The Bull and Last
Dartmouth Park, London
Hotel in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlWhy go
The Bull and Last on Highgate Road is a well-regarded North London gastropub on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Book two to five days ahead for weekends rather than relying on walk-in availability. Best suited to visitors who want serious pub cooking in a genuine neighbourhood setting, not a formal dining room.
About The Bull and Last
What to Know Before You Book The Bull and Last
The most common assumption about The Bull and Last is that it's a direct North London pub you can walk into any evening without a second thought. That's wrong. This Highgate Road address is a serious gastropub with a strong local reputation, if you're visiting for the first time, you should book ahead, particularly for weekend lunch or dinner, rather than assuming availability.
For a first-timer, the setting gives an immediate read: this is a Victorian pub that reads as a pub, not a restaurant dressed up as one. The bar area is front and centre, the dining room is warm and unpretentious, the visual cues lean toward comfort over formality. That framing matters for your expectations. You are not walking into a white-tablecloth room, the price point should reflect that. If you want the full experience, sit in the main dining room rather than the bar, where the kitchen's output reads better against the room.
The Bull and Last sits at 168 Highgate Rd, NW5, on the edge of Hampstead Heath, which makes it a practical pre- or post-walk stop. The location rewards planning: it's not on a major tube line, so allow time for a bus or a walk from Tufnham Court Road or Gospel Oak on the Overground. For a first visit, aim for a Sunday lunch slot when the gastropub format works well and the room operates at its intended pace.
On the question of value: gastropubs at this level in London sit in a price bracket below destination restaurants like Claridge's or The Savoy's dining rooms, above the average high-street pub. The Bull and Last earns its position in that band through food quality, not room polish. If you're weighing this against a smarter West End dining room, the trade-off is atmosphere over formality and neighbourhood character over prestige address. For a London stay anchored at a hotel like NoMad London or The Emory, this works well as a deliberate excursion north rather than a default dinner near your hotel.
Booking is easy relative to the wider London restaurant market. You are unlikely to face a weeks-long wait, but same-day availability on weekends is not reliable. Two to five days out is a reasonable window for most visits. Check the venue's own website directly for current availability. For more options across the city, see our full London restaurants guide.
Practical Details
| Detail | The Bull and Last | Typical London Gastropub |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 168 Highgate Rd, NW5 | Varies |
| Booking difficulty | Easy (2–5 days out) | Easy–Moderate |
| Ideal time to visit | Sunday lunch | Varies |
| Getting there | Bus or Gospel Oak Overground | Varies |
| Room feel | Warm, Victorian pub dining room | Varies |
Planning details
- Location
- 168 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1QS, United Kingdom
- Website
- thebullandlast.co.uk
- Phone
- +44 20 7267 3641
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Bull and Last reads like a genuine local pub that also takes its food seriously. The room keeps its worn-timber warmth and social looseness, the kind of place where muddy-booted walkers from Hampstead Heath feel perfectly at home. Staff service is quietly assured: attentive without flash, knowledgeable without lecturing. The steady, returning crowd gives the place an easygoing charm rather than the bespoke polish of a destination restaurant. Overall it feels warm and relaxed — a hospitable neighborhood gastropub that balances casual conviviality with a kitchen that punches above its pub category.
Best For
This is a natural stop after a walk on Hampstead Heath or for a relaxed evening meal with friends. The kitchen reliably covers lunch and dinner, and the single-room format means the same convivial energy carries from noon into night. It suits solo diners, locals who linger for another bottle, and small groups looking for unfussy, well-executed food in an unpretentious setting. The Bull and Last is less a formal occasion venue than a dependable neighborhood spot for leisurely meals and casual hangouts.
Stay Tips
Allow time: the service here deliberately reads the room, so pacing is unhurried and staff won’t rush a table that wants to linger over wine. Expect a kitchen operating at restaurant level — ask the knowledgeable servers for recommendations if you want to zero in on what’s best that day. Visiting after a walk on Hampstead Heath is part of the experience: muddy boots are part of the crowd’s makeup, and the atmosphere rewards slow, sociable dining rather than a quick stop-in.
