The Water Poet is a popular gastro pub tucked down some swanky back streets between Spitalfields and Shoreditch. Known for cracking food, good beer and a relaxed vibe, it made the decision to pop by even easier.
The Venue
The exterior of The Water Poet looks nice, but it doesn’t do it justice. Step inside and you’re instantly greeted by the buzzing bar, comfy sofa area and a glimpse of the dining area. Instantly warming (just like a good pub should be), as you move past the bar you will stumble across the rest of the dining area, with large tables strewn about and people tucking into their roasts. Go further still and you’ll come across the large beer garden, with patio heaters, fairy lights and benches housing drinkers and diners alike.
The dining room is spacious and always packed with diners chatting over the wonderful food.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
Heading down on a Sunday showed me just how versatile and eclectic The Water Poet was. The dining room was packed full of couples, families and groups tucking into Sunday roasts and other tasty treats. The bar area was full of trendy, well dressed football lovers, watching a game on the projector screen. The garden too carried a lovely mix of people enjoying pints, burgers and all things tasty under the heaters. The common denominator was the buzz; across the whole pub there was a lovely hum, which you only find in the most comfortable and popular London pubs.
Don't get stuck indoors, as you can eat outside and under cover if the weather permits.
The Food and Drinks
Firstly, the roasts looked amazing. However, I wasn’t really in the mood for veggies and gravy, so my girlfriend and I tucked into two gorgeous beef burgers. With chips, salad and a surprisingly tasty artichoke (a lovely addition), this was a serious burger, juicy and dripping – really really tasty.
Drinks-wise, they have the lot; trendy beers from local East London breweries, your staple pints, wines, spirits and a few surprises. All in all, a top pub selection. I’m a sucker for a nice pint of Camden Hells lager, so that went down a treat with my burger.
In the summer, enjoy the beer garden... they might even have the BBQ set up.
Summary
The Water Poet is cosy, trendy and the perfect place to while away your day. After spending a Sunday afternoon eating, drinking and enjoying the atmosphere, I was tempted to take Monday off too, it really was that good.
