Eastside Restaurant and Bar

Quirky Pub with Stellar Burgers and Value

Nestled conveniently behind two prestigious museums—the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum—this charming eatery has recently drawn my attention. Its quietude in stark contrast to the bustling tourist hotspots nearby, offers a pleasant refuge for those in search of a quick yet satisfying bite. The establishment serves not just musings for your taste buds but also remarkably affordable pints, a rare find indeed! In these parts, where rent seems to ascend to the firmament, paying a sober sum for a pint and moreish fish and chips feels like a minor jubilation. I was struck by the calm ebb and flow of academic sustenance both at the table and within conversation—a brew of post-grads and IC staff dodging undergrad war cries from the 568 IC bar.

My order string featured a club sandwich that proudly retained its structure under assault and sauces judiciously segregated from thick-cut chips that mirrored a state of contentment on arrival. Albeit the brighter-than-bright lights might induce cringing for anyone prone to photosensitivity, they did little to diminish the amiably garrulous service or the solidly executed menu offerings. The staff, perpetually warm, managed to maintain a sense of laissez-faire that never bordered on neglect—even if there’s the occasional hiccup with orders or salt pretension. More pluses, if you catch it right, include a family-friendly locale complete with verdant patches for the little ones. And bonus: pop in during one of those monthly karaoke nights where inhibitions shed alongside coats at the door, while everyone from the cassocked librarian to the bespectacled music major belts out interpretations of Whitney Houston or perhaps, if you’re lucky, James Blunt. Would I return? Heck yes, even if only for another whisperingly good cappuccino which quite humorously claims to be the best in all of London! — Milo Tastemaker