An influx of new, trendy gastropubs in London has revolutionised our idea of 'pub grub.' Fresh ingredients and modern drinks menus are the new standard - a break away from the traditional, but not quite restaurant formal. Whether you're looking to impress your old folk with a scrumptious Sunday lunch, sweep a loved one off of their feet with a dinner date or you're simply after an evening of eating and drinking with friends, these trendy gastropubs in London promise the whole hog.
Last updated on 26th May 2023
A top notch and almost luxurious location for gastro dining in London, The Clarence in Whitehall isn't just made up of decadent rooms and charming dining spaces, their menu is a roster of seasonal classics and British favourites that keep high-end gastro punters coming back for more.
The Sun & Thirteen Cantons in Soho isn't just any old pub, it's a totally gorgeous, Parisian-inspired boozer with oodles of personality. Pop along to this bustling haunt to chomp on top-notch plant-based bites, washed down with refreshing beers and ales.
Not only is The Colton Arms one of the most welcoming pubs in Fulham, it's also one of the most delicious. Find your way into this intimate venue and you'll be treated to a series of tasty British dishes from their seasonal menu, washed down by some great beer.
Shoreditch may not be your first bet for great gastro pubs in London, but there's a few destinations that might surprise and impress you. Boasting affordable pub grub that nods to gastro goodness and seasonal produce, the Owl and Pussycat is a cutesy vintage pub doing it right.
Set in West London, The Hero of Maida is a gorgeous traditional Victorian Boozer complete with an upmarket dining room on the second floor. First opening in 1878, the space has benefited from a sleek and sophisticated face-lift, with the menu featuring both British and French cuisine.
With a laid-back atmosphere and beautiful furnishings, Richard the First is a tranquil pub in South London that offers locals and visitors in Greenwich a spot to recharge and relax. The bar is stocked full of craft beers and real ales, while offering a hearty menu of traditional gastro pub treats.
With a former Zucca chef running the kitchen, Arthur Hooper's is one of Southwark's most exciting gastropubs. Join them to explore the menu of exquisite European small plates, made with fresh produce from Borough Market, which have been perfectly-paired with an ample wine list.
Serving gorgeous gastro grub from the heart of Kilburn, The Alice House is a contemporary pub that offers light bites and hearty classics. To accompany? An ample selection of fresh cocktails that can be enjoyed while sinking hours into the cosy yet vibrant atmosphere.
There are so many pubs in London that boast a kitchen, but none quite like The Sun of Camberwell. While their Sunday roast is ever the winner, it's their continued efforts in the gastro department that promise the ultimate in casual, British dining.
Located in the heart of the City, Three Cranes is a gorgeous Victoria townhouse turned gastropub. Spread across five floors, this elegant venue features a ground floor bar, two dining rooms and serviced apartments on the upper floors. Menu highlights include the much-lauded steak tartare and the traditional smoked eel.
The Honor Oak has everything you want from a good gastropub in London: a great range of craft beers, cask ales and fine wines and a menu packed with delicious, seasonal British food. They even have a wonderful beer garden for the summer months and a living wall.
Eye-catchingly decorated with wicker masks, brass icons and even giant maypoles, Hand of Glory is a cracking setting for a pub lunch in London. Sample the wares from the menu of homemade grub before washing it down with a range of local ales and infused gins.
Searching for fun pubs to head to in South London? Situated in Camberwell, The Cambria is a supreme spot for local beer and wine. You can also settle in this boozer and munch on Sunday roasts, burgers and 28-day dry aged steaks.
Along with gastro grub and cosy interiors, The Oak has plenty to offer, from Sunday roasts and bottomless brunches to cocktails and bottles of wine. We also recommend saving some room for dessert. Their apple crumble with vanilla custard is divine.
Head to Balham where this unique pub and eatery offers an impressive selection of seasonal plates, from spiced aubergine flatbreads and Cornish sardines, to nourishment bowls, vegan burgers and grilled octopus.
Located in the heart of Camberwell, The Crooked Well is an award-winning gastropub, fronting some of South London's tastiest plates. While interiors are traditional, the menu is anything but, with dishes such as Moroccan spiced lamb croquettes and celeriac steak served with kale, white beans and salsa verde.
The Whippet Inn over in Kensal Rise is a bit of an all-rounder; not only does it boast cosy decor and a welcoming atmosphere, but its kitchen also serves up a delicious menu of elevated pub classics. Whether you fancy crab linguine or a Sunday lunch, they've got you covered.
Sitting just south of the river, The East Hill pub offers South London's weary locals a quaint spot to relax, unwind and recharge in. Styled as a cosy home away from home, their soft armchairs and vintage sofas seem to have a force of attraction on all who walk through their doors.
Grandly proportioned but offering warm and welcoming vibes, The Trafalgar Arms is a gem of a gastro pub in London. The kitchen staff work with the finest local ingredients and it shows; the menu is packed with fresh and artisanal plates well worth digging in to.
