The 100 best pubs in London? There's a list for that — this one!

Scroll to the bottom of the article for how we compiled this roundup (and who 'we' are), and how to contact us for future updates. Also scroll to the bottom for a complete, no frills list. Otherwise, we'll leave you to get stuck in.

The best pubs in central London

The Blackfriar, City of London

174 Queen Victoria Street, EC4V 4EG

The Blackfriars monastery was dissolved by Henry VIII, but its uplifting spirit lives on in this monk-festooned wedge of goodness. The Blackfriar is unique, with art nouveau swirls, a mosaic-ceiling dining room, and a stained glass window featuring a horned friar. Not sure why. It's a glorious pub, but also a tempting waiting room for the adjacent Thameslink station. The Blackfriar | Our full review and photos.

Bradley's Spanish Bar, Tottenham Court Road

42-44 Hanway Street, W1T 1UT

Punters shoulder-to-shoulder on cherry banquettes supping frosty glasses of Estrella Galicia. Real Betis scarves up on the wall. Pictures of matadors. Doorway cigarette smoke billowing back into the bar, adding a hazy air of Londons past. A drink at Bradley's is a one-of-a-kind experience. Such is the camaraderie (and let's be honest, close confines), if you decide to stay for a few, a new friendship is almost unavoidable. This joint is also home to the most adored jukebox in London. Bradley's Spanish Bar.

CASK, Pimlico

6 Charlwood Street, SW1V 2EE

From the outside, you'd never guess the treasures that lurk within. An unassuming frontage is almost crushed beneath the vast red-brick Lillington Gardens estate. Inside, too, you're not immediately struck with wonder by the relatively spartan, modern furnishings. But oh my: the bar! They've got something like 25 lines here, serving an eclectic mix of cask and keg. CRAFT, which opened in 2009, was the pioneer of fecund beer offerings, and still the best in the business. CASK | Our full review and photos.

The Cittie of Yorke, Holborn

22 High Holborn, WC1V 6BN

Many pubs would be proud just to have the panelled front room, but this is the third-best drinking space within the Cittie of Yorke. The lofty main room has a unique look and feel, Grade-II-listed, no less, enjoyed by generations of London drinkers. Enjoy a pint of Sam Smith's in one of the side booths, or prop up the bar and try to overhear barrister chat (the place is popular with Gray's Inn legal eagles). The basement bar, meanwhile, is a centuries-old cavern of a place. Very occasionally, they even open up a beer yard at the back. Cittie of Yorke | Our full review and photos.

The Coach and Horses, Soho

29 Greek Street, W1D 5DH

Beware. There are two Coach and Horses (Coaches and Horse?) within a two-minute walk. The one on Charing Cross Road is pleasant enough, but it's the one badged as 'Norman's' that you're after. Norman Balon, the famously rude landlord, retired many years ago now, but the pub has changed hardly a jot in appearance since his 60-year tenure. That carpet is still there, along with the same old bar stools, wood panelling, framed photos of Jeffrey Bernard (unwell, and fine), and a general sense of being back in the mid-20th century. Quite amazing really, in a pub that's now ran by Fuller's. The pub's clientele has changed a bit, mind. Its old-school authenticity is drawing in a younger crowd, keen to savour one of the few lingering remnants of proper Soho. Coach and Horses | Our review and photos.

The Cross Keys, Covent Garden

31 Endell Street, WC2H 9EB

Plants. Thousands of them. That's the first impression most people get of this curious timewarp pub on Endell Street. At the height of summer, you're never quite sure if you're walking into a pub, a garden centre or the Ewok village. No doubts are left inside. It's a riot of photographs, kitchenware, statuettes, musical instruments and nauticalia that decorate walls and ceiling. There's only really one seat — an epic banquette that tracks two of the pubs walls, attended by traditional round tables. Oh, and it's got a carpet. God, we love this place. The Cross Keys | Our review and photos.

The French House, Soho

49 Dean Street, W1D 5BG

Always packed, but with just enough room to squeeze into the corner, the French House is one of a handful of Soho's pubs that's managed to hang on to its character across the generations. The name comes from its associations with Charles de Gaulle and the Free French during the Second World War. Inside, it's something of a time capsule, where mobile phones are not allowed, conversation is king, and the ghost of Jeffrey Bernard haunts every corner. Its eccentric rules include a ban on pints, with wine or half pints the expected tipple. The French House | Our full review and photos.

The Grenadier, Belgravia

18 Wilton Row, SW1X 7NR

You don't simply walk into the Grenadier. You must first find a minor mews off a minor backstreet in a part of town that only oil tycoons, ambassadors, and their ilk usually tread. When you do find this old barracks pub, you'll never want to leave. It's snug, old-timery and replete with interesting conversations to listen in on. The pub is famous for its ceiling, which is lined with thousands of old banknotes — well, this is Belgravia. The Grenadier | Our full review and photos.

The Harp, Charing Cross

47 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HS

The nebulous nether-regions between Covent Garden and Soho should perhaps be renamed Harponia, after this multi-award-winning pub. The Harp has many strings to its bow, if that's not mixing musical metaphors, but its chief attraction is the range of cask ales — no fewer than 10 — a selection that contributed to the Harp winning CAMRA's National Pub of the Year in 2010. It's since been acquired by Fuller's, who haven't changed a thing, thank goodness. The Harp | Our full review and photos.

The Heron, Paddington

Norfolk Crescent, W2 2DN

On the outside, the place looks like an unpromising, flat-roofed estate pub. But to step within is to enter a magic kingdom of royal paraphernalia (even the ceiling is covered in royal-wedding plates). This dark, cosy cave of a pub is ideally experienced in the winter, when the log fire is roaring way beneath a dazzling royal crest. The eccentric decoration is a hand-me-down from Marylebone's much lamented Windsor Castle, which closed in 2016. The Heron also inherited the Handlebar Moustache Club, who moved their monthly gatherings here after their former haunt closed. The final eccentricity, among all this arch-Britishness, is the presence of a very good Thai kitchen. Easily the best pub in Paddington. The Heron | Our full review and photos.

The Victoria, Paddington

10A Strathearn Place, W2 2NH

There's an old saying, that in London you're never more than six feet from a Fuller's pub (something like that, anyway). The Victoria is one of numerous such establishments — and while not as quirky or craft-beery as some on this list, it's a classic London boozer rendered to perfection: the well-poured bitters, crackling fireplaces and Chesterfield armchairs practically begging you to postpone all other commitments. If you can bag the seat in the curved window by the fireplace (above which hangs a painting of its regal namesake), you can keep yourself amused for a good few hours. The Victoria.

King Charles I, King's Cross

55-57 Northdown Street, N1 9BL

King's Cross has changed beyond recognition over the past two decades, but one constant in it all is the Charles. This quintessential 'local' has been community-owned for a decade or more now, and anyone who steps inside can feel the communal warmth (or maybe that's just the real fire). It's not the largest of places, but then it doesn't need to be because it's hidden away from passing trade. Only locals (including Guardian staff and sci-med folk from Nature), and in-the-know pub seekers come to the place. The pub is too small to have a kitchen but, in another lovely community twist, you're very welcome to order in food from nearby cafes. King Charles I | Our full review and photos.

The Lyric, Soho

37 Great Windmill St, W1D 7LT

Styling itself as 'Soho's local' is a bold move, given such stalwarts as the Coach and Horses and Dog & Duck. But the Lyric holds its own. The interior is typical Soho boozer — small, dark, a bit cramped, a few period features such as the glazed tiles on the entrance. But the bar stocks the best range of beer in the area (six on draught, a whole platoon of kegs, who can say how many bottles) and a superior choice of ales. Easily the best range in Soho. Just look at all the beer mats on the ceiling if you want a snapshot. The Lyric | Our full review and photos.

The Nags Head, Belgravia

53 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8ED

Prepare to be admonished. This notoriously fussy pub won't tolerate mobile phones, customers sitting at tables that are too large for their group, or curious snoopsters taking a peek down the adjacent private mews. (All three drew a comment on one visit... and we were only there for 45 minutes.) Meanwhile, there's the barmaid [verb redacted] while she serves drinks. They do things their own way at the Nags Head, and long may it stay that way at this most characterful and traditional of backstreet pubs. Our full review and photos.

