Take your pick from our guide to London’s best pubs, including classic British pub food, stuffed vegetarian sarnies and south Indian cuisine. Then, check out the best new restaurants in London, the best dining experiences in London and for somewhere to stay, the UK’s best boutique hotels and the UK's best spa hotels for food lovers. Check out our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in Mayfair and best restaurants in London Bridge.

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For more pub inspiration, take a look at the best country pubs, best pubs with rooms. Fancy a trip out of London? Discover the best restaurants in the Cotswolds.


Best London pubs with great food

The George, Fitzrovia

Tucked just behind Oxford Circus on the edge of Fitzrovia, the George serves the same menu upstairs and down though it’s a very different vibe in each space. Downstairs a dark wood classic London pub, buzzing with drinkers spilling out onto the pavement. Upstairs is much quieter with plush, soft green velvet seating and a calmer feel.

The menu is a mixture of elevated pub classics with some modern touches. The black pudding scotch egg is perfectly done with a nicely runny-ish yolk – and comes with an addictive Oxford sauce (brown sugar, vinegar and mustard, according to our server). The highly recommended fish and chips doesn’t disappoint – a shatteringly crisp batter piled with extra shards on top, perfectly golden fat chips and an extra order of curry sauce. It also comes in two sizes which is great for smaller appetites, although the small portion is still very generous. Desserts are comfortingly retro (banana split, sticky toffee pudding) or, if you’re too full, there’s an ‘Afters’ drinks section choose from, including a sticky toffee old fashioned or the famous George Irish coffee (the twist is the addition of a Guinness reduction which gives a deep malty edge). The beer selection is also well thought out and varied, with taps from Verdant, Northern Monk and Harbour Brewing. thegeorge.london

The George

The Carpenter's Arms, Hammersmith

Set down a side street this is as perfect a neighbourhood pub as you could wish for. Originally opened by the Thomas Salt and Co brewery, it been a pub since 1871 and is now one of the Wren Pubs group.

It is properly ‘pubby’ inside, with plenty of wood, a smart red ceiling and, on chillier days, a roaring fire. In summer there's a garden to while away time in.

The menu is pub-plus with some 'of the moment' flavours such as crispy squid with saffron aïoli and charred limes, trout tartare and ribeye with beurre de Paris, as well as classics like fish and chips and a burger made with Wiltshire beef. There may be a Creedy Carver chicken schnitzel that's hard to pass up, especially as it's been Holsteined with the addition of a fried egg, or a pork tomahawk with silky smooth mash. Ingredients are top notch with meat from Wiltshire butcher Walter Rose & Son and fish from Cornwall-based Flying Fish Seafoods.

The wine list includes English sparkling and a good selection of wine by the glass from the Coravin system. thecarpentersarms-w6.co.uk

The private dining room at Carpenters, featuring a teal-coloured fireplace, long white table candles and old wooden furnishings

Kerfield Arms, Camberwell

The brains behind Islington pub, The Baring, has flown south of the river for the latest project. Breathing new life into local spot The Crooked Well, and restoring its original name, the team has kept things simple in the new Camberwell spot. There's plenty of space to play with in the Victorian-era building, including a large area for pints and walk-ins by the well-stocked bar and taps.

In the dining room proper, the house cocktail is a silky martini combining olive oil fat washed gin and fennel-infused vermouth. Pillowy fried pizza dough fingers are excellent vehicles to scoop up taramasalata while perusing the menu of seasonal stars. The first of the always-on shish kebabs is a squiggly skewer of squid and lardo, barbecued and served in spiced pul biber butter. For mains, think grilled monkfish with tiny Jersey Royals and bitter friarielli greens in a rich shrimp bisque, and Yorkshire hogget chops nestled into a plate of violet artichokes, creamy bagna cauda and rich hogget reduction. The short but strong dessert menu includes strawberry and chamomile custard doughnuts and chocolate olive oil mousse with rustic brownie and crème fraîche. thekerfieldarms.co.uk

