The Coal Hole is a historic Nicholson’s pub at 91-92 Strand, close to the River Thames, Waterloo Bridge and London’s Theatreland. The building is rumoured to occupy a former coal cellar for the Savoy Hotel, while the pub itself became known as a Victorian song and supper club with later links to Gilbert and Sullivan.
British pub food anchors the menu, with a particular emphasis on hand-crafted pies and hearty classics. Steak and Nicholson’s pale ale pie, fish pie and meat-free hot pots illustrate the range, while burgers, sausages with mash and macaroni cheese provide familiar alternatives.
Fish is another speciality, extending beyond fish and chips to seasonal seafood dishes. Sandwiches offer a lighter lunch, including steak, battered fish and grilled halloumi fillings, and a pre-theatre selection suits diners fitting a meal around a nearby performance.
Cask ale from specialist breweries is central to the bar, joined by wine and broad whisky and gin collections. Dining areas and bookable spaces accommodate groups as well as casual visits; guests with allergies should use the current allergen information and speak with staff because cross-contact can occur in the kitchen.
Address: 91-92 Strand, London WC2R 0DW, England
The Coal Hole Menu
Small Plates & Starters
Lightly Dusted Calamari
Mango & sweet chilli salsa
Hand-Cut Nachos (V) – Large
Hand-cut tortilla chips, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños. Add pulled beef brisket
Hand-Cut Nachos (V) – Small
Hand-cut tortilla chips, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños. Add pulled beef brisket
Beef Brisket Nachos – Small
Hand-cut tortillas chips , pulled beef brisket, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños.
Beef Brisket Nachos
Hand-cut tortilla chips, pulled beef brisket, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños.
Tomato & Basil Soup (V)
Toasted rustic ciabatta. Vegan alternative available.
Roasted Garlic Mushrooms on Rustic Toast (VE)
In a creamy garlic & spinach sauce. On toasted rustic ciabatta.
Tomato & Basil Soup (VE)
With basil pesto, and toasted rustic ciabatta.
Pulled Beef Rib Croquettes*
Gochujang mayo, watercress & pickled pink onion salad.
King Prawn & Smoked Scottish Salmon Cocktail*
With toasted ciabatta, little gem lettuce and a bloody Marie Rose sauce.
Traditional Sunday Roasts
All our Sunday roasts are served with roast potatoes, glazed parsnips, thyme roasted carrots, long stem brocolli, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy.
Nut & Root Vegetable Roast (VE)
Walnut, almond & hazelnut roast, with onion gravy.
Roast Beef
Hand-carved roast rump of beef
Nut & Root Vegetable Roast (V)
Walnut, almond & hazelnut roast, with onion gravy. Vegan alternative available.
Roast Chicken
Succulent roasted chicken breast with sage & onion stuffing
Cauliflower Cheese (V)
Yorkshire Puddings (V)
Pigs In Blankets
Roast Potatoes (VE)
Crispy garlic & thyme roast potatoes.
Our Pie Collection
We pride ourselves on serving the very best traditional pies. Our pies are served with buttery mashed potato, thyme roasted carrots and a rich gravy.
British Steak & Nicholson's Pale Ale Pie
Awarded gold at the British Pie Awards. Blade of beef in Nicholson’s Pale Ale gravy in a thyme pastry pie.
Chicken, Leek & Tarragon Pie
In a creamy white wine and tarragon sauce. Topped with golden puff pastry.
Mushroom & Spinach Suet Pie (V)
In a rich red wine and tarragon sauce. Vegan alternative available.
MUSHROOM & SPINACH SUET PIE (VE)
In a rich red wine and tarragon sauce. With long-stem broccoli, thyme roasted carrors and a rich gravy with baby potatoes.
Long-Stem Broccoli (VE)
Beef Rib, Shin & Brisket Pie
Cooked in a rich red wine sauce, topped with light pastry.
Fish Pie
Cod, salmon & king prawns in a creamy white wine sauce, topped with thyme & mature Cheddar mash. With long-stem broccoli and thyme roasted carrots.
Mains
Nicholson's Fish & Chips
Hand-battered haddock in Nicholson’s Pale Ale. Chunky chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. Add curry sauce.
Garlic Chicken Schnitzel
Schnitzel smothered in garlic butter, skin-on-fries, watercress and pickled red onion salad.
Ocean Fish & Chips
Hand-battered* haddock & breaded wholetail Scottish scampi, Chunky chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. Add curry sauce.
Nicholson's Fish & Chips (Large)
Pan-Roasted Salmon Fillet
Crushed baby potatoes, long-stem broccoli and Scottish mussels with a white wine butter sauce.
Nourish Bowl Salad ▲ (VE)
Kale, brown rice & quinoa salad, with cherry tomatoes and mango, long-stem broccoli and pumpkin seeds.
