London's Best Gastropubs

The trend for fine gastropubs in London has shown no signs of slowing down, as the city’s finest establishments continue to upgrade and innovate on their fantastic food & drink offerings. From former stables turned into sports-bars, to cosy nooks that serve the most natural wines and craft beers, there are gastropubs aplenty to suit all tastes. At TheFork, we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the best, all of which you can book today!

Upstairs at The George, Great Portland Street

If you seek an authentic London pub that seems like it could be a movie set, then Upstairs at The George is it. The charming Victorian-era pub looks picture perfect and seemingly unchanged with its original fireplace, high-backed chairs and crystal chandeliers. With an ornate brass bar that remains well-stocked at all hours, this is a fine spot to make merry before enjoying dinner from their expert menu. Familiar favourites like the British Charcuterie Board and the Black Pudding Scotch Egg are to start, or tasty Oysters from Carlingford and Cornish Whelks. More advanced main dishes such as Lemon Sole with wild garlic butter or Herdwick Lamb Shoulder Hot-Pot are served rich and generously. For a great vegetarian option, try the Artichoke Caesar Salad with egg yolk, pickled red onions, croutons and aged parmesan.

TheFork Rating: 9.6, Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm. Sunday - Monday closed

BOOK Upstairs at The George, Great Portland Street

Henry's Cafe Bar, Piccadilly

If you like no-nonsense pub grub in surroundings that are up-market but familiar, then you should try Henry’s Cafe Bar in Piccadilly. Situated near Green Park station, this is the perfect stop-off if you’re taking in the sights near Buckingham Palace or staying at the nearby Ritz. Start with bar snacks as you peruse the menu, like Bread & Olives and sticky, Honey-&-Mustard-Glazed Sausages, and select from a mouth-watering selection of starters and mains. The Ham Hock Terrine is served with rustic bread, tangy chutney and a crunchy gherkin on the side. The Tomato & Mozzarella Salad is made with vibrant tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and seasoned to greatness with salt and cracked black pepper before being finished with balsamic glaze and extra-virgin olive oil.

Opening hours: 10am - 11pm

BOOK Henry's Cafe Bar, Piccadilly

The Farrier, Camden

This new purveyor of fine food and trendy natural wine is well-worth a visit if you want to see what the next generation of London’s gastropubs has to offer. Located in a former stables in the famous borough of Camden, The Farrier is packed to the timber rafters with charm and character, as is reflected in their friendly team of front of house staff and sommeliers. The star of the show here, aside from the expertly chosen wines, is the pub nosh. Start with a Newlyn Harbour White Crab Cake, or try the Crispy Vegan Halloumi with pomegranate and homemade sweet chilli dressing. A prized pick is the 28 Day Dry Aged Beef Burger on brioche bun with gherkin, smoked Applewood cheddar and candied streaky bacon, served with triple cooked chips.

TheFork Rating: 9.6, Opening hours: 12pm-11pm

BOOK The Farrier, Camden

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

This storied spot on The King’s Road has been home to a pub since 1838, and here it remains in all its Victorian-era splendour under the title The Cadogan Arms. A firm neighbourhood favorite of the residents of surrounding Chelsea, this gastropub has a calm, welcoming atmosphere and a focus on retro classics spruced with modern food trends. Chefs James Knappett and Alex Harper serve up a storm in the kitchen here. Begin with Crispy Boneless Cornish Lamb Ribs with Anchovy & sorrel yoghurt, or a classic like the Pork & Sage Scotch Egg with Piccalilli. For the main course, try the house Cadogan Cheeseburger with remoulade sauce and a sesame seed brioche bun, or go for the Ham, Egg & Chips served with a special spiced pineapple ketchup. Vegetarians will love the Wild Mushroom & Pearl Barley Pie with parsnips and a hazelnut remoulade.

