The Old White Bear is an independent Hampstead pub at 1 Well Road, with a history traced to 1704. Its character comes from the combination of an old neighbourhood setting and a lively modern local, welcoming diners, drinkers and dogs throughout the week.
The kitchen prepares its menu fresh each day and changes dishes with the seasons. British pub cooking provides the foundation, with starters, substantial mains and lighter choices designed around produce that suits the time of year rather than a fixed list of generic staples.
Sunday roasts are a particular draw and give the pub a natural role for leisurely weekend meals. Vegetarian choices and changing accompaniments allow different diners to share the occasion, while desserts continue the familiar, comforting approach of the savoury courses.
Cask beer, other draught choices, wine and spirits complete the traditional pub experience. The Old White Bear suits a quiet meal, a drink after a walk on Hampstead Heath or a gathering where good food and the atmosphere of a genuine local matter equally.
Address: 1 Well Road, Hampstead, London NW3 1LJ, England
Old White Bear Menu
Small Plates
Bread and wild garlic butter
v
Pea and lovage soup
creme fraiche, sourdough, v
Potato rosti
braised beef cheeks, Grana Padano
Spring vegetable and Taleggio arancini
lemon and herb cream, v
Sausage roll of the week
Oxfordshire sauce
Brown butter and harissa braised leeks
crushed walnuts, v
Crumpet rarebit
cornichons
Smoked cods roe
chilli oil, flatbread
Mains
Fish and chips
tartare sauce
Pan fried cod
braised white beans, salsa verde
Cheeseburger and chips
aioli
Chicken Caesar salad
bacon, anchovies, Grano Padano, croutons
Seared tuna Nicoise
green beans, new potatoes, soft egg, olive dressing
Charred halloumi
watermelon, mint, cucumber, pickled onion, chilli, lime dressing, v
Roast chicken
wild garlic new potatoes, grilled leeks, burnt lemon, chicken jus
Charred hispi cabbage
white bean purée, chimichurri, vg
Pie of the day
tenderstem broccoli, mash or chips, gravy
Sides
Triple cooked chips
Spring greens
butter and lemon, v
Rocket salad
pomegranate, vg
Desserts
Sticky toffee pudding
miso caramel, vanilla ice cream, v
Rhubarb and custard tart
chantilly cream, v
Dark chocolate mousse
olive oil, sea salt, vg
Sunday Roasts
All served with roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, tenderstem broccoli, Yorkshire pudding and gravy (vegan roast served without Yorkshire pudding and with vegan gravy).
21-day aged top side beef
horseradish cream
Lemon and herbs whole spring chicken
Slow roast rolled pork belly
apple sauce
Maple glazed chickpeas and paprika loaf
v
Sunday Small Plates
Bread and wild garlic butter
v
Pea and lovage soup
creme fraiche, sourdough, v
Spring vegetable and Taleggio arancini
lemon and herb cream, v
Sausage roll of the week
Oxfordshire sauce
Brown butter and harissa braised leeks
crushed walnuts, v
Crumpet rarebit
cornichons
Smoked cods roe
chilli oil, flatbread
Sunday Mains
Charred hispi cabbage
white bean purée, chimichurri, vg
Charred halloumi
watermelon, mint, cucumber, pickled onion, chilli, lime dressing, v
Sunday Sides
Cauliflower cheese
Triple cooked chips
Rocket salad
pomegranate
Sunday Dessert
Sticky toffee pudding
miso caramel, vanilla ice cream
Rhubarb and custard tart
chantilly cream
Dark chocolate mousse
olive oil, sea salt, vg
What we’re drinking…
Pork belly
Pinot Noir, Calusari
Top side beef
Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Roast chicken
Chardonnay, Monstablé
Chickpea roast
Verdejo Orgánico, Campo Flores