Best Pubs in London
Find the best pubs in London open now: historic taverns, riverside beer gardens and late-night locals, with opening hours and what each is known for.
All Pubs
20 listed
The Churchill Arms
One of London's most photographed pubs, famous for its spectacular flower displays and pioneering Thai kitchen. A Kensington institution since 1750.
The Spaniards Inn
A 16th-century tavern on the edge of Hampstead Heath, steeped in literary history with connections to Dickens, Keats, and Byron. Famous for its large garden.
The Mayflower
The oldest pub on the River Thames, named after the famous ship that departed from this very spot in 1620. Riverside terrace with stunning views.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire of London, this warren of dark wood-panelled rooms was a favourite of Dr Johnson, Dickens, and Mark Twain.
The Prospect of Whitby
Dating from 1520, the oldest riverside tavern in London. Once a haunt of smugglers and thieves, now offering a historic pewter bar and Thames-side views.
The Lamb & Flag
A historic Covent Garden pub tucked down a narrow alley, once nicknamed 'The Bucket of Blood' for the bare-knuckle fights held here. Full of character and charm.
The Dove
A riverside gem on the Thames at Hammersmith, holding the Guinness World Record for the smallest bar room. Perfect for watching the Boat Race.
The Grenadier
A famously haunted pub hidden in a cobbled Belgravia mews, once the officers' mess for the Duke of Wellington's soldiers. Known for its Bloody Marys.
The Holly Bush
A charming Grade II listed pub hidden in the backstreets of Hampstead, retaining its Georgian character with open fires and intimate snug rooms.
The Blackfriar
A stunning Art Nouveau masterpiece built on the site of a Dominican friary. The marble and mosaic interior is one of the most beautiful in London.
The Ten Bells
A historic Spitalfields pub with Victorian tilework, famously linked to the Jack the Ripper case. A characterful spot beside Spitalfields Market.
The French House
A Soho legend and former gathering place for the French Resistance during WWII. Known for serving beer only in half-pints and its bohemian atmosphere.
The George Inn
London's last surviving galleried coaching inn, now owned by the National Trust. This 17th-century landmark was frequented by Shakespeare and Dickens.
The Anchor Bankside
A riverside pub on the South Bank dating back over 800 years, offering spectacular views across the Thames to the City and St Paul's Cathedral.
The Flask
A characterful Highgate pub dating from 1663, with a warren of cosy rooms, open fires, and a charming courtyard. A favourite of Hogarth and Karl Marx.
The Princess Louise
A breathtaking Victorian gin palace with original etched glass, ornate tilework, and snob screens. One of the most beautifully preserved interiors in London.
The Nags Head
A tiny, quirky Belgravia pub with a no-mobile-phones policy, low ceilings, and an eccentric collection of memorabilia. A step back in time.
The Eagle
Widely credited as London's first gastropub, opening in 1991 and revolutionising British pub food. Still a Farringdon favourite for its Mediterranean dishes.
The Windsor Castle
A handsome 1830s pub in Notting Hill with original oak-panelled rooms, tiny connecting doors, and one of the best walled beer gardens in London.
The Jerusalem Tavern
A tiny, atmospheric Clerkenwell pub fitted out in 18th-century style, serving the full range of St Peter's Brewery ales in a candlelit, time-worn setting.