The Old Bank of England, Fleet Street

194 Fleet St, EC4A 2LT

This former banking hall turned McMullen's pub is one of the grandest in the City, and would always have been a contender for this list. However, it now boasts a unique feature that has convinced us to include it. Had you been walking along Fleet Street in March 2021, then you might have encountered the unexpected sight of a Routemaster bus being craned over the rooftops. The bus now resides in the pub's small beer garden — it was too small to fit through the gates. It's not just a conversation piece, though. You are welcome to take food and drink onto the bus, which has been converted to include tables. The Old Bank of England | Our full review and photos

The Princess Louise, Holborn

208 High Holborn, WC1V 7EP

A gorgeous old Sam Smith's pub chock full of original Victorian features. The space is divided into five or six smaller areas thanks to pastiche wooden panels. This makes the place a delight to drink in, though a bit of a challenge if you're trying to find somebody. Gents get a bonus treat in the toilets, thanks to the chunkiest, marble-iest, Grade-II-listed-est urinals you ever did wee in. Head upstairs if the main bars are busy (as is often the case). The Princess Louise

The Queen's Head, King's Cross

66 Acton Street WC1X 9NB

'THE BEST PUB IN LONDON' brazenly declares a chalk board outside. They might have a point, you know. Stunning gin palace gas lamps, open fires, board games and live jazz on Sundays makes this the kind of backstreet tavern you wish you had at the end of your own road. The cask is served in jugs (you're welcome, CAMRA members), and the cider comes in boxes. At the very least, this is the best pub in King's Cross. The Queen's Head.

The Seven Stars, Holborn/Fleet Street

53 Carey St, WC2A 2JB

The problem with being one of the cosiest, snuggest pubs in London is that you quickly get full. That can be the case at this ancient, diminutive boozer behind the Law Courts. Come the end of the working day and the place rapidly fills with lawyery types, called to the bar, as it were. Catch it later in the evening, though, and you'll find one of the most charming, idiosyncratic pubs in the world. People have been drinking here since 1602, which is just about Tudor times. The resident cat (currently 'The General') wears a ruff. Just glorious. The Seven Stars.

The Shakespeare's Head, Clerkenwell

1 Arlington Way, EC1R 1XA

Normally, when it's written that a pub is 'a bit of a time warp', the sense is of somewhere that looks a bit Victorian. Here, though, the vibes are 1970s/80s. You won't find any fancy cuisine or craft IPAs here, but you will find a genuine 'old school', becarpeted boozer that's been run by the same family for decades. It's central London's prime surviving example of an 'estate pub', complete with flat roof and lager-favouring beer choice. Yet it draws a much wider crowd thanks to its location just behind Sadler's Wells theatre. A real treasure. The Shakespeare's Head.

The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross

2 Craven Passage, WC2N 5NF

If the best pubs are all down alleyways, then this must be a doubly good pub because it's twice down an alleyway. For reasons we've never quite fathomed, the Ship and Shovell is cleaved in twain (like one of Admiral Shovell's shipwrecks), with bits of the pub either side of the alley. You'll often hear people say "it's the only pub in two separate halves," but a case could also be made for the Euston Tap, which has been known to trade out of both the lodges in front of that station (though often the eastern one is closed). Anyhow, the S&S is a charming, wood-and-mirror-panelled pub(s), whichever half you plump for. The nearby Sherlock Holmes is also worth an honourable mention. Often discounted as a 'tourist pub', the upstairs contains a sensational recreation of the great detective's study, rescued from the 1951 Festival of Britain. The Ship and Shovell.

The Star & Garter, Soho

62 Poland Street, W1F 7NX

Residing firmly in the 'no-nonsense' category of pub, the Star & Garter is the kind of place you stuff yourself into after work for a pint of Landlord, and an increasingly volume-raising chat with colleagues. Soho can feel pretty aloof these days, but here's a pub that has no pretensions. It's like the nearby Coach & Horses' (also on this list) less flashy sibling, and we like it that way. The Star & Garter.

The Toucan, Soho

19 Carlisle Street, W1D 3BY

As far as hidden gems go, the Toucan has blurted out its secrets all over the pavement — punters spilling so far out of this Guinness-gimcracked dive bar, they often wind up on the other side of the road. Sometimes mainstream pubs are mainstream for a reason and while we often find ourselves at Soho Theatre, we always eschew the Blackshore Stout there for a pint of post-show Toucan Guinness. Even if you can only find a few spare centimetres at the downstairs bar, knead your way in — it's a Soho rite of passage. The Toucan | Our full review and photos.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, City of London

145 Fleet St, EC4A 2BP

You don't get more historic than Ye Cheese. Dickens, Dr Johnson and Jumbo the elephant are among the patrons who've enjoyed its 17th-century charms. Bag a pint of Sam Smith's from the front bar, then make your choice from a half dozen ancient rooms over several levels, your shoes crunching on sawdust as you go. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.

Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn

1 Ely Court, EC1N 6SJ

One of those utter London classics that everyone needs to visit, Ye Olde Mitre claims its roots in the 16th century. Elizabeth I is said to have danced around the cherry tree, whose trunk can still be seen in the front bar. Another legend reckons that the pub is technically in Cambridge, thanks to eccentricities of land ownership (no longer true, if it ever was). The place seems tiny, but throw in the upstairs, (gorgeous) back bar and alleyway drinking and it fits in a surprisingly large crowd. Beers are by Fullers. Ye Olde Mitre | Our full review and photos.

The best pubs in north London

The Antwerp Arms, Tottenham

168-170 Church Road, N17 8AS

'The Annie', one of the most cherished pubs in north London, was almost turned into flats a decade ago. Happily, locals clubbed together to save it, and it's now run as a community pub, much like the Ivy down in Nunhead (see below). Even the beer's local; the cask lines are typically occupied by brews from nearby Redemption. Throw in a lively music scene, quiz night and screenings of nearby Spurs games, and this is the kind of local every neighbourhood wishes it had. The Antwerp Arms.

The Auld Shillelagh, Stoke Newington

105 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UD

London teems with Irish pubs of varying repute and authenticity, but the Auld Shillelagh — perched on a corner along Stokey's Church Street — is the real deal. Indeed the Irish Times called is the "most authentic Irish pub in the world outside Ireland". That means pints of Guinness being lined up on the bar for thirsty punters, live traditional music played at the tables (sometimes step dancing too), and a general bonhomie that tells you that you're not in London anymore, even though you very much are. The Auld Shillelagh | Our full review and pictures.

The Black Lion, Kilburn

274 Kilburn High Road, NW6 2BY

Without question, one of the most glorious pub interiors you will ever see. Every inch of its capacious innards is covered in some form of carpentry, gilding or other decorative device. The place had a bit of a tiff with its owners a while back, and refused to serve beer (!), but all that's now resolved and a handsome selection of kegs greets the customer. They've got a few rooms upstairs, too, should you want to make a weekend of it. The Black Lion | Our full review and photos.

The Dublin Castle, Camden

94 Parkway, NW1 7AN

Though we've steered clear of lacing this list with music venues, the Dublin Castle — famous for hosting Madness' first gig back in 1979, and not shy coming forward with the Suggs paraphernalia ever since — has barged its way on. Even if you don't end up watching a gig in its back room (and you totally should), this is a big, sticky slice of the Camden of old: bathroom mirrors plastered in band stickers, the throb of seedy red lighting that makes you feel like you're somewhere you shouldn't be, and tables of leather-clad, rum-and-coke-sipping musos discussing the finer points of Ramones bootlegs. Not everyone's cup of tea maybe, but one of the colourful building blocks that make up London's pub heritage. Should its near neighbour the Good Mixer also be on this list? Possibly, but we only have 100 slots after all. The Dublin Castle.

