Best Pubs in London: A Local’s Guide by Area

Last updated: August 3, 2026

The pub is the heart of British life. It’s where we celebrate, commiserate, watch football, eat Sunday roasts, meet friends, and spend half our weekends. No trip to London is complete without spending an evening in a proper pub — not a tourist trap, not a theme bar, but a genuine London boozer.

As a born and raised Englishman, I’ve spent time in hundreds of London pubs. These are the ones I actually send friends to — organized by neighborhood so you can find a good pub wherever you are in the city.

Pub Etiquette: How to Drink Like a Local

Before we get to the pubs, a quick guide to pub culture for Americans:

Order at the bar. Don’t wait to be seated. Walk up, get the bartender’s attention (eye contact, not waving), and order. They’ll either bring food to your table or give you a table number.

Pay as you go. You pay for each round when you order it. No running tabs unless you’re in a large group and the bar agrees to keep a card behind the bar.

No tipping at the bar. If you want to be generous, say “and one for yourself” when ordering — the bartender will add a small drink to your bill. This is optional and usually only done by regulars.

It’s okay to share tables. In busy pubs, it’s normal to ask “Is anyone sitting here?” and share a table with strangers. Don’t be weird about it — just sit down.

Last orders. Pubs stop serving at 11 PM (some until midnight). The bartender will ring a bell and shout “Last orders!” — this is your cue to buy your final pint. They’ll then call “Time!” and you need to drink up and leave within about 20 minutes.

Central London

The Yeoman’s Wigmore

A rare thing — a proper pub in the heart of tourist London, just off Oxford Street. Sam Smith’s pub, which means they only serve their own brewery’s beer (smaller, cheaper, and better than the big brands). No music, no TVs, just good beer and conversation.

Location: 1 Wigmore Street, W1U 1LP
Nearest Tube: Bond Street
Price: Pints £3.50-4.50 (cheaper than most central pubs)
Food: Basic pub grub (£8-14)

The Museum Tavern

Directly opposite the British Museum, this is where academics, students, and tourists have been drinking since 1763. Karl Marx used to drink here. Beautiful Victorian interior, good beer selection, and excellent people-watching from the window seats.

Location: 49 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3BA
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Price: Pints £5.50-6.50
Food: Traditional pub menu (£10-16)

The Lamb

A stunning Victorian pub in Bloomsbury with original etched glass, a rare “snob screen” (Victorian partitions that could be raised to hide drinkers from the street), and a beautiful curved bar. Walk to the British Museum in 2 minutes.

Location: 94 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ
Nearest Tube: Russell Square
Price: Pints £5.50-7
Food: Gastropub menu (£14-22)

Covent Garden & Soho

The Salisbury

Returning to its original name after years as The Clouds, this Victorian pub on St Martin’s Lane is one of the most beautiful in London — original gas lamps, ornate mirrors, and a genuinely historic feel. Prime location for pre-theatre drinks.

Location: 90 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AP
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden / Leicester Square
Price: Pints £6-7.50
Food: Pub classics (£12-18)

The French House

A Soho institution. Charles de Gaulle used this pub as his headquarters during WWII. No mobile phones allowed, no TVs, and beer is only served in half-pints (it’s that kind of place). A proper writer’s and journalist’s pub.

Location: 49 Dean Street, W1D 5BG
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Price: Half-pints £3-4.50
Food: Small French plates (£8-16)

The Seven Stars

A tiny, ancient pub tucked behind the Royal Courts of Justice, dating back to 1602. One of London’s oldest pubs, with low ceilings, wood paneling, and a resident cat named Tom Paine. Feels like stepping back in time.

Location: 53 Carey Street, WC2A 2JS
Nearest Tube: Holborn / Chancery Lane
Price: Pints £5.50-7
Food: Light meals and snacks (£6-12)

South Bank & Bankside

The Anchor

A historic riverside pub in Bankside with a terrace overlooking the Thames. This is where Samuel Johnson and his friend (and biographer) James Boswell used to drink. Great views of the river and the City, and a perfect stop on a South Bank walk.

Location: 34 Park Street, SE1 9EF
Nearest Tube: London Bridge
Price: Pints £6-8
Food: Gastropub menu (£14-24)

The Royal Oak

A no-frills, proper locals’ pub in Borough — the kind of place where the same people have been drinking for 30 years. Excellent beer, no food (they let you bring in takeaway from nearby Borough Market), and real London atmosphere.

Location: 44 Tabard Street, SE1 4JU
Nearest Tube: Borough
Price: Pints £4.50-5.50
Food: None (BYO from Borough Market)

East London

The Golden Heart

A legendary Spitalfields pub that was the local of artist Tracey Emin and many Britart figures. Beautiful Victorian interior, good beer, and a mix of locals and creative types. The kind of pub where conversations happen between strangers.

