Best Pubs In South London
South London; in its heyday famous for keeping London's dark side a secret and its Shakespearian sense of debauchery; today the perfect place for a pint in a pub. Becoming known as the new East London because of its unflux of "Bright Young Things" yet retaining its sense of tradition, you can just as easily find a refurbished gastro-pub with eclectic interior design here as you can a good old boozer where you can bring your dog and everyone knows the landlord's name. So jump on the Northern Line and head down South for some of London's best pubs.
Last updated on 3rd February 2023
Head down to The Honor Oak next time you are in South London and you'll find you next drinking den. A community-minded venue, they serve up a wonderful array of craft beers from local breweries, cask ales and fine wines. For food, they also offer a seasonal menu of British food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so no matter what time you walk in the doors, you are welcome.
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. Amplifying the homely atmosphere, the team of chefs have created a menu of hearty British recipes, composed using only the finest ingredients available. Think seasoned steaks, fresh fish & chips and piping hot pipes that explode with flavour as soon as they touch the tongue.
A South London beauty, The Roundhouse in Wandsworth is a quintessential pubbers delight where you can dine on home made gastro style nosh made of only seasonally and locally sourced, where possible, ingredients. Dressed in Victorian heritage, The Roundhouse is made up of old style wooden furnishings and a charming atmosphere perfect for slumming it with mates weekdays or weekends.
Get down to Croydon for a true pie and ale experience. Not only are their taps filled with delicious beer, their kitchen supplies some of the finest homemade pies you can get – as well as loads of other dishes, should you not be a fan of pies. The Grade II listed building also plays host to a playhouse that showcases the best in theatre, comedy and film.
A glorious gastropub in the heart of Wimbledon Village, the Dog & Fox is a venue with its finger in many pies. Stop by for some hearty pub grub - the pub serves quintessential British favourites and a killer Sunday Roast - drop in for a swift half of Young's cask ale or hang around and soak in the sunshine in the relaxing beer garden; this one really does have it all.
The Black Dog is a charming, cosy pub in the heart of Vauxhall. Based in the former residence of a glass factory, the venue is now a family-friendly pub that boasts a stunning selections of craft beers, real ales and fine wines. Head down on the weekend and enjoy a belly-filling Sunday roast created by the expert chefs in the kitchen, served with honey-glazed vegetables and thick gravy.
Nestled in the heart of Wandsworth, the Alma is a hotel pub that's established a reputation for plating up South London's foodies a stunning culinary experience. The pubs sleek, opulent hotel appearance clashes wonderfully with the traditional vibe given off by the dark brown, mahogany bar. Crucially, their chefs have been busy cooking up a storm and adding a few slight tweaks to an otherwise classic selection of pub food; from their American burgers with peanut butter to their ale-battered cod, expect to be amazed by their delicious, quirky creations.
If you're looking for a smashing pub in Barnes you'll have plenty of choice, but one of our tips is the White Hart. For starters there are great views to be had of the river in their outside terrace, but there's also bags of Tudor charm inside and staff that always make your stay a pleasure. Check out their world-class wine list or unique cask ale taps, or head upstairs to their dining room where three-course feasts and traditional British comfort food is served.
In need of a pub with a bit of history and culture? Allow us to introduce The Old Brewery - the quirky Young's boozer located just yards from the legendary Cutty Sark. Housed within the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, it's a trusty place where fresh and seasonal British comfort food is expertly matched with a wide choice of locally-brewed craft beers and distilled spirits. Soak in the atmosphere of their impressive dining room or head for the great outdoors; they've also got an expansive outdoor terrace!
Tucked between the beautiful green spaces of Richmond Park and Putney Heath, The King's Head in Roehampton is an historic pub that dates back to the 17th century. Steeped in history but also offering a contemporary, modern feel, this is a social hub with plenty of cosy vibes come the winter and a spacious garden for a few chilled drinks in the summer. Food is focused on great pub classics with a modern edge and the drinks menu features excellent Young's ales and a superb wine list; go check it out!
Despite having been a favourite for London's Highwaymen in centuries gone by, the Green Man in Putney Heath is now a warm, welcoming venue in South London. The pub serves a range of hearty gastro pub food, including grilled British steaks, catch of the day specials and homely roast dinners come Sunday. The bar is stocked full with everything you'd expect to find in a traditional British pub; some of the city's most famous breweries have their finest craft beers and flavoursome real ales on show.
Boasting one of the best beer gardens in South London, this Young's pub between Brixton and Clapham is an ideal spot for birthdays, sunny Saturday sessions, and a hungover Sunday. With great food and dreamy al fresco drinking, it's one of the best pubs in South London.
