Best Pubs In London

From traditional pubs where the landlord is on hand serving fresh pints in secret beer gardens to food-focused gastro spots with menus to rival the capital's best chefs, we've rounded up our pick of top-notch haunts to enjoy across the city. Discover social media-famous boozers and some of the top Guinness in the city, from east to west and beyond, with our guide to London's best pubs

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 12th April 2024




The Hollywood Arms

The Hollywood Arms oozes luxury, so it's no wonder that its interior is inspired by English country estates, from the sparkling chandeliers and velvet sofas to the scenic wallpaper featuring trees and nature. Only a short walk from the iconic Kings Road, this pretty gastro pub is the ideal destination for a fun Friday night as well as a laid-back, lazy Sunday filled with bloody marys. Come for the aesthetic and stay for marvellous roasts, small plates like baked scallops in 'nduja butter and mains such as a cauliflower Kiev, sprinkled with toasted almonds. Drinks-wise, you'll be torn between a selection of wines.

The Churchill Arms

Easily among the most beautiful pubs in London, The Churchill Arms is instantly recognisable from the onset, thanks to its masses of flowers crawling up walls and flags waving in the wind. Once inside, this famous drinking den continues to impress with plenty more foliage and walls decorated with quirky British memorabilia as well as a butterfly-themed conservatory. If your tummy's rumbling, then you'll be thrilled as the kitchen has been serving scrumptious Thai food for over 25 years. Dishes feature the likes of pad siew noodles and the hot and spicy kaeng par curry, plus drinks offerings that include rich merlots, crisp glasses of white or cool pints of beer.

Rose & Crown

One of the best pubs in North London, Rose & Crown is a traditional boozer with bay windows, wood panelling and a real log fire. You'll find it tucked away on the cusp of Stoke Newington's Clissold Park and welcoming hungry revellers as they finish a morning browsing the independent shops of Church Street. This Grade II-listed building doubles up as a guest house and also delves out Sunday roasts and sharing plates of fired halloumi or hot chicken wings, all washed down by real ale or whisky. In the summer, you'll find its shop Peggy Loves Ice Cream open next door, dishing out delectable milkshakes and soft serves. 

The Selkirk

When it comes to locals in Tooting, The Selkirk is a firm choice for a refreshing drink and a bite to eat. Housed in a charming Victorian building, it oozes heaps of character within its walls, from large, golden mirrors hovering above brick fireplaces to dangling light fixtures and chalkboards featuring today's specials scrawled across them. The food is made in-house with seasonal, British produce to create a menu packing a lot of flavour: think plates like sticky chicken thighs or hand-cut nachos to share. Not only does it boast craft pints and gastro fare, but it also has private dining spaces for those who fancy a unique meal in a stunning and traditional location, as well as an expansive beer garden which is perfect for unwinding in during summer. 

Lamb and Flag

Lamb and Flag is the 18th-century pub that was an absolute favourite of Charles Dickens back in the day and has been rooted in the heart of Covent Garden since 1722. During the 19th-century, it saw bare-knuckle fighting take place within its walls and was left with the nickname 'Bucket Of Blood', but today it sets a much nicer scene, welcoming locals and tourists alike through its doors to its roaring fireplace and dark, wooden interiors. It's the ideal joint to swing by for a pint or classic cocktail as much as it is a delightful place to dine, with the likes of Marmite roasted potatoes plus slow-braised beef and ale pie on the menu. 

The Pembury Tavern

A legend among Hackney locals and operated by The Five Points Brewery Company, you'll find The Pembury Tavern standing proud on the cusp of Amhurst Road. It's a spacious joint featuring pool tables and wooden benches where revellers can gather around and enjoy slices of ACE pizza, which has a residency seven days a week. After you inhale toppings of roasted aubergine or the spicy signature, The Wipe Out, you'll be thrilled to discover that there are 22 lines of beer to wash it down with, as well as an expansive selection of wines, spirits and cocktails. What's more, on Sundays this buzzing spot offers 2-for-£12 on all spritzes, so you can bag an Aperol or an Americano for less.

