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The Old George
★ 4.0(1 review)Bar
historicfriendlygastro-pub
About the Vibe
The Old George is a beautifully restored 1700s pub that's managed to keep its historic charm while adding a contemporary twist. It's the kind of place where you can grab a pint of real ale in the traditional bar area or head upstairs to the restaurant for some surprisingly ambitious dishes like stinging nettle gnocchi and pan-seared scallops with blood orange. The atmosphere is friendly and unpretentious, with a garden that's perfect for sunny afternoons and a lively weekend scene featuring quiz nights and live music.
Known For
- •restored 1700s pub
- •pan-seared scallops with blood orange
- •quiz nights and live music
- •garden seating
Best For
after-work drinksweekend socializingcasual dining
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 1, 2026
Historic Pub with Ambitious Gastro-Food
The Old George is one of those Bethnal Green pubs that manages to balance its historic pedigree with a modern gastro-pub sensibility. Dating back to the 1700s, the building has been beautifully restored under the Antic Collective, and you can feel the character in every corner. The ground floor bar is your classic pub setup - perfect for a pint of cask ale or one of their extensive craft beer selection. But it's the upstairs restaurant that really sets this place apart.
The food is ambitious for a pub menu, with dishes like stinging nettle gnocchi, pan-seared scallops with fennel pollen and blood orange puree, and roast wild pheasant with Toulouse sausage stuffing. The kitchen clearly has passion and skill, even if the execution isn't always perfect - the pheasant was a bit dry on one visit, though the rosemary jus helped. The seafood options are particularly strong, with a baked sea bream served with clams in white wine butter that's genuinely impressive. The blood orange tart for dessert is a must-try.
What keeps people coming back is the atmosphere. It's a proper community pub with quiz nights, live music, and DJ sets on weekends. The garden is a real asset when the weather cooperates, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. It's not quite as polished as some of the newer gastro-pubs in the area, but that's part of its charm. Just don't expect fine dining - this is pub food done well, in a space with real character.