We love pubs because of all the life that takes place there, including the post-work wind-down, the disastrous Friday lunches, the protracted Saturday afternoons, and the leisurely Sunday recovery.
See our list of the 10 Best Pubs In London
1. The Harp, Covent Garden: An establishment featuring outstanding beer, good old-fashioned chat, and award-winning traditional ciders and perries from across the nation. The Harp is an outstanding illustration of a typical British ale establishment and is situated in London’s renowned Covent Garden. The front seats are a terrific site to watch those endless throngs pass by in the summer when the large stained glass windows are put open, making you happy to have found such a perfect little spot.
Location: The Harp, 47 Chandos Place, London WC2N
2. The French House – Soho: The most well-known pub in Soho strictly enforces its no music, no machines, no television, and no mobile phones policy, yet this is part of the reason why it has attracted many of London’s most renowned authors, artists, and performers as residents. Another minor distinction between French House and other establishments is that the latter offers more than 30 Champagnes and wines by the glass while paying far less attention to beer. Additionally, there is a restaurant above that is only open occasionally during the week.
Location:49 Dean St, London W1D 5BG, United Kingdom
3. The Newman Arms, Fitzrovia: It was a terrible pity when The Newman Arms, one of London’s most illustrious pubs, closed in 2017 because it was a vital part of Fitzrovia’s vibrant 20th-century literary culture and had been around since 1730. It was reopened in 2018 by a new operator, the London-based Truman Brewery, which is also a revived business, and it is exactly what a pub of this type should be: cozy, clubby, and unpretentious, with Truman’s superb real ales on tap and the reputation for authentic homemade pies intact.
Location: The Newman Arms, 23 Rathbone Street, London W1T 1NG
4. The Guinea Grill, Mayfair: Mayfair has areas that appear to be shielded from change, such the hedge funds, specialized gunmakers, vintage barbershops, and discreet hotels. Guinea, which has been supplying food and drinks to locals for generations (despite the structure having undergone a few replacements over the years), should be added to that list.
Location: The Guinea Grill, 30 Bruton Street, London W1J 6NL
5. The Scottish Stores – Kings Cross: The Scottish Stores, located on the renowned Caledonian Road, is a small but incredibly historic pub. This pub’s wood-paneled walls and amazing range of beers on tap will make you glad you hurried your way to the bar despite its recent reopening and somewhat seedy background. There are usually 30 beers on tap, and there are often tap takeovers, so you may be sure to find something you enjoy.
Location: 6 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DT, United Kingdom
6. Pelton Arms – Greenwich: Live music, a resident cat, friendly service, and a beer garden that will make most London pubs green with envy are all features of The Pelton Arms. Due to its off-the-beaten-path location, this pub will be packed with regulars, which speaks volumes about how fantastic it is.
Location: The Pelton Arms, 23-25 Pelton Rd, London SE10 9PQ, United Kingdom
7. Ye Old Mitre, Clerkenwell: The Ye Olde Mitre is a charming old tavern in London’s Ely Court that takes traditional pub-keeping seriously. a large selection of quality ales on draught, delicious homemade bar food, and a welcoming staff behind the bar. With toasties and pies, the food is reassuringly traditional and the ale is genuine.
Location: 1 Ely Ct, Ely Pl, London EC1N 6SJ, United Kingdom
8. Princess Louise, Holborn: There are many opulent gin palaces from the 19th century in London, but this one is the most notable. There is exquisite tiling, gold cornicing, etched glass screens, marble pillars, stained glass, and polished wood in splendid profusion throughout the Victorian-era pubs, all of which have been kept as if the craftsman who made them just knocked off.
Location: Princess Louise, 208 High Holborn, London WC1V
9. The Grenadier, Belgravia: This extraordinarily quiet area is midway down a lovely but mismatched cobblestone mews road off a big Belgravia square near Hyde Park and Green Park, where only the most intrepid wanderers will find it. While there are several fictitious stories about the building’s history and even ghost sightings, the name derives from a long-standing military connection, and all that’s left is an atmospheric and evocative old bar.
Location: The Grenadier, 18 Wilton Row, Belgravia, London SW1X 7NR 1QP
10. The Royal Oak, Marylebone: After being sympathetically renovated in 2018 to highlight the Grade II-listed building’s best features, The Royal Oak quickly rose to the top of central London’s eating pubs. With a sizable beer and wine selection, as well as premium Scotch eggs and other bar food, drinkers are well taken care of.
Location: The Royal Oak, 74 York Street, London W1H 1QN
