Pub in Chelsea
Surprise
6 Christchurch Terrace, Chelsea, SW3 4AJClosest station: Sloane Square, about 15 min walk4.4out of 5 on Google, from 682 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Surprise
Local, seasonal dishes in a charming, warm pub featuring an expansive list of wine, beer & spirits.
A delightful Surprise this pub indeed is, hidden away, as it is, in the backstreets of Chelsea, though its name originates from that of the ship that bore Napoleon's body back to France in 1820.
Reopened post-Covid and now leased to Jack Greenall, a scion of the Greenall Whitley brewing family, via his Wren Pubs vehicle. The pub features a bar and 28-cover restaurant area plus a private dining room, the Hamilton. Both lunch and dinner can be taken in the bar area or the restaurant. The interior design has been described by The Times as "like I imagine the boot room at Chatsworth to be, or Jacob Rees-Mogg’s fifth-best reception room"!
Four ales at date of survey, including a Ringwood house-branded ale. Prices reflect the area.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Outdoor Seating: Bench on pavement until 10pm
- Real Fire
- Live Music: See venue website
- Family Friendly
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch: Not Monday
- Serves Dinner
- Restaurant
- Vegetarian Options
- Real Ale
- Function Room: Upstairs
- Events: See venue website
- Accessible Restroom
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Smoking: Pavement until 10pm
- Serves Coffee
- 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 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 10:00 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Wren Pubs
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 3837 4600
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.4out of 5 on Google, from 682 ratings
3 out of 5Lee Hubbardon Google, August 2024
Let’s start with the positives. The pub is tucked away from the main road and the decor and atmosphere is really lovely. The staff were decent, even though I never received a reply to an email I’d sent them, and they tried to move us from our table well over 45 minutes before the time they had confirmed we had it booked until. We were looking forward to the Sunday roast - the food looks nice but has absolutely no depth of flavour at all. I thought it was just mine but my friends felt the same, and this carried on with the desserts too. Don’t get me wrong - it’s not terrible at all, but it was…
5 out of 5Markus D.on Google, August 2024
Modern pub, excellent service and even better food. Cosy area without many cars. They have fresh beer from the cask.
3 out of 5Diane Davidon Google, September 2024
Spontaneous visit one year ago for Sunday lunch and loved it so this time we booked a table and came back looking forward to it. The service was efficient, the drinks were good but sadly the food didn't meet our expectations. We had the leg of lamb and the vegetarian Wellington. The overall plate and the food in it wasn't really hot. The meat was tender, the veggies were good but the roasted potatoes were hard and dry. The Wellington had a good flaky crust but the filling was mostly pearl barley and the promised mushrooms were hard to find. The honeycomb ice cream was tasteless. We sat near…
2 out of 5Simon Druryon Google, September 2024
Last year I would have given them a five star rating, but based on my Sunday roast lunch today, I can only give them two stars and that is being generous. This place used to be vibrant with great food. It is now half empty with average unflavorful food. Thin gravy and all the food was barely warm. Perhaps they have changed chefs? Big disappointment.
5 out of 5Kay Hallon Google, June 2024
Celebrated a small wedding lunch in the private room. Beautiful venue and food was excellent. Service was also impeccable. I don't often give 5 stars. Good job.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.