Nestled 5 minutes away from Tooting Broadway is The Trafalgar, a wonderfully inviting home-from-home with grand proportions but welcoming vibes. The kitchen team use the finest local ingredients to prepare fresh and artisanal plates, perfectly complemented by a bar staff who work with delicious wines, exquisite cocktails and the best beers around. The venue is a private party specialist, and The Hut is an alfresco space in the front garden that's perfect for the summertime.
With a laid-back atmosphere and beautiful furnishings, the Richard I 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 an amazing range of craft beers and real ales, while the venue's chefs have worked tirelessly to offer a hearty menu of traditional gastro pub treats. Think delicious burgers, seasoned steaks and warming roast dinners.
The Mere Scribbler in South London has quickly established itself as a bit hitter in Streatham with its great drinks and food offering. Targeting that 'local boozer' vibe, the team behind the venue have gone beyond the mark in collecting a range of international wines, craft beers and local ales behind the bar. With bartenders on hand to mix together a classic cocktail and a menu of burgers, bar snacks and sharing platters, this pub is one of those rare spots that has it all.
Oozing a cool, country-kitchen interior that takes chic decor to crisp yet homely heights, The Fentiman Arms in Oval is a South London pubbing delight. Pleasing punters with a traditional spread of hearty pub grub and a wild country beer garden, which boasts a blazing BBQ come summertime, this Geronimo Inn satisfies the classic British boozer to your hearts content.
Prince Albert is Battersea Park's charming neighbourhood local. Pop over to check out the vast choice of guest ales (often locally brewed) and a bite to eat; there's a medley of filling British classics for you to consider. There's a spacious outdoor area for when you want to go to alfresco, a stunning private hire room and dogs are very welcome too.
Dating back to the early 1600s, The Rose and Crown is the oldest member of the Young's family of pubs. Doubling up as a cosy hotel, the bar is stocked full of real ales and craft beers, the kitchen uses the finest British ingredients to offer a range of seasonal gastro pub dishes. Dog friendly and perfect for those lazy weekends with the family, this South London pub is sure to please.
Found in the heart of Lee, The Crown Tavern is well worth the long-ish journey. This is a friendly and welcoming place where you'll feel right at home before you've even had the chance to properly explore the beautiful outdoor terrace. A selection of cask ales, world-class wines and refreshing long drinks offers something for all tastes, and there's a pub grub menu featuring all kinds of crowd-pleasing and inventive modern plates.
Perched on the boarder to the river, The Steam Engine is just your average British boozer with an intimate yet airy interior made for winter snugs with a pint or summer chilling. Sink in to leather chesterfield sofas and try your hand at some pool for a quintessentially British pubbing experience. There's even gastro foods to be had.
There's nothing a South Londoner loves quite like a humble pub, and The Bedford is no exception. This Balham favourite has created quite the name for itself; not only is it a cosy boozer primed for casual pints, but it also boasts a quality selection of tasty dishes and hosts live music, comedy, and so much more.
The White Cross is an historic and legendary pub right on the edge of the Thames. A popular Richmond watering hole since way back in 1869, take in these calming views of the water while you nurse one of their great ales or sit down to some food from their seasonal, regularly rotating menu. Food is served from 10am and throughout the day, all the rugby is shown on the big screen and dogs are more than welcome, so it's a great spot to drop by on your way home from a walk.
The Regent takes pride in South London's mixed bag of history. Balham in particular has faced both periods of idyllic calm and trials of strength, and so this joyous British pub revels in the fact that the thing us Londoners have always had in common is that sometimes 'you just need get together, lock the doors, grab a drink and allow revelry to prevail'.
Steeped in history and boasting one of the best outdoor spaces in south London, The Devonshire is a cracker of a pub on Balham High Road. They've a passion for great drinks and carry an extensive range of ales, craft beers, spirits and wines, while the kitchen team are busy cooking up beautiful pies, roasts at the weekends and BBQ'd treats served in the garden come the summertime.
WGT is a mighty impressive boozer catering for the people of SE22. With a huge selection of constantly rotating craft beers on tap it's the place to be for a decent pint, and the vinyl-only music policy offers something a little different to your typical playlist. There's a lovely array of pub grub spanning everything from vegan-friendly bites to chorizo burgers, and a stunning and spacious beer garden which keeps the sun for most of the day.
Looking for a pub with great views in south east London? It's lucky you found us. The Cutty Sark is a mighty impressive boozer, steeped in history and offering a stunning landscape that features the waterfront and the Canary Wharf skyline to boot. Perfect for a couple of chilled drinks after work right the way up to a fully-fledged party in their private dining room, it's time to check out this versatile and friendly local for yourself.
Hosting great comedy nights, acrobatic performances, live music and DJs, The Four Thieves is a wonderfully weird place for a jolly night out. Eccentrically kitted out in taxidermy, masonic symbols and Victorian dance-hall features, there's a bit of everything chucked in for good measure. This place is big on gin and brews its own from lavender it grows on its roof, and serves lovely, hearty food. What can't it do?