The Bloomsbury Tavern is a historic pub at 236 Shaftesbury Avenue, between Holborn, Covent Garden and the British Museum. Dating from 1856 and Grade II listed, it retains stained glass and a strong sense of character in the heart of London’s Theatreland.
Fresh food is served throughout the day, with pub classics joined by dishes that follow the seasons. The menu is broad enough for a leisurely lunch, dinner before a show or something substantial alongside a drink after exploring the surrounding West End.
Lighter choices and sharing food complement the larger mains, while traditional favourites give visitors a recognisable introduction to British pub dining. Seasonal menus introduce changing produce and occasion led dishes without losing the straightforward identity of the tavern.
Shepherd Neame ales are a defining part of the bar, supported by wine and other familiar pub drinks. The Bloomsbury Tavern combines heritage and a central location with practical all day food, making it a natural meeting point for local workers and visitors alike.
Address: 236 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EG, England
The Bloomsbury Tavern Menu
Bar Snacks
Seeded pork sausage roll
1698 ale & onion chutney
Tzatziki & pomegranate seeds (v)
Grilled pitta
Hash brown potato puffs
Crispy bacon, Grana Padano & deep-smoked mayonnaise
Starters
Salt & pepper whitebait
Tartare sauce, fresh lemon
Southern fried crispy loaded chicken strips
Heinz firecracker, smokey baconnaise sauces, spring onions & chillies
Mini falafel & Moroccan houmous (vg)
Chickpeas, pink pickled onions, lemon oil, dukkah & grilled flat breads
Watercress & potato soup (vg)
Roasted garlic, lemon oil & sourdough bread
Prawn cocktail
Mary Rose sauce, gen lettuce, sourdough bread & butter
Sharers
Sharing platter (v)
Moroccan houmus, tzatziki, olives, cherry tomatoes, pickled red cabbage & onions, grilled pittas
Grilled Halloumi (v)
Falafel
Mains
Honey roast ham & eggs
Kent honey and Demerara sugar–glazed ham with 1698 ale and caramelised onion chutney, served with skin-on chips
Truffled Hampshire Pork Sausage Ring
Crafted with Hampshire pork and lightly scented with truffle for a rich, savoury finish. Buttered leek mashed potato, brown butter onions, red wine gravy & crispy sage
Haddock & chips
MSC & line caught haddock in a Whitstable Bay beer batter, pea purée, tartare sauce, lemon, chips. Why not add curry sauce?
Steak & Bishops Finger ale pie
Wilted greens, braised carrot, beef gravy & your choice of potato
Roasted chicken breast
Sundried tomato, garlic & Parmesan sauce, herb potatoes & green beans
Chargrilled courgettes & new potato salad (vg)
Nutty buckwheat, broad beans, honey & mustard dressing, confit garlic & crispy sage
Burgers
Crispy Korean chicken burger
Spicy gochujang sauce, kimchi mayo, peanut carrot salad, garlic aioli & chips
Classic beef burger
Prime beef steak burger, Cheddar cheese, pickle, burger sauce, Kentish tomato chutney, red onions, toasted bun & skin on house chips
The plant burger (vg)
Applewood cheese, Kentish tomato chutney, Gochujang mayonnaise, lettuce, pickled red onions & gherkin, toasted bun & skin-on chips
Add ons
Streaky bacon
Caramelised red onions (vg)
Sides
Whitstable Bay beer battered onion rings (vg)
Freshly baked sliced sourdough bread (v)
Salted butter
Skin-on chips (vg)
Fine greens beans (v)
Lemon & chive butter
Garlic & herb butter glazed carrots
Mucky swine loaded fries (small)
Golden rosemary fries loaded with crispy streaky bacon, chillies, Cheddar, mozzarella and smoky BBQ sauce
Sandwiches
Available in white sourdough or grain farmhouse unless otherwise stated
Whitstable Bay beer battered haddock
Tomato, roquette & tartare sauce
Prawn & Marie Rose
Gem lettuce
Toasted chicken & bacon club sandwich
Mayonnaise & tomato
Kentish Spitfire Ale & Ashmore Farmhouse Rarebit
melting golden on toasted sourdough, Granny Smith apple, seasonal dressed leaves, tangy pickled vegetables and a rich 1698 Ale & onion chutney – a local favourite that celebrates Kent’s finest
Puddings
Chocolate & raspberry tart (vg)
Vegan chantilly cream & chocolate sauce
Desserts
Folkestone pudding (v)
An old Kent–inspired baked pudding with a dark caramelised top and soft-set centre, filled with cherry brandy–soaked cherries. Served with a dark cherry compote & our gypsy tart ice cream
Clock house farm apple & blackberry crumble (v)
Warm custard