Spanish Galleon

Spanish Galleon is a traditional Greenwich pub situated in a historic 19th-century building, complete with wooden furnishings and low lighting. Designed and built by Joseph Kay in 1834 during the reign of William IV, it features ancient oil paintings on the wall, taxidermy and velvet drop curtains across large windows. It's within close proximity to the iconic Cutty Sark and delivers an exceptional range of lagers, ales, wines and classic cocktails. If you're visiting the Maritime Museum, stop by for a bit of lunch and get stuck into a Bang Bang Blue burger, topped with blue cheese and crispy bacon, or a chicken schnitzel Caesar.

Owl and Hitchhiker

Inspired by Douglas Adams and Edward Lear, this is one of the most creatively labelled boozers about town as its name is a hybrid of the two men's famous books. It's no wonder it's a must-visit for Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy fans, as the motto 'don't panic' is scrawled and hung at the mezzanine level. Interiors-wise, the literary theme is prevalent thanks to carvings of owls paired with futuristic contraptions. Situated on Holloway Road, the quirky pub serves homemade food alongside craft beers, wines and spirits. You'll find Caribbean specials on the menu like curry goat, jerk chicken and fried plantain, as well as British classics come Sunday (we have our eye on the roast beef).

The Devonshire

The Devonshire is one of the most popular pubs in Soho. Instantly noticeable thanks to flocks of people gathering around outside, nursing pints of Guinness, it stands proud on Denman Street over the space of two modern floors. The masterminds behind its creation are Oisin Rogers, Charlie Carroll and Ashley Palmer-Watts who together make up a group of well-known publicans and restaurateurs. You'll be in for a culinary treat here, as it provides quality dishes made using UK-sourced ingredients, butchered and baked in-house. Take a seat among brick walls and dangling orbs of light to inhale scallops with bacon and malt vinegar (£16) to start, followed by a half lobster (£34) or Iberico pork chops (£24).

The Waterside

Can you think of anything better than a beer garden located by the Thames and some seriously good gastro grub? We thought not, and that's where The Waterside comes in. Fronting high ceilings with dangling lights, floral furnishings and a massive, wooden-panelled bar at its core, this pub is both a stunner in the looks department as well as location. Set off from Imperial Wharf Station and you'll be soaking up the sunset in no time, then munching on a gooey Somerset camembert topped with basil pesto and white truffle oil to share, plus classic cocktails like mojitos and passion fruit martinis to wash it down. 

The Montpelier

Pub Dance

Just a short walk from Peckham Rye station, this independent pub certainly has a trick or two up its sleeve, with its Wednesday quiz nights and Balearic Thursdays, featuring DJ sets and 2-for-1 negronis between 5pm and 8pm. The Montpelier doesn't stop there though, with music all through the weekend and jazz Sundays. And if you're in the South London area searching for a delicious bite to eat? Then you'll want to pull up a chair, surrounded by rich, teal walls and dangling plants, to tuck into its 'Whole Beast' concept menu, which ensures that each element of the animal is used. Expect aged cheeseburgers, crab and pearl barley kedgeree and smoked pigs head black pudding.

The Macbeth

Boasting beautiful decor and leather booths, The Macbeth has been at the forefront of the music and arts scene in Shoreditch for over 100 years, surviving two World Wars. It's played host to a range of acts from Bombay Bicycle Club to Florence and the Machine, and back in the day Charles Dickens used to frequent the bar. On the inside, you'll find an intimately lit space featuring red lampshades, knights in armour and ancient tiled walls, alongside some seriously scrumptious cocktails. Signature tipples include the Magna Carta, made with Havana 7, honey-saffron water and orange bitters, plus the Letter Of Indulgence, which involves jalapeño-infused Jose Cuervo and mango purée.

The Colonel Fawcett

The Colonel Fawcett is a gem that's been running since 2011, building a great reputation for itself. It fronts traditional interiors such as chandeliers, dark wooden furnishings, a pool table and social dart boards, plus offers an extensive selection of drinks with 19 beer lines and 100 gins. You'll be pleased to peruse a cocktail menu that includes house classics like espresso martinis and pisco sours, along with bespoke concoctions using gin, like a Lonewolf Bramble. Food-wise, you can devour a corker of a roast, as well as plates of potato gnocchi with roasted pumpkin and cashew butter, plus house Lincolnshire sausages throughout the week. 

