A beautifully restored north London pub, St John's Tavern is a nice proposition – and would be a great one if the menu was just a bit more exciting.

The Venue
It may not look like much from the outside – just another large pub – but inside St John's Tavern has actually been very lovingly put together and looks like a ‘proper’ pub, albeit one with a gastro edge. The bar area may have a neutral cream colourscheme (shudder), but it’s warmed up by warm pine covering everything from the floor and bar-top to the neat row of bar stools and tables and chairs. Throw in flashes of blue, blackboards and low-hanging green lights and you end up with a pleasant drinking area. Separate to here is a dining area complete with a fireplace, banquettes, cosy dining tables and green walls literally covered in artwork. It’s very cosily done and steps away from the usually cold gastropub décor that places like this seem so keen to employ.

The Atmosphere
St John’s Tavern has a quite awkward positioning. With Highgate and Hampstead located so close – with some of the nicest pubs in London – the competition is on, and Archway isn’t the most attractive of areas to visit. However, the locals that have decided to rent or buy just outside of this ridiculously expensive catchment area seem to dominate the space – think young professionals out for dinner and beer lovers looking for a pint on the way home from work. And the service? Varies wildly depending on who serves you, from the positively exuberant to the decidedly frosty.

The Food
The menu isn’t badly priced, with starters coming in at £6-£8.50 and mains £12-£19, although it seems to be a little confused. Starters include options like jellied pig’s head and Dorset snails whilst the main courses are all fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, beef burger and steak. Not much to get excited about there, then. With such a nice dining area it seems a shame not to jazz it up with great food.

The Drink
There’s a strong wine selection at the St John’s Tavern with a large choice (for a pub like this, anyway) of red, white and sparkling bottles starting at just £15. There are also some interesting grape varieties and unusual blends included, which is impressive, and they cover a large choice of countries and regions. But if you’re in a pub to drink a pint then you won’t be left disappointed as they have three real ales on at any one time that range from the usual like Adnams Broadside, Fuller's London Pride, Taylor's Landlord to the more unusual like Windsor and Eton Conqueror, Rebellion and Hobgoblin.

The Last Word
St John’s Tavern could raise the inventiveness of its food menu up a few notches, but as a straightforward pub it is definitely worth a visit.

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