The Horses is a pub in Clerkenwell from the team behind the Public House Group – the guys behind The Pelican, The Hero, The Fat Badger, The Bull, The Hart and more. They’ve been on a serious roll since opening The Pelican in Notting Hill back in 2022. This one takes over the old Coach & Horses on Ray Street – a handsome red-brick Victorian boozer that traded as The Coach & Horses for 228 years before a recent rebrand to just The Coach, and now has its horses reinstated. It’s a beaut four-storey pub focused around seafood, proving these guys are more than just a one trick pony, with a boozer on the ground floor, restaurant above, kitchen and more seats above that and a PDR at the top.
Eat This
The menu is seafood focused, though there really is something for everyone. With a beautiful raw bar, stunning in both design and display, it’d be crazy not to indulge. We started with the crab and langoustines followed by the cod’s roe served with a lightly fried bread, and a mountain of crispy squid with chilli mayo. For mains there’s a selection of fish from the grill and pub classics that include an insane looking fish pie, definitely one to share between 2-3. We had the John Dory and chose a lobster gravy and peppercorn sauce, as well as some chips and tomato salad. For dessert, an intense chocolate cake was an excellent end to a faultless meal.
Drink This
There’s a great wine list with lots of BTG options, including Langham, one of our favourite English sparklings. There’s also a Txakoli by the glass which goes well with seafood, a great Italian orange and a nice chilled red.
Why Go
These guys really have the Midas touch, and the seafood focus gives this one of their pubs its own USP. We also spied a banging bar snacks menu featuring a scallop and bacon bun and spider crab on toast. We want more modern seafood spots please – it’s something we’re lacking in London.
Key Information
Address | 26-28 Ray St, London EC1R 3DJ
For more information | thehorsesec1.com
