Unpretentious and gifted with a great atmosphere, The Hansom Cab is a lovely pub very close to Holland Park - after a relaxed stroll through the greenery, come here for a bite and a drink for the perfect end to the evening.

The Venue
This beautiful period pub happily marries tradition with subdued modernity. The main feature is the old wooden bar with columns decorated with painted glass and open on both sides. There are some old tables and chairs but the rest is quite modern and the back room is particularly nice with semi-circular couches, cushions, and low round stools. A few lit candles and a fireplace add to the cosy, relaxed feeling.

The Atmosphere
The Hansom Cab is the ideal place for a lazy Sunday afternoon: enjoy your newspaper and Sunday Roast basking in the light from outside.

The atmosphere of this pub is actually more akin to that of a literary cafe thanks to its art exhibition of paintings on the walls. People tend to be quiet and enjoy long visits, especially when the place is semi-deserted. At night, however, more excitement steps in with a bigger pack of customers and a weekly pub quiz.

The Food
Well presented without pretentiousness, the food at The Hansom Cab is the familiar mix of pub grub and foreign favourites thrown into the mix.

If your appetite is not roaring, you can choose between the starters and light bites (£3-£6.50): the pitta bread with homemade tapenade, roasted peppers and hummus dips or the mini vegetable spring rolls are particularly good choices. The baguettes (£5-£6.50) and platters (£5-£8) are also decent options - highlights include the gammon ham with brie sandwich or the chorizo, salami and Parma ham platter. Within the mains (£7-£9.50), you can opt for the usual fish and chips, sausages, and pork belly or try something more upmarket like confit duck leg with mash, braised cabbage and bordelaise sauce, or beef stir fry with vegetables and udon noodles.

The Drink
The wine list is nicely affordable – bottles are £12-£31 and most are available by the glass, although you’ll have to trust your instincts or the bar staff since bottles are not described on the menu. Within the reds, the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos Saint Michel (£31 - their most expensive bottle) and the Touraine Domaine de la Charmoise Loire are recommended. The Soavi Tamelli Vento is a good white whilst the Bertrand Sixieme Sens Rose is a rose worthy of attention.

Beer wise, the selection is quite standard with Kirin Ichiban, Erdinger and Sharps Doom Bar providing some excitement within the draughts (£2.80-£3.80), and Fruli, Peroni, Corona and Tiger jazzing up the bottle selection (£3.10-£3.30). A good choice of coffees and hot drinks is also available, strengthening the cafe allure of this place.

The Last Word
The Hansom Cab is the closest you will get to the atmosphere of a Parisian literary cafe, whilst still being able to order a beer without being considered an alcoholic from the erudite patrons. Relax and enjoy.

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