The George - Great Portland St

If we were to compile a list of just the top 10 pubs in London then The George on Great Portland Street would undoubtedly make the cut. Housed in an 18th-century, Grade II-listed building, it was home to writers and poets in the 20th century and has seen many political and cultural movements sweep through its doors. Marvel upon entry at its ruby red and rich green walls, chandeliers and velvet drop curtains before making your way over to a plush booth to devour its talked-about food offering. Up for the munching is a black pudding scotch egg with Oxford sauce, buttermilk fried chicken alongside blue cheese and Bubbledogs hot sauce, plus a hearty beef and Guinness pie. 

Enderby House

Not only does Enderby House sport seriously stylish interiors, but it also has gorgeous views of the river. Make your way over to this stunning Georgian building in Greenwich and get to know its extensive selection of liquid libations, from craft beer to wine, with mouthwatering British grub to pair. Soak up an eclectic mix of modern and period furnishings, among glass dome ceilings and chandeliers, before inhaling a dreamy Sunday roast or a charcuterie board to share, featuring Cornish yarg, Shropshire blue, chorizo, toasted sourdough and onion chutney. 

The Elgin - Maida Vale

Fronting impressive quality right across the board, The Elgin is Maida Vale's homely, personal local. Its decor of tall, exposed brick walls, a white tiled bar and a rustic-looking logfire give it the feel of a modern barn, except one that serves over 40 different types of beer from across the globe. Come early for some breakfast treats such as smashed broad beans on toast or eggy bread topped with coconut and a blueberry compote. If you're feeling hungry for some sharing plates in the evening, then stop by later when top-quality, locally sourced produce takes the shape of chicken and leek pie, cauliflower and Barber's cheddar croquettes, and burrata with marinated tomatoes.

The Cadogan Arms

The Cadogan Arms is a stunning spot in the heart of Chelsea that presents dark wooden interiors and hanging chandeliers across its interiors. It exudes the grandeur of a stately home within its humble walls, thanks to towering pillars and a mosaic back-lit bar. Focusing on provenance, seasonality and traceability, the menu champions the best of British produce and serves plates like cider Fowey mussels, gardener's pie alongside aged cheddar and mustard mash, as well as an elevated take on a cheese toastie, filled with masala ketchup. You'll be able to wash all this down with cocktails such as a mulled New York sour, made using spiced red brandy, and a sticky toffee old fashioned. 

The Black Lion

Located on Kilburn High Road, The Black Lion is a marvellous, period pub with a rich history and mesmerising interiors. The Grade II-listed establishment has walls featuring mirrors and carvings of ancient figures, then at its helm exists a towering bar with a halo of greens and gold, stocking carefully curated beers. You'll find plates inspired by North Indian cuisine here, fresh from charcoal ovens and designed to share, like a whole chicken marinated in yoghurt, cardamom and rosemary. Small plates include ragda patties, soft shell crab served with Chennai slaw and spiced lamb burgers, and its cheesy naan is not to be missed. 

The Victoria

When it comes to creating the perfect London haunt, it's important to have all bases covered, and The Victoria does just that. A vintage gem in the heart of Dalston, it has a well-established heritage, being a part of the community for over 100 years. The venue is owned by art collective Jaguar Shoes, and boasts a gorgeous 1950s-era bar that can be located in the centre of the pretty haunt. Expect to find the perfect combination of booze and bites, with a focus on premium rum and moreish grub, like make-your-own pizzas plus bacon and blue cheese burgers. It's also been famed for its entertainment since the 80s, with a roster of live music in the back room worth sticking around for. 

The Kenton

A strong contender for the best pub in London has to be The Kenton, and not only for the fact it serves Moose Juice, AKA its own pilsner, brewed in Belgium. It boasts 17 draft beers, including Paulaner Helles, Five Pints Pale Ale and Sxolli Cider as well as four taps featuring local breweries on rotation. It has a Norwegian twist that extends to the decor, where you'll find flags hanging from the bar and Vikings dotted about. Take a seat on a dark green, leather stool or out back in its buzzing beer garden and order a pizza straight to your table from its friends at Yard Sale, or visit for live DJ sets and its weekly quiz night.

