From Michelin-starred gastro pubs to historic old boozers, you are never more than a few metres away from a pub in London. In the summertime, they’re festooned with hanging baskets of flowers and surrounded by punters spilling onto the pavements; in the winter, they’re cosy destinations with interiors often not much changed in centuries. Whether you want a traditional historic boozer or high-end gastro pub, here’s our pick of eight of the best pubs in London.
Hidden down a side street behind Floral Street in Covent Garden, customers usually locate historic The Lamb and Flag by the noise of laughter from punters with pints gathering outside. Established in 1623, it was once a favourite watering hole of Charles Dickens, now it’s a gastro pub and great spot to escape the crowds. lambandflagcoventgarden.co.uk
It has become an Instagram destination because of its floral displays in summer and Christmas lights in winter, but nevertheless, The Churchill Arms on Kensington Church St is worth a visit, because it’s such fun. Inside its packed with Churchill memorabilia and has a decent Thai restaurant. And yes, it makes a great photo op. churchillarmskensington.co.uk
Another famous pub is Camden landmark The Dublin Castle. This legendary live music venue helped start the careers of Madness, Blur and Amy Winehouse and the stage has been graced by everyone from Coldplay to The Killers. It’s still the place for live music and open-mic sessions and remains gloriously grungy. thedublincastle.com
For something a bit more upmarket, The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea is the kind of British pub you dream about. Traditional interior, grand exterior, this Chelsea institution had a renovation in 2021 and has an excellent menu of posh pub grub including black pudding scotch egg (don’t knock it until you try it) and fish and chips, washed down with a Spicy Tommy’s chilli-infused Margarita. thecadoganarms.london
Still on the posh pub theme, the Harwood Arms in Fulham has a menu so good, it’s the only London pub to hold a Michelin star. While it’s not the place to expect bargain pub grub, it is the place to get a bargain Michelin-starred meal. With a focus on wild food and game, the menu features dishes such as chestnut soup, roast Cornish hake and custard flan, from head chef Josh Cutress. harwoodarms.com
If you’re looking for a quaint old unchanged London pub, then you can’t get more atmospheric than The Holly Bush in Hampstead. This beautiful old boozer is tucked down a back street in hilly Hampstead, not far from the Heath. The 18th century house opened as a pub in the 1920s and is much unchanged, with low-ceilings and tiny rooms. It has a full pub menu and is an excellent place to cosy up after a long walk and star spot the celebrity locals. hollybushhampstead.co.uk
One of the most famous pubs in London is The French House in Dean St, Soho. This iconic pub was a writers’ haven and has welcomed everyone from Edith Piaf to Oliver Reed, artist Lucian Freud to regular Suggs from Madness. It is a no-mobile, no-music, no-TV or machines pub which encourages patrons to… well, talk. Upstairs is a fabulous restaurant where chef Neil Borthwick rustles up dishes like calves’ brains and capers and madeleines by the half or dozen. Pop in for a drink, but don’t order a pint because they only serve halves. frenchhousesoho.com
Finally, one old London pub on everyone’s lips is The Audley Public House in Mayfair. This huge Victorian building was recently given the ultimate makeover by the people behind Hauser & Wirth art gallerists. It has a ceiling mural by late artist Phyllida Barlow and the upstairs dining room Mount St Restaurant is dripping in actual masterpieces [link to our best restaurants listing]. Pub food is excellent quality and value, including sausage rolls, fish finger sandwiches and Chelsea bun ice-cream. theaudleypublichouse.com
