Set away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Piccadilly Circus, the Queens Head offers great value for money in time-honoured surroundings.

The Venue
There are a lot of traditional pubs dotted around central London and this one is a real gem to stumble upon, especially as it is independently owned. Situated just off Shaftesbury Avenue, the nearest tube is Piccadilly Circus, and the Piccadilly Theatre resides next door. Set upon two floors, the dark wooden bar is along the right side of the ground floor, with period booths and seats looking out onto the street through the front window. Upstairs is the restaurant area and there’s another smaller bar up here too. Dining is a cosy, intimate experience aided by features like the fireplace, mantelpiece clock, Queen Victoria paintings adorning the walls, blood red ceiling and plenty of wood panelling. The pub has tastefully maintained its late Victorian heritage and you can’t help but feel like you have stepped back in time.

The Atmosphere
For a pub in the heart of central London, the Queens Head isn’t just full of tourists; it attracts a range of people. It’s obvious word of mouth recommendations have made this side street public house popular and its relaxed, sophisticated vibe is a definite enticement. Good music choices play overhead, too, with the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club and Caribou on rotation.

The Food
Recently, the Queens Head has started to serve food on a Sunday. The menu is small but traditionally British. For a starter you can choose from country terrine or carrot, sweet potato and coriander soup, for £5 and £6 respectively. Both are good but the soup might be a bit spicy for some, containing enough kick to make your eyes brim over. For main course, you can choose from roast beef, lamb, chicken, or veggie pie if you don’t eat meat, all at a reasonable £12. If a roast doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can have a traditional pie and mash with all the trimmings for £8. Portions are big and most of the food is pleasing enough even if the roast beef is a little bit tough. There is also a selection of desserts (£4 each) to choose from if you have room.

In keeping with the trend for food pop-ups at pubs, the Queens Head have their own in operation throughout the week. Entitled the Bell and Brisket, it’s a venture that serves up hearty salt beef bagels and butties.

The Drink
As a free house, the Queens Head prides itself on stocking a quality selection of beers, real ales and ciders. Dark Star, a dark bitter from Sussex, and the Sambrook’s-brewed Wandle are among the cask options. A fine selection of wines is also available with a small glass costing £4.50, a medium glass £6 and bottles start from £13 to £50.

The Last Word
The Queens Head is a rare find in an area where the hustle and bustle of the crowds is never far away. Traditional surroundings, a warm welcome and good beers make it a pub worth knowing about.

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