The Earl of Essex
25 Danbury St, London N1 8LE
$
English
Established 2012. Find an ever-changing list of the best local and international beers, matched with a seasonal food menu of pub classics and one of the best beer gardens around.
Reservations
Booking Notes:
Please note that we do not take bookings for our garden area.
All reservations will be allocated on indoor tables.
Business Info
- Address: 25 Danbury St, London N1 8LE
- Cross Street: Islington
- Cuisine: English |
- Cost: | Very Inexpensive
- Category: Pub
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Street |
- Payment Options: VISA | MasterCard | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: earlofessex.net
- Phone: 2074245828
- Features: Outdoor Seating, Smoking Area, Wheelchair Access, Free Wi-Fi,
- Occasion: Meet for a Drink, Dog Friendly, Trendy / Hip,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Inside the pub 12:00 - 23:00
- Tuesday
- Inside the pub 12:00 - 23:00
- Wednesday
- Inside the pub 12:00 - 23:00
- Thursday
- Inside the pub 12:00 - 23:00
- Friday
- Inside the pub 12:00 - 23:45
- Saturday
- Inside the pub 12:00 - 23:45
- Sunday
F.A.Q.s
Frequently Asked Questions- Do I have to book online?
- We also accept bookings via email or over the phone, you can book up to 8 before getting in contact with us, the preferred method for large bookings is via email. Please avoid booking multiple time for 8 in the aim to be a larger group, as the system will allocate you tables away from one another.
- Can I book multiple tables?
- You can indeed, for all large bookings enquiries please send us an email. Please only book for the max amount of people in your party, as we will only allocate space for this number and can't adjust seating on the day.
- Are you booking time slots?
- All bookings have a maximum time slot of 3 hours.
- Can I book space outside in the beer garden?
- Afraid not, the garden is always first come, first served and open to all. There is no budging on this even on the brightest of days!
- How do I cancel a booking?
- If you need to cancel a booking please do so via Table Agent with as much notice as possible from your confirmation email. Alternatively you can email or reach us by phone.
- What happens if I am going to be late?
- We only hold tables for 20 minutes, any later and it will be considered cancelled, although we will always try to find an alternative booking for you.
- Are you dog friendly?
- Absolutely, the more dogs the better! However, please be advised that other dogs may also be in attendance & all dogs must be kept on a lead for the comfort of other customers or anyone potentially suffering from allergies.
- Are you child friendly?
- Yes we are! Parents are responsible for supervising their children at all times. Please note that weekend evenings get very busy & loud indoors, especially after our garden's closure.
- Do you have a function/private room for hire?
- We do not, we only have the indoor, ground floor tables available to reserve and we do not offer private hire of the venue, we aim to be always open to everyone.
- What methods of payment do you accept?
- We are a cashless bar, but accept most forms of card payments and apple pay. We do not currently accept American Express however.
- Do you show Football?
- We do not have TV screens at The Earl of Essex.
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.34 out of 5 stars based on 435 votes
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 29, 2021
Fiona M.
We enjoyed it- good service, thanks guys.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 04, 2021
Matthew T.
We had a great evening. Has to be said it is very noisy and not a place for a quiet tête à tête. Great service good beer and straight up pub food.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 15, 2021
Mishka N.
Everything was amazing!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 05, 2023
Olia K.
Lovely atmosphere and staff. Will definitely come back again. Thank you!
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 3/10
- Value: 7/10
Oct 11, 2024
Myshkin C.
Too noisy
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 29, 2024
Sarah L.
Love it!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Oct 29, 2022
Kitty C.
Great food, drinks and service. The only issue I have is the ambiance. Friday night is typically loud but I could hardly hear my friends. Maybe the pub can consider some acoustic panels to help absorb some of the noise.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 09, 2022
Jane P.
Good food and service but very very noisy!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 23, 2021
Avery C.
THE BEST!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 11, 2021
Clare H.
A gem of a pub! Beautiful garden, yummy food and great service. Couldn’t ask for any more.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 6/10
Apr 18, 2023
Katherine L.
The beers were great and the staff were lovely. I found the food wasn't wonderful (cauliflower wings are too large and would be better with more sauce) and the place needs some soft furnishings to help with sound.
- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 0/10
- Value: 0/10
May 05, 2021
Peter M.
Table was triple booked so we never got in.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 10, 2023
Sarah L.
Our favourite pub. Only improvement would be to have cauliflower cheese with the Sunday roast!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Jan 22, 2022
James B.
Great place, staff were helpful and a great demeanour
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Oct 14, 2024
Matthew L.
Nice pub. Very noisy though due to table chat. Food was tasty but the roast was not super hot so was quickly lukewarm. Service generally excellent. I’d go back.
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 4/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
Dec 11, 2022
Aishu V.
Please turn heating on - very cold!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 25, 2022
Paul B.