Nourish Bowl with Chicken
Kale, brown rice & quinoa salad, with cherry tomatoes and mango, long-stem broccoli and pumpkin seeds. Add Chicken
Nourish Bowl with Halloumi (V)
Kale, brown rice & quinoa salad, with cherry tomatoes and mango, long-stem broccoli and pumpkin seeds.
Nourish Bowl with Smoked Salmon
Kale, brown rice & quinoa salad, with cherry tomatoes and mango, long-stem broccoli and pumpkin seeds. Add Smoked Salmon
Add On Curry Sauce (VE)
Chicken Caesar Salad
With crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, smoked bacon, Parmesan, croutons, and a classic Caesar dressing.
8oz Chargrilled Sirloin Steak
21-day-aged steak, chunky chips and a choice of peppercorn* or bone marrow bearnaise sauce.
Chargrilled Chicken & Chorizo
Chargrilled chicken breast, pan-fried chorizo, long-stem broccoli, sautéed baby potatoes.
Pesto, Cheese & Spinach Gnocchi with Chicken
Basil pesto, creamy garlic & spinach sauce, thyme panko breadcrumbs, rustic garlic ciabatta. Add Chicken.
Pesto, Cheese & Spinach Gnocchi (V)
Basil pesto, creamy garlic & spinach sauce, thyme panko breadcrumbs, rustic garlic ciabatta.
Salmon & Dill Fishcakes*
With glazed baby potatoes, house salad and Sicilian lemon Mayo.
Sausage & Mash
British pork sausages, buttery mash, caramelised onion gravy. Vegetarian serve available.
Vegetarian Sausage & Mash (V)
Vegetarian sausages served on a bed of creamy mash and topped with gravy.
Sirloin Steak Sandwich
21-day aged sirloin steak, served medium, with chimichurri sauce & baby watercress, on rustic ciabatta. Served with skin-on fries.
Burgers
Our mouth-watering burgers come with lettuce, gherkin, tomato and mayonnaise on a brioche bun and are served with skin-on fries.
Classic Cheese & Bacon Burger
Chargrilled beef patty, smoked back bacon, Cheddar cheese.
Spinach & Falafel Burger (V)
Pink pickled onions, plant-based slice, baked mushroom, tomato salsa. Vegan alternative available.
Buttermilk Chicken Burger
Crispy buttermilk chicken breast, smoked bacon, Cheddar cheese, guacamole.
The Nicholson's Burger
Double beef patty, cheese sauce, smoked back bacon, crispy onions, hash brown.
Spinach & Falafel Burger (VE)
Pink pickled onions, plant-based slice, baked mushroom, tomato salsa. Vegan alternative available.
Pulled Beef Brisket
Smoked Cheddar Cheese (V)
Smoked Back Bacon
Upgrade Fries – Truffle Parmesan
Beef Brisket Burger
Chargrilled beef patty, hand-pulled BBQ beef brisket, cheese sauce.
Sides
Halloumi Fries (V)
Sweet chilli mayonnaise.
Skin-On Fries (V)
Chunky Chips (V)
Long-Stem Broccoli (VE)
Truffle & Parmesan Fries
House Salad (VE)
Tomatoes, cucumber and mixed leaves in a pineapple & lemongrass dressing.
Garlic Ciabatta (V)
Puddings
Sticky Toffee Pudding (V)
Bourbon vanilla ice cream.
Zesty Lemon Tart (V)
With berry coulis and freshly whipped cream.
Apple & Cinnamon Crumble Pie (VE)
Mixed berry coulis and indulgent custard.
Double Chocolate Brownie (V)
With bourbon vanilla ice cream.
Sandwich Menu
Available Monday – Friday until 4pm. Served with your choice of skin-on fries, chunky chips or house salad.
Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich
With Gochujang mayo, little gem lettuce, pickled pink onions and crunchy slaw. On rustic ciabatta.
Fish Finger Sandwich
Nicholson’s Pale Ale battered fish goujons with tartare sauce, in a brioche bun.
Grilled Halloumi Sandwich (V)
With grilled red peppers and basil pesto, on rustic ciabatta.
Nicholson's Club Sandwich
Triple decker sandwich. Grilled chicken breast, crispy smoked back bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, in toasted farmhouse bread.
Chargrilled Sirloin Steak Sandwich
21-day aged sirloin steak, served medium. With chimichurri sauce & baby watercress on rustic ciabatta.
Choice Fries V
Choice Chips V
House Salad (VE)
Tomatoes, cucumber and mixed leaves in a pineapple & lemongrass dressing.
Truffle & Parmesan Fries
Gold Buffet Dishes
£25 per person
Cheeseburger Slider
Chorizo And Chicken Skewers
Goats Cheese And Spinach Croquettes (V)
With tomato salsa.
