St John’s Tavern, Archway

Last Updated on November 19, 2025

Stylish gastropub fare in North London

4.0 out of 5.0 stars

In the heart of north London’s Archway, St John’s Tavern has, since the Victorian era, been a staple of the area, popular amongst both locals and other punters travelling from across the city. Earlier this year, St John’s Tavern closed its door – but not for long, as it reopened in November 2025 after a significant restoration and renovation. This leafy part of north London has its fair share of stylish gastropubs, so I was pleased to be invited to see what the revamped St John’s Tavern had to offer.

The first impressions, as the warm lights of the pub emerge around a street corner, are inviting. The pub is very spacious, with space for 250 guests across the bar areas, lounge, dining room and garden (we’ll return in warmer weather to try out this section). An impressive variety of lagers and ales are on tap, and as you walk around the long bar, you arrive at the cavernous dining room, with a rounded ceiling painted a deep burgundy.

The menu is offered on printed paper or written up on large blackboards. The restaurant was packed in its opening week, which affected the speed of the service, but we are sure these early problems will soon be ironed out. The waiting staff were friendly and offered excellent recommendations across the menu.

Settled down with a crisp pint of German lager, we started our meal with scallops served with leek cream and bacon. With cheese grated over the top and a scattering of bread crumbs, the small morsels of leek accompanied the well-seared scallop, served inside its shell. Smoked trout was the special of the day, smartly served with its deep ruby colour. The grilled sardines with Kalamata tapenade tasted fresh and juicy.

Other notable items that jumped out at us from the menu included the Maldon rock oysters with apple and horseradish vinegar, pig’s head fritters with mustard and house pickles, and the roast chicken supreme with mash, wild mushrooms and tarragon.

But what we chose for our main turned out to be the real showstopper. The pork tomahawk with celeriac and apple slaw was worth returning for alone. Prepared for two, this impressive hunk of meat was a large cut, the sizzling fat audible rising from the plate, dark juices running and the sweet apple offering the perfect complement. With every last morsel gnawed off the bone, my companion and I were duly impressed.

Often neglected by restaurants, dessert at St John’s Tavern was excellent. The chocolate-and-Guinness cake was molten and gooey, served with vanilla sorbet. The burnt cheesecake was also delicately balanced without being too sweet.

Both a friendly neighbourhood local and a gastropub destination, St John’s Tavern is the perfect location for a slap-up Sunday lunch, when a special menu is offered, an excellent weeknight meal, or just a drink or two with friends or family.  

St John’s Tavern
91 Junction Rd,
Archway,
London N19 5QU

02072721587