The Earl of Essex, Islington

25 Danbury Street, N1 8LE

Stepping out of Angel Tube station, the pubs practically jostle for your custom, their beer gardens spilling out greedily onto the pavements. Ignore them all, and make for the Earl of Essex, a traditional-yet-modern boozer secreted away in the residential back-streets between Angel and Canonbury. Hidden it might be, but the Earl is no secret — often heaving with punters eager to get their chops around the ever-transforming list of kegged and cask beer, as well as tapped cider. The board — crammed with stouts, krieks, helles, bitters, sours, pales, light ales — must be to beer geeks what Crewe's departure board is to train spotters. Don't do beer? There's also an epic wine list.  The Earl of Essex | Our full review and photos.

The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park

19 Perth Road, N4 3HB

"Come for the gimcrack, stay for the garden" could be the motto of this bibelot-bestrewn Irish boozer (bikes, rugby shirts and guitars affixed to walls and ceiling), which also has one of London's best-loved beer gardens — a multi-level petunia-enwreathed treehouse of a thing. Mind you, people also flock to the Faltering Fullback for its pours of Guinness, its tasty Thai food, its folk music jams, its spirited sports screenings... It's difficult to find any fault with this place at all. The Faltering Fullback.

The Flask, Highgate

77 Highgate West Hill, N6 6BU

The "twin peaks" (as no one calls them) of Hampstead and Highgate each have a pub called The Flask. Highgate's wins by a country mile by looking like it's a mile out in the country. Built around its old stable yard, this historic boozer is a fine place to sit on a warm summer's day. Come the winter, though, and there's no place we'd rather be than nestled in a quiet corner of its crooked wooden interior. Catch it in a rare quiet moment, on a drizzly January evening, and there is no better portal into ye olde London. The Flask | Our full review and photos.

The Holly Bush, Hampstead

22 Holly Mount, NW3 6SG

It's law that after a wintry stroll on Hampstead Heath, you must regroup here among the wealthy locals (we once saw Liam Gallagher in here) and dog walkers, with a pint of Pride. You'll have to work for your pint, as the Holly Bush sits high on a steep hill, but it's worth every step. An ornate glass back-bar, dark wood panels and pew-style seats contribute to an aesthetic which has barely changed since the 19th century, while an added quirk is the chalked-up weather forecast. Best to assume it's cold and wet and stay put by the fire. The Holly Bush | Our full review and photos.

The Jolly Butchers, Stoke Newington

204 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU

Just around the corner from Church Street, this knowingly back-to-basics 'ale and cider house' has the best range of ale in this corner of London. Ranging from microbrewery offerings, through real ciders and perrys, to German weissbeers, Belgian kriek and quality lagers, it's got a bit of everything. The back corner of the pub is home to the Booma Kitchen, serving Indian food at reasonable prices. The pub even supplies pairing notes, so you can couple your curry with the right beer. With quality fare like this, the vegetarians will be jolly, too. The Jolly Butchers | Our full review and photos.

The Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill

928 Green Lanes, N21 2AD

"How's things?" the barman asks a punter. "Hopefully about to get better," they reply, eagerly eyeing up the beer selection, "They usually do in here." The Little Green Dragon is one of those places beer lovers will definitely have heard of but not necessarily been to. In 2024, CAMRA named it the best pub in all of Greater London — a remarkable accolade given there are some 3,500 to choose from. It's hardly central though; the LGD's lofty location — at the tippity top of Green Lanes, and over 10-minutes' walk from the lesser-used Winchmore Hill station — might be off-putting to some. We're here to tell you top set out on a quest to this mythical pub; even if it takes you half a day to get here, the treasures that await are manifold: superb beer, bar games, live music and chilli-tinged bar snacks that'll have you breathing fire. The Little Green Dragon | Our full review and photos.

The Old Fountain, City Road

3 Baldwin Street, EC1V 9NU

Right on the Islington/Hackney border but close to the City, the Old Fountain could spurt into the north, east or central section. It's also something of a hybrid on the inside, where a timeless 'locals' pub, complete with food counter, offers the kind of exceptional range of craft ales you'd expect from a hipster railway arch — plus a modern roof terrace gloriously out-of-keeping with the lived-in look below. The pub, then, pulls off the impossible trick of pleasing everyone, all of the time. Let us spray that this Fountain never runs dry. The Old Fountain | Our full review and photos.

The Pineapple, Kentish Town

51 Leverton Street, NW5 2NX

May we commend the whole of Kentish Town for a splendid place to do a pub crawl? It's got half a dozen excellent options, but the crowning glory has to be the Pineapple. The attractive, Grade II-listed building is enticing enough, but the riches inside are legion. The front bar is a joy of glass and brass, with an ever-changing range of beers to choose from (it's won more CAMRA awards than you could shake a spile at). You can then head either left or right of the bar down corridors that link up in a conservatory round the back. Here a compact beer garden offers al fresco options, and is also home to regular beer festivals. The Pineapple | Our full review and photos.

The Salisbury, Green Lanes

1 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, N4 1JX

You'll struggle to find a more handsome pub than the Salisbury. It was built in the late Victorian period by John Cathles Hill. He happened to be the founder of the London Brick Company, and he certainly threw a lot of bricks into this place (and its sibling, the Queens in Crouch End). The interior, too, is a tonic for the eye. A generously spaced main bar gives way to smaller side rooms and alcoves, all with theatrical flourishes. If you're planning to do a pub crawl in the area, don't bother: just shift yourself around this place all night and you'll feel like you've been drinking in three or four different, equally wonderful, pubs. The Salisbury.

The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak

139 Highgate Road, NW5 1LE

Every man and his dog (quite literally) knows the Southampton Arms. After all, what better way to refresh yourself after walkies across Hampstead Heath than wetting the whistle with one of 18 different real ales. Everything about this place is right: the roaring fires. The handsome wooden pews, which show it to be the church of hops that is. The sausage rolls served with dollops of mustard. The piano, regularly used for old fashioned sing-songs. Believe us, there is much to sing about. The Southampton Arms | Our full review and photos.

The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead

Spaniards Road, NW3 7JJ

There can't be many Inner London pubs so far from any Tube or rail station. But it's all part of the charm for the Spaniards, which feels like an old countryside pub right here in the metropolis. Despite its isolation, this hoary survivor fills up rapidly on summer weekends, thanks to its handy location near Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath, and epic beer garden. But the place is just as memorable in winter, with its cosy corners and timbered ceiling. The Spaniards Inn | Our full review and photos.

Tapping the Admiral, Kentish Town

77 Castle Road, NW1 8SU

You know those Sunday afternoons which seem such a rarity in London: the ones where you actually locate the off switch, and decide all you're doing is having a couple of jugs of mild, flicking through the broadsheet/magazine/novel of your choosing, grazing on a good roast dinner, maybe dabbling with a board game, and occasionally stroking the pub cat (not a euphemism)? Tapping the Admiral — so called because of how Nelson's crew are said to have siphoned off and drank brandy from the cask his body was being pickled in — is the kind of place you want to be for that. Tapping the Admiral

The Wenlock Arms, Islington

26 Wenlock Road, N1 7TA

The Wenlock never changes. The archetypal backstreet boozer was built almost 200 years ago and looks every bit the vintage. The interior is a timeless blur of browns and creams, with a creaky wooden floor and real fire completing the picture. On looks alone, the Wenlock would be a much-cherished pub, but it also enjoys a towering reputation among cask ale aficionados, with 10 on the go at any one time. The place is so magical you'll want to redub it the Warlock Arms. The Wenlock Arms | Our review and photos.

The Wrestlers, Highgate

98 North Road, N6 4AA

It has a perfectly pleasant beer garden, but The Wrestlers is best grappled in the deep midwinter. This is a place of roaring fires, wooden panels and old traditions. Look out for the set of antlers on the wall, and the attendant plaque for a dose of that. Its location, away from the centre of Highgate and the Heath, means you're more likely to get a local crowd in here — and find a table. The Wrestlers | Our review and photos.

