The Cumberland Arms

A popular gastro-pub close to Olympia, the Cumberland Arms has an attractive blue-painted façade with gold lettering and impressive floral displays in season. Pavement benches and tables help alleviate the pressure inside, where mellow furniture and stripped floorboards characterise its interior. Friendly staff, an affordable wine list and well-kept ales are the draw for those seeking after-work refreshment, but it is also a great place for flavoursome plates of unpretentious Mediterranean-style food offered from a monthly-changing menu. Hearty dishes range through roast courgette and white bean soup served with goat's cheese crostini; grilled lamb and red onion skewers; Tuscan rabbit casserole with prosciutto, thyme and tomato; and roast Italian sausages with mashed potatoes and sweet onion marmalade. Desserts and cheese revert to a more French/English style - bread and butter pudding with crème anglaise; and apple and mixed berry crumble with vanilla ice cream are two examples. Now stays open until midnight on Thursday and Friday evenings.