The Old White Lion Pub in Finchley

121 Great N Rd, Greater, London N2 0NW

About This Pub

Ah, The Old White Lion – it's one of those classic London pubs that feels like a reliable old friend, you know? From what I've gathered from the buzz around it, folks really rave about the friendly staff who go the extra mile to make you feel at home, dishing out tips on the menu like they're sharing a secret recipe. The food's a highlight too; those Sunday roasts and burgers come highly recommended, with proper flavours that make you want to come back for seconds. And let's not forget the beer – they've got a cracking range that pairs perfectly with a lazy afternoon chat. On the flip side, it's not all pints and praise; the prices can sting a bit, especially if you're planning a big group outing, and there are times when portions don't quite match the hype, like skimping on that delicious vanilla custard. Service isn't always spot-on either – some days it's all smiles, but others it feels a bit flat, which is a shame in a place that's otherwise so inviting. Overall, it's a solid choice for a get-together, as long as you go in with realistic expectations and maybe keep an eye on the bill. I'd say it's worth a visit if you're in the area, just to soak up that pub atmosphere and see for yourself.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The staff are absolutely lovely and really know their stuff when it comes to food and drinks – it's like chatting with a mate who's got all the insider tips.
The food is a real treat, especially the roasts and burgers; they're packed with flavour and the portions are generous enough to leave you satisfied.
They've got a fantastic selection of beers, perfect for settling in with friends for a good catch-up.
The pub has plenty of space, both inside and out, making it easy to find a cosy spot or enjoy a bit of fresh air on a nice day.

Cons

The prices can be a bit steep for what you get, so it might not be the best spot if you're watching your wallet.
Some portions feel a tad skimpy, like with the custard – it's tasty with real vanilla, but you might wish there was more of it.
Service can vary; sometimes the team seems a bit indifferent, which takes away from the warm vibe you'd hope for.
There have been a few disappointing visits, like with certain meals not living up to expectations, even if it's generally reliable.

Contact Information

121 Great N Rd, Greater, London N2 0NW

+442088836459

Pub

Opens at 11:00

Opening Hours

Monday	11:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	11:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	11:00 - 23:00
Thursday	11:00 - 23:00
Friday (Today)	11:00 - 00:00
Saturday	11:00 - 00:00
Sunday	11:00 - 22:30

Location

Recent Reviews

The service was very good, we were served by a very nice and friendly Chap who was very knowledgeable on both the food & drink. The food was a tad pricey, but very nicely… although they were a stingy with the custard, but said custard had real vanilla in it so it was super nice. My burger was well cooked, the cheese super tasty and the fries were crispy and my wife said her Fish and chips were very nice too. The atmosphere was all over friendly and it made for a lovely meal out. We will definitely go here again.

Richrd Askew

Met some friends for an early evening drink. I liked it. A good pub with lots of space, indoors and out. Excellent range of beers. Thought the staff were rather indifferent, no engagement with me or anyone... but it could have just been a bad day.

Alastair McKenzie

Really impressed with our Sunday gathering of 12 today. Some of us had the roast option..others had burger option or side dishes. We also had some dessert options. All the food was really delicious and the portions were good. Very impressed. Will definitely come again.

ruth kevin

I visited the Old White Lion for a roast with my husband and daughter. We’ve been many times before, and on the whole the food has always been fairly decent. We’ve been for Christmas dinner in the past and I also had held my baby shower there. However, today it was such a disappointment. Upon arrival we were immediately told that there was no roast beef. (Not completely unexpected as it was just after 6pm). So my husband and I ordered the roast pork and a kids chicken roast. When they arrived we immediately felt we’d made the wrong choice in going there. The plates looked sad, everything on the plate was either over done or looked like it had been sitting around for hours. There were 3 (VERY small) roast potatoes at the most. My daughter’s chicken roast came with an inedible piece of stuffing that was like a brick, and a pig in blanket that looked like charcoal. The veg on all the plates looked lifeless and shriveled, the gravy was tasteless/cold and the pork almost solid. We immediately complained about the stuffing and pig in blanket on our child’s plate to our waitress (who seemed agitated since arrival). She notified the chef and came back and said they were “fully aware of the issue and the whole batch was the same”, she offered chips as a replacement which seemed a bizarre offer for a roast, so we declined. We were confused as to why you would even serve inedible ingredients knowingly. There was no reduction on the bill or an attempt to make good other than the chips offer. We weren’t asked how our meal was at the end, if anything we felt an attitude that made it pointless in even providing our feedback on the meal as whole. We only ate ours because we were starving. For £21 a roast (an average price for a roast out) I would most definitely not recommend. It was far below average. We have had many Sunday roasts out and this was unfortunately the worst in a long time. Such a shame as we had previously liked this pub but both the food and waitress that served us today has meant we are unlikely to return sadly.

Francesca Malone

Went there today for the first time to enjoy a Sunday roast, and so that my girlfriend could try it, because she never had. We ordered a mixed roast to share, which had chicken, beef and lamb. It was absolutely delicious, one of the best roasts I've had. I wish I knew the name of the very nice lady who waited on us, she was very patient with our questions and a very welcoming host.

Ricardo Marcelino