Interiors of pub Kerfield Arms with a bar with taps in the background and tables laid out at the front for lunch

The Brave, Islington

Taking over the site from the former The Engle Field this year, The Brave bills itself as a pub bistro and, although it looks like a pub from the exterior and signage, it definitely leans more towards the bistro end of the scale with its light-filled, airy dining room and elevated menu. Stephen Bunch (ex-London Shell Co) has recently taken over as head chef bringing more of a seafood focus with him. From the gently spiced cuttlefish arancini with curry emulsion to a spankingly fresh cured stone bass with a zingy passion fruit, tequila and miso jalapeño dressing, and a main of perfectly cooked Brixham hake with artichokes and smoked haddock chowder, the fish dishes here really sing. For those who just fancy a pint and a bar snack there are some real gems – try the deep-fried beef nugget topped with Russian dressing, cheese and gherkins, or the incredible confit potato ‘chips’ (like those viral thousand-layer potatoes) served with a punchy black garlic mayo. There’s also a delicious Baron Bigod gougère, which is like eating a cheese cloud. Puddings are on the indulgent side – don’t miss the sea salt caramel tart served simply with ice cream, and perfect for sharing. thebravelondon.co.uk

The Brave's light-filled, airy dining room filled with dark wooden tables and chairs and retro wall art

The Knave of Clubs, Shoreditch

The Knave of Clubs is back on the East End pub scene with a proper old-school flourish. Originally serving the bird market traders on Club Row in the 1880s, this local continued life as an East End boozer until the 1990s when it underwent a full transformation into French restaurant Les Trois Garçons for a decade or so. The pub has been lovingly restored on the ground floor, huge wall mirrors have been unearthed and polished, the bar revamped and a toastie, oyster, snack and rotisserie chicken menu installed. The driving force behind this redo are Benjy Leibowitz (ex NYC’s NoMad), James Dye (The Camberwell Arms) and Patrick Powell (ex Allegra) all of whom are committed to the local feel of the pub – it’s one big room with the rotisserie kitchen at the end open. The upper floors will open from April with a clubby (members, not disco) NY dining feel and menu, keeping pub and restaurant vibes on different levels. You can book for lunch (advised, it’s popular) and evenings are walk-in, dogs are welcome and the vibe is buzzy. Try the prawn scotch eggs and venison sausage rolls to start. There's only one dessert, a very good chocolate mousse. theknaveofclubs.co.uk

The Knave of Clubs

Molly Mc’s, Southwark

Good craic is in abundance at this wood panelled Irish singing pub in Southwark. This is the third pub from the Mc Elhinney family, a tribute to granny Molly, with the original Mc & Sons going strong down the road. Beer taps feature crisp Mc & Sons Helles lager and, as expected, a couple of Guinness options, while Irish spirits such as Gunpowder gin, Muff vodka and Jameson Black Barrel whiskey are namechecked on the cocktail list. Palo Cortado sherry gives the signature Molly’s Sour a nutty twist, while a margarita gets the Irish treatment with aromatic, citrusy Mad March Hare Poitín in place of tequila.

Headlining the food menu, classic Irish ‘spice bags’ combine all the good stuff – popcorn chicken, spiced chips, peppers and curry sauce for dipping. Contemporary twists on Thai classics include glossy prawn pad thai, sliced tamarind duck and braised beef curry topped with crisp roti to create a rendang-style pie.

There’s live Irish music Thursdays through Saturdays or have a go yourself and book a session in one of the karaoke rooms. Decked out with original memorabilia from the family’s history, one is an ode to Molly’s front room haberdashery she opened back in 1936, while another is a replica of family friends the Guinan sisters’ place, lined with salvaged wallpaper and a knick-knack filled dresser. mollymcs.com

Molly Mc's Irish pub Credit Bennie Curnow

Rake at The Compton Arms, Islington

Compton Arms has a reputation for launching careers with its kitchen residencies (including Four Legs, which then went on to take its legendary Dexter burger to The Plimsoll, and Dara Klein’s Italian comfort food at Tiella). The latest, Rake, comes from a duo of chefs who’ve worked at cult spots like Acme Fire Cult, Brat and Quo Vadis. The cosy pub is hidden away down an Islington side street so is a proper neighbourhood joint – legend has it that it was the inspiration for George Orwell’s perfect imaginary pub, The Moon Under Water.

