Pub in Crystal Palace
Alma
95 Church Road, Crystal Palace, SE19 2TAClosest station: Crystal Palace, about 11 min walk4.3out of 5 on Google, from 1,042 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Alma
Glass-fronted Victorian pub with soft green decor, exposed-brick walls, mirrors and iron columns.
Situated on the busy Crystal Palace Triangle, this upmarket pub is a popular venue amongst all the other bars and restaurants, which the area is noted for. Located on the London borough boundary between Bromley and Croydon on Church Road, this was part of the growing suburb following the relocation of the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1854.
Inside, the pub is formed of a large square with a central L-shaped bar and a high ceiling. The traditional character has been given a tasteful makeover with a mix of old and contemporary using a sea green décor complemented by exposed brickwork and large mirrors. With wooden flooring throughout, the wooden panelled bar has grey supporting pillars along with several original fireplaces and a piano in one corner. The mix of wooden tables and chairs are accompanied by bench seating along the large windows that bring in plenty of light. Candles are everywhere.
Free of tie since November 2022, this allows the pub to choose whatever beer it deems will be popular with the clientele. There are no regular cask ales, but a changing range of guests mainly from London microbreweries. Of the four handpumps present, only two are used (with a third optionally reserved for a cider). However, there is an extensive range of up to ten draught keg beers (eg. Anspach & Hobday, Cloudwater, Drop Project, Gipsy Hill, Inkspot, Kernel, Lost and Grounded, Orbit, Vault City and Villages). These can change but cover a range of beer styles from lager, porter, fruited sour and IPA. Drinks can be served from the bar to the table, especially at busy periods.
This is also popular for dining with award winning food (Harden's 2023 and 2024) from a contemporary menu with dishes cooked from fresh using seasonal ingredients. Service is friendly and welcoming.
The large enclosed patio garden is accessed to the right of the bar and is mostly covered with a huge awning with many table sets and benches plus other seating. This is heated during the winter months. Overlooked by tall trees, this offers plenty of shade during the summer months. A range of well tended plants are along one wall. Popular during the warmer weather, this can get busy, especially at weekends when the outside bar is open offering three keg beers.
In addition to the buses listed, several other routes terminate at Crystal Palace bus station, about 10-15 minutes walk away. The Capital Ring trail passes nearby on Belvedere Road for any walkers.
Instagram page is @thealmacp
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Outdoor Seating: Large patio garden, mostly covered with awning.
- Real Fire
- Live Music
- Family Friendly: No children under 10 years allowed.
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Real Ale
- Serves LocAle
- Disabled Access
- Accessible Restroom
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Smoking: In the patio garden.
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Independent
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 8768 1885
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.3out of 5 on Google, from 1,042 ratings
5 out of 5Tessa Craveron Google, September 2024
Warm evening in the back garden with dogs and friendly people, it’s a vibe. Staff are attentive and there is a canopy if the rain decided to show. Hide secret of CP. Big portion roasts! Definitely worth a visit on a Sunday
3 out of 5David Hamiltonon Google, August 2024
Went in on Sunday lunchtime, and was a little disappointed with the choice. Certainly Sunday roast and a small plate menu. Only a small choice of meats and were informed that unfortunately the Yorkshire pudding wasn't available. We chose chicken and was surprised that there was no stuffing the potatoes and carrots were cooked to perfection but a LARGE portion of slightly tough cabbage was overwhelming on the plate. Couldn't fault the chicken but for £21 Per portion thought it could have been better value for money. On the other hand an EXCELLENT selection of draught Ales and drinks. Staff…
5 out of 5Abbie Harrisonon Google, September 2024
Food and atmosphere in here was incredible - such a nice vibe with the decoration and the candles on the table, we loved it!! Was showing 2 friends around CP and couldn’t have chosen somewhere more perfect! The food was honestly 10/10, couldn’t fault it - we tried to rank them but we couldn’t as they were all our favourites, so hard to pick a highlight but would recommend everything we got - fried cauliflower, Padron peppers, tenderstem, sourdough bread (incredibly fresh out of the oven), heirloom tomatoes, and chips !
4 out of 5Des Sampsonon Google, September 2024
Very friendly and welcoming, good selection of beers and wines, decent pub grub. Nice atmosphere/ ambience but would be even better if the lighting was dimmed just a bit as it can be a bit too bright and jarring, lighting-wolise
4 out of 5Kay Hallon Google, September 2024
4.5 stars. I highly recommend the starters. Delicious, inventive and healthy. My daughter had the beef roast which was slightly overcooked for my liking. My son in law absolutely loved his pork roast. Lovely staff. Great find.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.