The Gun

A good example of the classic gastropub. Used to eat here monthly, but have only been here 2-3 times in the last 6-9 months.

The Gun has a great river side position, in a building which retains its old pub charm.

With the exception of the odd glitch in choices on the menu, the food is consistently good. We prefer their classic gastro pub dishes (like rib-eye or rump of lamb), and tend to stay away from their more complex offerings. Had some very good simple starters, but a recent terrine was simply bland.

Front of house management is usually very good, professional and charming. However, on recent visits we have found many of the other staff to be much less impressive – not as friendly or engaging, and less evidence of good training. We were particularly unimpressed on a visit last year when they adopted a “wine bottle on the table” approach to marketing wine, which the waiter then tried to push. Fine in Pizza Express, but not a gastropub. Luckily, this seems to have been dropped.

We normally pay £65-£70 for 2 for 2 courses, inc service ex all drinks. Seems fair value. A good wine list, from the low to the top end prices. Can normally find something I'm happy with for c£35.

A big downside is the inconvenience of getting a cab home or getting back to Canary Wharf at the end of the evening. In the past, staff would always offer to order a taxi when you asked for your bill. They didn't offer last time.

A decent gastropub. Recommended. Especially if there is ever any sunshine for a weekend lunch !

The Gun is my local… how lucky am I?! A gorgeous old building in good condition, right on the waterside. It feels like a proper pub, but definitely has the wow-factor of a well maintained modern gastro-pub at the same time (contradicting I know!).

You are spoilt for choice – a seat in the front or back bar areas, or the main dining room or private room, or even on the terrace? In summer you even have a Portuguese barbeque area (with a pub quiz on Mondays!) The Gun has so much to offer its unbelievable. Good value for delicious sophisticated pub grub or a more gourmet British menu in the main restaurant, alongside well priced drinks. For a relaxing meal or a few drinks, in a stunning location in this area, there is no where better to go!

We are so grateful to the wonderful staff at The Gun for helping to make our wedding party in March 2009 a fantastic, friendly and wonderful evening. Almost 2 years on we have great memories from the evening and all of our guests remarked on how well they were looked after by the attentive staff, who were happy, smiley and got involved to make it really special. The canapes were also excellent and plentiful.

I thoroughly recommend the venue for anyone who is planning a special party or wedding. We hired out the terrace and additional rooms which meant that the other half of the pub was open as usual but the locals (as it was a Saturday) were great and very charming. The Gun have put a great emphasis on making sure that arrangements are discussed thoroughly before the occasion and go out of their way to make sure everything is taken care of leaving you able to relax and enjoy it for yourself – we didn't need to ask for anything.

Even an incident with red wine spilt on my wedding dress by one of our amorous guests proved no problem for the bar staff who were quick to rush to it's aid with salt and white wine (and the stain vanished! – thank you!)

So thank you everyone at The Gun for a wonderful memory.

a few summers ago this was my favourite “pint in the sun” escape-away lunchtime retreat. On a sunny warm day very few places compare in the capital. and despite the waste of tax-payers money, the dome/O2 remains a stunning backdrop. the quality of the food here has never been in doubt.
And one Sunday we popped in for a “late lunch” ahead of an O2 show, as we have become dispirited by the rubbish and cost of feeding under the tent. My current wife having never been there, I was excitedly looking forward to her reactions.
Initially i “threw the toys out” a little as i was advised that it would be “Sunday lunch” menu only and no a la carte treats for us – and then the bar steward brought be the wrong beer. My wife sensed trouble brewing…but I self calmed, in truth becuase I couldnt be arsed to look elsewhere.
the food then started to come.
from warm “breads” to perky espresso to close it was brilliant. no point in going into massive details – as the menu will change week to week. But there was wonderful taste in the belly of pork. the vegetables and accompanying apple compote balanced perfectly. the broth I started with was actually perfect. as i say I was up for a fight and then ended up leaving a tip.
The manager here – whoever they are – runs a ship tight enough for the Admiral himself. responsive staff and a well numbered team. And ive only marked the service down because of the early cock up on the drinks.
Most importantly my wife loved it – and what initially looked like letting down my “bigging-up” of it on the way over, became a warmly basked “told you so” on leaving. not the cheapest – but the better ones shouldnt need to be.

as always lovely food & wine – Service could have been better this time as we had to ask twice for our missing dish. This is one of my favo places their sunday roast is just super nice best in london. I love this good gastropub, one of the originals in London, wvery modern decor. Around lunch time very very busy

With a beautiful riverside setting and a large decked terrace to embrace the British summer, The Gun is one of the best dining experience in the Docklands offering a great British pub menu. In the summer, be sure to visit A Grelha at The Gun, an al fresco Portuguese BBQ of fresh fish and meats on the decked terrace.

A really wonderful pub. It's a bit of a trek from where I live, but was well worth it. I had been told about The Gun, but hadn't managed to check it out. Glad I did. Will definitely be back. It's one of those great places to take your friends who don't live in London, and you want to show them someplace cool in the city, and it has some great history too. Top marks to the place.

Well, where do I begin. Places lke this are the reason I moved to London. A friend of mine lives down in Docklands, and a few of us got together for post work drinks at this wonderful little pub. I had never even heard of it, but I'll never forget it. We didn't actually eat here, it was just a boozy catch up for a few of us, but the food did look great. Back to the pub, there are several little rooms that you can lounge in which is unusual in most pubs, which only have big rooms filled with people. There are fireplaces here too, so I can't wait to go back in winter when they are blazing away. The bar staff were great in filling us in on the history of this being Nelson's retreat when in London and of the brothers who renovated it a few years ago. I'm love old buildings, and being in historical places, that keep the essence of what they were in days gone by, and The Gun is just that. Wonderful.

I love a good gastropub, and living out of London that is what most of our local restaurants now are. So I was intrigued to visit the Gun, which has a reputation as one of the originals in the capital. And it certainly fitted the template, with modern no fuss decor, blackboard specials, tables close together and buzzing lunchtime trade. Being fussy about my wine, and it being lunchtime, I was delighted that they offer a good selection by the glass. Service was ultra efficient and the food really hit the spot. Not trying too hard, but you couldn't fault the quality. And I was delighted to sample the sea bream with samphire, especially as we had just returned from a weekend in Suffolk where I had scoured the local restaurants for the ‘asparagus of the sea’ only to return home disappointed. Easily accessible by DLR, it is really worth a visit.

Fantastic place to enjoy a sunday roast and chill out with the papers while sitting out on the decked terrace and admiring the river view.

Food is traditional gastro pub grub, with not much innovation, however, the dishes are executed well to the most part.

That said service is particularly lacking, and alas this dampens the experience of what should be a great place to just chill, unwind and enjoy some good food and drink.