Lamb Tavern

Sitting alongside the iconic Leadenhall Market, Lamb Tavern has seen its fair share of pub-goers after work as its City location makes it the ideal location for a pint or two before the commute home. Adorned with black leather seats and large windows, it offers a view of the 17th-century Dutch-style hall from its tables. This majestic three-storey boozer is one of the oldest pubs in London and has gained quite a reputation for its selection of real ale and traditional plates of food. The menu is inspired by the surrounding Grade II-listed markets' history of meat, poultry and game, with the ingredients being sourced locally and seasonally; devour plates of braised Oxford lamb shank pie, cyder-battered haddock and wild mushroom gnocchi. 

Grand Junction Arms

Check out Grand Junction Arms in Acton for some top-notch pub grub and gorgeous interiors. Situated on the Grand Union Canal, it overlooks tranquil ripples of water and sports large windows, perfect for people watching. Inside the stunning Victorian boozer, you'll find golden orbs of light dangling from the ceiling, rusted-red booths and potted plants scattered about. Dig into patties with Louisiana hot sauce from the burger shack or chomp on beer-battered fish and chips from the main menu. What's more, there's a balcony and garden suited to lazy afternoons in the sun with a pint in tow, as well as private lodges equipped with quality sound systems, ideal for parties. 

Prince of Peckham

£6 WEDNESDAYS! Happy Hour all day & £20 platters and 4 other offers

On Clayton Road stands Prince of Peckham, a very pretty pub that hosts events ranging from comedy nights to neon naked life drawing classes. The main dining area is adorned with hanging flowers, chandeliers, emerald green tiles and earthy brown leather booths, perfect for cosying up in. Wander upstairs and you'll find a music room equipped with a system made for karaoke parties, as well as art exhibitions and location shoots. A solid spot for an after-work drink, its menu includes espresso rumtinis and Tommy's margaritas, along with food from White Men Can't Jerk. Expect plates of chicken tenders, spiced fries and ice cream sandwiches. 

The Four Thieves

The Kids Table

Four Thieves is a Battersea gem that promises more than your regular pint as it comes equipped with an array of arcade games, VR and a moonshine raceway on its first floor. Housed in an old Victorian music hall, it offers the likes of Dance Revolution, Point Blank 2 and table hockey to get stuck into, before or after wolfing down one of its loaded burgers. On the menu, you'll find buns filled with garlic schnitzel and a truffle mac 'n' cheese affair, consisting of two 3oz dry-aged patties, a layer of the good stuff and crispy fried pulled beef. There's also a pizzeria, cracking Sunday roasts and a selection of gin worth shouting about, with tonics ranging from elderflower to cucumber.

The King's Arms

If you're on the lookout for the best pubs in London Bridge, then add The King's Arms to your list. Located on Tooley Street, this family-run joint embraces maximalist decoration, with dangling chandeliers, wooden sculptures, plenty of fairy lights and potted plants. It makes for a great date night destination, thanks to its collection of board games as well as its free Watercolour Wednesdays, where you can grab art materials from the bar and create a masterpiece, guided by Bob Ross on TV. In addition to being craft-driven, it also champions delicious food, whipping up the likes of harissa roasted cauliflower and racks of baby back ribs.

Holly Bush

A historical pub built in the 1970s with bucketloads of personality, Holly Bush is the Hampstead hangout you need to check out after you've completed your midday day stroll across North London's expansive green space. Wander uphill to the Grade II-listed public house where you'll find cosy, traditional interiors (think dark wood furnishings and open fires) and an elevated British menu that's won the establishment an AA Rosette award for culinary excellence. Get comfy and order the likes of marinated lamb rack with roasted red onions, pine nut pesto gnocchi and pan-roasted loin of hake, before washing it down with a refreshing pint or glass of wine.

The Devonshire

A decadent building with a beautiful beer garden out back, The Devonshire in Balham has it all. It's been here since 1821 and remains at the forefront of South London's boozing scene even today, thanks to a passion for drinks that extends to their choice of ales, craft beers, spirits and wines. Its interiors are charming, with tall stained glass windows, oil paintings surrounding the main bar and a cosy open fireplace, giving a more homely feel. Food-wise, you're in for a treat with the likes of bavette steak, harissa onion artisan baguette sandwiches and small plates, featuring pork and bacon sausage rolls served with a tangy plum ketchup. 