The menu celebrates nose-to-tail eating and sustainable Cornish fish, and dishes are simply prepared but packed with punchy flavours. The battered and deep-fried cockles and clams are perfect as a beer snack, along with the melt-in-the-mouth Cumberland lardo – the sprinkle of spice on top giving it the flavours of the classic sausage.

There’s lots of playful touches, too. A smoky sausage ‘hot dog’ comes covered in mayo, crispy onions and (optionally) doused with a rich umami gravy. There are generous ray wing pieces, battered and piled onto on a homemade crumpet, then drizzled with golden syrup in a homage to fried chicken and waffles. A marinated winter tomato and radish salad is enlivened with a sprinkle of black olive crumb for a savoury/salty kick. For dessert, the deep-fried berry pie served on a puddle of crème anglaise is a nostalgic delight. This is perfect pint food but there’s also a great wine and cocktail list on offer. comptonarms.co.uk

Rake at The Compton Arms

The Audley Public House, Mayfair

The dark polished wood and interior of The Audley scream traditional Victorian pub (and this one has been on the site since 1888) but look closer and you’ll see quirky artworks and pops of vibrant modern colour from the recent refurb, including a specially commissioned mosaic artwork from Phyllida Barlow which covers the ceiling in a riot of hot pink, orange and turquoise.

It’s walk-in only here which gives the place a buzzy atmosphere, even in this quite fancy bit of Mayfair. The casual vibe extends to the ordering (no table service) – just order your food at the bar alongside drinks. All the usual pub favourites (fish and chips, sausage and mash, chicken pie) are present and correct but elevated with meat sourced from the owners’ farm in Somerset and Cornish day boat fish. There are also some fun surprises like the London Dip – a hearty sandwich of slow roasted, thinly sliced beef served with a pot of gravy for dipping – and bowls of cheesy chips with curry mayo sauce and jalapeños. The wide beer selection includes brewers like Deya, alongside more traditional cask offerings from Battersea brewer Sambrook’s. theaudleypublichouse.com

Audley Public House__Interior 2_Simon Brown copy

William IV, Old Street

This 200-year-old pub had a makeover with the addition of a first-floor dining room but thankfully the ‘pubby’ elements (open fire, solid wooden tables and decent beer selection) have been left intact. Downstairs is buzzy (and packed) with a focus more on bar snacks but the cosy, candlelit dining room is where you want to be on a chilly winters evening.

Start with the Guinness soda bread served with a dish of soft butter spiked with just the right amount of Marmite, or a dish of creamy burrata with sweet-sharp pickled figs and olive jam. Guinness appears again in a deep, umami glaze for a fall-apart beef rib, served with creamy mash and braised baby carrots. The cooking is assured and simple, letting ingredients like Scottish lemon sole with samphire, a buttery tarragon shallot sauce and new potatoes, shine. Puddings are generous and classic – the sticky toffee pudding is easily enough for two to share. For beer fans there’s plenty on draught from Verdant, Lost and Grounded, and Siren, or there’s a quirky cocktail list – try the 2:1 Coastal Martini with Boatyard gin and Vault Coastal vermouth. You can also order it as a mini shot accompanied by an oyster as a fun appetiser. william-iv.com

