London’s bar and nightlife scene is one of the most exciting in the world. Whether you’re looking for a slap-up Sunday roast with all the traditional trimmings or a charming bar with plenty of craft brews on tap, the London pub scene has plenty to offer. Enjoy riverfront views of the Thames at a pub with a gorgeous beer garden and lots of outdoor seating or soak up the historic atmosphere in a stunning Georgian townhouse. From lively watering holes that are great for a weekend night out or after-work drinks to award-winning gastropubs, the best pubs in London await.
Indulge in best-of-British produce cooked with simple, European flair on a charcoal-fire grill. A London pub owned by a famous film director promises a luxurious pub grub menu and original craft beer brewed on a Dorset border farm. A MICHELIN-star awarded gastropub promises a refined dining experience, while a dog-friendly pub gives you a taste of country living in the heart of the capital. These are the 10 best pubs in London for food, drink and a roaring good time.
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Read on for the 10 best pubs in London
For one of the best pubs in London with a MICHELIN star – try the Harwood Arms in Fulham
The Harwood Arms in Fulham combines the most noteworthy aspects of gastropub culture – fine food prepared by MICHELIN-star awarded chefs, best of British seasonal produce and a relaxed, homely atmosphere. Directed by legendary Australian chef, Brett Graham (owner of the 3 MICHELIN-starred restaurant The Ledbury) the Harwood Arms is the only London gastropub to hold a MICHELIN star. The kitchen team, led by renowned head chef, Josh Cutress, focuses on sourcing premium-quality sustainable and regional ingredients. The compact menu is confident and refined, featuring starters, like a warm blue cheese tart, and decadent mains, like the Berkshire fallow deer or the roast skate wing. Classic English puddings, like a Pimm’s trifle or a milk flan, complete the feast. The Harwood Arms also offers a must-try Sunday roast and has an eclectic fine wine selection.
For mouthwatering pub grub and stunning riverside views – head to The Crabtree in Fulham
Unwind under the shady willows on the terrace and soak up gorgeous views of the River Thames at The Crabtree in Fulham – one of the best London pubs for hearty food and outdoor dining. With a sprawling scenic garden and plenty of outdoor seating, The Crabtree is perfect for a special meal or a Sunday roast with the family. The menu celebrates classic British pub grub with iconic dishes, like fish and chips with mushy peas or crusty meat pies. The sensational Sunday menu features a choice of roasts, including chicken with bread sauce, roast beef and a vegan Wellington with traditional trimmings. Beers on tap and a selection of fine wines make for a perfectly indulgent pub lunch in the sun. This local hotspot also has a bustling, energetic atmosphere at night making it ideal for a group outing.
For a relaxed meal in a historic setting at one of the best pubs in Angel London – visit The Draper’s Arms
Friendly service and a warm, informal atmosphere make The Draper’s Arms in Angel one of the best pubs in London to relax with a pint and enjoy some quality food. Located inside a stunning Georgian townhouse, The Draper’s Arms retains its 19th-century charm with elegant decor and vintage finishings, while still offering a high-end modern take on gastropub classics. Baked camembert with bone marrow and sourdough is a luxurious treat. Meanwhile, the robust and filling suet crust steak and ale pie serves two to three diners. The Sunday lunch menu is a particular highlight, with a roast forerib of beef or a seven-hour roasted lamb shoulder with classic trimmings. When it comes to drinks, the bar sports an impressive range of highly-rated regional wines and craft keg pale ales. Book seats in the garden terrace for an alfresco experience.
For one of the best dog-friendly pubs in London – don’t miss The Fox and Pheasant in Chelsea
Enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and unwind with a pint at The Fox and Pheasant in Chelsea – one of the best gastropubs London has to offer. Open under various names since 1846, The Fox and Pheasant has a classic London pub feel with plenty of floral displays and a covered terrace that gives diners a taste of country life in the heart of the city. Pub classics on the menu include chicken on a soft bap with avocado and garlic mayo or a meaty portion of beer battered fish and chips. Lamb pie and mash is a best-of-British staple, while a roast beef sirloin Sunday lunch is the ultimate weekend treat. Summery cocktails, like rose spritz, are perfect for warmer weather, while an Espresso Martini is a pick-me-up on a crisp autumn day. You can even get some biscuits for your furry friends.
For luxurious stays and fine pub meals at one of the best hotel pubs in London – try The Grazing Goat Pub and Boutique Hotel Marylebone in Marylebone
The Grazing Goat Pub and Boutique Hotel Marylebone offers quintessential English glamour, with warm, rustic furnishings and a menu based around seasonal British produce. It’s one of the best spots in London for deliciously hearty pub food. If you’re visiting for breakfast, the eggs Benedict with ham hock and hollandaise will set you up for the day. For main meals, you can splash out with seasonal oysters and then tuck into something from the grill, like a sugar pit bacon chop with roast apples or an Angus flat iron steak. Fine wines and craft beers are perfect to enjoy with some pub grub. Flirty summer cocktails can be enjoyed on the terrace, while frothy coffees are a welcome wake-up first thing. The charming ambience and open fireplace in the dining room make this a snug spot all year round.
