Princess Of Prussia

Nice chilled out bar. Good beers. Scratchings and nuts too. Eclectic music. Step back in time and relax in here

Sizeable back patio for lounging, so don’t be deceived by what looks like a deserted pub when you first arrive.
Dangling plants and heavy black iron tables make it vaguely classy, as do the candles and such in the chamber before the patio.
Standard selection of ales, and prices are average.

I’ve stopped into this pub a few times over the years, and it seems to be getting better. So much so that we recently tried it after eating at a nearby restaurant on a Saturday night, and it was actually rammed and the place was jumping! There was a live band, playing good ska and old time rock and roll, complete with a trombone. People were dancing near the bandstand, but you didn’t feel pressured to join in if you didn’t want to.
The layout of the bar was actually conducive to this scene, because you could easily walk down to and past the bar where even though it was crowded, you had room to sit or stand and enjoy your beverages. There are tables in the room beyond the bar, and there’s an outdoor beer garden for smoking, and eating/​drinking in warmer weather.
As for beverages, it’s a traditional English pub, with some cask ale choices, and the usual assortment of continental lagers. Unfortunately none of the new wave of excellent London beers is available (Kernel, Meantime, Camden, London Fields), but I’m hoping that changes soon. There’s of course a full bar available as well. And food, but I haven’t tried that yet.
As for the crowd, it seemed to be a nice mixture of locals, possibly a few tourists from the nearby hotels that have popped up recently, and best of all, the hipster wave hasn’t totally invaded this corner of Whitechapel/​Tower Hill yet.

We were here two times in 2013.
The first time, it was a monday, the pub was empty but pleasant.
On the following day the Princess of Prussia Pub was well-​frequented.
So I can sum up that it’s a nice pub with good feel and very delicious Fish & Chips, beer and wine.
All right and anytime again.

I had lunch at the Princess of Prussia with my family when they visited a few weeks back, and I loved that it was the kind of pub I most prefer: small, secluded, and a magnet for locals. I don’t love those big, touristy pubs, but they’re slowly taking over, and when I find a place like the Princess, it makes me wish I had visited much more in the year I lived in Shadwell (a ten minute walk away!).
The long, skinny bar and seating area pours out into a back garden where we enjoyed traditional English fare: fish and chips, sausages and mash, and a few pints of dark ale. My gluten-​free family was able to have hamburgers sans bread, and enjoyed sitting among the greenery and shade.
The neighborhood is technically Whitechapel, though I’d argue it straddles into Tower Hill, and thus should be a viable alternative to the Minories. It’s much more traditional and inviting, if you want that kind of experience, and is only about 5 – 7 minutes walk away. Definitely worth it!

I briefly went into Princess of Prussia, drawn by the fact I was staying in the hotel across the street, in want of some fish and chips (I’m not a local), and by the small crowd hanging out there in front of the pub smoking their ciggies. As I went inside I was very pleasantly surprised, especially after reading the previous review. The interior design seemed very traditional to me. But I’m not a local so I’ll just say it seemed fresh, somewhat colorful and appealing.
There also was a large and active crowd inside, visibly the same group as outside, and a lot of good vibes. I also checked the back room which was more subdued, with families or smaller groups having drinks at round tables. Well I asked if they served dinner but they didn’t so I left because I was hungry, but I definitely thought I should come back.

This place is an object lesson in how not to decorate a pub, it is the biggest single failure in interior design in the whole world that has ever existed from the day the earth first cooled and will probably remain so until the planet is consumed by an expanding sun some 5 billion years hence.
The walls and ceiling are in the same monotonous shade of pale mushroom; the lighting manages to be dingey, dark and dismal, without the bar stools or much other pub furniture it just manages to look empty rather than spacious. It has none of the charm nor personality of a pub and none of the cool of a wine bar, club or lounge.
As you sit drinking the single bevvy that you are going to have here staring out through the plain glass windows at the front wishing you were somewhere else, feel sorry for the only patrons, the people in the ‘dining room’ at the back, refugees from the nearby Travel Lodge that know nothing of the area and the other places within walking distance that are so much better in every respect.
It is a truly ghastly place, which is a shame as it has a nice garden and is a Shepherd Neame house.
Do not go here unless told to in the ransom instructions by a kidnapper who is holding your whole family hostage, even then think twice.

I’ve only been here once, so I’m not sure if it is the norm, but this pub was criminally empty when I was here. This was a real shame as this is a top notch pub with a beer garden out back. The serve food and have wireless broadband too! Come on people!
They serve good real ale as one would expect from a Shepherd Neame pub (while not generally a chain fan, I am starting to think Shepherd Neame may be my favourite of the chains).They are very friendly and asked us if we wanted the sports commentary off and the music onwhich we did. There are a couple of TVs, but they are easily avoided if you don’t want to see them.
This is probably my favourite pub in this area. Shame it is not open on weekends!

A pleasant enough normal traditional pub with the average choice of drinks and friendly enough staff in a quiet street not far from the crowds and hustle of the Tower.