The Holly Bush is a large, popular pub hidden away in a residential area of Hampstead. It's a firm favourite with locals and food is a big attraction.

The Venue
The Holly Bush is located in a residential area of Hampstead, a five-minute walk up a fairly steep hill from the Tube station and sheltered from the busy adjacent streets. Spread over two storeys, the exterior is all-white, with an overhead shelter for smokers, and translucent windows. Through a stained-glass door lies the first of many rooms, and main bar; the rest of the ground floor is split up into several sections, nooks, alcoves and booths, all bathed in soft light, with panelled dark-wood ceilings and a cosy, aged colour scheme. The décor is meticulous yet unimposing, with countless prints and engravings lining the walls, ornaments, flowers and candles adding colour, and antique fireplaces and ceiling fans complementing the bygone-era feel of the surroundings. A main dining area can be found at the back of the venue, with all manner of pews, banquettes and stools to seat large groups with ease, and a beautifully furnished function room, complete with chandelier and comfortable sofas, is also available for private hire on the second floor.

The Atmosphere
A firm local favourite, the Holly Bush attracts a hefty cross-section of Hampstead society, with students and recent graduates rubbing shoulders with more middle-aged patrons and, especially on weekends, whole families from nearby. Everyone is made to feel welcome by the youthful and courteous staff, and on the whole the venue feels like an ideal location to while away an evening engaged in conversation. There are no themed evenings or regular events to speak of, but the pub is a venue of choice for parties looking to book a table for a private affair, not to mention for the usual suspects.

The Food
Most of the floor space inside the Holly Bush is given over to dining, and with good reason – the food is one of the main attractions here, with a straightforward yet richly rewarding local menu offering culinary satisfaction and value for money. Specialising in beautifully prepared meat and fish dishes bolstered with healthy portions of sides (the steak and ale pie with mustard mash hits the spot, while the whole grilled plaice with cèpes and vegetables simply threatens to overwhelm – all for around £12/14), the kitchen also provides several vegetarian alternatives, as well as appetising starters (around £6 for a sizeable portion) and exemplary desserts, including a quite spectacular apple and rhubarb crumble. Unadventurous, perhaps, but in these surroundings the food on offer is simply divine.

The Drink
The selection of beverages doesn't exactly let the side down either. The main bar has a wide selection of bottled and draught beers and ales, including Adnams and London Pride (£3.50/£4), as well as three whole shelves of spirits, so you won't be left wanting no matter what your tipple of choice. The wine list is formidable as well, with vintages of all nationalities stocking the cellar – they may be slightly pricey (anywhere between £15 and £45 a bottle), but the Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and New Zealand Riesling in particular are well worth the expenditure.

The Last Word
A hidden gem of a pub with an easy-going ambiance and sensational grub, the Holly Bush fully deserves its reputation as the establishment of choice among the Hampstead cognoscenti, and is well worth the trek for non-locals.

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