As a rocker myself, I couldn’t help but evoke one of Foo Fighters' most famous songs to introduce this post: "There goes my hero, watch him as he goes!"
The Hero, this newly opened gastropub is quickly becoming the talk of the town for many good reasons. Located in Maida Vale, this stunning gastropub occupies the entire four floors of a Victorian house, making The Hero an unmatched rival for many restaurants, bars, and pubs in London.
What Makes This Place So Special?
Almost unassuming and ordinary from the outside, once you step into the Hero, you’re transported into a world of the extraordinary. Far more stylish and unique than any other gastropub, its simple but thoughtfully designed décor and layout make it almost impossible to want to leave. Its ample spaces, vintage atmosphere, and peculiar palette of colours invite you to relax and enjoy elevated pub food in a unique setting.
I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of visiting this place twice during its soft openings, first dining and drinking at the pub and most recently at their proper restaurant, The Grill. I also had the chance to tour all four floors, which left me in absolute awe.
Food on the pub floor
However, it is the first floor where the real magic lies: their newly opened restaurant, The Grill. As you walk up the stairs and enter the dining area, it feels like stepping back in time, reminiscent of a classic Western movie with its canteen look, glass dividers, and wooden interiors. This intimate space offers guests the choice of sitting at regular tables or in comfy booths. If you’re lucky enough to snag the last booth in front of the kitchen, you’re in for a real treat. From there, you can catch a glimpse of the kitchen action while still enjoying the entire dining room atmosphere.
The Food Experience
What’s the food like? Expect nothing less than extraordinary. While the menu is concise, it offers diners the chance to enjoy delicious, meaty dishes and an extravaganza of flavours from the sea. There’s nothing "ground-breaking" on the menu, but what they deliver on the plate is a different story. Even though the presentation is simple and in keeping with the overall atmosphere, what you get is bold, deep and extraordinary flavours. We ordered a selection of meat and seafood, and everything was cooked to absolute perfection.
Their wine selection tops things off, allowing you to go almost off the grid with a handwritten wine list offering some vintage wines. And to finish your experience, the desserts are triumphant. The lemon tart, one of my favourite desserts, was like having a two-in-one: a crème brûlée meeting a lemon tart. But the absolute revelation was the whiskey and bread ice cream, something deliciously unexpected.
Pictures: Oysters, sardines, lobster, monkfish and chips, sweetbreads in lobster gravy and lemon tart
Beyond the Food
On the second floor, which is not yet open to the public, lies what I would define as a treasure for music and drinks lovers. This floor is all about inviting guests to immerse themselves in a specially designed, acoustically prepared room to enjoy music as it should be. To top things off, there’s a cocktail bar at the centre, creating a scene in my head. Picture "Alabama Song" by The Doors playing while everyone sips classic cocktails and enjoys casual chats in this unique setting. I hope to make this dream come true in the near future, with me at the centre of it all. But that's not all, as there's one more special floor dedicated to private parties.
The top floor presents guests with a long-sharing table, perfect for private events, accommodating around 30 people (or more) with the comfort of a homey feel but with great food and service.
This is what the Hero is all about, one of the best new gastropubs in London: a place where delicious food, great wines and cocktails, and music lovers come together to spend memorable times. Who knows, perhaps they will rock "My Hero" on my next visit - cannot wait to come again soon!
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