William IV

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The Hero, Maida Vale

The Public House Group has made a real name for itself on the UK pub scene in recent years, with The Bull at Charlbury drawing Londoners to the Cotswolds and smart punters consistently spilling out of the The Pelican in Notting Hill (see below). The team’s third venture down the road in leafy Maida Vale comes with their trademark buzzy crowds and stunning interior design, breathing new life into a four-storey Victorian building (previously The Hero of Maida and The Truscott Arms). It’s pub chic at its most striking – elegant olive-green banquettes cling to brushed plaster walls, ceramic wall lights cast a warm glow and large windows pull back to provide ledges for punters to congregate outside. The zinc-topped bar is a beauty, with a cabinet of pickle jars, oil paintings and bottles of liquor behind and a list of cask ales chalked up on the board. There’s also a strong wine list and a selection of classic cocktails. On the food menu, hearty pub classics are elevated. Golden battered monkfish cheeks are dipped into a curry-laced aioli, lamb ribs are coated in treacly sweet and sour sauce and molten cheese and onion pie is encased in the crispiest of shortcrust pastry. Sticky toffee pudding has a caramelised outer shell with a quenelle of ice cream to boot. theherow9.com


The Cavendish, Marylebone

Tucked away on a semi-residential street in Marylebone, the Cavendish is a little oasis of calm just a few blocks back from the buzz of Oxford Street. Downstairs, there’s an airy, high-ceilinged pub with outside pavement seating for sunnier days, and upstairs is a more grown-up dining space with smart blue-velvet banquettes, wood panelling and brass fittings.

This is not your standard pub grub: the menu from ex-Oyster Shed chef Laura de Fillipis is full of surprising and inventive small plates, like delicate crunchy pan puri filled with smoked mackerel and mussels, or a starter of jellied beetroot cannelloni stuffed with goat’s cheese and served with a walnut gremolata. Larger dishes, like king prawn tortellini served in a tomato prawn bisque with nori crisps, show there is a real love of fish cookery here. Service is warm, friendly and chatty, and the dog-friendly vibe extends to a canine dining menu, so your furry pal can enjoy a meal, too. Order an ice-cold pint of crisp Cornish Harbour IPA served in a frosted glass, or choose a summery watermelon and aloe vera spritz from the quirky cocktail menu. 35newcavendish.co.uk

The Cavendish

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The Butcher’s Tap and Grill, Chelsea

A meat chamber filled with labelled cuts is the first sign that this is no ordinary boozer. The London outpost of Tom Kerridge’s pub joins the Marlow original in offering superior steaks and sauces: prime bone in ribeye with jalapeño mayo and truffle fries enjoyed in a leather booth feels right in this smart neighbourhood just three minutes from Sloane Square and shopper’s paradise King’s Road. True to its pub roots there are chops, burgers, kebabs and hot dogs, real ales and beer on tap, and sport on the TV screens. Tom has a knack for making everyone welcome, from locals popping by to collect a Friday night takeaway to destination diners and football fans catching the match over a pint or two. thebutcherstapandgrill.co.uk/chelsea

Butcher's Grill Chelsea

Walmer Castle, Notting Hill

Notting Hill’s Walmer Castle pub has had an excellent do-over by publican Jack Greenall (also of The Surprise in Chelsea). References to the area, pre-loved furniture and locally made fittings makes for the ideal décor for an area that includes Portobello Road. The ground floor is a proper pubby bar with a fire in the grate, art worth a closer look on the walls and a welcoming vibe. The menu gives you what you want from a modern pub including pork and fennel sausage rolls, braised ox cheek, halibut with smoked tomato and corn risotto, and a dry-aged beef burger. Vegetarian dishes such as celeriac schnitzel and gnocchi with hazelnut pesto are a cut above, and puddings include the crumble, and, of course, sticky toffee pudding. walmercastle-nottinghill.co.uk

The restaurant space at Walmer Castle in Notting Hill, featuring with pre-loved furniture in warm green and yellow shades

Brooke, Clapham SW4

Brooke, a neighbourhood restaurant and bar, was opened by Eamonn Manson in late 2023 on Clapham’s Abbeville Road. From the same stable as Brook House and The Brown Cow (both Fulham), and The Sands End in south-west London, this new addition to the area is set to become a firm neighbourhood favourite. With comfy green banquettes, bookshelves and wood panels, the venue bills itself as a place for relaxed drinking and dining, and the interior lends itself to all weathers, both cosy and fresh and bright. Head chef Martyn Young’s daily changing menu gives the traditional pubby meals a modern twist with dishes such as Hispi cabbage with miso, black garlic and pickled walnuts; wild sea bass with lentil velouté and curry leaf potatoes; and buttermilk fried chicken with green chilli miso mayonnaise. Sunday sees the addition of two roasts to choose from and you should leave room for the clafoutis, made to order. brookeclapham.com

