499 Old York Rd, London SW18 1TF

About This Pub

Ah, The Alma – it's one of those classic British pubs that just feels like a warm hug when you walk in, with its Victorian charm and that emerald tile entrance that's become a bit of a local legend. I've got to say, what really shines here is the food; those Sunday roasts are an absolute treat, packed with generous portions and bold flavours that leave you satisfied without breaking the bank too much. Pair that with well-kept beers and a menu that puts a creative twist on pub favourites, and you've got yourself a solid spot for a relaxed meal or a catch-up with friends. The atmosphere is another winner – it's electric during sports events, with plenty of screens to keep the excitement going, and it's genuinely welcoming for families or if you're bringing the dog along. Plus, if you're in the area for a longer stay, the hotel rooms upstairs sound like a comfy option for a proper unwind. But, let's be honest, it's not all roses; service can sometimes fall flat, with a few tales of waits for tables or staff seeming a bit rushed, which might leave you a tad frustrated on a busy night. Prices can sneak up on you too, especially if you're not clued up on the specials, and there have been moments where a dish didn't quite hit the mark. Overall, though, it's a gem in Wandsworth that's worth a visit for the good times it delivers – just go in with realistic expectations and you'll likely have a cracking evening.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The food is absolutely spot on, especially those Sunday roasts – they're hearty, full of flavour, and use top-notch British ingredients to make classics feel fresh and exciting.
  • It's got a cracking atmosphere, particularly on match days with multiple screens and a buzzing crowd, making it a top spot for catching live sports like rugby or tennis.
  • Being dog-friendly and family-friendly adds a lovely welcoming vibe, so you can pop in with the little ones or your furry mate without any fuss.
  • The location's spot on, right near Wandsworth Station, and if you're staying over, the bedrooms sound comfy with all the perks like minibars and a good night's sleep.
  • They've got great options for events, like the Old York Room for parties or weddings, which comes with its own bar – perfect for celebrations.
Cons
  • Service can be a bit inconsistent; some visits have had waits for tables or slower attention, which puts a dampener on things.
  • Prices might feel a touch steep, especially if you're going for the a la carte menu where starters and mains add up quickly, and special deals aren't always clearly advertised.
  • A few dishes have been hit or miss, like overcooked starters in some cases, so it's not always perfect.
  • It can get busy without much notice, leading to that slightly overcrowded feel on popular days, even if it's generally manageable.

Contact Information

499 Old York Rd, London SW18 1TF
+442088702537
Pub
Open Now

Opening Hours

Monday07:00 - 23:00
Tuesday (Today)07:00 - 23:00
Wednesday07:00 - 23:00
Thursday07:00 - 23:00
Friday07:00 - 00:00
Saturday08:00 - 00:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:30

Location

Recent Reviews

The Alma, or as my wife and I renamed it ‘Emerald City’, what with its glorious and gleaming emerald tiles that greeted us upon our arrival a few Sundays ago. And what a bustling, but not overtly bustling that it overfilled with other patrons, enjoying their Sunday roast, conversations inside & outside where covered shaded seating was provided along the adjacent side walk pavement. My wife and I had been gifted an overnight stay for two, where I’d applied through the wonderful charity for cancer patients, ‘Something to look forward to’, staying at the Alma, Wandsworth. And oh how it was well worth the wait: from my total ease of liaising with Tanisha who kindly organised our stay, to the moment we arrived and was greeted by their concierge and ushered upstairs to the dinning area as opposed to the one they had downstairs as you walk through the bar area. Sat down to a table already made ready for us and was promptly brought our Sunday roast along with a complimentary bottle of wine by Liga and Francesca - two of the most warm and friendly servers we’d ever came across. The meal was absolutely delicious and even included a sweet for afters. After waddling downstairs full from our meal, to check-in, we were directed to our downstairs room which again, was of high quality with a fully stocked mini bar fridge and snacks available as and if we chose to indulge. All in all if it’s an extremely friendly bar and restaurant that offers a welcoming and warm service from staff, great food of exquisite taste, cosy and clean rooms for your convenient overnight stay, and a breakfast should you so wish to partake off and be lucky enough to have the delightful Jane serve you! Then try out The Alma, Wandsworth which is perfectly placed right opposite and a 20 second walk from Wandsworth Town station. A huge thank you to ‘Something to look forward to’ as always, and of course to The Alma @ Wandsworth for gifting such an illustrious gift to the charity, as it was a place that’s well received by the surrounding community and indeed thoroughly enjoyed by us, too. Best wishes, Dr Luke & Vivvi
AV
Agnes Vivarelli
Went on a quiet Monday night. We were told the January set menu (2 courses for £18) is only on until 6pm, but that’s not written anywhere online. So we ordered from the Al La Carte menu instead, where starters were £14-16 each and mains were £19.50-25. Not a cheap meal for a quiet first Monday of the month. But food is lovely in there. Just a warning, the burrata states it comes with crispy chilli oil, but it was really spicy!
C
Cyn
Went for a Sunday roast, good initial atmosphere although we were made to wait for our table. The roasts looked great and I chose the slow cooked ox cheek wellington which was absolutely delicious. Love the free flowing gravy too, no small jugs just give me the gravy!!! Service at the end got a little sloppy , we were offered dessert but then told we had to leave the table shortly after, we ordered anyway. Need to keep track of timing a little more but besides that, a lovely lunch spot
MR
Matt Ridout
Beautiful traditional pub. We came for Wembley to have the roast which didn’t disappoint. We went for the trio roast and it’s very tasty and substantial. The crab for starters was over done and the sticky toffee pudding was one of the best I’ve tried. The atmosphere in the pub was so lovely and seeing families with their young ones also dining was nice to see. The service from our waitress’ was very friendly and attentive. It’s the kind of place you could relax all day with family and friends.
PP
Priti Patel
We recently visited The Alma in Wandsworth for a Sunday roast, and while the food lived up to expectations, the service left a lot to be desired. First, the positives. The roast was excellent – generously portioned, full of flavor, and reasonably priced for what you get. It’s clear why this pub is such a popular spot, especially on a Sunday. We had booked in advance, which I highly recommend, as the place was bustling. The food itself was definitely the highlight of the experience, and I can’t fault it. However, the service was a major letdown. With the pub so busy, it felt like they knew customers would keep coming regardless, so attention to service seemed secondary. After ordering dessert, it took around 25 minutes for three of us to be served, but my partner’s dessert never arrived. When we asked the waiter, we were told hers wasn’t available. The lack of communication here was frustrating – why weren’t we informed when we ordered? To make things worse, there was no real apology, and by that point, my partner didn’t want to wait another 20 minutes for a replacement, especially while the rest of us had already started eating. What left a sour note was being told we had only 20 minutes left at our table, rushing us out just after the dessert debacle. It felt like they were more focused on table turnover than customer satisfaction. All in all, The Alma offers great food, but the service needs improvement. With a bit more attention to customers, it could be an all-around fantastic experience.
S
Shyam

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