40 Kemerton Rd, London SE5 9AR

About This Pub

Oh, The Cambria in London is one of those pubs that really pulls you in with its friendly, neighbourhood feel – it's like popping round to a mate's for a pint and a bite. I love how they've spruced the place up, with that bright garden room and cosy nooks that make it ideal for everything from a casual lunch to a lively birthday bash. The food's generally spot-on, especially the small plates and pub classics, and they've nailed the drinks menu with local brews that give it that authentic local touch. It's also ace for catching the footie or hosting a private do, as plenty of folks have raved about the staff going the extra mile there. But, and I say this as a fair word of warning, it's not all smooth sailing – some have had issues with service, like waiting ages to be seated or food not quite hitting the mark, and the noise or whiffs from smoking can disrupt the vibe if you're after a quiet one. Overall, it's a solid spot for a good time, as long as you go in with realistic expectations and maybe plan ahead a bit.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home from the moment you walk in.
  • They've got a fantastic selection of local beers and ales, perfect for enjoying that authentic South London vibe.
  • The food is a real highlight, with generous portions of pub classics and tasty small plates that are great for sharing.
  • It's brilliant for events, like private hires or watching the big sports matches on Sky and BT.
  • The revamped layout, including the bright garden room and cosy outdoor areas, creates a welcoming and lively atmosphere.
Cons
  • Service can be a bit hit-or-miss, with some folks mentioning waits at the bar or unconfirmed requests that leave you hanging.
  • Food quality isn't always spot-on – things like overcooked dishes have put a dampener on meals for a few visitors.
  • Noise levels can get overwhelming in what should be quieter spots, making it tricky for a peaceful catch-up.
  • There's the odd unpleasant smell from smoking in certain areas, which might spoil the outdoor enjoyment.
  • Opening hours vary a tad confusingly, so it's worth double-checking to avoid turning up when it's closed early.

Contact Information

40 Kemerton Rd, London SE5 9AR
+442073260426
Pub
Opens at 16:00

Opening Hours

Monday (Today)16:00 - 23:00
Tuesday16:00 - 23:00
Wednesday16:00 - 23:00
Thursday16:00 - 23:00
Friday16:00 - 23:00
Saturday11:00 - 00:00
Sunday12:00 - 22:30

Location

Recent Reviews

I'd requested a quiet table for a v elderly lady with a hearing aid. No response or confirmation but the table had at least been reserved. Had to ask at the bar for our food order. Smashburger & fries - ok. Overcooked fish - not so good. But as the cheese plate arrived, the quiet was deafened out by the loudest TV volume and the end of a local football first half. There were 9 people watching the match & this venue is billed as a 'Stylish gastropub'. I had to ask the landlord at half time to turn it right down because I couldn't hear anything myself, & my mother just looked pained. I was at pains over the £92 bill - 2 mains, cheese plate, bottle of wine, 2 pints bitter. If this landlord's attitude & behaviour, and this 'gastro' experience sounds good to you, you're welcome!
RB
Robert Baker
This seems to be a popular pub, with the locals. It has some nice big areas that you can hire privately, i.e. xmas function, which is free with a minimum spend. We used the garden room, which had games tables, and overlooked the garden. The downside to this was that the disgusting smell of smoke came in, and people were smoking cannabis too. There should be absolutely no smoking allowed, anywhere on the premises. The food was ok, but not great. It was a Christmas menu, with most of the dishes not homemade, so although edible, nothing to write home about. It came out luke warm, too, even the chocolate pudding that should have been served hot was straight from defrost. I haven't tried the daily menu, but im sure it's better and probably homemade to order. This seems to be a family run pub, and bless them, they worked really hard and were run off their feet, running from place to place and looking after a boisterous small child, that probably should have been in bed. They definitely need more staff to cope with the bigger functions, especially in the kitchen. Warm, wholesale food is not what I expected or wanted. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and as mentioned, it seems to be a hit with the local trendies. Do not be put off by this review. Give it a try. My comments are meant as constructive feedback.
MH
Mich H
We had our son's 1st birthday in the back "Garden Room" and I have to say it was the absolute perfect place. The staff went above and beyond and were incredibly helpful before the event and again on the day itself. Anna in particular was super helpful. Everyone raved about the food and the fact we had the space to ourselves was just ideal. We brought our own music (for kids) and also brought some play mats and toys as the ground there is natural stone. We also go to decorate the place to our liking which was great. Thanks again to all at the Cambria for helping create such a special memory for us! Brian, Elle and little Jack
BD
Brian Doherty
Full Review on @hungrybelly.blog Lovely renovated pub. The layout is much better than it was previously. Very attentive service ( our server was Susan - Lovely lady) The menu had a decent selection. We thoroughly enjoyed the starters, mains and particularly the desserts. Great selection of drinks. Lovely chilled vibes and we would definitely return
HB
Hungry Belly
I think 3 stars is more than fair and probably generous. I am giving the stars due to the friendliness of the barman, quality of the Guinness, and the outside area. Had dinner for 3 and was disappointed by a number of things. 1) Waiting by bar for 10 mins to be seated for a pre booking 2) 2 steaks were ordered - one medium another medium rare. The server didn’t know which was which when we got our food and never clarified 3) we ordered on bone marrow jus and one peppercorn sauce but were served 2 peppercorn sauce 3) mashed potato was disappointing - seemed watery. Only had 2 bites of it 4) both steaks were cut in half when served. Just seemed odd - was the check checking if they were properly cooked 5) Chicken burger was a bit dry 6) after our meal was done our plates were left on our table for around 30 mins. I had to go to the bar to pay and then we left. We were never offered desert and spend the last 30 mins of our evening with our half eaten food in front of us 7) on top of all this - a service charge was put on top of our meal which I felt was as a bit cheeky. When I have to go to the bar to pay what service is that? I’ll probably return to have some beers but not to eat. The barman was friendly and had good chat and poured a good Guinness but the food and service left a lot to be desired. An attached picture of our table covered in uncollected drinks and plates is shown. Shouldn’t have to pay a service charge for that.
KS
Killian Sheehan

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