Tartiflette and a glass of red wine on a wooden table

Parakeet, Kentish Town NW5

Being north Londoners and former Brat chefs, Ben Allen and Ed Jennings are the perfect pair to bring The Parakeet to Kentish Town. With dark interiors, stained glass windows and a warm glow cast over the intimate booths, there’s a church-like feel, which makes sense given the religious following from locals. With Ben at the helm as head chef, the menu is informed by the wood-fired oven and grill, and includes grilled lettuce and shrimp head butter, leeks with pecorino sauce, and smoked mushrooms with mackerel. theparakeetpub.com

Parakeet's interiors featuring a dark green bar, stained glass windows, wooden floors

The Holland, Earls Court W8

Having conquered the pop-up world with Oxalis, chef Max de Nahlik has now turned his attention to this refurbished pub near Holland Park. Sustainability is at the core of The Holland’s ethos and underlines every facet of this homely establishment, from décor using upcycled materials to the sourcing of ingredients. With a seasonal, British-ingredient-led menu, a carefully curated European wine list and a changing list of cask ales, The Holland aims to be both a friendly local and a culinary destination in its own right. Expect snacks and starters such as hot wings and pastrami-cured salmon, and mains such as roast wild duck with bramble sauce. thehollandkensington.co.uk

The Holland's pub interior, featuring glossy bottle green tiles, wooden stools, brass coloured lighting and a wine shelf lining the room

Harwood Arms, Fulham SW6

It’s the attention to detail at every stage that makes the Sunday menu at this Michelin-starred pub so special. Unusual cuts often turn up on the Sunday menu, so expect the likes of braised jowl of Tamworth pork with crushed turnip, roast apple and mustard, alongside the more traditional roast sirloin of 45-day-aged Shorthorn beef with yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese croquettes, horseradish cream, root vegetables, bone marrow gravy and greens. harwoodarms.com

A roast dinner served on a large wooden board at Harwood Arms in London

The Guinea Grill, Mayfair W1

“Sunday lunch is a different dining occasion to any other – it’s convivial and there’s less pressure on time,” says charismatic landlord Oisín Rogers of The Guinea Grill in Mayfair’s upmarket Bruton Place. “It’s very easy to make a bad Sunday roast. It’s not that difficult to produce a good one but a brilliant one needs real skill and a huge amount of thought about how to deliver each component on time and in perfect condition.”

This means “big and well seasoned” yorkshires served straight from the oven, potatoes seasoned with ground rosemary and thyme, and gravy made from the stock and roasting juices of the meat. Must-order Sunday options include a chateaubriand for two with duck-fat roast potatoes, yorkshire pudding, honey-glazed carrots, baby parsnips and kale.

“We’re generous with gravy, roasties and veg. We don’t charge for seconds. Where people order steaks from the grill we serve it family-style, sliced for the table with all the Sunday trimmings. For the roast beef we use the rumps of the same brilliant grass-fed, dry-aged quarters that we use for our côte de boeuf, sirloin and T-bone. We sell racks of Welsh mountain lamb and free-range Blythburgh pork.”

Although The Guinea Grill is best known for its meat, Oisín admits that “our chef Nathan’s walnut, truffle and blue cheese gratin has had us many high fives on Sundays”. theguinea.co.uk

A plate topped with rare beef, yorkshire puddings and roasties

The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell SE5

A past winner of The Guardian’s 50 Best Sunday Lunches and the Observer Food Monthly Awards, Sunday lunch at The Camberwell Arms is a celebration of family-style eating with sharing main courses being the focal point.

