About This Pub
Ah, The Builders Arms – it's one of those spots that just feels like a proper local gem in the heart of Kensington, doesn't it? From what I've gathered, it's got that inviting, homely charm that's ideal for kicking back with mates over a lazy lunch or a family meal. The staff really shine through in the reviews; they're described as wonderfully friendly and quick to accommodate, like sorting out a birthday surprise or fussing over your four-legged companion with treats. And the food? Well, it's a winner – think tasty classics like Scotch eggs and cheesy fries that leave you wanting more, paired with an explorative drinks menu that's spot on for a good old British pint. On the flip side, it's not all perfect; a couple of folks mentioned service slipping up, such as not checking in during a meal, and there was that disappointing Sunday roast that didn't quite deliver the hearty experience you'd expect. Still, with its solid overall feel and that authentic pub atmosphere, I'd say it's well worth a visit if you're after a relaxed spot for drinks and bites – just maybe book ahead on busier nights to avoid any hitches.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The staff are absolutely lovely and incredibly attentive, with little touches like providing treats for dogs that make you feel right at home.
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The food is delicious and full of flavour, offering great options for classic English dishes like Scotch eggs and cheesy fries that hit the spot.
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It has a warm, homely atmosphere that's perfect for a relaxed lunch, family dinner, or even a spontaneous birthday celebration.
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The location in Kensington is spot on, making it easy to pop in for a pint or a meal after exploring the area.
Cons
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Service can be a bit hit or miss at times, with some experiences where staff didn't check back during the meal, leaving things feeling overlooked.
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Certain dishes, like the Sunday roast, haven't always lived up to expectations for a few visitors, which is a shame for a traditional pub favourite.
Contact Information
1 Kensington Ct Pl, Greater, London W8 5BJ
+442079376213
Pub
Opens at 12:00
Opening Hours
| Monday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Saturday (Today) | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 - 22:30 |
Recent Reviews
Wonderful staff! Brought my dog with me & a kind gentleman brought him a little bowl and some treats right away. The food was delicious and the drinks were lovely!
I recently visited The Builders Arms in Kensington for a Sunday roast, and unfortunately, the experience was disappointing.
The service was poor - after taking our order, the staff didn’t check on us at all. No one came back to see if we needed drinks or to check if everything was okay during the meal. It felt like we were completely left alone.
The biggest issue, however, was the roast itself. We ordered two sharing roasts (£48 each) and one individual roast for £22. Given that the sharing roast costs more than double the price of the individual one, you’d expect a significantly larger portion - but that wasn’t the case. The sharing roast for two included just one piece of stuffing and one pig in blanket to split, along with only four roast potatoes between two people. Meanwhile, the individual roast had four potatoes for just one person, but no stuffing or pig in blanket. The portioning was completely off, and everyone left still feeling hungry, which really shouldn’t happen at that price point.
For the cost, we expected a well-portioned, satisfying meal, but instead, we got an unbalanced, underwhelming experience. Combined with the lack of attentive service, it’s not somewhere I’d be in a hurry to return to.
The staff were really lovely and accommodated a last minute requested from my husband to alter the dessert to a birthday treat 😊 lovely and bussing atmosphere. We went on a Monday night and it was quite busy so I’d recommend booking ahead to be safe. Lovely food overall. We enjoyed the chicken skewers, scotch egg was okay - a bit dry! We enjoyed our mains too - classic fish & chips and chicken Milanese. Lovely night overall.
RB
Rachel Boluwatife Adekoya
Really nice pub, nice environment, located in a really good area
Scotch egg was amazing and come with some kind of pickle relish, I had tried the cheese and the fries with cheese and was really good as well.
I will definitely comeback
Amazing restaurant with great food! Good options for classic English dishes. The servers were incredibly nice and the ambiance is pleasant. I recommend!
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