Where once 'pub grub' was literally a soggy pie and an unhappy pint has now become one of the most delicious staples of British food. Gastropubs are king in the capital, offering up everything from the finest cuts of steak to mouth-watering roast dinners that even your mum can't live up to. So whether you have a hangover to cure, a rainy day to run out or want a feast in a beer garden, make sure you head to these boozers for the best pub food in London.
Last updated on 29th June 2022
The Black Dog is an award-winning pub beloved in the Vauxhall area thanks to its modern interiors and delicious menu. While most venues focus on British cuisine, they are much more international, with full English breakfasts sitting next to albondigas. Meanwhile, the insides are a refined and great place to chill out.
Beer drinkers have found their paradise here, as the Mall Tavern has over 28 taps filled with the best beer from around the planet. But while the contemporary pub might have the hops down, they don't skimp on dinner, with a menu packed full of seasonal British classics – with everything from a superfood salad to beef & ale pie.
The White Bear is one of the oldest pubs in South London, so you can bet they know how to cook you up some food. While their recent refurbishment has added some more contemporary touches, the venue retains a rustic feel, creating the perfect pub atmosphere. As for food, the order of the day is all about big plates of gastro food.
The Victoria is a pillar of the Dalston community famed for its live music and equally great burgers. The venue has been hosting live music for years, and serves a wide variety of locally brewed beers, continental wines and classic cocktails. But stay for their range of burgers, from steak to beef, that are all ethically sourced.
With a place like The Jugged Hare, it's all about the experience with the food. They might offer some of the best gastropub food in London, but this is all made that much better by being situated in the Grade II listed Whitbread Brewery. Inside, taxidermy lines the walls and the open kitchen where customers can watch the food being prepared on their eight-spit rotisserie and charcoal grill adds a bit of theatre to the food.
The Four Thieves doubles as both an incredibly fun night out packed with entertainment and a wonderful pub boasting delicious food. They offer traditional pub food in London with a modern twist, daily specials, a famous Sunday roast and a BBQ in the summer. When you're finished with the meal, you can drink one of their over seventy gins and play vintage arcade games.
The White Swan manages to combine that rustic pub aesthetic with the taste of a modern gastropub. With tantalising options like Cumbrian veal or pan-fried duck on the menu coupled with a wide array of European wine, draught beer and cocktails, they deliver some of the best pub food in London while maintaining that jovial local atmosphere.
Inspired by the ship that first carried English pilgrims to the New World, the Mayflower is one of the most authentic English pubs in South London that offers its guests delicious gastropub dishes, locally sourced ales and stunning views of the Thames. From hearty cuts of British meat to belly-warming pies, you'll be spoiled for choice by the diverse menu.
Offering some of the finest pub grub this side of the Thames, Swan at Shakespeare's Globe puts seasonal British food as its focus. Head down come dinnertime for roast Cornish cod with a cannelloni of crab, or lamb rump with smoked carrot salad, all ready to be washed down with some of their excellent cocktails.
Boasting a diverse menu of crispy stuffed olives, sweet potato burgers and whole grilled sea bass, The Star by Hackney Downs is most definitely a crowd-pleaser when it comes to food. Enjoy light nibbles or a huge main while tipping back pints.
If you're feeling a bit homesick for your local but want the top quality London pub food you've come to expect, pop down to The People's Park Tavern. They offer traditional food, including a lovely Sunday roast, and offer a wide range of beers to wash it all down. They also have one of the best beer gardens in the capital, perfect for relaxing (and for the kids to let some steam off in) as you tuck into their delicious food.
Richard The First is an old-school pub that is nearly one hundred years old. The inside is cosy with a splattering of wooden benches to keep up the old pub vibe. Their dining room and outdoor area perfectly compliment their delicious menu of London pub grub, which includes everything from gastropub bites to sharing platters.
When looking for the best pubs in London, there's only two things that really matter: great food and great drinks. The Selkirk offers both of them, as well as vintage furnishings and a fun pub vibe. Set in a beautiful Victorian building, they manage to offer tonnes of character while still delivering on British classics like Shepherd's Pie, roast chicken and more.
