The Culpeper

The Culpeper in London is what happens when a centuries-old pub gets a modern glow-up without losing its soul. Perched on the corner of Commercial Street and Culpeper Street like it owns the place (which, technically, it does), this East End gem has mastered the art of being three things at once: a proper London boozer, a rather clever restaurant, and a boutique hotel that makes you feel like you've discovered London's best-kept secret.

Let's talk about that rooftop first, because honestly, it's criminal how many Londoners still don't know about it. While the city's other elevated venues often feel like they're trying too hard (we've all been to that place with the Instagram swing), The Culpeper's rooftop garden feels like stumbling into your eccentric aunt's hidden paradise. They actually grow herbs up here that end up in your cocktails – and yes, that garnish in your gin and tonic probably had a shorter commute than you did.

The main pub area downstairs strikes that perfect balance between "nice enough to impress your parents" and "comfortable enough to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon." The original Victorian features have been preserved with the kind of care usually reserved for crown jewels, but they've managed to avoid the stuffiness that often comes with historical preservation. Instead, the space feels lived-in and loved, with worn wooden floors that have absorbed countless stories and conversations over the years.

Moving up to the first-floor restaurant, things get a bit posher without crossing into pretentious territory. The menu changes more often than London weather, but that's because they're serious about seasonal British cooking. We're talking about the kind of food that makes you understand why British cuisine has moved well beyond the old jokes about boiled everything. The Sunday roast here isn't just a meal; it's a religious experience that's converted many a skeptic. The Yorkshire puddings rise higher than London rent prices, and the roast potatoes have the kind of crunch that makes other roast potatoes feel inadequate.

The rooms upstairs are where The Culpeper really shows off its boutique hotel credentials. Each one feels like it was decorated by someone who actually understands what humans want in a hotel room – proper reading lights, power outlets where you need them (not behind the heavy wooden wardrobe), and bathrooms that don't require an engineering degree to figure out how the shower works. The beds are the kind that make you want to cancel your morning meetings and order breakfast in bed – speaking of which, their Turkish eggs should be classified as a controlled substance, they're that addictive.

What really sets The Culpeper apart from London's countless other pub-restaurant-hotel hybrids is the staff. They've somehow managed to find people who are simultaneously professional and genuinely friendly – a combination about as rare as an affordable flat in Zone 1. They remember your name, your usual order, and somehow make you feel like you're a regular even if it's your first visit.

The pricing sits comfortably in the "treat yourself without calling your bank manager" category. You're not going to need to sell a kidney to enjoy dinner here, but it's definitely a step up from your average pub grub prices. That said, the value for money is spot-on, especially considering the quality of both food and service.

Here's an insider tip: book a table for an early dinner (around 6 PM), then migrate upstairs to the rooftop for sundowners. If you time it right, you'll catch that magical moment when the City's glass towers catch the evening light, and for a few minutes, even the most hardened Londoner has to admit this city is pretty spectacular.

The Culpeper stands as a testament to what happens when someone takes a historic London pub and thoughtfully brings it into the 21st century. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're in on a secret, even though it's been written up in every London guide worth its salt. So next time you're in East London and fancy experiencing a slice of the city that manages to be both historic and thoroughly modern, The Culpeper's got your name on it. Just don't blame me if you end up staying longer than planned – it happens to the best of us.