What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Pond
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Welcome to The Pond, it’s time to get your feathers wet. We’re an independent pub in Brighton's North Laine serving up delicious beer from all over the planet, including our very own Pondwater Pale Ale, and every month we'll feature one of our favourite breweries by buying in a big ol' pallet of their beers. Home to Brighton's-own Baby Bao, our kitchen serves up hand-made Taiwanese steamed buns, mouth-watering asian small plates and a truck-load of vegan options. We're open from midday to midnight seven days a week so pop in for a pint and kick back in our cozy boozer that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, Asian, Pub, Street Food
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
American Express
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Visa
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 12:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 - 18:00
Monday
12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00
Thursday
12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00
Friday
12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00
Saturday
12:00 - 21:00
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4.4
260 reviews
Excellent
173
Very good
52
Average
18
Poor
3
Terrible
14
David M
94 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
Had one of the best street food inspired meals ever , mat knows his stuff, rare to find something so special. The team were amazing, lovely attitude, attention to detail and just enthusiasm, which in this, my industry is rarely seen now... bao buns, omg, soft, delicate and delicious, corn to die for, all cooked fresh, hot and served quickly, £30 for two, bargain...smashed it out the park!!
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sinderella3
Willesden289 contributions
Sept 2024 • friends
Cosy pub with delicious spicy Asian food. OMG those loaded fries are sensational, the bao buns great in flavour and a good selection of drinks. Was a bit disappointed with the prawn toast as overly oily, which made it inedible, but everything else was delicious.
Written 16 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jthomson2017
San Diego7 contributions
Apr 2023 • family
We happened upon The Pond on our walk from the train station during a day trip to Brighton. We stopped in for a bite to eat and loved the food and atmosphere so much that we came back again for dinner before we left! Even our 11-year-old daughter (who can be a bit picky) loved it and wanted to return. We live in the States, but we'll go out of our way to return the next time we find ourselves in Brighton.
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Culture825065
6 contributions
Mar 2025 • business
A member of bar staff gave their uninformed opinion on the safety of food items on their menu. This was specifically loaded fries and the question of whether the chips and toppings contained wheat.
‘It should be fine’ was not the least bit reassuring and so the advice of the chef was requested. The update from the kitchen was that the fries were coated in corn flour only. As such, the order was placed.
I had requested the Teryaki topping be removed, as this typically contains wheat (contrary to the belief of the member of bar staff).
The fries arrived smothered in soy sauce. Soy sauce contains wheat!
I had had a lengthy conversation with the member of bar staff and the kitchen were consulted and yet the food still arrived unsafe for me to it.
It became evident the ‘chef’ is untrained.
Have we learned nothing from the Pret incident!?!
Written 2 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
H J
Brighton1 contribution
Jul 2023 • friends
I’ve visited the pond a couple of times in the past, I won’t be returning.
Staff are rude and condescending, whilst lacking in training or knowledge of craft beer. Cocktails are extremely overpriced for the quality, and very very sweet.
Food was great, it’s a shame the restaurant (Baby Bao) is housed in the pub.
They also added a service charge for the absolute bare minimum of “service”, which is not stated on any of the menus, feels sneaky and pushy
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PatrickOoi
Cambridge9 contributions
Mar 2022 • solo
Was willing to give this place a chance especially after the last review but unfortunately they failed. Staff seem disinterested...I sat waiting upstairs for over 20 mins and no one came to take my order even when the kitchen staff walked passed me a couple of times...when I got up to leave they had one table occupied downstairs and that's it...
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob De Rosa
9 contributions
Oct 2021 • friends
The staff at the Pond were extremely pleasant and made us feel very welcome. The smiles and friendly manner was genuine not forced.
There was a great selection of beers and the food was very tasty and reasonably priced. I had a Bao bun and chips for £11.00.
Written 1 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geraint H
Bristol4 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
Oh god, the bao from Baby Bao is so good. We visited Brighton a couple of months ago and had lunch here on the first day, and it was so good we had to come back and go again two days later.
The bao is incredible - every iteration is soft, flavoursome and moreish. The squid is also really good, as are the loaded fries. We had some fried tofu which was a little bit dense and chewy, but I can't bring myself to mark them down because they make the best bao I've ever tasted.
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie S
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
The food here is very tasty and recommended. Bao Buns and sides are all very good.
Good range of beer. Limited range of wine but good none the less. Cocktails reasonably priced.
Come for the bao buns but try the sides and pickles. The watermelon pickle is a revelation and the sticky chicken is so much better than it sounds. Prawn toast a bit expensive for what it was but still good. £30 ph including drinks and service was reasonable for what we had.
Buzzy atmosphere in nice rooms. Service was good and friendly.
I will definitely visit again.
Not fine dining hence rating of 4 but very good for pub food with a difference.
Highly recommended.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keswick_anonymous
4 contributions
May 2021 • none
we live in London and visit at least 3-4 times per year because it’s so good (the other 360 days of the year i daydream about boa buns & pints of pondwater). It’s actually outrageous that they put hoisin, miso mayo, sriracha, peanuts, crispy shallots & spring onions on their fries. Always delicious and will forever keep going back. P.s. also love the decor (it really is my ideal pub).
Written 2 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Al B
Banstead21 contributions
Sept 2023 • solo
I was in the nether for a quick tasty pub lunch and The Pond absolutely smashed it out of the park. Had their special (pork curry & chips with pickled chilli peppers and fried onions, and a pint of beer whose name escapes me. It was just perfect. Staff were friendly and the food was served quickly. On top of that the food was absolutely delicious.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amber G
2 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
Been visiting the Pond for years and it's always a fantastic experience. The beer selection is ever changing and always has plenty of options for every type of beer drinker. The food is absolutely exceptional. Their signature bao buns never disappoint and I've never tried a side I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Service is great too with very professional, friendly, and efficient staff.
We will continue returning again and again
Written 28 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky
17 contributions
Sept 2021 • couples
Visited this pub as I heard the in-house caterers did meat free Mondays. Meat was still on the menu but plenty of vegan options so no bother. When my food arrived - I suspected it tasted a bit meaty but this can sometimes be the case with tofu. Bill arrived and I realised I had actually ordered the squash bun (so nothing like chicken). Reviewed the menu and compared the ingredients to the chicken bun and they matched. At this point I had also heard someone else complain they had been served meat. Threw up and got out of there. Hadn’t eaten meat for about 6 years so extremely disappointed.
Written 8 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bob1503
Slough19 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
We went today for lunch. One fire cracker beef bao, loaded fries, sweetcorn fritters and Korean chicken later I rolled down the hill very full and very happy. My daughter had the pork belly and mushroom boo and loved them too. Highly recommended. Only minor niggle is no duck on the loaded fries any more...
Written 17 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan M
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • solo
Piped music is at a volume that's impossible to ignore. Added to the sound reflective surfaces and lack of soft furnishings, everyone ends up shouting. Not relaxing. Cask ales only available at the weekend so it's just expensive (delicious!) craft beers. But then, there's the good things: no sports TV, pleasant decor, great beer choice and out of this world food with kimchi and Korean dumplings. Great pub, shame about the music
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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