One of the best pubs in North London. Friendly efficient staff, great selection of draught beers and cider with guest ales. Lovely beer garden and an old fashioned high ceilinged main room. I have eaten here before and the food was good quality solid nosh and not at the trumped up restaurant prices you now get a Youngs pubs. This time we just ordered a couple of portions of their excellent skin on chips to soak up the booze. Negatives? It's so good it is difficult to get a seat so book a table or arrive early. Everybody at the British Ecological Society salute this great London boozer.
- Overall: 4/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 4/10
Sep 14, 2022
Manjit D.
It would have been helpful to have been told up front that there is no table service rather than having been told in a patronising and rude way at the end of the evening. Will not be coming back.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
May 28, 2021
oliver w.
Great pub with good range of beer
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 12, 2023
Bernie M.
Very tasty roast meal taken by all four of our party.
A comfortable outdoor table on a sunny London summer day.
Would definitely go again.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Sep 22, 2022
Joanna M.
Ambience was good, music was a little load, food was a bit overpriced, particularly the vegan salad leaves
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 07, 2023
Sara M.
Lovely pub and the staff were friendly, kind and attentive. Nice relaxed place. The menu was perfect and we really enjoyed our roast dinners and the puddings! Delish ! Loved the selection of beers - really great. Our table was quite wobbly and we probably should have told the staff at the time, but we tried to fix it by folding up paper. We tried not to fixate on it though - nice place !
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 11, 2021
Jon T.
One of the best pubs in London!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
May 28, 2021
Chris S.
easy going checking on ho drinks were going and given amount of people in pub admirable service by 2 people. Also excellent selection of beers. Would I recommend? yes . Would I go again?I definilry will be
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 18, 2023
Nikki F.
Love this pub! Fantastic experience as always
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 20, 2021
Caroline C.
Earls is your one stop shop for great beers and food. Will return!
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 3/10
- Value: 5/10
Dec 14, 2021
PRISCILLA L.
Unfortunately a disappointing visit. We were advised it was table service but after 40 mins of trying to flag someone to order drinks, to no avail, ended up going to the bar and ordering ourselves. Our food orders were eventually taken and when they finally came out, one of the mains was missing. The waitress hadn’t put it through so we had to wait for that. With all of this in mind we weren’t offered any sort of complimentary meals or even a drink at the least and were still charged service.
It was also far too dark inside.
Had heard great things but was very disappointed.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
May 23, 2021
Marc S.
Great beer and food. Servive was superior. Will be back soon.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 29, 2024
Debbie M.
Amazing beer, delicious food, great atmosphere and attentive staff. Perfect for lunch on a sunny day.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 01, 2023
Keehl Q.
Love your Sunday roast and beer selection!!!!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 13, 2021
Johanna O.
Great food and beer and service. Music was slightly too loud which made it difficult to talk and socialize.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
Jun 25, 2024
Philip E.
Lovely service, good drinks menu, but Sunday roast incredibly disappointing. Did not make a fuss as with friends but definitely wouldn't eat here again.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 13, 2021
Barnaby M.
Fantastic food, beer, and service as always :)
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 26, 2023
Kathryn W.
We had a really lovely afternoon. Great roast dinner, with a very generous thick slice of beef and properly crisp roasties. Lovely veg too. We then idled away the afternoon with the friendly staff bringing over drinks whenever we wanted a top up. No pressure to leave the table either, it was lovely.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 26, 2021
Juliana W.
Loved our time here last Sunday! Staff were really friendly, felt like a lovely local we’ll be coming to more often. It’s really great to see the effort you put into your beer options too, I’m not even a beer drinker but I’ve tried some out because you’ve got such a diverse range. Relaxing atmosphere, enough room for our friend and her baby. Also food was delicious and portions were great!
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
May 18, 2021
Julia R.
Food was much better until last year. We had a quite expensive sunday roast for the quality, and it's shame because it used to be great. My friend's dish was lentils and it was so salty that they could not eat it.
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 1/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 4/10
Aug 14, 2023
Lizzy T.
Food is really really terrible. My friend and I both ordered roasts and the vegetables were rock hard / burnt to a crisp and it was properly the worst roast I've ever had. Won't be coming back anytime soon.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 03, 2022
Agathe S.
All is good, except the food that I found a bit bland every time. I love all the other things: the bers; the staff, the area, the ambiance, the garden, the clean toilets... and will come back for sure!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 22, 2024
Rebecca S.
As always a 10/10 dining occasion.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 18, 2024
Vitali Z.
Too loud for my taste inside, so my friends and I stayed outside, but it was an excellent experience overall.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Dec 23, 2024
Kevin B.
This was a terrific pub with a fantastic selection of beers. Nice comfortable atmosphere. My only criticism was the food. Although the quality was good it coul;d have been hotter.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 18, 2022
George P.
Nice vibe and great beers
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 06, 2023
Martin W.
Great choice of beers on tap - a lively and diverse mix of people enjoying some good drinks with excellent service!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 27, 2022
Sarah-Louise B.
Lovely pub, friendly staff, tasty, great value food (except the desserts - avoid them and order extra chips!) and extensive range of good value drinks.