13 Best Gastropubs In And Around London
Still think it’s just restaurants that serve the best food in London? You’re wrong. Now, many of the dishes are found in pubs. London’s best burger? It’s in a pub. Best Indian? In a pub. Best seafood? You guessed it, it’s in a pub.
For a city of such enthusiastic drinkers, putting the best food in pubs was an obvious stroke of genius, and publicans up and down the Thames have seen the light. From Kentish Town to Camberwell, Soho to Marlow, these are the best gastropubs in and around London.
The Devonshire
Rarely has a place opened to such a fever pitch as The Devonshire did in 2023. Aided by a recent surge in Guinness popularity, it supposedly does the best pint in town. However, the real jewel is the restaurant upstairs.
Focusing on British produce, the ember grill restaurant serves Scottish beef, dry-aged and butchered on-site, creel-caught langoustines from Oban and fresh day boat fish, lobster, and hand-dived scallops from Devon. There are also classic desserts, including sticky toffee and bread and butter puddings.
where: 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW
website: www.devonshiresoho.co.uk
The Camberwell Arms
Brought to you by the team behind Frank’s and Mike’s, The Camberwell Arms is the neighbourhood restaurant tucked inside a 19th-century pub. Offering informal service and seasonal, produce-first dishes, it’s the perfect place to head for a mid-week lunch or epic Sunday lunch.
The interiors are simple and unfussy, with the restaurant really coming into its own through the food. Menu highlights include fried mullet with vesuvio tomato and anchovy; grilled mackerel with San Marzano tomatoes and butter beans; and Old Spot pork chop with fried potatoes, cicoria and aioli to share.
where: 65 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8TR
website: www.thecamberwellarms.co.uk
The Brook & Badger
Munster Road is now home to The Brook and Badger, a bright new pub from the owners of Brook House. A gorgeous corner plot a stone’s throw from Parsons Green, and a relaxed atmosphere that holds a lovely wine list (Try the Vinho Verde), welcoming staff, and gorgeous roasts – Table shaking crackling is the sign you’re in for a treat!
Where: 224 Munster Road, Fulham, SW6 6AY
Website: www.brookandbadger.com
The Tamil Crown and The Tamil Prince
A pub serving Indian food – what’s not to love? If you love your cocktails with your curries, then The Tamil Crown (and Prince) are two fabulous spots to head to. The Tamil Crown serves up a desi take on the Sunday roast, with the masala roast chicken and the masala lamb shank that comes with potato and peas masala, coconut stir-fried cabbage, mixed veg avial, gobi 65, roti and gravy.
At The Tamil Prince in Islington, you can get yourself a traditional South Indian breakfast – so we’re talking madhu vadai, dosas, filter coffee, and all the classic favourites.
where: 16 Elia Street, London, N1 1BZ
website: www.thetamilcrown.com
The Jugged Hare
The Jugged Hare delivers an exceptional dining experience rooted firmly in elevated and creative British classics. Showcasing dishes such as black pudding croquettes paired cleverly with a tangy HP sauce, and Cornish brill with smoked haddock mash, brought together by a delicate white wine sauce (one of the best fish dishes we’ve had). It’s worth noting, however, that the menu changes frequently with the game seasons.
Stepping inside feels like travelling back in time to a traditional country pub, abundant with game-inspired décor, timeless wooden furnishings, and vintage touches. For those seeking innovative dining in a warm and unique setting, The Jugged Hare is definitely one to add to your list.
where: 49 Chiswell St, London EC1Y 4sb
Website: www.juggedhare.com
The Hero
This Maida Vale spot is a new entry, but might just be the most beautiful pub in London with old-school wood panelling, lots of natural light and stunning cooking over four floors. On the ground floor, there’s the pub, the restaurant is on the first floor and on the second floor there’s a cosy spot for classic cocktails and bartender-in-residence night, with a private dining area added in for good measure.
On the food side, think nostalgic British fare like cod cheeks with curry sauce, whole quail, scotch egg, steak and chips and fish pie.
where: 55 Shirland Rd, London W9 2JD
website: www.thehero9.com
The Parakeet
Here’s a simple insider London tip: If a pub is named after a relatively exotic bird, chances are it’ll serve great food, with The Parakeet as a case in point. As a pub it’s a stunner – wood-panelled, open fire, with homemade classic pub snacks perfectly paired with a pint of Guinness or glass of wine.
