off though as the crowd are friendly and lively. There are no ironic outfitters looking to stand out here, it’s just a place to meet and unwind; in fact, to mark someone from the crowd you’d have to know your off the rack from your bespoke. With so much seating packed in there isn’t an option not to be social and the pub is filled with loud chatter as conversations spill into each other from table to table.

The Food
The class of Edgar Wallace is reflected in its adventurous approach to food - the menu actually makes for a good read. With snacks like pigs in blankets, fried squid and potatas bravas there’s a tough choice to make. The mains are more expensive than you might expect to pay in a pub that doesn’t differ all that much on looks from its counterparts but the offer of change is enticing. Lamb kebab, haloumi kebab and burritos are part of the future of pub cuisine here.

The Drink
There isn’t much to surprise you here in terms of lagers unfortunately - there’s the standard Heineken, Amstel and Stella on draught but you’d be better off looking through the range of ales. There are maybe six or seven chalked up on the blackboard, including Golden Pig and Twickenham Original. There is also some rotation of guest ales in action. There are nine different wines of each colour and although they start at £13 a bottle, those drinking here are certainly not affronted by the price. The house red and white are the Les Marquines rouge and the Les Marquines blanc.

The Last Word
The Edgar Wallace matches its warm and welcoming environment with an interesting menu and excellent range of ales to make itself a must visit.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (4)