The Waterman's Arms

Patty & Bun founder Joe Grossmann has made his way from burgers into pubs by taking over iconic site The Waterman's Arms in Barnes, south London.

The former 1850s Watney’s riverside pub was converted to restaurant use in the 1980s but returned to its former glory when it was reopened as a pub in May 2019.  It subsequently closed in June 2022.

But all was not lost as Grossmann, who grew up in the leafy borough of Barnes, had a dream of running The Watermans Arms and took the opportunity to reopen the stunning pub that overlooks the Thames River.

The pub opened in September 2023 after a major refurbishment with a bar on the ground floor, a dining room upstairs, plus room for outside drinkers along the front of the building. There are exposed brick walls, wooden benches with velvet cushions and a stunning view from the balcony over the river.

Sam Andrews, formerly head chef at the Camberwell Arms and also from Ducksoup in Soho, was brought in to take on the kitchen.

He has made this a unique experience for all guests whether they are just popping in for a pint and a snack or a full three-course meal.  Menus are produce-driven, focusing on whatever is best in season.

The pub and restaurant space offers an a la carte menu with seasonal dishes such as gnochetti, delica pumpkin, girolles; leeks vinaigrette, celeriac fritter; Hereford steak, smoked garlic butter and market fish with curry sauce.

Sunday lunch boasts dishes such as spit-roast chicken, onion broth (for 2) and porchetta, pickled nectarine and Lamb shoulder, mint sauce.

A review in The Telegraph by William Sitwell described the pub as “Comforting, warm and a revelation of enticing taste” with “the sort of dishes you would trample through deep snow for.”

The pub is listed on the Good Food Guide.