Ye Olde Mitre Inne, High Barnet

58 High Street, EN5 5SJ

Not to be confused with the more famous Mitre in Holborn, Barnet's namesake is itself a real charmer. The pub started out as a coaching inn at some point in the 17th century. It's been rebuilt since, but still looks mighty old. The inside is a mix of eras, with Victorian etched glass and older wooden beams, but it all works well together. A good selection of (mainstream) cask ales, and a handsome beer garden complete the picture. More than worth an adventure to the end of the Northern line for those who enjoy a characterful pub. Ye Olde Mitre Inne | Our full review and photos

The best pubs in south London

Balham Bowls Club, Balham

9 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX

Affectionally known as the BBC, Balham Bowls Club is one of the most original pubs around, built into a long-abandoned bowling club. It's a wooden warren of wonder, with a succession of brown-panelled, herringbone-floored rooms that look like they should be filled with grouse-shooting parties, or something. The beer range is tidy if not so sprawling, and the food is consistently good. Balham Bowls Club | Our full review and photos.

The Bedford, Balham

77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD

If we were solely compiling this list based on beer tap line-ups, the Bedford wouldn't get a look-in. But many things maketh a great pub, and in this case it's this Balham boozer's tireless cavalcade of comedy showcases, swing dancing, wrestling, Zumba classes and board game nights — all played out in a chocolate box of bougily boutique-appointed rooms — including a belle epoque tent-styled cabaret space. Hell, you probably won't even realise you're drinking Amstel. The Bedford

The Blue Maid, Borough

173 Borough High Street, SE1 1HR

The Blue Maid might not share the historic cache of the nearby George Inn (see slightly later on), but this reincarnation of the Blue Eyed Maid is a doozy. On the one hand, the interior is utterly no-frills. On the other, there's an eye-popping range of beers (Harbour, Yonder, Beak, Cloudwater). Three of these, happily, are real ales (usually a pale, bitter and dark) poured into jugs, and just £5. On weekdays, the Blue Maid rightly bristles with thirsty punters, spilling out into the not-really-a-beer-garden running down the side of the pub, and stare at Ofra Zimbalista's blue men scaling the facade across the road. At the weekend, we've found the Blue Maid to be blissfully zen (despite the cask ales being dropped to a ludicrous £4 a pint), something this article might not help. The Blue Maid.

The Blythe Hill Tavern, Catford

319 Stanstead Road, SE23 1JB

Proof that you should never judge a book by its cover; the tired cream exterior of the Blythe Hill Tavern suggests you'd better keep walking, yet nothing could be further from the truth. The Blythe's tie-wearing bar staff are unfailingly lovely (crafting a pint of the Black Stuff like it's an art form) while regulars banter back and forth like the oldest of friends (they possibly are). Sporting gimcracks and Irish keepsakes (owner Con Riordan is from Limerick) pepper, but don't overwhelm, the pub. A cosy front bar holds around five tables, and encourages inter-group conversation. The rear area is larger, and more gregarious, especially when the rugby's on. The Blythe Hill Tavern.

The Craft Beer Cabin, Norwood Junction

210A Selhurst Road, SE25 6XU

The simplicity of this pint-sized pub is admirable. The tap range is small, yet perfectly formed (almost always featuring a lager, pale ale, IPA and darker beer) and only the best craft breweries (Beak, DEYA, Drop Project) get a look-in. But the Craft Beer Cabin is more than just some glorified shed for the hop-minded to chew over the finer details of motueka and mosaic — there is a sense of community here; post-work drinkers mingling with pram-wielding parents and retirees alike while discussing new arrivals in the well-stocked fridge. A pub that's truly for everyone, so long as they can squeeze in. There is, by the way, a second Craft Beer Cabin in Bromley — which is slightly, but not much, bigger. The Craft Beer Cabin.

Craft Tooting/Craft Tooting II, Tooting

Unit 1, Broadway Market, 29 Tooting High Street, SW17 0RJ
143 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PE

In the same way you might consider Home Alone and Home Alone 2 as the same superb film, we're counting Craft Tooting and its nearby sequel as a single glorious entity, even if they are a 10-minute walk apart. The OG Craft Tooting is really more of a pocket-sized bottle shop tucked away in Tooting Market. If you tried to swing a cat in here, chances are it'd be knocked unconscious on some bottle or other of resiny West Coast IPA. But they have taps, too — and holing yourself up in here with a few friends (it'll have to be just a few) is like having your own little living room. Craft Tooting II is a larger — but still enjoyably intimate — space, where shelves and fridges heave with liquid goodies. Just like Home Alone, there is pizza (you can deliver it in from Yard Sale), and you'll want to revisit it over and over. Craft Tooting/Craft Tooting II.

The Dacre Arms, Blackheath

11 Kingswood Place, Blackheath, SE13 5BU

"A local pub for everyone". "A Traditional London pub". If there's one fault with the Dacre Arms, it's a little keen on telling us what we should think of it, mottos scattered hither and thither inside and out. Thing is, the Dacre couldn't be more secure about what it is: a level-headed backstreet boozer with curvy booths that appear to have been upholstered in your great-gran's time, and horse brasses and net curtains with similar provenance. There are quizzes. There are Jubilee celebrations. It wouldn't surprise us if there was a meat raffle. This is not the sort of place you come to coo over craft beers, although Del Boy wouldn't look out of place if he wandered in and ordered a Caribbean Stallion. If we could sum it up in five words? A local pub for everyone. The Dacre Arms.

The Dog and Bell, Deptford

116 Prince Street, SE8 3JD

Painted bright red with a giant Guinness toucan on the side, the Dog and Bell stands out like a... dog with a bell. Then again, tucked away down the backstreets and very much off the beaten track, it doesn't stand out to a general crowd, only locals and those who've heard its reputation. This is every inch the traditional pub, complete with carpet, a hop-bedecked bar and an actual live dog. It raises itself above other pubs of this type in several ways. First and foremost is the rather special draught ale selection — five or six cask pumps, mostly unfamiliar. The place has got even more pleasant in recent years, now the road outside is pedestrianised, allowing more outdoor drinking space. More than worth the trek. The Dog and Bell.

The Dog House, Beddington

14 The Broadway, CR0 4QR

You never quite know what's going to happen when you step through the door of the Dog House. Sometimes a group of blokes sat in the corner — transpiring to be the Croydon Male Voice Choir — will erupt into a rendition of Barbara Ann. In January, a full-blown mummers play might be in manic flow. One thing you can be sure of is a warm welcome from the couple who run this neighbourhood joint, and a decent pint of real ale (often under a fiver) poured from out the back. There's also a very good fish and chip shop nearby. The Dog House.

The Door Hinge, Welling

11 Welling High Street, DA16 1TR

When it opened its doors for the first time on 15 March 2013, you have to wonder if the Door Hinge knew it was at the vanguard of a revolution-in-miniature — the advent of the London micropub, which has now ventured as far north as Enfield (see the Little Green Dragon). We once spent an incredible Sunday afternoon in this suburban pint-sized boozer, welcomed by the locals with open arms, homemade rhubarb gin and boiled quail's eggs of all things. The cask beer was good too. As far as we can remember. The Door Hinge.

The George Inn, Southwark

75-77 Borough High Street, SE1 1NH

One of the few pubs that's firmly on the tourist trail, but also popular with Londoners. The George, as every guide begins by saying, is London's only remaining galleried coaching inn, and still looks much as Dickens would have known it. The interior is a succession of ye olde wood-panelled rooms, while the exterior courtyard can mop up hundreds of folk. Were it not for the limited range of Greene King ales, this place could easily top the list. The George Inn.

The Gladstone Arms, Borough

64 Lant Street, SE1 1QN

'The Glad', as it's universally called, is just a delight. It has all the warmth and charm of a local pub, but one in which everyone feels like a regular. The place is noted for its live music sessions, which have seen the likes of Ellie Goulding take to the tiny not-quite-stage upstairs. Indeed, the place has close associations with music royalty. Stock, Aitken and Waterman's 'Hit Factory', was in the adjacent mews, where people like Kylie Minogue, Bananarama and Rick Astley made their names (a plaque now marks the site). The pub was almost deleted in the 2010s, with plans to redevelop the site. A local campaign saw the place listed as an Asset of Community Value, and it's once again thriving. In its latest incarnation, the Glad has won a reputation for Indian food, thanks to the skills of its Asian owners. The Gladstone Arms | Our full review and photos.