Crown & Anchor Brixton

Sometimes you come across pubs that are just total all-rounders and Crown & Anchor in Brixton is one of those. It prides itself on being the first boozer to bring a decent beer selection to SW9 and continues to discover the best brewers, locally and globally, bringing them to thirsty punters. Surrounding an open-plan kitchen are exposed brick walls, bursts of foliage and wooden tables providing a laid-back setting for a catch-up with friends. You'll be able to gobble up some very decent food here too, like chunky Yorkshire puddings as part of its epic Sunday roasts, beef hotdogs plus steak, ale and mushroom pie. 

The Crooked Billet E5

The Crooked Billet E5 is one of Clapton's best-kept secrets, and is deceptively large considering its modest exterior. Upon entry, you're immediately welcomed by a front-facing bar serving local brews and global favourites. Venture through to the back you'll discover an expansive beer garden laced with fairy lights, featuring table tennis alongside a selection of cosy benches - an ideal spot for friends to gather and enjoy a couple of drinks. The warm atmosphere lends it to being a fabulous joint to inhale an epic Sunday roast, consisting of pork belly, beef or a moresih veggie Wellington. 

Hand Of Glory

Suitably one of the most unique destinations in the city, harbouring a witchy twist, Hand Of Glory is the place for pints, candlelit meals and trying the Seven Deadly Gins. The pagan-themed venue is owned by the art collective Jaguar Shoes and holds a liquor licence dating back to the 1800s, as well as features giant maypoles and framed displays of British folklore. Alongside DJ nights and intimate live events, the venue fronts a selection of countryside ciders from the UK's top independent brewers, as well as hot dogs and crispy chicken burgers from Food Fight.

Sun & Thirteen Cantons

If you're looking for the best pubs in Central London, then this eclectic watering hole is a strong contender for the top spot. Dangling above the bar at The Sun & Thirteen Cantons you'll find elegant, warm lamps opposite emerald green tiled booths sporting plush leather sofas and glossy tables. Check out upstairs for some delicious ales, beers and tempting food (think laksa butter wings and vegan burgers) from fried chicken connoisseurs Coqfighter, then head downstairs to pay a visit to the moody basement bar, where you can expect live DJs. 

The Owl and Pussycat

Shoreditch has something to say for itself when it comes to its selection of great watering holes, and The Owl and Pussycat is no exception. Head down the famous Redchurch Street and you'll be able to recognise this celebrated haunt a mile off, if not for its eye-catching, glossy emerald tiles then for the crowds of chattering punters gathering around outside, pint in hand. It presents an unrivalled haven of traditional interiors and a pretty beer garden set alongside sports screenings and hearty grub. Book its Sunday Experience for a roast featuring bottomless Yorkshire puddings, free-flowing gravy and a crumble that's the talk of the town. 

The Jugged Hare

Express Lunch

The Jugged Hare is a stylish hangout in the capital and one of the best pubs in London for food thanks to its top game menu. It forms part of the Grade II-listed Whitbread Brewery on the corner of Chiswell Street and features striking decor such as taxidermy in glass cabinets and on the walls. Sit by the open kitchen and watch a chef prepare award-winning grub, or pull up a red leather stool by the bar to enjoy a drink. Sustainability and rare game varieties are at the heart of this eclectic establishment's menu. Check out its famous stew made from wild hare cooked in a stone pot or get your chops around a venison scotch egg. 

Black Horse

Black Horse in Fitzrovia has it all: a cool and classic space downstairs, fronting fresh local beers, and a speakeasy bar upstairs, adorned with neon signage, distressed brick walls and cosy leather booths. If you can't make your mind up on what type of night you're in the market for, this gorgeous space hands you the best of both worlds on a platter. Dating back to 1809, it's somewhat of a Central London institution, where you'll find tipples like a blood orange margarita (£12.50) and the innovative Tomato/Sourdough (£13), made with 'pod' pea vodka and sherry, topped with an olive. 

The Cow

The Cow is an Irish tavern by restauranteur Tom Conran found between Notting Hill and Westbourne Park. Famous for its pints of Guinness and oysters, it whips up dishes that combine pub fare with Northern European influences, while specialising in meat and seafood. Inside its interiors scream shabby-chic, with upstairs donning large windows, oil paintings, crisp white tablecloths and pastel yellow walls. Often you can catch the odd celebrity through its doors as the pull of its Deluxe Seafood Platter can't be resisted, along with saffron steamed mussels, the house fish stew and a whole cracked chilli and garlic crab. 

