The Primrose Hill gastropub is more gastro than pub.

The Venue
The Engineer is one of the very first gastropubs in London, and what better place than Primrose Hill to debut fine food, high prices, and stripped out floors? Though situated in a residential area, it’s a popular place at the weekends, with its multiple dining rooms often packed out and the small bar and beautiful beer garden straining at the seams. Be prepared to stand on the pavement and street during summer.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is very pleasant and civilised, although about 80 percent of the floor space is devoted to diners, which can leave drinkers feeling alienated. This is reflected by the staff, who are pleasantly accommodating to diners but grumpiness personified to drinkers. The Engineer’s trump card is its truly fantastic outdoor area, which has high walls, split levels, and soft lighting to give a private and exclusive feel, and exclusive it is, as only half of the space is for drinkers.

The Food
With so much emphasis on food, the food had better be good and thankfully it is. The menu rotates frequently with the season and ingredient availability, but there's typically a Mediterranean fusion angle. Prices are steep for pub food, but there is no denying the food is of a high quality.

The Drink
Primarily a restaurant, The Engineer offers a comprehensive selection of spirits and wines, along with a couple of ales and some excellent premium Continental lagers. They also do cocktails, which though far from the very best in London, are perfectly acceptable and reflected in the price.

The Last Word
Calling The Engineer a pub is like calling Marks & Spencer a sandwich shop: technically correct, but its core business area lies elsewhere. If you only want to drink, you need to be smart about when you go (weekdays or as a nightcap venue is probably best) or have a thick skin to tolerate the somewhat annoyed staff. Despite that, The Engineer really is quite good because of the good quality food, good drink, great beer garden and inoffensive clientele.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (8)