The Golden Ark, Selsdon

186 Addington Road, CR2 8LB

A magnificent shopfront-turned-micropub, where they'll pour you everything from a pint of local Titsey pale to a trendy chocolate orange stout. The beer can/bottle selection is far above average; and good cider, gin and single malt options are on the cards too. They even have a cocktail menu. Oh, and the dried snack selection is god tier. Quench your thirst at this super friendly local after a stroll through the Croham Hurst Woods, and tell yourself that yes, you are indeed in Croydon. The Golden Ark.

The Green Goddess, Westcombe Hill

43a Vanbrugh Park, SE3 7AA

We visited the Green Goddess as part of a bus tour of three pubs, but liked it here so much we never actually boarded the bus to go anywhere else. (Fret not, though, other two pubs — you both also feature in our top 100 list.) Self-identifying as a beer cafe and microbrewery, the Goddess does indeed pour a magnificent array of brews from its wall of taps, yet it's also something of a community centre: there are board game nights and lampshade making workshops, and kids are more than welcome during the day (an indication of the salubriousness of the area was one young girl celebrating her birthday with an entire Iberico ham at her table). But when all is said and done, the Green Goddess is also a pub — a calibre of which most can only dream of achieving. The Green Goddess.

The Hope, Carshalton

48 West Street, SM5 2PR

One of London's best pubs hardly feels like a London pub at all. The Hope — set in the picturesque pond-studded hinterlands of Carshalton — is the kind of establishment where regulars keep their own drinking vessels behind the bar. But the beer selection here is anything but parochial. Described as a pub "By beer enthusiasts. For beer enthusiasts", there are seven hand pumps on at a time, offering a spectrum of craft brews — and almost always a Windsor & Eton's Knight of the Garter golden ale. This is the kind of place CAMRA exists for. The homemade rolls on the bar will implore you to stay for another hour or two and before you know it, it's kicking out time. The Hope.

The Ivy House, Nunhead

40 Stuart Road, SE15 3BE

There's been some iteration of a pub in this corner of Nunhead since 1865 — and in that time it's lived quite the life, with stories of W.G. Grace slurping pints here after thirst-inducing games of cricket, and the likes of Joe Strummer and Ian Dury taking to its stage. People have always been at the heart of what, since 2013, has been the community-owned Ivy House. Music's still a big deal: the hall-like space out the back puts on shows all the time, while in the wood panelled front room, you can enjoy a Peckham Helles and a roast, as dog walkers and families decant in and out from strolls across Peckham Rye. And if you really love this pub, you can still buy shares in it. The Ivy House.

The King's Arms, Waterloo

25 Roupell Sreet, SE1 8TB

Bonny old Roupell Street is one of those timeless old terraces beloved of film crews. Happily, it has a timeless old pub to lure you in at its mid-point. The King's Arms would still be familiar to the locals who propped up the bar in the early 20th century — with the exception that we probably have a wider selection of cask ales these days. But not all is as it seems. Head through to the back room and you'll find a more modern conservatory space, which has hosted a Thai kitchen for around a quarter of a century. That's a different kind of traditional. The King's Arms | Our full review and photos.

The Lord Clyde, Borough

27 Clennam Street, SE1 1ER

The Lord Clyde is a friendly and unashamedly traditional pub. The interior features many well-preserved original features from its rebuilding about a century ago. You’ll find a comfortable mix of leather seats, polished brass and wood panelling, and gorgeous glazed tiles on the exterior. The pub attracts equal aliquots of old-timer and young-Instagrammer, both drawn to the place's timeless qualities. Its a similar motley clientele to the Coach and Horses in Soho, though without the raffish edge. The beer follows an alike traditional pattern, with stalwarts like Landlord and Pride about as adventurous as things get. No surprise, then, that the pub has started stocking Bass, the once leading, recently receding brand that's made a startling comeback. Our full review and photos.

The Lord Nelson, Southwark

243 Union Street SE1 0LR

If you were to conjure in your mind's eye a refuge where children's television presenters go and tie one on once they've clocked off worked, the Lord Nelson would more or less be it. A multicoloured mess of fairy lights, bunting and inflatable guitars makes this drinking den sweet succor for local students. Even the names of the burgers (the Scooby; the Smurf & Turf) have an air of Saturday morning TV about them. And while all the above could easily be mere gimmickry, the burgers are excellent, the beer's well-priced, and they do a great line in pub quizzes (prizes = everything from tampons to tinned hotdogs — there's that impish sense of humour again). Ironically, the only other London pub remotely like this is a few minutes' away at Vaulty Towers. That's on our list too. The Lord Nelson.

The Mayflower, Rotherhithe

117 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF

With its dingy, dark-wood interior, you could half imagine that you're in the hold of the original Mayflower, which sailed out to America from this spot in 1620. The Pilgrim Fathers were not noted for their drinking, but that doesn't deter the many thousands of American tourists who make the reverse pilgrimage to this pub every year. Consequently, it can get a little busy, but there always seems to be space on the rear terrace which overlooks (and sometimes absorbs) the Thames. The Mayflower.

One Inn the Wood, Petts Wood

209 Petts Wood Road, Orpington BR5 1LA

No bluebell bothering jaunt in the boskiness of Petts Wood is complete without a reviver or two at One Inn the Wood. Though (whisper it) this is technically Greater London, it's all about Kent: Kent beers, Kent ciders, Kent wines and Kent cheeseboards. Here are all the rich pickings of country life (affordable beer, friendly locals, delicious arrangements of handcrafted cheddar and stilton) — less than 20 minutes from London Bridge. You might say One Inn the Wood is one of the 'least London' pubs on this list — and yet it's in London, so here it is. One Inn the Wood.

The Pelton Arms, Greenwich

23-25 Pelton Road, SE10 9PQ

One of those casually handsome pubs that suburban London does so well. The Pelton is the dictionary definition of a friendly neighbourhood pub, with locals of all ages, from babes-in-arms to superannuated gents, cramming around the bar. It runs with its own unique style — fairy lights adorning the ceiling all year round. A nifty beer selection includes a selection of low-alcohol brews, meaning you can spend hours and hours in here without getting too merry. A small stage area provides live music several times a week. The Pelton Arms | Our full review and photos.

The Priory Arms, Stockwell

83 Lansdowne Way, SW8 2PB

Run by the same folks behind the nearby Grosvenor Arms (which might easily also have featured in our top 100 too) the Priory straddles a solid neighbourhood watering hole (footie, quizzes, great pub grub) with a heart-eyes-emoji line-up of craft beer: Redemption, Mondo, Pohjala... plus bottled Belgian stuff that'll put hair on your chest. We find this is a good warm-up venue for the close-by Cav — another Stockwell pub worth earmarking, this one with regular comedy nights. The Priory Arms.

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Vauxhall

372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY

A pub like no other, this curvaceous roadhouse dating back to the 1860s encapsulates the spirit of the famous Pleasure Gardens the once inhabited this spot. The RVT, as it's often called, is at the heart of Vauxhall's LGBTQ+ scene: the tables orbit around a stage, amphitheatre-like, on which you'll catch drag acts (this is where Lily Savage made a name for herself), solve-along Murder She Wrote, and risqué pantomime. Later at night, the whole place often melts into a swarming dance floor. You are not going to drink the best pint of your life here, but you may well have the best night of your life. The Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Read comedian Elf Lyons' Ode To The Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

The Rusty Bucket, Eltham

11 Court Yard, SE9 5PR

Unless you live really close to (or in) Eltham, perhaps it's a part of London you've only ventured to once or twice in your lifetime. Let us tell you now, this is the land of the hidden gem: Avery Hill Park Winter Garden. The Bob Hope Theatre. And add to that the Rusty Bucket, an independent, and extremely inviting (dog-friendly, child-friendly, wheelchair accessible) establishment, which also happens to have one of the most robust beer selections in London (from exciting craft beers to Guinness), with cheeseboards, pies and sausage rolls for soakage. As they delicately put it: "We welcome everyone except Bellends." The Rusty Bucket.