Lightly Dusted Calamari
with a sweet chilli & mango salsa.
Mini Lamb & Mint Pies
Salmon & Dill Fish Cakes*
With tartare sauce.
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings
with a BBQ glaze.
Smoked Scottish Salmon & Avocado
Spiced Grains Salad (VE)
Sweet Potato & Apricot Falafel * (VE)
Silver Buffet Dishes
£20.50 per person
Goats Cheese And Spinach Croquettes (V)
With tomato salsa.
Salmon & Dill Fish Cakes*
With tartare sauce.
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings
with a BBQ glaze.
Crispy Chicken Sliders
Lightly Dusted Calamari
with a sweet chilli & mango salsa.
Spiced Grains Salad (VE)
Smoked Scottish Salmon & Avocado
Pulled Beef Rib Croquettes*
Bronze Buffet Dishes
£17.50 per person
Wholetail Scottish Scampi
with tartare sauce
Beer-Battered Mushrooms (V)
With a sour cream dip
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings
with a BBQ glaze.
Tossed Grain Salad (VE)
With a pinapple and lemongrass dressing.
Pulled Beef Brisket Sliders
Smoked Scottish Salmon & Avocado
Vegetarian Buffet Dishes
£19.50 per person
Goats Cheese And Spinach Croquettes (V)
With tomato salsa.
Beer-Battered Mushrooms (V)
With a sour cream dip
Sweet Potato & Apricot Falafel * (VE)
Spiced Grains Salad (VE)
Halloumi & Veg Skewers (V)
Sharing Boards
Sandwich Board
Roast beef & horseradish, grilled chicken & avocado, mature Cheddar cheese & chutney* and free-range egg mayonnaise sandwiches.
Desserts
Finish your buffet with some savoury or sweet treats.
British Cheese Selection (V)
Double Gloucester, Farmhouse Cheddar, Blue Shropshire and Somerset Camembert cheese with a selection of crackers, English beer chutney and celery. £3pp
Dessert Platter (V)
Salted caramel profiteroles with chocolate sauce and baked vanilla cheese cake, with a raspberry sauce.
Breakfast & Brunch
Traditional Sausage Sandwich
British pork sausages, in farmhouse bread.
Vegetarian Sausage Sandwich
On farmhouse bread.
Traditional Bacon Sandwich
Smoked back bacon, in farmhouse bread.
Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Scottish Salmon
On toasted rustic bread.
The Nicholson's Breakfast
British pork sausage, crispy smoked back bacon, golden hash brown, roasted mushroom, roasted tomatoes, black pudding, baked beans, toasted rustic bread and choice of two free-range eggs cooked to your liking.
Smashed Avocado & Poached Eggs* (V)
On toasted ciabatta.
Nicholson's Vegetarian Breakfast (V)
Vegetarian sausages, golden hash brown, roasted mushroom, roasted tomatoes, baked beans, toasted rustic bread and choice of two free-range eggs cooked to your liking.
Sides & Add-ons
Fried Egg (V)
Poached Egg (V)
Smoked Back Bacon
Sausage
Hash Brown (V)
Avocado (VE)
Veggie Sausage (V)
Bar Snacks
Sticky Chicken
Sweet chilli & som tam dressing
Lightly Dusted Calamari
Mango & sweet chilli salsa
Halloumi Fries (V)
Sweet chilli mayonnaise.
Padrón Peppers (VE)
Loaded Chunky Chips
Pulled beef brisket, mature Cheddar cheese.
Hand – Cut Nachos (V) – Small
Hand-cut tortilla chips, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños. Add pulled beef brisket
Beef Brisket Nachos – Small
Hand-cut tortillas chips , pulled beef brisket, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños.
Traditional Sausage Roll
With Bloody Mary ketchup*.
Small Plates & Sharers
Hand – Cut Nachos (V) – Large
Hand-cut tortilla chips, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños. Add pulled beef brisket
Beef Brisket Nachos
Hand-cut tortilla chips, pulled beef brisket, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños.
Oven-Baked Camembert* (V)
Topped with pumpkin seeds, honey & thyme. With beer chutney and toasted rustic bread. Recommended for two.
Tomato & Basil Soup (V)
Toasted rustic ciabatta. Vegan alternative available.
Roasted Garlic Mushrooms on Rustic Toast (VE)
In a creamy garlic & spinach sauce. On toasted rustic ciabatta.
Tomato & Basil Soup (VE)
With basil pesto, and toasted rustic ciabatta.
Pulled Beef Rib Croquettes*
Gochujang mayo, watercress & pickled pink onion salad.
King Prawn & Smoked Scottish Salmon Cocktail*
With toasted ciabatta, little gem lettuce and a bloody Marie Rose sauce.