For original craft beers and some of the best pub food in London – head to The Lore of the Land in Fitzrovia
Owned by Hollywood movie director Guy Ritchie, The Lore of the Land is one of the best pubs in Fitzrovia for seasonal British food. Known for serving its own craft beer, Gritchie, on tap, The Lore of the Land has a classic meets modern feel, with a traditional London pub downstairs and a fine dining restaurant, The Kitchen, on the floor above. The open-plan kitchen in the dining room allows you to watch the chefs at work and the menu combines staple British ingredients that are seasonally sourced with modern flair. Dine out in The Kitchen on Colchester rock oysters or British burrata followed up by a rack of lamb cooked on the charcoal grill. Treat yourself on Sunday with a slap-up pub roast served family style or enjoy some pints and bar snacks in the bar after work.
For stylish European dining at one of London’s best gastropubs – visit The Parakeet in Kentish Town
A decadent old-world interior design meets fresh and simple cooking preparations at The Parakeet in Kentish Town. This trendy hotspot focuses on fire-led cooking, allowing diners to enjoy crisp and smoky meat and fish straight off the grill paired with mouthwatering sides. Sample seasonal dishes made with top-tier produce, like the wood roasted asparagus and crab or the lamb chop with cabbage and pepper sauce. The Sunday roast menu offers a delectable selection, including a whole sea bream to share and the hay-smoked roast chicken. Fine wines from Europe and beyond enhance the bold, clean flavours on offer. Start your meal with an aperitif cocktail, like a negroni or a tequila-based Paloma. The warm, lively atmosphere matches the Mediterranean vibe, while the Sunday roast trimmings – like Yorkshires and roast root veggies – are British through and through. Make this your next go-to spot for a special occasion.
For a modern pub experience at one of London’s best places to eat – don’t miss The Walmer Castle in Bayswater
The Walmer Castle in Bayswater is the perfect blend of a vintage London pub with a modern fine dining experience. The cosy snug bar with an open fireplace is a classic British touch, while the dining rooms have a stately yet contemporary feel with a dash of Regency glamour. The menu is hearty and traditional, with staple pub-grub items like the longhorn sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce and chunky chips or the halibut served with samphire and beurre blanc. If you’re just in for drinks and fancy a nibble, you can graze on a charcuterie board or try an English classic – the Scotch egg. The Walmer Castle is also one of the best pubs in London to try English sparkling wines from the Hampshire Downs vineyard, Coates and Seely. Enjoy some bubbles with a birthday meal or catch up with friends over a pint.
For laid-back, country pub vibes in the heart of the city – try The Pig and Butcher in Islington
Kick back and escape the stress of city life at a laid-back pub with casual, country-life vibes. The Pig and Butcher in Islington is one of the best pubs in London for good old-fashioned British food made from ultra-fresh produce and a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy outdoor streetside dining or sit down in the elegant, French-country-kitchen-style dining room. The menu changes frequently to keep up with the changing seasons but the set lunch menu features tempting regulars, like the Iberico pork loin with creamed mash or the market catch fish of the day poached in butter. The Sunday menu is a mouthwatering feast of roast options, such as braised Hereford lamb shoulder or Tamworth pork belly with Bramley apple sauce. Roasts are served with lashings of gravy and spectacularly fluffy Yorkshire pud. Meanwhile, natural wines and crisp ciders from regional producers are the perfect accompaniment.
For bistro-style home cooking at one of the best pubs in London – head to The Plimsoll in Highbury
Home-cooked style comfort food and a friendly and informal vibe make The Plimsoll in Highbury one of the best pubs in London for a relaxed catch-up with friends or a charming date night. Hearty and rustic favourites on the ever-changing menu include fresh shellfish spreads, juicy cheeseburgers and indulgent meat dishes, like pork chops or lamb ragu. Lagers, ales and Guinness on draft make this a great spot for beer lovers. You can also try natural wines made in-house for a fruity and refreshing option. The open counter kitchen means you can watch the talented kitchen team at work, while the quaint pub-style dining room is furnished with small tables and booths for a cosy and eclectic feel. You can expect The Plimsoll to be busy and lively, especially in the evenings, making it a brilliant spot for a night out with friends.
London’s pub culture is unmatched around the world. Whether you’re craving hearty pub grub or you’re just after a spot to enjoy a few pints, London has something unique for you to try. From quaint and cosy snugs that transport you to an English country manor to stylish urban drinking houses, you’ll find a huge variety of gastropubs and late-night hotspots in the UK capital.
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