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The pub is the most democratic room in London, the place where the city relaxes and where a visitor can feel, within a single pint, entirely at home. For the discerning traveller it is also one of the last genuinely native experiences the city offers, unchanged in spirit whether you are under the low beams of a seventeenth-century tavern or in the leafy garden of a Georgian inn on the edge of the Heath. This guide gathers the pubs worth crossing London for, arranged by the kind of afternoon or evening you are after, from history and river views to beer gardens, serious cooking and properly kept ale.
What makes a great London pub
A great London pub is defined as much by its atmosphere as by what is on offer at the bar. The best of them feel settled and unhurried, with a sense of place that no chain can imitate. A few markers separate the memorable from the merely convenient.
- A distinct character, whether that is centuries of history, a riverside setting, a garden, or a kitchen taken as seriously as the cellar.
- Well-kept beer. Look for cask ale on hand pump in good condition, alongside a considered range of lagers, wines and spirits.
- A welcome that suits the occasion, from a quiet corner for an afternoon pint to a lively front bar on a Friday evening.
- Food that fits the room, from a simple pie and a packet of crisps to a full Sunday roast or an ambitious gastropub menu.
- A location worth the journey, ideally one that lets you fold the pub into a wider afternoon of walking or sightseeing.
Historic pubs steeped in the city
London's oldest pubs are living pieces of the city, and the most atmospheric places to drink. For a sense of the old City, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, rebuilt just after the Great Fire of 1666, is a warren of dark panelled rooms once frequented by Dr Johnson and Dickens. Nearby, Ye Olde Mitre is hidden down a Holborn alley and easy to miss, which is precisely its charm. In Covent Garden, The Lamb and Flag is among the oldest pubs in the area and still feels gloriously unpolished, while The George Inn near London Bridge is the last galleried coaching inn in the capital and now cared for by the National Trust.
Further out, The Spaniards Inn on the edge of Hampstead Heath dates to 1585 and comes with a fine garden and a tangle of literary and highwayman legends, a natural pairing with a walk on the Heath.
Riverside pubs and pubs with a view
Few things beat a pint by the Thames as the tide turns. The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping claims to be the oldest riverside pub in London and keeps a terrace right over the water. Downstream in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower stands where the ship of the same name once moored and has a small jetty deck at the back. On Bankside, The Anchor looks across to St Paul's, while in Hammersmith the tiny The Dove offers one of the loveliest river terraces in the city. In the east, The Grapes in Limehouse, part-owned by Ian McKellen, is a narrow Dickensian gem with a wooden deck over the river.
The best beer gardens
When the weather turns, London drinks outside. The Edinboro Castle in Camden has one of the largest and most convivial gardens in the centre. On Clapham Common, The Windmill pairs a big garden with rooms if the afternoon runs long, and in Hampstead The Garden Gate offers a green retreat a short stroll from the Heath. For something with a roof and a skyline, The Culpeper near Spitalfields tops its Victorian corner pub with a planted rooftop.
Gastropubs for a serious meal
The gastropub is a London invention, and the city still does it best. The Eagle in Farringdon is widely credited as the first of them, and remains excellent. In Fulham, The Harwood Arms is the only pub in London to hold a Michelin star, with a menu built around British game. For a destination lunch near Hampstead Heath, The Bull and Last is hard to beat, while south of the river The Canton Arms in Stockwell and The Camberwell Arms deliver confident, seasonal cooking without losing the feel of a proper local.
Traditional boozers for a proper pint
For those who come for the beer itself, a handful of pubs keep the craft of cellarmanship alive. The Harp in Covent Garden is a narrow, much-decorated ale house beloved of CAMRA. In Kentish Town, The Southampton Arms serves only ales and ciders from independent British producers, and near Borough Market The Royal Oak is the London tap for the Sussex brewer Harveys. These are rooms for conversation rather than spectacle, and all the better for it.
Where to find good pubs by area
If you would rather wander than plan, some districts reward it. Soho and Fitzrovia are thick with characterful pubs a few doors apart. The City empties at weekends but hides historic taverns down its lanes. Hampstead and Greenwich pair fine pubs with green space and river, and Notting Hill and Bermondsey both reward an unhurried crawl. Wherever you land, a good rule is to favour the busy independent local over the polished chain.
Good to know
What is the oldest pub in London?
The title is disputed and several pubs lay claim to it, including Ye Olde Mitre, The Spaniards Inn and, for a riverside pub, The Prospect of Whitby. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is among the most famous of the ancient City taverns, though the present building dates from just after the Great Fire of 1666. The honest answer is that no single pub holds an undisputed claim, which is part of the fun of comparing them.
Do London pubs serve food?
Most do, and the range is wide. A traditional pub will offer simple plates and often a celebrated Sunday roast, while gastropubs serve full restaurant menus. Kitchens usually keep set hours that are shorter than the bar, so it is worth checking times if you are planning to eat, especially later in the evening or on a Sunday.
What time do London pubs close?
Eleven in the evening remains the traditional closing time, but licensing has relaxed and many pubs now serve later, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays and in central areas. Opening hours vary by pub, so check ahead if you are relying on a late one.
Can you drink outside a pub in London?
Yes. Drinking in a pub garden, on a terrace or on the pavement outside is a normal part of London life, especially in summer. A few busy central areas restrict pavement drinking at certain times to manage crowds, and it is always worth being mindful of neighbours in residential streets.
Are London pubs dog-friendly?
Many traditional pubs welcome dogs in the bar and garden, and some keep water bowls and treats behind the bar. For a wider round-up of dog-welcoming pubs, parks and places to stay, see our guide to dog-friendly London. Kitchens and smarter dining rooms may not, so it is polite to check before you settle in with a dog in tow.
Where to go next
Keep exploring the city over a plate and a pint with the rest of our London restaurants guides. A great pub and a great roast often share an address, so browse our pick of the best Sunday roast in London, and for the evening ahead see our guide to the best bars and tables across the city. On a warm day head for the best beer gardens, or plan a route with our guide to pub crawls in London.
