My Mrs. likes this place, I don't get it. Nice food she tells me.

Went to this gastropub on a Saturday night with friends for a relaxed dinner. The emphasis is very much on the 'gastro' part, with a menu that advertises itself as Italian yet meanders across much of Europe. It appears an effort has been made to do something a little different.

Service was at the level of a good restaurant. The wine list was unexceptional, though the 2008 Rioja we ordered was reasonably drinkable.

It seemed to us that the ingredients were well-sourced and the food freshly prepared. There was plenty on the menu, including pizzas from a wood-fired oven, and everything was cooked competently.

The dishes themselves ranged from the classic (28 day hung steak) to the adventurous (starter of octopus, cuttlefish and chorizo), all of which were well executed. My lamb arrived medium-rare, as ordered, and was nice and tender.

Though the food perhaps doesn't quite reach the level you might expect from a really top restaurant, that's not a significant criticism - it's head and shoulders above most pub food and overall there was very little to complain about.

For a casual Saturday evening, The Vine was exactly what it needed to be - good quality food in a relaxed setting.

These reviews below are well out of date and it clearly must have changed hands since - this place is a gem.

My friend had a wedding there recently and as Best Man I found the owner James to be incredibly helpful and friendly, the place was entirely accommodating and the wedding was certainly one to remember.

The reception was held out in the garden which looked great, the staff were really helpful, the food was brilliant and the owner had put alot of effort in to help the whole day run smoothly.

I had also gone for lunch there a couple of months before, we were a little late but they still served us - great pizza!

I would definitely recommend this as a place to have any large reception/party or to have a few drinks and some lunch at.

Under rated and the other comments certainly don't reflect this great pub.

The Vine is the best ever. This summer the food and the service at The Vine have been terrific. Antonio's wonderful Mediterranean cuisine always makes for a difficult choice, but my favourite is the seabass al carttocio - the fish cooked in foil with spaghetti and a mouthwatering mixture of tomatoes and herbs. The Merlot's always good, too!

Found myself in The Vine the other night in Kentish Town. Wow. The place was buzzing. We were starving and the attentive manager grabbed us and led us out back to the oasis like covered rear garden you wouldn't know was there.


The service was informal but prompt and we could hear ourselves talk which is rare these days. The Vine is a real pub with with proper food and a good grown up atmosphere. I'm going back on Sunday with the family for Sunday lunch. Watch this space.

The Vine is now at its best. Good manager, terrific chefs, great food, charming service from a truly international team. Our favourite's Antonio's sea bass al cartocio - unbeatable! The Vine is the best eating experience in or anywhere near Kentish Town.

Having lived in K Town for about 6 years, we've fallen in and out of love with The Vine many times. Currently though it's in!



After a succession of managers, Tony has now been there for a few years and you're guaranteed great food, well kept beer and a good selection of wines. More importantly, at The Vine you get a genuinely warm welcome and there's a cosy, personal feel that makes you feel like a local. That's not easy in a London pub!

I had the worst pub experience I have ever had in London at The Vine. It was not overly busy but the staff took 15 minutes to serve a pint, the toilets were awful and the staff served up a chicken dish to one member of our group who had ordered a vegetarian meal. They replaced her dish claiming it was on the house but, after serving it up, then rectracted it, deciding instead that we did not have to pay a service charge! All of this was on top of the staff claiming to know nothing about a "pre-forum" special advertised on their own website. The Vine is definitely not recommended.

I went to The Vine two weeks ago on a Monday night and was suprised to see just how full it was even for the beginning of the week - you'd almost certainly have to book ahead to get a table. The food was ok, perfectly adequate, if a little overpriced. The Vine really does need to do something about the fumes coming from the kitchen but that is my only real complaint. This is a great pub for summer with two outside areas, although the view in the back garden is preferable to the one at the front looking out onto the road.

The Vine is a really pleasant summer stop-off. The conservatory is light and airy and perfect for a summer afternoon. The only problem is the rush for the tables - it's first come first served. It's the same in winter, with The Vine's leather sofas inside. Shame you can't book really.

Very good, excellent food and perfect atmosphere! Keep up a good work!