The Dolphin

First opened in 1733 and rebuilt in Tudor style in 1936, this pub has witnessed centuries of change on Sydenham, passing through many hands, including Courage and Sons and a pub property company in the 1990s, who charmingly renamed it The Ferret and Trousersleg. Since 2006, Michael, his wife Violeta, and their friends Susan and Michael (the other one, because why not two?) have run the pub, celebrating 20 years as one of our longest-serving landlord teams. Through grit and Violeta’s flair for decor, the team transformed the pub into a welcoming hub. Today, their efforts have paid off, and it has become a vibrant spot in the area. Cherry on the cake? They bought the pub in 2026, making it a rare, truly independent family-run spot in a pub-cos dominated world! Expect a cosy space with wood panelling and a fireplace to nestle by in winter, and a lush, Versailles-style beer garden where all of South London comes to enjoy sunny summer days.
Your tastebuds are in for a treat at the Dolphin, with in-house meals crafted by a chef who’s been part of the team for 14 years. A rare commitment in the pub scene that proves life behind the bar is as good as on the plate. From traditional pub classics to wood-fired pizza you can watch being cooked from the main room, there’s always something to comfort.