The Old White Bear

This used to be a good old boozer and very cozy. Now it’s more of a restaurant and the area for just drinking is almost nil, literally just in front of the bar. We have NOT eaten here so this critique is not on the food but on the ambiance of this place feeling like a watering hole. Which if you just want a quick drink or a couple of pints, you would be better off somewhere else because you feel like you’re not wanted unless you’re dining. And, they have the lovely old fireplaces blocked by tables and on a cold winters day you’d think they’d want these roaring to make it more cozy /​romantic. But they weren’t making it feel even colder in here.

Very old, very genteel and. .. very quiet. Looks like it has been updated and modernized. It wouldn’t be out of place in Highland Park or Winnetka, IL — which is to say, it’s not as gritty and urban as I usually like my venues.
Only had ciders here, and basked in an aura of utter civility before exploring Hampstead. The one black mark was an overpowering sewer smell that permeated the entire restaurant while we were enjoying our drinks. Hopefully they’ll get that fixed before I return.

Despite the review of the guy below, I am going to come forward as both, wait for it, an American and non-​Hampstonian. Instead, I live in South London and head up to the Old White Bear whenever humanly possible. It is simply my dream pub.
It might be located in a neighborhood that the average human being can only dream of, but the pub itself is sooo friendly! There are tons and tons of amazing wines from all over and every time we have been there the manager has come over and done mini-​wine tastings with us to figure out what to drink with what we’ve ordered. She is sooo nice, and it’s an amazing feeling to be in such a super pretty, beautiful proper English pub and drinking fantastic wine (or a pint!) and just feel like you fit in and everyone’s hanging out in their friends’ really nice living room :-)
We brought some Belgian friends last time who have located to St. John’s Wood and they were blown away by the place. They said it was exactly the place they had been looking for the entire time they have been living in London and hadn’t yet found.
We loved the sexy continental style food (I mean LOVED), love that personal service, love the way the place is styled, love the staff, loooove the wine list (especially the Portuguese wines!!!), but wish it was in South London– maybe open The Old White Southern Bear???

After an evening of watching the World Cup at the Flask around the corner, my man and I found ourselves a little peckish for a late night meal. We hopped around to a couple pubs and restaurants in Hampstead and found that most of the kitchens were already closed, as it was nearly 10pm.
We were pleased to walk into The Old White Bear and discover that the kitchen was open late with a full menu. Immediately, we both loved the feel of the pub — very cosy and dimly lit, with a woodsy, gastropub feel. We sat at a cute little table by a lit fireplace and were serviced quickly.
My boyfriend salivated over his rack of lamb all throughout the dinner. He even said he had a dream about it that night. I also enjoyed my light meal of vegetable antipasti, which was perfectly grilled and seasoned.
We plan on returning soon again to The Old White Bear as we enjoy staying in our local Hampstead stomping grounds. But next time I plan on enjoying the pan friend scallops, as everyone seemed to be raving about them that evening.

At the risk of having it overrun by Americans and non-​Hampstonians, this is the newest, best kept secret in NW3. Recently refurbished from a gritty working-​class pub, the White Bear skipped the more common gastro-​pub stage and has moved into full-​on restaurant status.
The wines, procured by the ex-​Vinoteca sommelier, are excellent and broadly interesting. The Austrian Pinot Noir captures some New World flavor and is a excellent addition to the otherwise thin wine lists of most NW3 restaurants.
The scallops (pan fried) were excellent with the sun dried tomatoes and samphire. On a separate night, the tuna steak was a nice meaty choice (though better served rarer than normally on the menu).
All-​in-​all, an excellent choice post-​Heath on the weekends and on nights when the Wells is already full and the Holly Bush is jammed. You won’t have it to yourself for long.

While on a first date, my date tried to impress me by «taking me to the pub where oasis has been known to hang out» But upon reaching the pub I didn’t really care about it’s famous guests as much as I did one particular guest in particular… a kitty! I have a tendency to be biased towards any places that have resident kitties, and this was a big black one in ye olde white bear.
The seating was good, and it was just the right amount of people for a friday night… not too crowded, but not so empty that you worry why people aren’t there. There was outdoor seating, and the bar staff was really nice. (meaning they didn’t make fun of me when I called the next day because I was too drunk to take my card after starting a tab… idiot}

Simply stated: my favourite pub in Hampstead. I stumbled upon the Old White Bear on a trip to the Burgh House. It is located almost directly above the Burgh House on the right. The wine list is fantastic and very unique. My wife and I have also come to love the Hampstead Butcher. The Old White Bear serves a wonderful selection of meats and cheeses that are provided fresh from the Hampstead Butcher. We recommend the Italian plate, but the Spanish plate is also very good. We haven’t come across a Sunday roast that is as good as the roast and Yorkshire pudding served at the Old White Bear. Their sticky toffee pudding is worth a try also!