For the restaurant, its menu changes with the seasons focusing on British dishes and produce harvested at its seasonal height and all cooked over flame. Think pigeon, kohlrabi with pickled elderberry and sea bream with piperade, meanwhile, on Sundays they serve their roast menu all day long.
where: 256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AA
website: www.theparakeetpub.com
The French House
‘Upstairs at The French House’ just has an iconic ring to it, like the cult film Weekend at Bernie’s or underrated Yazoo album Upstairs at Eric’s.
This pub is steeped in history – Charles de Gaulle is said to have written his rousing WWII speech “À tous les Français” here. Upstairs, they run a restaurant which was first opened by Fergus and Margot Henderson and is still one of London’s very best. The menu changes daily and is handwritten on a chalkboard – the very best of old-school Soho.
This pub is steeped in history – Charles de Gaulle is said to have written his rousing WWII speech here
where: 49 Dean St, London W1D 5BG
website: www.frenchhousesoho.com
The Oarsman
Stepping outside London for a moment and heading to beautiful Marlow, The Oarsman focuses on sustainable sourcing and seasonality, with local producers being consulted to provide the goods.
Come the autumn, the larder is bursting with freshly harvested goods, primed to be plated up as dangerously moreish snacks and starters, handsome mains, and delectable desserts. From Cantabrian anchovies on toast and spicy fried chicken with lime and coriander to grilled merguez and rack of lamb with salsa verde, radish and a lamb croquette this is a foodie haven.
where: 46 Spittal St, Marlow SL7 1DB
website: www.theoarsman.co.uk
The Pelican
Remember what we said about birds? The Pelican is more strong evidence behind the theory. Another Notting Hill stunner, they run regular events from life drawing classes to supper clubs. The food is extremely high quality, they are strongly conscious of sustainability and the importance of local produce and suppliers, and the menu is filled with gems like whole roasted brill, ribeye steak and braised lamb with anchovy.
where: 45 All Saints Rd, London W11 1HE
website: www.thepelicanw11.com
The Plimsoll
A beautiful pub that also happens to have one of the most celebrated burgers in London? Say no more.
The Dexter cheeseburger has become the stuff of Finsbury Park legend. Pack with meat, cheese and gherkins between brioche buns. A sink your teeth in and close your eyes experience.
The Dexter cheeseburger has become the stuff of Finsbury Park legend
where: 52 St Thomas’s Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 2QQ
book here
The Culpeper
This shoreditch gem is an English bistro focusing on well-sourced ingredients cooked with classical techniques. The menu is kept deliberately small to ensure maximum sustainability, freshness and quality – this is the definition of all hits no misses. At the core are growers who put soil health front and centre, farmers who focus on native bread, and fishermen who respect the ecosystem of the seas. They also have a summer terrace for the warmer months and even some bedrooms.
where: 40 Commercial St, London E1 6LP
website: www.theculpeper.com
The Cadogan Arms
Chelsea’s Cadogan Arms finally reopened its doors in 2021 and we’re so glad it did. It’s been restored to its former glory, offering delicious fare centred around provenance, seasonality and traceability.
Expect traditional pub classics elevated to the nines, from ham, egg and chips with spiced pineapple ketchup to beer-battered fish and chips with tartare sauce, mushy peas and lemon. Their individual strawberry sherry trifle topped with almond crumble is an order staple.
Their individual strawberry sherry trifle topped with almond crumble is an order staple
where: 298 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UG
website: www.thecadoganarms.london
Duke of Kendal
This neighbourhood gastropub combines a homely feel with an array of gourmet dishes like roast beef and fish and chips, alongside an extensive selection of cocktails, wines, draught ales, spirits and more.
This is the perfect place to either soak up the sun outside in the summer or burrow inside during the winter for a pub quiz or sporting event.
where: 38 Connaught St, St George’s Fields, London W2 2AF
website: www.thedukeofkendal.co.uk