The Audley Public House

The Audley Public House can be found elegantly situated on Mount Street in Mayfair, bringing art and history together. Housed in a Victorian building, it was done up by design and architecture studio Laplace while maintaining its original charm, courtesy of Thomas Verity (of the pavilion at Lord's Cricket Ground fame) who curated it in 1888. On the ceiling, you'll find the vibrant brush strokes of London-based artist Phyllida Barlow, who looked to the concept of collages to inspire her work. Wander upstairs where you'll discover Mount St. Restaurant & Rooms, an elegant spot decorated with site-specific artists' commissions, or pull up a chair downstairs to tuck into some moreish snacks. Food and drinks-wise, there's beer from Sambrook's Brewery in Battersea, plus draught Guinness and a selection of bar snacks (think cheesy chips with curry sauce and jalapeños), plus pub favourites like chicken and Marmite pie.

The French House

The French House is one of the best pubs in Soho London that also happens to be Michelin-mentioned, thanks to its traditional menu of thoughtful dishes. It's famed for its Bohemian clientele and what it lacks in music and television, it makes up for in quirkiness thanks to its refusal to serve beer in pint glasses (only half). Once the favourite of writers and artists such as Dylan Thomas and Francis Bacon, it continues to welcome the curious through its doors to its ox-blood dining area, embellished with mirrors and old photographs. The menu is ever-changing, but previous plates have consisted of lemon sole and spinach (£32), date, prunes and sourdough (£10), then Grenada chocolate and rum mousse (£10) to finish.

The Auld Shillelagh

You only have to wander up Stoke Newington's Church Street to find one of the best Irish pubs in London: The Auld Shillelagh. Punters claim you can find the top Guinness in the capital at this eclectic haunt that's been around for over 20 years. After splitting the G with your friends and whipping away your frothy moustache, it'll be easy to understand why this narrow haunt receives so much praise. Its aesthetic sings to its traditional roots as walls are embellished with Irish letters and elements of folklore. Outback you'll uncover a lengthy beer garden that floods with people come summertime, enjoying live music and a pint of the good stuff. 

The Harwood Arms

This Michelin star boozer has caught our eye thanks to its award-winning food and homely decor. The Hardwood Arms focuses on provenance, sourcing ingredients from the best suppliers as well as growing vegetables in its rooftop garden. Behind this wonderful establishment is director Brett Graham, who also happens to be the owner of three Michelin-starred The Ledbury, and head chef Josh Cutress of The Square. Pinned to the walls are antlers, nodding to its enthusiasm for including game in its menus. Opt for two or three courses (£55 and £70) featuring plates like a venison scotch egg, lasagne of rabbit shoulder or Wareham Dorset Sika deer.

The Harp

There's a reason why The Harp is considered one of the best pubs in London's West End and that's because it's traditional to its core, serving authentic ciders and perries from across the country. It's adorned with hanging baskets from the onset, sprouting with multi-coloured flowers where below you'll find a window seat perfect for people watching. As winners of the Campaign for Real Ale National Pub of the Year competition, it proceeded to take the title every year it's been eligible since, and with around ten hand-pumps delivering classic brews, it's not hard to see why.

The Culpeper

A cute date destination if we ever did see one, The Culpepper is a four-storey pub located on Commercial Street. It boasts one of the prettiest rooftops the city has to offer which also happens to act as a working farm while offering incredible views of London landmarks like the Gherkin. On the ground floor, you'll find the main boozer, bright and airy with modern fixtures and hanging plants, then on the first you'll discover the restaurant, both of which offer herby cocktails and hearty food, such as XO mussels with sake, pesto and burrata pan-fried gnocchi, and a glazed coffee custard tart topped by chantilly cream and blood orange.

The Pelican

Known for its buzz, celebrity clientele and having won a Bib Gourmand, The Pelican is the haunt you need to visit serving up the best pub food in London. On the corner of All Saints Road, at its core, it's a community boozer that focuses on local producers and sustainable methods. Among elegant interiors of dropped flowers across the back of the bar, low-hanging lamps and earthy walls will always be bundles of guests packing the Victorian building out, so it's best to book in advance if you fancy trying its quality British cuisine. Think bone marrow and parsley, butterhead lettuce, black bream with lemon and more.