The Bear

www.thebear-freehouse.co.uk/

296a Camberwell New Road
London
SE5 0RP

So myself, Rob and Ellie checked out this pub for a late lunch. Unlike the other gastro-pubs we had checked out, this was definitely more pub than restaurant. The pub is a decent walk away from Oval station and sits on the corner of Camberwell New Road and Camberwell Station Road. The bar dominates the place, which removes a little of the intimacy the place has. There is a lot of wood and nice touches that give the place some character, but it was very quiet save a few bar flies that flew in and out.

The menu was interesting, to say the least. We were starving but the lunch menu written on the black board was set on the light side, so Rob and I had starters as well as mains. The starter was interesting (potato, onions, lettuce and olive combo) and was well prepared. We moved on to the mains where Rob and I had the pork belly sandwich, which was good. Ellie went for the Welsh rarebit which was cold.

There was a decent selection of drinks and some good ales, and some good whiskeys. The two staff members were friendly but I do not think arriving fifteen minutes before the lunch time kitchen closed did us any favours.

I can imagine this place being a very nice local, and I would want to try the dinner menu to see how that is before coming to a firm conclusion about the place. You can see the effort/potential, perhaps we just caught them on a slow and/or bad day.

Rating: 4.5/10
Average Rating: 4.5/10 (1)