TheFork Rating: 9.6, Opening hours: 12pm-11pm, 2am on Saturdays

BOOK The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

No Such Place, Islington

Calling the pleasant borough of Islington home, No Such Place is a hip gastropub with an eye-catching and well-curated interior. Here, chefs Sofian and Miroslaw serve top-tier pub food from breakfast & brunch through to dinner. From small-plates like the Tempura Fried Cauliflower, to the Vegetarian Scotch Egg with Piccalilli, each dish here is mouth-watering. Sharing plates make for great socialising, like the Mac N’ Cheese with Red Leicester and Smoked Cheddar Cheese Sauce, or the Superfood Nachos with Samphire and Cauliflower. On Saturdays, enjoy their generous No Such Bottomless Brunch, where you can enjoy their best brunch with a main dish plus any refillable drink, from prosecco to cocktails and soft drinks.

TheFork Rating: 8.6, Opening hours: 8am - 11pm

BOOK No Such Place, Islington

The Pig and Butcher, Islington

At a pub named The Pig and Butcher, you’d expect to find a menu packed to the brim with dishes for meat lovers. Safe to say that at this gastropub, the food lives up to the name. Chef Sean Garrett’s takes on classic pub fare will amaze and delight diners. On the a la carte menu here are some particularly noteworthy dishes to try. The bread & beef dripping, with Ampersand cultured butter sets the tone high, before moving on to Cured Cornish mackerel with English peas, buttermilk, horseradish & pickled cucumber. Courgette Flower is served with Portland Scallop Mousse and Avruga Caviar, with lemon and basil.

Opening hours: 12pm - 11.30pm

BOOK The Pig and Butcher, Islington

The Stablehand, Victoria

Built on the site of an old archery range, The Stablehand near Victoria has some tasty dishes for you to get your hands on. Highlighting British classics served with refined flair, the menu here is likely to delight all visitors. Snack on a cheeseboard that features the best of British cheeses, or a classic Pork Pie with Picallili. Starters include freshly caught Oysters, a Ham Hock & Chicken Terrine or Smoked Salmon on Sourdough. For your main, move onto a Charred Ribeye with chips, watercress salad and gravy. Vegan diners will love the Roasted Beetroot, Asparagus & Courgette salad with sunflower seeds.

TheFork Rating: 9.0, Yums loyalty points accepted, Opening hours: 5pm - 11.30pm

BOOK The Stablehand, Victoria

Thatched House, Upminster

At Thatched House near Upminster, chef James Fitzgerland runs his kitchen with passion and skill, bringing visitors from far and wide. With a well-crafted menu, here you can expect a focus on satisfying bar snacks to start and generous platters to share. From the Crispy Peppered Squid with Sweet Chilli Sauce to the Crispy Whitebait with Homemade Tartar, many of the dishes here offer the tasty flavour of ocean catch. To share, try Oysters Served Warm with Garlic Breadcrumbs. Or, the opulent Seafood Platter, with Oysters, Mussels, Whitebait, Garlic Prawns and breads.

TheFork Rating: 9.1, Opening hours: 12pm - 10pm

BOOK Thatched House, Upminster

The Princess of Shoreditch, Shoreditch

In this impressive 18th Century pub in popular Shoreditch is a place fit for a princess to dine. The Princess of Shoreditch, under the rule of Chef Ruth Hansom, is a charming gastropub with a luxurious tasting menu to make you feel truly privileged. Each dish here showcases a delicate and considered approach to cooking. The Wye valley asparagus is crunchy fresh served with Morrel custard, black garlic and truffle. The Prince squash and goat’s curd ravioli is packed with sage and pine and doused in lemon. For desert, dark chocolate with Heritage beetroot and smoked hazelnut.

TheFork Rating: 9.5, Opening hours: 12pm - 10.30pm

BOOK The Princess of Shoreditch, Shoreditch

The Garrison, Bermondsey

Known for its charming vintage interior and its calming atmosphere, The Garrison in Bermondsey, South London, has all the trappings you’d expect for a top-tier gastropub. This traditional boozer-style booths to get cosy in, there is a world of food waiting to be explored on the ambitious menu of Chef Gavin Gordon. Sample the British Isles best delicacies in St Ives Mussels Escabeche, caught off of Cornwall. Or, head north for the Loch Duart Salmon Gravadlax with heritage beetroot and pickled radish. From further afield, the Israeli Couscous with kale & roast pumpkin salad is a hit for vegetarian and vegan diners.

TheFork Rating: 9.1, Opening hours: 12pm - 11pm

BOOK The Garrison, Bermondsey