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The Brave, London, Greater London

The Brave

4.2
4.2
53 Reviews
£26 to £40
Gastro Pub

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 17 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Coming Soon!

Additional information

What 53 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • North London

    Gastro Pub

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Brave is a charming eatery offering "incredible food" by Chef James Cochran, with standout dishes like oysters and beef shin. Guests praise its "friendly and efficient" service, "lovely atmosphere," and "excellent" wine list. Though portions are sometimes small, the "tasty and innovative" menu leaves many eager to return.

53 Reviews
  1. Theo

    Bristol

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was great but for that price I would’ve liked slightly bigger portions. Staff seemed disinterested and we had to ask for a wine list. Everything seemed like an effort. It seems to be caught between a gastro-pub and a restaurant. Me and my girlfriend shared the food but easily could’ve finished the lot individually.

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  2. Mary

    London

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Sadly, it’s just not quite good enough for the price. The food is presented as if it’s top notch, the menu and the servers act like they’re delivering Michelin-starred food, but it’s really pretty average and the portions are truly tiny. The cheese donuts aren’t cheesy, the beef is a little bland and watery etc. Not half as good, nor as good value as the Smokehouse down the road.

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  3. Charlotte

    London

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was really great and the pub has a good vibe. Unfortunately two thin slivers of beef that were quite fatty was definitely not worth £35. The beef was cold and the gravy was literally like water with not much flavour. The sides were yummy though although definitely could do with a few more potatoes. We also had the caramel tart and that was incredible

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  4. Kiran

    London

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Truly fantastic food, beautiful pub and excellent service ✨

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  5. Julie

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible pub vibes! And the food was top tier, must try the beef shin dumplings - light changing.

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  6. Janet

    London

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Very disappointed. I didn’t expect another 12.51 but from that to this! What has happened? The food was bland and expensive. The gnocchi dish literally had THREE gnocchi! The staff were many but awful. They seemed completely untrained and clueless. The menu is limited. I was surprised at the lack of taste as I expected the spicy Caribbean touch, of which the spare ribs etc. had none. Bland, bland and more bland! Nothing redeemed this restaurant. It disappoints in every way. Such a shame after the delicious 12.51.

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  7. Frederick

    London

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Overpriced with inattentive service and average food.

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  8. Sandra

    VIP

    London

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Second time here and loved it! I will definitely recommend my friends to The Brave

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  9. Harry

    VIP

    London

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great cooking and an excellent wine list. We’re doing the small plates that come when they’re ready thing, which is annoying. But service is good and friendly.

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  10. Joy

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good service, great food and choices very good, would highly recommend a visit, not cheap but super quality the bread and marmite butter was a great start to the experience x

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FAQs

The Brave is rated 4.2 stars by 53 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 17 times today
Google Map for The Brave

340-342 Essex Rd, London, Greater London N1 3PB

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Canonbury
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Gastro Pub
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
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