After finding our way back under the A13 via a handy tunnel we were a short walk along it before we had found The Thatched House. It had a pub on its site dating back to a least 1861, was named for its once thatched roof though now had an intact large Double Diamond sign adorning a more conventional roof.
The once pub is now an East African restaurant and bar which is open til 2am Mon-Weds and 4am every other day. A venue spotted often whilst travelling down the A13 out of London though it was a first for us to be inside.
The place was pumping and only got busier the longer we were there. We got a round of drinks including a foreign export guiness and a magnum with ice before ordering a sharing platter of food. A second round via table service came as we waited.
We sat to the right of the main entrance, amongst other diners ranging from friends, large family meals and couples. To the left was a pool table and an area that appeared to be a dancefloor. Whilst too early for those festivities we happily embraced the food with the chicken and jollof rice being the standout.
A fire burnt in a bin outside and when we left the venue the car park was completely chocablock. One can only imagine a Saturday night. Another enormous venue in Barking, appearingly in the middle of no mans land but frequented by numerous punters. Staff extremely friendly.
Perhaps the perfect end venue for the Christmas special 🤔🧐
11 Aug 2026