The Shirker's Rest, New Cross

9 Lewisham Way, SE14 6PP

Let us count the ways we adore the Shirker's Rest. A delicious cask and keg selection from local breweries (inc. Anspach and Hobday, Kernel, Mondo and Villages) plus the option of having a sparkler used to pour your ale. The 'Crisp News' wall adorned with salty nibbles, including the heavy duty Slabs — a game-changer in the potato snack universe. A scattering of 'street cotch' forming a slapdash roadside beer garden, affectionately known as the 'A20 Lounge'. Lovely, attentive bar staff. Last time we were in they were even giving away free pints — no joke. The Shirker's, my friend, has it all. The Shirker's Rest | Our full review and photos.

Skehan's, Telegraph Hill

1 Kitto Road, SE14 5TW

Legendary Irish pub high on the slopes over Peckham and New Cross. Skehan's has become super-popular in recent years, thanks to its authentic Irish feel, cosy interior and multi-level beer garden. It's also one of London's best venues for informal live music, with mini-gigs six nights a week. Oh, what we wouldn't give for this to be our local. Skehan's | Our full review and photos .

The Star and Garter, Bromley

227 High Street, BR1 1NZ

"A Pretentious 'Indy' Pub not worth visiting" grumbles one particularly ill-informed review of this Bromley craft pub. Certainly, if you despise an astounding range of delicious beers, excellent service and Belgian beer sign-festooned surroundings (plus a little patio garden out the back), then avoid the Star and Garter like the plague. Otherwise, you'll want to have this place — with its roll call of traditional cask beers, Czech pilsner, Belgian bottles, UK craft and plenty more besides — written on your bucket list in permanent marker. The Star and Garter | Our full review and photos.

Stormbird, Camberwell

25 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8TR

There is a phenomenon in Stormbird that we refer to as The Magic Table. However busy this contemporary Camberwell boozer gets (and it does), a lone table miraculously appears. Perhaps the real magic, though, is the beer selection: an array of pumps — many with cute, hand-scribbled beer clips — runs with a constant supply of juicy IPAs, knock-out strength porters and usually a sour or two (we still fondly remember a cherry cola sour). Mikkeller, Burnt Mill and Moor are among Stormbird's usual keg suppliers, but you never quite know what you're going to find in this wonderland of brews. Cask-heads have nothing to gripe about either, with a choice of three or four very well-priced numbers, which regularly include beers from Titanic, Siren and Five Points. Even the lager's excellent. Do as the local arts students do; bring in a falafel from next door and make an evening of it. Stormbird.

The Sylvan Post, Forest Hill

24-28 Dartmouth Road, SE23 3XZ

The unique name makes sense. Sylvan means woody (we're in Great North Wood territory), and the 'Post' bit reminds us that this used to be a Post Office (as if you couldn't tell from the prominent postal slots near the door). Portobello Brewery (and Antic before them) have turned this once business-like environment into one of south London's most relaxing pubs, with laid-back mismatched furniture, a flower on each table, and a family-friendly ethos. Beers tend to be local. The Sylvan Post | Our full review and photos.

The Three Hounds, Beckenham

57 Beckenham Road, Beckenham BR3 4PR

Within easy reach of (in our opinion one of south London's most agreeable green spaces) Beckenham Place Park, the Three Hounds makes for a wonderful post-plod pint, whether or not you've a pooch with you. Snuggly this beer cafe-style venue may be, but its beer selection is sizeable — a riot of ever-changing keg, cask and cans — with breweries including (but certainly not limited to) Anspach & Hobday, Drop Project, Jarl, and Wiper and True. The Three Hounds also puts on/crams in in various comedy and music nights downstairs in the cellar. And you can avisit this pub as part of the Londonist Tram Crawl © |  The Three Hounds.

The Trafalgar, Wimbledon

23 High Path, Wimbledon SW19 2JY

Plans to demolish this neighbourhood freehouse have recently been quashed, and no wonder the locals fought to hard to stave off the developers; not only is the 'Traf' an extremely community-based joint (BBQs, beer festivals, Morris dancing) but its selection of brews — both cask and keg — is unmatched by 99% of other old fashioned traditional London boozers like itself. Order an ale, and toast: 'To Victory!'. The Trafalgar.

Vaulty Towers, Waterloo

34 Lower Marsh, SE1 7RG

A pub dreamed up off the back of a Lewis Carroll Pinterest board, not only does Vaulty Towers lay claim to one of the gleefully silliest pub names, it's also home to the most outrageously maximalist decor: a cacophony of thumping-great glitter-speckled lips, little 'treehouses' you can clamber up into and sip your spritz like some boozy little squirrel, and a 'Cave of Wonders' you might disappear into for months at a time. It's like dropping acid then being let loose in the National Theatre's prop warehouse — less Fawlty Towers, more Monty Python. Peopled by arty students and theatre types, here's proof that venues in central London can still be genuinely edgy (nearby, the Glitch and Scooter Cafe bolster said theory, though sadly don't fit the bill as pubs). Vaulty Towers.

The best pubs in east London

The Black Eel, Dalston

41 Kingsland High Street, E8 2JS

One of the newer pubs in our list, the Black Eel oozes with charm. The front bar is built into the old shop front of F. Cooke's pie and mash shop, and boasts its glorious interior of tiles and cut glass. But the pub unexpectedly continues through a series of comfortable rooms, which you'd happily spend the rest of your life getting to know. Then you find the games room. Then you find the beer garden. And... the place is an absolute joy. The Black Eel | Our full review and photos.

The Boleyn Tavern, East Ham

1 Barking Road, E6 1PW

We feared for this treasure box of a pub when West Ham United FC moved out of the area to the Olympic Park. Match days must have brought in most of the income. But the Boleyn, a recently restored Grade II-listed pub, seems to be thriving. Boasting Italian marble floors, stucco and a stunning stained-glass skylight, it is one of the most beautiful pubs in east London, perhaps in the whole of England. This place hasn't just got the glamour, it's also got the girth. You're guaranteed a seat in this most spacious of boozers, but make a beeline for the partitioned-off area behind the bar — a kind of extra large snug with its own access to the bar. The Boleyn Tavern | Our full review and photos.

The Camel, Bethnal Green

277 Globe Road, Bethnal Green, E2 0JE

Bethnal Green is blessed with excellent pubs, from the craft ale powerhouses of Mother Kelly's and the King's Arms, to the quirky old Salmon and Ball. Most grounded of the lot, though, is the Camel, hiding down the back streets. Nothing about the place is flashy, and that's its allure. Real ale, real atmosphere, real people. The tiny interior is a charm (if you can fit in), but the cute beer garden and the overspill onto Sugar Loaf Walk are joyous places to relax in warmer weather. Come the cooler months, and there is no better winter warmer than a traditional pie at the Camel. The almost-neighbouring The Florist is also worth your custom. The Camel.

The Cock, Hackney Central

315 Mare Street, E8 1EJ

Is a trip to Hackney Central complete without nipping in for one at the Cock? An almost comically long phalanx of beer taps standing to attention on the bar informs you this is a joint that lets the beer do the talking — Queer Brewing, Cloudwater, Pressure Drop, Two Flints and plenty of Howling Hops (it's their brewpub after all). You don't have to like decent beer, but it helps — although don't get us wrong, the Cock is about as pretentious as Alison Hammond. And while the light levels of this wood-encased boozer verge on the dingy (and the wi-fi's permanently switched off), the atmosphere is always bright and sparkly — whether it's punters having one of those old fashioned things called a conversation (quite possibly about beer), or another bout of the pub's infamous pickled egg eating championship. The Cock.