Everything is made in-house, including the hot mint sauce with the spring lamb, garlic-braised potatoes, peas and spring onions, and the béarnaise accompanying the dry-aged Hereford onglet, roast potatoes and watercress.

As befits a kitchen run by a team that can trace its roots back to influential gastropubs such as The Eagle in Farringdon and the Anchor & Hope in Waterloo, head chef Michael Davies always serves family-size sharing dishes, whether it’s slow-roast salt marsh lamb with dauphinoise potatoes large enough for five people, or a whole spit roast herb-fed chicken with roast potatoes, salad and wholegrain mayonnaise for four. thecamberwellarms.co.uk

Spit roast chicken at The Camberwell Arms

Blacklock, various locations

“Roasts almost as good as your mum’s” is the modest tagline at contemporary chophouse Blacklock, where a starter of pig’s head on toast with gravy might be followed by 55-day-aged beef rump, Cornish leg of lamb or Middle White pork loin cooked over coals with sides of swede and lardo or charred winter greens and chestnuts. All roasts are served with yorkshire puddings, duck-fat roast potatoes, a selection of seasonal vegetables and Blacklock gravy.

If there’s a group of you (eight to 10), order the ‘All In’ where everything’s piled onto a platter for the ultimate Sunday banquet. Either way, make sure you book well in advance as reservations for Sunday lunch tend to fill up two months beforehand. theblacklock.com

Sunday roast at Blacklock in London

King's Head, Teddington, TW11

The King’s Head in Teddington is owned by The White Brasserie, where Raymond Blanc sits on the board with a mission to bring high-quality, locally-sourced home-cooked food back to British pubs. Based close to pretty riverside walks, the Kings Head is the perfect antidote to a hectic London weekend; inside you’ll find an open log fire, cosy snugs and a spacious brasserie as well as a generous garden room and a hidden courtyard perfect for summer nights.

The Sunday roasts use meat from award winning butcher Aubrey Allen, the grass-fed British beef is beautifully tender and flavoursome, it’s also served with bottomless crispy roast potatoes and gravy. Other must-try dishes are the outdoor-reared applewood smoked pork ribeye and the chalk-stream trout with watercress and toasted almonds. thekingshead.com

King's head roast lunch

The Pig’s Head, Clapham SW4

The Pig’s Head in Clapham Old Town is the second coming of the much-loved The Pig and Butcher in Islington. Like its predecessor, it dishes up meat sourced directly from some of the best farms in the UK and butchered on site.

Sustainability is the key driver of this 40-cover gastropub, from its décor of secondhand furniture to using 100% sustainable electricity and cleaning with fully biodegradable chemicals. Even the daily changing seasonal menu is reflective of the pub’s ethos, from classics including scotch eggs and playful dishes such as the crispy pig’s head, all the way through to mains that showcase the talent of the kitchen.

But vegetarians need not fret. There are some truly divine vegetarian and vegan dishes available, which staff are more than happy to talk you through while you enjoy a glass of wine or two from the double-sided wine list (one side of which is exclusively dedicated to British wines). thepigshead.com

Scotch egg served on a dainty floral plate with a glass of white wine

Ganymede, South Kensington SW1

From the team behind South Kensington’s The Hunter’s Moon, Ganymede in Belgravia serves a menu of elevated British dishes including rabbit and pistachio terrine, suckling pork belly with parsnip purée, and apricot and hazelnut tart. ganymedelondon.co.uk

Check out Ganymede’s recipe for white chocolate crème brûlée.

A crème brûlée dish filled with a caramelised crème brûlée on a wooden table

The Coach Makers Arms, Marylebone W1

Chef and cookbook writer Ben Tish – formerly of critically acclaimed Sicilian-Moorish influenced London restaurant Norma – now celebrates classic British pub food at Marylebone’s Victorian pub, The Coach Makers Arms. It’s part of the Cubitt House group of pubs and restaurants, of which Ben is now chef director. cubitthouse.co.uk

Try The Coach Maker Arms’ recipe for roasted cod, brown shrimp and parsley sauce.