Venue details
Ambiance
Sophisticated and elegant with inspiration from Georgian Kenwood House and leafy Hampstead Heath.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Amenities
About the Stay
- Rooms
- 7
- Check-in
- 15:00
- Check-out
- 11:00
- Property Style
- Historic Gastropub with Boutique Rooms
- Design Style
- Elegant Georgian Inspired with Historic Personality Themes
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Raffles London at The OWO; Notable alternative
- The Connaught; Notable alternative
- 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences; Notable alternative
- Bvlgari Hotel London; Notable alternative
- COMO Metropolitan London; Notable alternative
Hotel context
Comparing The Bull and Last directly against London's luxury hotel options is only useful if you're deciding where to eat during a London stay rather than where to sleep. For a hotel dining room that matches the warmth and informality of a good gastropub but adds design-hotel polish, COMO Metropolitan London is worth considering, with its more central Park Lane position. If you want a more theatrical evening out, Raffles London at The OWO operates at a different price level entirely but delivers a very different kind of occasion.
For neighbourhood character and value, The Bull and Last competes well against comparable North London addresses. It does not try to be The Connaught or Bvlgari Hotel London's dining rooms, it shouldn't be held to that comparison. The more relevant question is whether you want a destination gastropub experience with a strong local following, or a central London address with easier logistics. If you're already staying near Mayfair or Belgravia, 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences has dining options that are simply more convenient. The Bull and Last is worth the journey north if the Heath-side setting and unpretentious room are what you're after.
For visitors building a wider London itinerary, see our full London hotels guide and our full London restaurants guide for a broader view of where to stay and eat across the city.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Bull and Last guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Bull and Last
| Venue | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| The Bull and Last | 2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury Hotels | Easy |
| Raffles London at The OWO | 2026 Virtuoso Luxury Hotel CollectionStar Wine Lists 20262026 Forbes 5-Star2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #31Michelin 3 Keys 20252025 Michelin 3 Keys2025 Forbes 5-Star2024 World's 50 Best Hotels · #13 | Unknown |
| The Connaught | 2026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Collection2026 House & Garden Best Hotels in London2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #292025 Michelin 3 Keys2025 Forbes 5-Star2025 Conde Nast Hotels Gold List2024 World's 50 Best Hotels · #46 | Unknown |
| 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences | 2026 Forbes 4-Star2026 Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Collection2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 Forbes 4-Star | Unknown |
| Bvlgari Hotel London | 2026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Collection2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 Michelin 3 Keys2025 Forbes 5-Star | Unknown |
| COMO Metropolitan London | 2026 Forbes 4-Star2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury Hotels2025 Michelin Selected Hotels2025 Forbes 4-Star | Unknown |
How The Bull and Last stacks up against the competition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which room category is best at The Bull and Last?
The Bull and Last on Highgate Road is a pub and dining venue, not a hotel, so there are no room categories to choose between. If you're looking for accommodation near NW5, you'll need to book separately elsewhere in the area.
How is the location of The Bull and Last?
168 Highgate Road, NW5 puts you between Kentish Town and Parliament Hill, close to Hampstead Heath. It's a walk from Kentish Town tube or Gospel Oak Overground, so factor in transit time if you're coming from central London; this isn't a quick detour.
How does The Bull and Last compare to nearby hotels?
The Bull and Last is a pub-restaurant, not a hotel, so a direct comparison doesn't apply. As a dining and drinking destination in NW5, it draws from a different decision than choosing between accommodation options. If you're weighing an evening out in North London, the question is whether the food and atmosphere justify the journey from zone 1.
When is the best time to book The Bull and Last?
Book well ahead for weekend evenings; this venue on Highgate Road has a strong local following and fills up. Weekday lunches are a lower-pressure option if you want a more relaxed visit without competing for a table.
What is check-in like at The Bull and Last?
There's no check-in process; The Bull and Last is a pub and restaurant at 168 Highgate Road, NW5, not a hotel. Arrive at your reserved time and head straight to the dining area or bar.
How is the dining at The Bull and Last?
The Bull and Last has a reputation as a serious gastropub in North London, drawing a loyal neighbourhood crowd willing to book ahead rather than walk in. The venue's address near Hampstead Heath puts it in a catchment where expectations for food quality are high and the competition from destination restaurants in central London keeps standards honest.
How is the pool and spa at The Bull and Last?
There is no pool or spa at The Bull and Last; it is a pub and dining venue at 168 Highgate Road, NW5. If spa facilities are a priority, you'll need to look at dedicated hotel properties elsewhere in London.