The Dovetail, Clerkenwell

9-10 Jerusalem Passage, EC1V 4JP

Brussels, and its embarrassment of exquisite beer bars, is less than two hours on the Eurostar from London, but for those with a powerful and immediate urge to quench their thirst with a genre of beer so potent, one of the leading brands is called Delirium Tremens, the Dovetail is for you. While people seeking Low Countries liquid sustenance will often cite De Hems in Soho as the place to go (and fair play, it's a decent enough pub), the Dovetail holds nothing back. The Tintin artworks. The mitre-shaped chair backs. And most of all, its taps flowing with Bruges Zot, Chimay, Saison Dupont and their redoubtable brethren. And that's just the warm-up act: there's enough bottled beer to knock out a family of pink elephants. The Dovetail.

The George Tavern, Shadwell

373 Commercial Road, E1 0LA

You may wonder, as did we, if you're rizzy enough to frequent the George Tavern. This, after all, is the plucky roadhouse where you might stroll in to find The Last Dinner Party strumming an acoustic set, or Kate Moss sipping a G&T at the bar sporting a SAVE THE GEORGE TAVERN tee. All very on fleek east London. But you'll soon feel right at home, sipping a glass of wine by candlelight (it's good to see somewhere that still sticks candles in bottles), and plucking up the courage to go over and say hi to Tom Daley. The George Tavern.

The Gun, Isle of Dogs

27 Coldharbour, E14 9NS

One of the most historic pubs in London, The Gun also has comfort and character in spades. We like to think Lord Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton enjoyed the same level of fireside cosiness and spectacular views as we do today in this Docklands gem. The riverside terrace is perfect for a summer day, and there's now a gin garden too, if that's your thing (other drinks are allowed). Sunday roasts are particularly in-demand, and you'll need to book well ahead. The views of the Thames here are simply superb (so long as you're not a despiser of the O2 dome). The Gun.

The Grapes, Limehouse

76 Narrow Street, E14 8BP

Charles Dickens unfavourably referred to this riverside hostelry as "a tavern of dropsical appearance" in Our Mutual Friend, although it was moonlighting in the book as the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters. We'd suggest it is a tavern of timeless appearance (certainly it hasn't changed since we started visiting): frosted foliate windows in the front, crispy whitebait on the menu, and a small terrace out the back overlooking the Thames with a particularly haunting Anthony Gormley statue poking out of a the grey waters. It's a pub that lends itself to a mizzly afternoon. Note Gandalf's staff clamped behind the bar — a nod to the pub's very famous leaseholder, who sometimes hosts the pub quiz. The Grapes.

The Holly Tree, Forest Gate

141 Dames Road, E7 0DZ

Was Robert Thomas — who took on this grand old pub in 2019 — appealing to Londonist's better nature by installing a sit-on miniature train in the beer garden? And if that didn't catch our attention (it totally did), then the lovingly restored geometric stained glass windows, airy conservatory area, smashing range of on-tap beers (Litovel Czech lager a speciality) did the trick. It's a family friendly pub (we mentioned the train, right?), yet there are adults-only areas too. All very well put thought out and put together. Oh, it's also got a train in the gar... oh, you know. The Holly Tree.

The Palm Tree, Mile End

127 Grove Road, E3 5RP

London still has many pubs that might be described as 'old school' or 'traditional', but the Palm Tree is in a league of its own. Despite its exotic name, this Grade II-listed pub is as authentic an East End boozer as you can possibly find. It stands all alone in Mile End Park, and there is no finer sight than its glowing windows, if approached in the darkness of a winter evening. The inside is a time capsule: carpet, wallpaper, drapes over the bar, pub cat, photographs of patrons past... even the barman has worked there since the 1970s. It's a dream. Needless to say, it finds itself in many a film and TV production. You don't know London pubs if you haven't drank at the Palm Tree. Our full review and photos.

The Pembury Tavern, Hackney Downs

90 Amhurst Road, E8 1JH

Run by the accomplished Five Points brewery (who also oversee an excellent taproom near London Fields), the Pembury is a masterclass in fusing traditional with contemporary: on one hand, you can play the old fashioned game of bar billiards while supping a jug of bitter; on the other, you can scoff vegan nduja-scattered ACE pizza while chugging a blow-your-head-off DIPA, and then pay in Bitcoin. The Pembury Tavern.

The People's Park Tavern, Victoria Park

360 Victoria Park Rd, E9 7BT

The big draw here is one of London's biggest and best beer gardens, which protrudes into the perimeter of Victoria Park. Grab one of the booths out here, and with an al fresco grill and bar you could easily while away the whole day. The inside's not too shabby either, with dozens of tables spread throughout an eccentrically furnished space. Beer comes from Brighton's Laine's brewery, with a good choice of kegs. The People's Park Tavern | Our full review and photos.

The Pride of Spitalfields, Brick Lane

3 Heneage Street, E1 5LJ

Spitalfields is somewhere that magic still occasionally happens: running into living art installations Gilbert and George. Drifting into a living, breathing Huguenot house. Add to that the Pride of Spitalfields — a scuffed-carpeted, cherry-banquetted local which flies in the face of the endless trendy bars that occupy these east London streets. Here is a world of ham sandwiches, tunes tinkled on an upright, and classic ales (think London Pride, ESB), which conspire to create a burgundy-tinted London of yesteryear, frequented by people who appreciate pubs in their simplest form. Anyone from celebrity historians to fashionista upstarts can be found bathing in the Pride's extraordinary ordinariness. The Pride of Spitalfields.

The Sutton Arms, Clerkenwell

16 Great Sutton Street EC1V 0DH

There are two Sutton Arms in the Barbican/Clerkenwell vicinity and it's important to know which is which. While one ushers you in with its alluring barrel-shaped window, the other has a less assuming exterior; one that belies the liquid treasure trove of brews inside. The Sutton Arms might be an (almost) City boozer but it's got the gentle, chatty ambience of a local that's usually reserved for pubs right on the fringes of London, like the Hope in Carshalton or even a micropub out towards Kent way. A small selection of pies and sausage rolls, kept warm on the counter, reinforce the homey vibe. On one visit, there was a Kendal Mint Cake stout called 'Ken' on; the barman admitted he knew he'd struggle to shift it, but wanted to have it on anyway. It's this kind of positive bloody-mindedness which makes the Sutton Arms a cut above 99% of other pubs in the area. ('Ken' was delicious by the way.) The Sutton Arms | Our full review and photos.

Upminster TapRoom, Upminster

1b Sunnyside Gardens, RM14 3DT

Cask upon cask of delicious beer (Wantsum, Redemption, Titanic) awaits temptingly behind the glass, like some bizarrely tasty riff on The Usual Suspects. This is your reward for riding all the way to the end of the District line, and then being sent, quite literally, around the houses. It means you must stay for at least two or three beers, dig into one of the CAMRA magazines stacked in the corner, or otherwise make idle chat with whoever else is in. If you can, come along for one of the BYO vinyl nights, geeking out to cask beer and old records. Upminster TapRoom.

The best pubs in west London

Black Dog Beer House, Brentford

17 Albany Road, TW8 0NF

A gnat's crotchet from the Musical Museum, the Black Dog Beer House will be music to the ears of anyone who enjoys a good pint in a well-turned-out pub. Excellent cask (you'll find at least four on at any given time, including beers from London's Wild Card, and Twickenham breweries) and keg (14 no less) jostle on the bar, there's fab food, and a foliage-ensconced beer garden, which takes an already wonderful boozer to new heights. The Black Dog Beer House.

The Churchill Arms, Notting Hill

119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN

Minimalists will hate it. Many pubs like to dangle rustic nicknacks from the walls, for a bit of manufactured ambience. The Churchill makes it an extreme sport, as though half of Portobello antiques market has moved in. The outside of the pub, similarly cluttered with hanging baskets and planters, is now Instagram famous, especially during the festive season when the place is lit up like a forest of Christmas trees. The Churchill Arms | Our review and photos.

The Dodo Micropub, Hanwell

52 Boston Road, W7 3TR

A failed field trip to find the gravestone of the great Ian Nairn ended up with us consoling ourselves with a pint at this fresh-feeling, community-orientated micro-boozer, run by former 'corporate cucumber' Lucy Do. Aside from the great independent ales, and free Sunday cheese boards, there are various craft get-togethers and food pop-ups — plus they sell their own gin and rum. West London needs a pint-sized pub like this. We'd be gutted if the Dodo ever became extinct. The Dodo.