Fronting classic British gastronomy to make any punters happy, The Grove is a charming London pub brimming with lovely nosh like warming Fish & Chips, Wild Boar Sausages and Mash and a good old fashioned Burger.
It's probably easier to find something that The Northcote doesn't do. A top drawer boozer serving a great selection of ales, ciders and wines as well as hearty fare in an abundance, it's pretty easy to see why such a lively crowd stop in.
With its roots dating as far back as the 17th century, The Rose and Crown is a dainty pub in Wimbledon. Offering a selection of real ales and craft beers, the kitchen serves seasonal British treats and crowd-pleasers. Think hearty cuts of meat, catch of the day and flavoursome roasts.
Head over to this charming spot and enjoy a game of monopoly with a pint London Pride's in hand. Hungry? Tuck into a cracking menu that places heavy emphasis on fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Here, you'll find rustic British cuisine and delicious daily specials.
After a gastropub for some mouthwatering plates? Look no further than The Black Lion on Kilburn High Road. This Grade II listed building is home to some tasty Indian grub, including ragda patties with curried chickpeas and chargrilled aubergine served alongside smoked almonds. Yum.
Open for a light brunch, an evening feast and everything in between, a lot of thought goes into the menus whipped up at The Phoenix. Chefs use ethically sourced ingredients to prepare modern plates which rotate regularly to offer something fresh and interesting upon every visit.
This smashing gastropub on Victoria park is one of our favourite places for a pub roast in London. The boys in the kitchen here sure know how to whip up a hearty plate of grub - expect mouth-watering cuts of meat, perfectly crisp roast potatoes and hearty homemade Yorkshires.
Serving traditional British gastropub dishes, the Curtains Up pub is a warm, welcoming watering hole in West London. Sitting above the quirky Baron's Court Theatre, the simple yet characterful wooden bar contrast with the brightly coloured, patchwork armchairs and vintage tables.
The Mall Tavern epitomises what it means to be a gastropub, boasting 28 taps filled with the best beer and cider from around London and across the globe, as well as a delicious menu packed with seasonal, classic British dishes.
The Tokenhouse is a modern gastropub in Moorgate that offers a fantastic space to get your chops around some cracking grub. Expect a modern menu that combines the wholesome freshness associated with American and French bistro style food with high quality ingredients.
A South London babe with the menu to boot, The Lighthouse keep proceedings strictly British with their fine pub menu. While the roster contains Sunday roasts and burgers aplenty, it's their gastro food where this Battersea pub shines. Try the pork belly, we implore you.
You'll struggle to find a more idyllic spot for a quick drink than The Duke's Head. It's well worth a visit right throughout the year as well, with Putney's locals heading round for early evening drinks, light lunches and hearty Sunday roasts with unrivalled views.
From the locally-sourced produce to the vast choice of craft beer, everything about The Elgin oozes quality. This well-rounded Maida Vale local boasts one of the best pub kitchens in London; it'll set you up for the day with breakfast, or see off your night with a delightful dinner.
Churning out high-end gastro fare on a daily basis, this gastro pub in Maida Vale is prime for those wanting a traditional pub setting for dinner in the city. Head on down for plush British plates and the most stunning selection of wine and gin.
Neatly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, The Adam and Eve is the perfect spot to refresh and recharge from a day spent on your feet. Expect a hearty selection of warming ales, a quirky choice of bottled beers and a range of delectable tipples.
The Queen Adelaide is a Putney favourite for ambient boozing and relaxed socialising. Decked out in amber tones and comforting furnishings, this pub is something of a classic yet contemporary pub where you can revel in their 'secret' garden for some alfresco drinking and dining endeavours.
Ideal for those lazy weekends or perhaps a frivolous drink after work, the Morpeth Arms acts as a metropolitan sanctuary, offering escape from the constantly bustling world outside. Full of regal decor and vibrant decorations, it's the food and drinks menu that really stands out.
Refuse to be bogged down by boring pub grub and head on down to Finch's instead. A top gastro pub in the heart of Moorgate, Finch's comes at you with floral interiors, quaint plates and British pints aplenty.
Billed as “a veritable palace of refreshment”, The King's Head is a firm favourite for Winchmore Hill locals. Food is available all day, from a light brunch to a full on dinner-time banquet, and menus are comprised of fresh, ethically sourced ingredients that go down a treat.
West London is a top and tasty land of seasonal bites and pub fare, that being of no exception when it comes to a destination like Brook Green. Not only a hotel cum bar with the luxury rooms to match, Brook Green promises the very best that our British isles have to boast.
Retire to The Phoenix to discover a world of fresh British classics thrown into the barter alongside a litany of real ales and fine wines. Combining their excellent selection of booze with a menu full of elegant grub, this is up there as one of our best pubs for food in London.
The White Swan is the perfect place to enjoy a boozy lunch, a hearty Sunday roast or even a catered private party. This gastropub has a traditional bar area downstairs and a formal dining room on the first floor - on either, tuck into some of the best pub food in London.
