Indie Of The Month: Robin Hood Pub, Sydenham Road

Published on: 8 Sep, 2019
Updated on: 8 Sep, 2019

By Hugh Coakley

Imagine that you merged a traditional British pub with an Italian restaurant where all the food was freshly cooked and served to you personally by the chef. Well that describes exactly the Robin Hood pub in Sydenham Road.

The spectacular flower display outside the Robin Hood pub in Sydenham Road.

It has been run for the last three years or so by Veru Melca who hails from Florence. Veru wanted to set up a pub and restaurant business and looked around London for a location but when she saw the Robin Hood, “I loved it, it was so cute. It was perfect for my plans.” she said.

Small, intimate and friendly in the Robin Hood pub.

Veru had three restaurants in Italy and had worked at director level in the pub and restaurant business in the UK, where she has lived since 2001. But something was missing. She was doing well but she wanted to do something that made her happy.

“I’m happy here. I work here for people to be happy with me. I think that it is wonderful to be with people.” she said in her wonderful Italian accent.

Landlady, Veru Melca, with a welcoming smile in the Robin Hood pub.

The pub has a spectacular flower basket display outside which, says Veru: “matches my personality; bright and colourful.”

Amazingly, she does all the cooking herself. “I did 20 covers yesterday. I love food. Everything is fresh. I waste nothing because I cook everything on the spot. My bins are empty.”

It is a unique pub, very intimate inside, good beer and a wide gin selection. Pleasant music in the background but, not obtrusive and plenty of chat going on.

We celebrate independent businesses for their individuality and service among other things. For those qualities alone, the Robin Hood pub stands out above the crowd.