Galentine’s at The Newman Arms: Pies, Crémant and Comfort Food in Fitzrovia

Galentine’s Day is quickly becoming one of February’s most enjoyable social occasions, and Fitzrovia’s historic Newman Arms offers a charmingly indulgent way to celebrate friendship over excellent food and drinks.

A London institution dating back to the 18th century, The Newman Arms is best known for its British comfort cooking and its upstairs dining room dedicated to pies. With a menu that balances nostalgic pub classics and thoughtful seasonal cooking, it’s a natural setting for a Galentine’s gathering that prioritises good conversation and great food.

A Pie-Led Galentine’s Feast

The heart of the Newman Arms experience is its pie menu, and it’s easy to build a celebratory meal around these generous, well-executed dishes. Signature options include the chicken, ham hock and creamed leek pie served with creamy mash and roasted hispi cabbage, and the braised leg shepherd’s pie topped with a crisp ash gratin. Seafood lovers can opt for the fisherman’s pie, served in a white wine sauce with a whole langoustine and salmon roe, while vegetarians are well catered for with a wild mushroom pithivier with truffle and tarragon sauce.

For those looking for something lighter, the menu also includes a heritage tomato salad with burrata, sugar snap peas and braised butterbeans, as well as an aged beef shin and rib pie with Murphy’s stout gravy for a more indulgent option.

Elevated Pub Starters and Sides

Starters lean into classic British flavours with thoughtful twists, including chestnut mushroom pâté with pickled shallots and sourdough, crispy lamb belly scrumpets with tartare sauce, chicken liver pâté with caramelised onions, and a nostalgic prawn cocktail with Marie Rose sauce.

Sides such as tender-stem broccoli with anchovy herb dressing, maple-roasted root vegetables, and fresh leaf salad with sherry vinaigrette round out the meal and make it easy to share dishes across the table.

Champagne, Spritzes and Pub Cocktails

A Galentine’s celebration calls for something sparkling, and the drinks list offers plenty of options. Guests can start with a Crémant Aperol Spritz or Limoncello Spritz, or opt for the pub’s playful Black Velvet, combining Crémant with stout. For something more classic, the wine list includes Pol Roger NV Champagne, Coates & Seely Brut Reserve, and a range of French and international wines.

Cocktails include favourites such as the Passionfruit Martini, Espresso Martini, and Spicy Tommy’s Margarita, alongside house classics like a barrel-aged Old Fashioned and a hip-flask Negroni for a more theatrical touch.

Sweet Endings

Dessert options keep things classic and shareable, with a cheeseboard featuring Burts Blue, Lancashire Bomb and Ashlynn served with quince membrillo and crackers, or a comforting apple and berry crumble with custard for a nostalgic finish.

A Cosy Setting for a Girls’ Night Out

With its low ceilings, historic interiors and central Fitzrovia location, The Newman Arms offers an intimate alternative to louder cocktail bars and restaurants. It’s the kind of place that encourages lingering, whether over a second glass of wine, another slice of pie or a final round of spritzes.

For those planning a Galentine’s dinner, The Newman Arms offers a relaxed, quintessentially British way to celebrate friendship, with a menu designed for sharing, comfort and conversation.