The Dove, Hammersmith

19 Upper Mall, W6 9TA

A gorgeous old riverside hostelry, The Dove is one of the few pubs worth travelling across town for, if you don't happen to live in the 'hood. Its narrow and cramped interior is usually busy, but a space can always be found tucked into a hitherto unseen corner. The pub's most overt claim to fame is that it holds the Guinness World Record for smallest bar — as measured in a tiny cubby hole beside the main door. In better weather, make like a dove and perch yourself on the Thames-side terrace, with long views in either direction. The Dove | Our review and photos.

The Express Tavern, Brentford

56 Kew Bridge Road, TW8 0EW

Those with a certain beer kink will be well aware of the Express Tavern — the glowing red neon triangle tacked to the pub's exterior lets you know you can acquire a pint of Bass here — and very good it is too. Though its name suggests this is a place made for passing through, once you've pulled up a stool/sunk into a banquette at the Chiswick Bar, got your head around the 10 or so cask ales that are pouring, then realised it's Pizza Monday or Rib Thursday, this could turn into a sesh. A sweeping, florid beer garden with its own pop-up bar only adds to the clout of this exceptional railway-side boozer. The Express Tavern.

The Queen's Head, Pinner

31 High Street, Pinner, HA5 5PJ

The north-west of London is a trove of gorgeous old pubs (the nearby, oddly named The Case is Altered also came close to making this list), but nothing has quite the vintage of the Queen's Head. The high street pub has possible 14th century origins, and its cellars are verified as 12th century. This could join the crowded list of claimants as 'London's Oldest Pub', depending which caveats you ignore. Inside, it's all wooden beams and panelling; a timeless place for a pint. Or a cocktail, because this hoary old drinking den also does a mean mojito. The Queen's Head

The Sussex Arms, Twickenham

15 Staines Road, Twickenham, TW2 5BG

In the summer, a sprawling beer garden invites you to soak up the rays of a Twickenham afternoon, while sucking down a cold G&T; in winter, cosy up by the fire, and count the beer pumps plastered over the walls and ceiling — badges of honour that show the Sussex to be an extremely fine beer and cider pub (16 keg lines, 15 cask ale pumps and as six cider taps, don't you know). A very special pub. The Sussex Arms

The Tap on the Line, Kew

Station Approach, TW9 3PZ

Once upon a time, several London Underground stations had pubs directly on platforms. Our age of heightened health and safety awareness makes them a thing of the past. But the attractive pub at Kew Gardens is the nearest thing. The pub itself is a welcoming, brightly lit space, which would be a joy to inhabit anywhere in town. But the large platform-facing windows add an extra dimension that propels the pub beyond 'great gastropub' to 'great gastropub from which you can watch Tube trains come and go'. In our book, that's enough to make it top 100 material... even if the beer and food are reliably Fuller's, rather than anything of independent flare. The Tap on the Line | Our review and photos.

The White Swan, Twickenham

Riverside, TW1 3DN

Now in the hands of Fuller's, the White Swan would qualify for anyone's list of a good pub: well kept beer, historic furnishings, sheltered Thames-side views, roaring fire in the winter, friendly staff. Yet it has one particular peculiarity that raises it into the first tier of remarkable London pubs... a beer garden that gets submerged by the Thames. We've been stuck there for over an hour at high tide, stood up on the benches to avoid wet feet — no bad thing, so long as you've got a full glass. If you can't fit in the beer garden (and it does fill up quickly with both people and water), the pub's interior is also rather lovely. A couple of nichey demi-rooms, a handsome book case and an upright piano contribute to the charm. The White Swan | Our review and photos.

How we came up with this list

This list has been compiled by Matt Brown and Will Noble, both lovers of London pubs. Together, we've singled out pubs that have one or more of the following qualities: a unique ambience, outstanding decor, historical intrigue, excellent beer/drink choice, publicans who really know what they're doing. Taprooms don't feature; we've written a separate comprehensive list. Gastro/foodie pubs haven't strictly been excluded, but we've typically stuck with pubs that are great for drinking in, otherwise things would get too complicated.

This is naturally a subjective list, and we haven't tried to balance it with a proportionate ratio of pubs at the various compass points. (We're aware of the relative dearth of west London entries.) We nonetheless DO welcome your comments of "But you didn't include...". Speaking of which...

We've only featured pubs that we've personally visited. There are a handful of pubs which we're aware of that may well be list-worthy, but we simply haven't yet made it to. In the name of journalism, we'll endeavour to visit these in due course, and update the list. Sometime in 2026, perhaps it'll return as The 125 Best Pubs In London. In the meantime, you've plenty to be getting on with.

To suggest a properly good pub (like really, really good) that doesn't yet feature, email [email protected]

That list in full, no frills

Central
The Blackfriar, City of London
Bradley's Spanish Bar, Tottenham Court Road
CASK, Pimlico
The Cittie of Yorke, Holborn
The Coach and Horses, Soho
The Cross Keys, Covent Garden
The French House, Soho
The Grenadier, Belgravia
The Harp, Charing Cross
The Heron, Paddington
The Victoria, Paddington
King Charles I, King's Cross
The Lyric, Soho
The Nags Head, Belgravia
The Old Bank of England, Fleet Street
The Princess Louise, Holborn
The Queen's Head, King's Cross
The Seven Stars, Holborn/Fleet Street
The Shakespeare's Head, Clerkenwell
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
The Star & Garter, Soho
The Toucan, Soho
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, City of London
Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn

North
The Antwerp Arms, Tottenham
The Auld Shillelagh, Stoke Newington
The Black Lion, Kilburn
The Dublin Castle, Camden
The Earl of Essex, Islington
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
The Flask, Highgate
The Holly Bush, Hampstead
The Jolly Butchers, Stoke Newington
The Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill
The Old Fountain, City Road
The Pineapple, Kentish Town
The Salisbury, Green Lanes
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead
Tapping the Admiral, Kentish Town
The Wenlock Arms, Islington
The Wrestlers, Highgate
Ye Olde Mitre Inne, High Barnet

South
Balham Bowls Club, Balham
The Bedford, Balham
The Blue Maid, Borough
The Blythe Hill Tavern, Catford
The Craft Beer Cabin, Norwood Junction
Craft Tooting/Craft Tooting II, Tooting
The Dacre Arms, Blackheath
The Dog and Bell, Deptford
The Dog House, Beddington
The Door Hinge, Welling
The George Inn, Southwark
The Gladstone Arms, Borough
The Golden Ark, Selsdon
The Green Goddess, Westcombe Hill
The Hope, Carshalton
The Ivy House, Nunhead
The King's Arms, Waterloo
The Lord Clyde, Borough
The Lord Nelson, Southwark
The Mayflower, Rotherhithe
One Inn the Wood, Petts Wood
The Pelton Arms, Greenwich
The Priory Arms, Stockwell
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Vauxhall
The Rusty Bucket, Eltham
The Shirker's Rest, New Cross
Skehan's, Telegraph Hill
The Star and Garter, Bromley
Stormbird, Camberwell
The Sylvan Post, Forest Hill
The Three Hounds, Beckenham
The Trafalgar, Wimbledon
Vaulty Towers, Waterloo

East
The Black Eel, Dalston
The Boleyn Tavern, East Ham
The Camel, Bethnal Green
The Cock, Hackney Central
The Dovetail, Clerkenwell
The George Tavern, Shadwell
The Gun, Isle of Dogs
The Grapes, Limehouse
The Holly Tree, Forest Gate
The Palm Tree, Mile End
The Pembury Tavern, Hackney Downs
The People's Park Tavern, Victoria Park
The Pride of Spitalfields, Brick Lane
The Sutton Arms, Clerkenwell
Upminster TapRoom, Upminster

West
Black Dog Beer House, Brentford
The Churchill Arms, Notting Hill
The Dodo Micropub, Hanwell
The Dove, Hammersmith
The Express Tavern, Brentford
The Queen's Head, Pinner
The Sussex Arms, Twickenham
The Tap on the Line, Kew
The White Swan, Twickenham