The 3 Crowns pub launches in Old Street

Just a stone’s throw away from the suited hustle and bustle of the City and within spitting distance of the kitsch-cool capital of Shoreditch, The 3 Crowns is nestled on the corner of East Road and Brunswick Place. Flanked on either side by huge towers of steel and concrete, it sits unassumingly with its classic Georgian architecture and charming green-tiled façade, positively sparkling like a pub from a bygone era born anew in the frantic urban sprawl of London’s East End.

The interior is less old man’s pub and more 1930s chic, with the odd chandelier, bronze light fittings and mahogany-esque panelling; it has a sort of understated swagger, classic and clean. The venue is clearly split between a bar area with high ceilings and swathes of natural light, and a cosier, intimate dining area. The open-fronted kitchen with its cool, chrome work surfaces faces out into the dining area, giving it a very honest feel and tempting clientele at the bar with its sweet aromas.

The kitchen serves seasonal produce across its three menus covering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food borders on fine dining but at gastro-pub prices – for instance, a three course lunch of Rabbit and Prune Terrine to start, with Cod, Mussels and Samphire as a main and a Walnut Tart with Strawberries and Jersey Cream to finish can be had for £18. The food seems to be classic French cuisine with a modern twist and the odd worldly sprinkling here and there for good measure.

The wine list is a bit of a marathon with an exhaustive selection of reds and whites, though a little more restrained on the rosé and champagne fronts. There is a decent choice when it comes to draught lagers and ales, and pricing is keen for this end of town with a number of pints available on the right side of the magic £4 mark.

The 3 Crowns opened its doors some two months ago but has held off from having an official launch until now, with its facelift finally complete and the bandages off. It has to be said the atmosphere was positively electric with a DJ spinning laid-back tunes with a reggae/dub accent, which seemed a little surprising for this type of venue.

Despite all its charm, The 3 Crowns does seem a little confused; it’s not clear who its target audience is. Perhaps the intention was to go for a “come one come all” approach, which would be a bold move in a competitive market where having a niche is often key to survival. Still, it would make a pleasant boozer for after-work drinks and the restaurant looks to have some promise.

Verdict: ★★★★★ 

Joe Turnbull
Photos: Allie Suwanrumpha

To book a table at The 3 Crowns, 8 East Road, London N1 6AD, call 0208428516 or visit here.