One of the great things about
The Queens Larder pub is its location on the end of a quiet, pedestrianised passageway that connects busy Southampton Row with Queen Square.
The passageway itself, Cosmo Place, is never particularly overrun with people, and so sitting outside on the pub's benches can be a lovely way to enjoy a pint of beer or glass of wine. There's a road running along one side of the pub (it's on a corner), but it's not a main thoroughfare and so traffic is extremely light.
Although the interior is perfectly pleasant, it's a bit on the small side and so not the place to go with a large group of friends. I prefer to sit outside where the atmosphere is generally peaceful, making it a relaxing spot from which to watch the world go by.
The Queens Larder is owned by pub and brewing company Greene King, but there's no feeling that it's part of some large chain.
Like most London boozers, the clientèle is a mixed bunch, here made up of locals, a mix of tourists (though not many as it's rather hidden away), office workers and a smattering of employees from Great Ormond Street Hospital, which is located just the other side of Queen Square.
Apparently the pub takes its name from Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III (the mad one). So the story goes, the king was being treated for his illness at a doctor's house on Queen Square. The queen would come along too and cook for her husband, storing food in the cellar of the pub.
The pub's own
website describes itself as "the cosiest place to have a pint in the wider neighbourhood," which seems like a pretty accurate description to me.
The extensive food menu includes light bites, sandwiches and main meals, though I've yet to try anything from it. Mains include good basic pub fare such as pork apple and leek pie with mash or chips, spam fritters with chips and beans, and chicken burger and chips.
The pub serves up a decent selection of beers and other tipples, among them the highly rated Greene King IPA.
A trip to The Queens Larder can be easily combined with a visit to nearby places such as
Russell Square Gardens,
Marchmont Street and the
Brunswick Centre.