The Baring

British, Pubs·
££££
·

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
British, Pubs
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Lively, Traditional
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch, Sunday roast
Special Features
Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Celebrations, Group dining [8+]
Food Hygiene Rating

About

London isn’t exactly short on pubs, but it famously only plays host to one Michelin starred spot, so high-end examples can be harder to find than you might expect. Luckily, The Baring is one such spot, serving up a gastronomic menu stuffed with crowd-pleasing plates.

The duo behind the operation - chef Rob Tecwyn and general manager Adam Symonds - come to the pass with more than a decade of experience behind them each, having met ten years ago at the Bull and Last in Highgate, another of London’s best pubs. Following their meet, the pair then parted ways to work at a number of other top hospitality ventures including Dabbous, Kerridge’s Bar and Grill and Orasay, before coming together again to work on this Islington venture.

Here there are stripped-back yet warm interiors, painted brick walls and waxed wooden tables with green accents and feature lighting. The location between Islington and Shoreditch ensures a steady stream of locals who span trendy through to well-heeled.

Rob’s cooking is stalwartly unfussy, with a focus on flavour first. You’ll find humble ingredients given the all-star treatment as well as a long list of small-scale suppliers highlighted on the menu. Start with a selection of snacks with a drink or two from the bar before moving onto starters like smoked eel and pig cheek terrine with horseradish and daikon or quail shish with garlic yogurt and pul biber chilli. Mains are a short but smart run and might include roasted gurnard with onion and taramasalata or salt marsh lamb rump with kofte, aubergine and shishito pepper. A couple of sweets complete the offering and are typically something along the lines of an oven-warm financier with whipped cream or a buttermilk pudding with strawberries and oats.

In line with the food menu, the drinks on offer have also been sourced from small-scale suppliers. There’s a rotating selection of beers from the UK’s best petite breweries as well as a solid wine list and a good, if limited, selection of cocktails.


FAQs

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, the menu usually includes at least one vegetarian option but due to the short nature of the daily menu don't expect a huge amount of choice.

Helpful? 0

Does it serve a Sunday roast?

Yes, there is a separate Sunday menu serving a roast dinner featuring roast potatoes, greens and gravy.

Helpful? 0

Does it take bookings?

Yes, bookings can be made via the website or by ringing directly.

Helpful? 0

The Baring is featured in

Location

55 Baring Street, Islington, London, N1 3DS

020 7916 5861 020 7916 5861

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon Closed
Tue 12:00-23:00
Wed 12:00-23:00
Thu 12:00-23:00
Fri 12:00-23:00
Sat 12:00-23:00
Sun 12:00-18:00

Reviews

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2 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

31 July 2023  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

BoatLady

17 January 2023  
Food & Drink 2.5
Service 3
Atmosphere 1.5
Value 1.5
Not Caring for The Baring

It's nearly 10 years since BoatLady last wrote a review here, but I'm bringing her (now a LandLubber and out-of-towner) out of retirement as I've just seen The Baring, scene of Saturday's dinner, listed on the SquareMeal Top 100 restaurants in London. And I may be on the wrong side of SM, of Giles Coren, hell of history itself, but I beg to differ. First up, my stracciatella starter: it really needed a steak knife to saw through the crusty slab of sourdough, a paring knife to cut away the giant mound of bitter green and acidic preserved lemon atop, and a life raft to save the poor drowning little smear of creamy cheese struggling to float its flavour to the top. The main, delicate little slices of melt-in the mouth venison (Rhug Estate no less! not that the waiter seemed to care much what this meant when asked), was a welcome delight but rather outshone by the rich, earthy soft beetroot on the side. Only 2 puds offered on offer and frankly whilst my sponge was lovely and light, I'd have been hard pressed to confirm it was indeed plum. I asked for something other than custard to accompany mine- met with a non-committal maybe from the waiter- but they did indeed serve it with cream: plus points for nipping round to the local Tesco or minus for not being sure if they could do that in the first place?! No cocktail list (it's a pub but obviously not a modern one); I would have said my Hogweed gin martini was interesting and different with its smoky tones, except that the flavour turned up in a later bottle of water, suggesting they'd got a job lot of the infusion and were throwing it around willy-nilly. As to atmosphere, well yes, you do have to get intimate with your dining companions but that's because you won't be able to hear them- apart from the obligatory theatrical door curtain every strip of soft furnishing has been ripped out making this a white-washed acoustical nightmare. If you have the hearing of a 21 year old but the paypacket of a CEO to cover £85 a head at a "neighbourhood pub" and live in North East London, come. If not, save yourself the admittedly bargainsome £13 return train fare or try the fare at one of the other 99 places on The List.

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Call The Baring to make a booking on:

020 7916 5861 020 7916 5861

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