The Cumberland Arms

Eye-catching with its bold gold lettering and attractive blue-painted façade, gloriously festooned with flowers in summer, this gastro-pub is worth noting if visiting Olympia. Bag a pavement bench and table on sunny days or head indoors, where mellow furniture and stripped floorboards characterise its interior. Friendly staff, an affordable first-rate wine list and well-kept ales (Doom Bar, London Pride, Exmoor Gold) are the draw for those seeking after-work refreshment, but it is also a great place for plates of unpretentious Mediterranean-style food offered from a monthly-changing menu. Hearty dishes range through pork terrine with fruit chutney; a sharing plate of antipasti; home-made chicken, spinach and ricotta ravioli; lamb steak with braised barley and tomato and cavalo nero; and rib-eye steak with roast potatoes, rocket and salsa verde. Desserts and cheese revert to a more French/English style - lemon tart with mascarpone, and apple and blackberry crumble.