Working with MasterChef's Sebastien Lambot, head chef Marek Rudnik has created a menu of mouthwatering British classics that complement the cosy setting of this gorgeous pub. Their Sunday roasts are an absolute knockout, with vegan and veggie options available.
When it comes to British gastro dining in London, there's not many pubs that cover all bases quite a Young's pub. Head over to Woolwich for The Guard House and indulge your palate on seasonal plates and home-brewed London beer.
Fronting a menu of delicious seasonal plates, Swan at Shakespeare's Globe is more than just a place for a pint and some pork scratching. From roast brill and stuffed rabbit, to caramel and sherry tart and a very decadent afternoon tea, it's one of the best gastropubs in London.
More than just a good place to ogle at the Shard, The Tower of London or the Thames, The Oyster Shed is a great place to polish off some classic British nosh too, expect classic pub favourites with a modern twist alongside an extensive drinks selection.
A showcase of delicious, British ingredients, this pub offers pub classics with a modern edge and sample dishes include pork ribs, sausage & mash, Shepherd's pie and burgers. There's an extensive choice of boozy favourites to wash all this lovely grub down with as well.
Located only minutes from Fulham Broadway, this charming gastropub is home to luscious plates and refreshing drinks; from buttermilk rabbit to smoked beef short-rib, washed down with house-infused spirits and local wines.
Based just a stone's throw away from the banks of the River Thames, the chefs have worked tirelessly at the Bull's Head to build a menu of carefully balanced, hearty British dishes. With a beautiful bar full of all your favourites, the venue adds extra charm with its cosy furnishings.
Eating pub food in Earlsfield is made easy thanks to this top gastro haven in the heart of South London. Not only can you enjoy plates of stunning British fare, tidy off those mouthfuls with a pint in their stunning beer garden.
Awash with contemporary interiors and vintage leanings, she's a beauty for relaxed drinking and socialising. A haven for lovely gastronomy, The Britannia will do you dandy for a warming lunch or hearty dinner with dishes like Monkfish, Ham Hock and Local Rock Oysters to boots.
Offering a classic yet contemporary feel, this beautiful pub in Kentish Town is ideal whether you're looking for a casual date night or catching up with some friends over a few drinks. The food is excellent, with fresh and local produce used in their seasonal menus.
The Fentiman Arms champions wholesome classic dishes to the taste of apple & venison sausages, lamb rump and a sizzling steak offering. With a glorious spread of mouth-watering grub, this is easily one of the best gastropubs in South West London.
Whether out front in the beer garden, upstairs on one of the terraces or in the main bar, The Crown is a great spot for a boozy catchup with friends. Expect a cracking atmosphere, a delicious range of hearty English grub and an array of fine wines and ales.
If you're on the hunt for gastropubs in Bermondsey, Simon The Tanner is a great option. Head inside this cosy boozer, where you'll be met with light and airy vibes by day, alongside candlelit evenings. And what's on? Expect droolworthy Sunday roasts and Tuesday pub quiz nights.
The Bull has got the 'contemporary English heritage pub' style down pat. Bedecked in rustic features, clad in tartan and boasting a bountiful amount of stags heads, this charmingly-Anglian gastropub is perfect for classic British roast or a pint of London's Pride.
The Sail Loft is a charming pub with hand-curated dishes and seasonal produce. Not only boasting views of the Thames and nautical interiors, The Sail Loft is a must for those wanting to catch some of the most affordable gastro grub in the business.
Situated in the ever-glamorous Chelsea, The Hollywood Arms is a luxurious gastropub that boasts a beautiful decor with grub from their fantastic menu of British seasonal produce. Within walking distance of South Kensington, this charming haunt is a great stop after a busy day of shopping.
The Dog & Fox is a well-rounded gem of a gastropub in Wimbledon Village. Serving up a culinary experience to rival the best in SW19, there's also a bar featuring well-kept ales, the finest spirits and some of the most sought after wines from across the globe.
The City of London has not only history and banking jobs on its side, it also has this top gastro pub. Head on down to the traditional innards of The Punch Tavern as this boozer promises the finest in seasonal fare and classic British dishes.
Boasting behemoth sharing-boards of gastro grub, this stylish city boozer is the perfect place to graze with friends and family. On top of that, there's listed distillery and a walk-in wine room! Undoubtedly some of the best venues for pub food in London.
Sporting a warm and friendly environment, an oh-so-tempting selection of craft beers and a menu of delicious, fresh and wholesome pub classics, The Union Tavern is an ideal North London drinking den. Oh, and add all of that to the fact that it boasts an enviable canal side location,
The Prince Albert is a treasure of a pub ticking all the boxes when it comes to a cosy local. Bedecked with rustic finery and an easy elegance, there's real fires and hearty fresh food to keep you warm and an award-winning alfresco space to enjoy a few drinks come summer-time.
One of Greenwich's best pubs, this waterside watering hole offers a delicious menu of gastro goodies from brunches and burgers to proper fish and chips, coq au vin and Yorkshire tomahawk steaks.