Putney Pies is a British pie specialist tucked into an arched vault beside the Thames in Putney, and the setting alone makes it worth the trip. You'll find shortcrust, puff, and pot pies with fillings ranging from the classic steak and ale to a Mexican-inspired chilli pie — all praised by reviewers for their hearty, comforting quality. Featured in The Standard's British Pie Week roundup as one of London's best, it's the kind of place you go when you want proper comfort food in a location ripe for pie-eating.
Hearty steak & ale pies served in an atmospheric arched vault beside the Thames — featured by The Standard as one of London's best pie spots.
Grab a table near the back of the arched vault for the most atmospheric spot, and go for the steak and ale pie — it's what the regulars keep coming back for.
Proper British pies in a Thames-side vault
If you're looking for proper British comfort food done right, Putney Pies delivers exactly what it promises — hearty, golden-crusted pies in a setting that feels genuinely special. The restaurant sits in an arched vault beside the Thames, and walking in from Putney High Street you immediately get that warm, slightly cavernous vibe that makes you want to settle in for the evening. The Standard named it one of London's best for British Pie Week, and it's easy to see why: the pie selection is the star, with shortcrust, puff, and pot options and fillings ranging from the classic steak and ale to a Mexican-inspired chilli pie.
The steak and ale pie is the one reviewers keep coming back to — perfectly cooked, rich, and properly filling. You'll also find shepherd's pie, seared steaks, and traditional sides like Yorkshire pudding on the menu, plus desserts like banoffee pie and apple pie if you've still got room. The ale selection and house wine get nods from regulars, and the latte is apparently better than you'd expect from a pie place.
With a 4.3 rating across over 700 Google reviews and a solid 4.0 on Tripadvisor, it's clearly doing something right. It's not fine dining and it doesn't pretend to be — it's a comforting, unpretentious spot that nails the basics. Go when you want a no-fuss meal that actually fills you up, ideally followed by a walk along the river with a view of St Mary's Church.