A while plate with a chunk of cod covered in a brand shrimp sauce next to a silver pot and slice of lemon on a wooden table and green background

The Tamil Prince, Barnsbury N1

Curries and beer are pretty much synonymous, so The Tamil Prince – a relaxed pub from chef Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson serving South Indian cuisine in the north London neighbourhood of Barnsbury – is the spice and hops mash-up of dreams.

The menu, created by Prince, former chef at Roti King, is a mixture of small and large plates served with sides, and the chicken lollipops are a particular hit. “The lollipops have become a firm favourite, both with diners and hungry drinkers. Spicy, masala-style dishes have long been paired with alcohol, especially with beer. Tasty and easy to eat, the lollipops are the perfect addition to an afternoon pub-side.” thetamilprince.com

Check out The Tamil Prince’s recipe for spicy chicken lollipops.

a south Indian feast at The Tamil Prince

The Earl of Derby, Telegraph Hill SE14

Saved by the owners of sister pubs The White Horse (Peckham) and Grove House Tavern (Camberwell) from becoming a block of flats, The Earl of Derby is now a bustling community pub with a buzzing atmosphere.

The pub is home to Gengelly's, or chefs George Genn and Laurence Pengelly. On weekdays, they serve a minimal menu of hearty fare – pies with rich, quality fillings, skin-on homemade chips and warming, comforting vegan or vegetarian mains. Weekends are more extensive, with small plates and puddings and a roast on Sundays.

With regular quizzes, DJs (or just the old-school jukebox) and a changing selection of local ales, the ambiance is fun and friendly. It's a neighbourhood pub that’s worth a journey. earlofderby.uk

Pork chop on a dish of beans on a pub table

The Princess Royal, Notting Hill W2

Pub puds usually go one of three ways: heavy sticky toffee pud, predictable apple crumble or slightly dry chocolate brownie. Ben Tish’s herbaceous bake, fresh with lemon, and light thanks to ground almonds and cornmeal, is a comforting way to finish a meal without feeling like you’ve overdone it.

“It’s the lemons that make it special,” says Ben. “Buy the best you can afford, ideally ones from Amalfi or Sicily. They give pure Mediterranean flavour and aroma.” cubitthouse.co.uk

Terrace chic at The Princess Royal

Plaquemine Lock, Angel N1

Not content with his offering of Italian flavours from Bocca Di Lupo in London’s Soho, restaurateur Jacob Kenedy added Plaquemine Lock to his repertoire in 2017 – an English pub with some of the best Deep South cooking in London.

Keeping locals happy, head chef Tom Clements creates a Louisiana welcome with Cajun cracklins, sugar beignet bacon sandwiches and smoked duck jambalaya with live jazz and classic cocktails to wash it all down. plaqlock.com

Try Plaquemine Lock’s recipes for blackened chicken with beans and rice, shrimp maque choux, beignets and Miss Ginny cocktail.

A white plate topped with a blackened chicken thigh, pot of beans and rice

The Baring, Islington N1

Chef Rob Tecwyn and manager Adam Symonds met while working at gastro pub The Bull and Last. The Baring, a refurbished (and renamed) pub, is their first venture together. The menu is strongly seasonal, using well-sourced ingredients presented simply with great big punches of flavour. It includes classic mains such as pork loin with greens and desserts like financier with seasonal fruits, as well as a Sunday roast. Dishes like quail shish and lamb rump with kofte are refined twists. Cocktails are seasonal, using the same flavourings as the desserts so nothing goes to waste. thebaring.co.uk

Try The Baring’s recipe for financiers with poached plums and pumpkin gnudi.

Pumpkin gnudi and a pint served at The Baring, London

The Pelican, Notting Hill W11

The Pelican has been part of the community of Notting Hill since 1872. This busy community pub serves British classics, focusing on local producers using sustainable production methods. thepelicanw11.com

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Try The Pelican’s recipe for mince on toast and turkey, leek and bacon pie.

Pair of hands about to tuck into a plate of salmon and cucumber, next to a glass of white wine

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