Location: 110 Commercial Street, E1 6LZ
Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street / Shoreditch High Street
Price: Pints £5-6.50
Food: None (snacks only)

The Southampton Arms

A proper pub in Gospel Oak — no music, no fruit machines, no nonsense. They focus on real ale and cider from small independent breweries. Worth the detour if you appreciate good beer. Their sausage rolls are legendary.

Location: 139 Highgate Road, NW5 1LE
Nearest Tube: Gospel Oak
Price: Pints £4-5.50
Food: Sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and bar snacks (£3-8)

The Pembury Tavern

Named one of the best pubs in the UK by the Telegraph. A sprawling, characterful pub on the Hackney/Pembury border with excellent beer from Five Points Brewery (brewed next door), great pizza, and a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere.

Location: 90 Amhurst Road, E8 1JH
Nearest Tube: Hackney Downs
Price: Pints £4.50-6
Food: Pizza and pub snacks (£8-14)

West London

The Cow

A Notting Hill institution — a proper West London boozer with an excellent seafood restaurant in the back room. Their fish and chips is among the best in London. The front bar is standing-room only and packed with locals.

Location: 89 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH
Nearest Tube: Westbourne Park
Price: Pints £5.50-7
Food: Seafood-focused menu (£14-28)

The Churchill Arms

Famous for its spectacular flower displays that cover the entire exterior — worth seeing even if you don’t drink. Inside, it’s a classic pub with a Thai restaurant in the back (yes, really — and it’s excellent). A Kensington landmark.

Location: 119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN
Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate
Price: Pints £5.50-7
Food: Thai food (£10-16)

The Swan

A riverside pub next to the Globe Theatre with unbeatable views of the Thames, St Paul’s, and the City. Gets very busy in summer, but the terrace is one of the best drinking spots in London on a sunny day.

Location: 66 Embankment, SE1 9QG
Nearest Tube: Mansion House / Southwark
Price: Pints £6-8
Food: Gastropub menu (£14-24)

North London

The Spaniards Inn

One of the oldest pubs in London (dating to 1585), on Hampstead Heath.据说 Dickens drank here, Keats wrote here, and it’s supposedly haunted by the ghost of highwayman Dick Turpin. A perfect Sunday lunch pub after a walk on the Heath.

Location: Spaniards Road, Hampstead, NW3 7JJ
Nearest Tube: Hampstead (then 15-min walk or bus)
Price: Pints £5-7
Food: Traditional pub food (£14-22)

The Sir Richard Steele

A quirky, bohemian pub in Belsize Park with mismatched furniture, art on every wall, and a laid-back atmosphere. Once a favorite of local celebrities, now just a great neighborhood pub with excellent food.

Location: 97 Haverstock Hill, NW3 4RL
Nearest Tube: Belsize Park / Chalk Farm
Price: Pints £5.50-7
Food: Gastropub menu (£14-20)

What to Drink

Drink	What It Is	Price Range
Real ale (cask)	Traditional British beer served from a cask, not a keg — less carbonated, served at cellar temperature	£4-6/pint
Lager	The standard pint — Stella, Kronenbourg, Camden Hells	£5-7/pint
Pimm’s	Gin-based drink mixed with lemonade, fruit, and mint — the taste of British summer	£8-12/glass
Guinness	Always available, always good — London pubs pour a better pint than most Irish pubs	£5-7/pint
Gin & tonic	London dry gin (we invented it) with tonic water	£6-10
Cider	Apple or pear cider, served on tap like beer	£4.50-6/pint

FAQ

What’s the difference between cask ale and keg beer?
Cask ale (also called “real ale”) is traditional British beer served from a cask using only gravity or hand-pump pressure. It’s less carbonated, served slightly cooler than room temperature (cellar temperature, about 11-14°C), and has a shorter shelf life — it’s “live” beer. Keg beer is the standard carbonated beer you get everywhere. If you want to try real British pub culture, order a cask ale.

Can children go in pubs?
Yes. Children are allowed in pubs with adults, though they can’t sit at the bar or drink alcohol. Many pubs have “family rooms” or dining areas where children are welcome. Some pubs restrict children after 7 PM — check if unsure.

What’s a “Wetherspoons”?
Wetherspoons (properly J D Wetherspoon) is a chain of very cheap pubs found across the UK. The beer is cheap (£2.50-4/pint), the food is cheap and basic (£6-12), and the decor is usually uninspired. But they’re reliable, clean, and a good option if you want a cheap drink in central London. Locals have a love-hate relationship with them.

Do London pubs take reservations?
Most pubs don’t take reservations for drinks — you just show up. Many pubs take reservations for food, especially for Sunday roasts. Popular gastropubs require booking 1-2 weeks ahead for Sunday lunch.

What should I do if a pub is “locked”?
Some old-fashioned pubs still “lock in” regular customers after official closing time — they lock the doors and keep serving. If you’re invited to stay for a lock-in, consider it a compliment. Don’t take photos or make noise outside — the pub is technically breaking the law.

Hungry too? See our What to Eat in London guide and Best Food Markets in London for more foodie adventures.