Sawyers Arms: Fish and Chips and a Pint in London

Sawyers Arms in the Paddington area of London, England

While wandering around, I stumbled upon Sawyers Arms, a historic traditional British pub dating back to 1858, near Paddington Station.

It was my first night in London. I was hungry, tired, jet lagged, and in the mood for a cold beer and warm meal. While there are countless pubs in London, I wanted to find one within walking distance of my hotel.

The 19th century pub, which seemed modern yet had a traditional charm, was busy, even on a Wednesday night.

While checking out their menu, I saw they had an excellent selection of local beers and typical pub fare, including Fish & Chips and Steak & Ale Pie.

I knew this was the spot for me, so I stepped inside Sawyers Arms without knowing anything else.

Sawyers Arms Interior

As mentioned, it was a Wednesday night on my visit. And the place was packed with people inside and outside.

When I entered the pub, it had an open dining room, yet it still felt cozy, with unique and intimate dining nooks perfect for groups. To the left was a large bar.

Upstairs, there was another open dining room with more drinking areas dotted throughout. There was also another small bar, but the bar was closed on my visit.

The first floor was busy, with most guests enjoying a pint of beer, while the second floor had more people eating food. On my visit, I sat on the second floor.

The pub’s decor was modern and clean yet traditional, with many wooden accents and English charm. The white walls and lights brightened the space, even on a gloomy, cold winter day.

The ambiance was cozy and warm, yet lively and boisterous, with guests from solo visitors to groups to families.

Ordering at the Bar

At Sawyers Arms, I placed my food and drink orders at the bar. I received my drinks right away. For food, I selected a table, told the cashier my table number, and waited for my meal to be brought to me.

Sawyers Arms Menu

The menu at Sawyers Arms, London, England — The menu at Sawyers Arms

The menu at Sawyers Arms had “Today’s Menu” listed at the top. Therefore, the menu for your visit might be different.

The menu included Starters, Classics, Burgers, Sharers, Lighter Options, Sides, and Desserts. They also had Sunday Roast options, including a sirloin steak and roasted half chicken.

There was a good selection of pub fare, including classic dishes and unique options. However, it was disappointing that many items were unavailable.

Dishes included chicken wings, fish & chips, steak & ale pie, Korean chicken burger, salmon & vintage cheddar fishcakes, and Christmas pudding.

Beer & Ciders menu, Sawyer Arms, London, England — Beer & Ciders menu

On the Beer & Ciders menu was a great selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

There was a large selection of draught beer including IPAs, lagers, and ales.

They also had cask ales, including the flagship Green King beers from one of the United Kingdom’s oldest breweries.

Other options included bottled lagers, craft beers, cider, ginger beer, and low or no-alcohol drinks.

Fish & Chips

As I was in London and at a pub, it was only fitting that I ordered Fish & Chips (£16.95). The dish had crispy battered Atlantic cod, crushed peas, béarnaise mayo, triple-cooked chips, and charred lemon.

The first thing I noticed was how large the piece of fish was and how thick it was. The piece of fish was so large that it was falling off my plate.

The breading was beautiful. It was thin, crispy, and golden brown with a rich flavor. I added a little salt and malt vinegar for extra flavor.

Inside, the battered Atlantic cod was moist, tender, and bouncy with a fresh, lightly salty flavor. It wasn’t super flaky, but it wasn’t dry.

The triple-cooked chips were thick-cut and basic. While there were not many of them, they were quite large.

Each chip was tender inside with an outside that was not soggy but not crispy, which surprised me as they were triple-cooked. While simple, the chips were very filling.

On the side were crushed peas and a béarnaise mayo. While simple, the tender peas complemented the richness of the battered fish. The sauce was similar to a tartar sauce but more creamy, thick, tangy, and herbal.

Service at Sawyers Arms

Even though it was a busy Wednesday night, I found all the staff at Sawyer Arms, who wore black uniforms, to be friendly and attentive.

Despite the crowds, servers constantly cleaned tables, chatted with guests, and recommended the best beers and foods to try.

Whether upstairs or downstairs, the staff seemed to be hustling to serve food and drinks.

Lastly, my food came out amazingly fast after I ordered it.

Conclusion

I only visited Sawyers Arms because of its proximity to my hotel. And I am glad I visited this historic pub.

Everything about my visit was great, from the staff to the food, the menu, and the beers.

While the food was simple, it was filling with large portions. And for a pub, I enjoyed how the battered cod was crispy and crunchy on the outside while moist on the inside.

While I wouldn’t travel across London to visit Sawyers Arms, if you are in the Paddington area, I recommend stopping by for a bite and a pint.