The best pubs in London near you
Find your local London Pub
London's calling and it's time to answer with a pint in hand! This city may be known for its world famous landmarks, incredible architecture and rival football clubs, but it's also home to some of the best pubs you'll ever step foot in.
From cosy spots off the beaten track with centuries of history to their names, to buzzing modern bars boasting live music and epic Sunday roasts, we've scoured the streets to bring you the ultimate list of London pubs. Whether you're bringing the family along for a day out, looking for a dog-friendly pit stop after a walk through Regents Park, or just in need of a cold one after a long day of exploring, we've got you covered. Here are some of our favourite pubs to visit in The Big Smoke:
1. The Historic Gem - Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Holborn
There are few better things than a refreshing G&T to break up a day of sightseeing in London, and there are few better places to sample one (or two) than Ye Olde Cock Tavern on the famous Fleet Street. This beautiful pub is almost 500 years old, Grade-II listed, and has the narrowest frontage of any pub in the city. Don’t be fooled though! There’s plenty of space inside, and the building itself is just a short walk away from St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Royal Opera House. If you fancy something other than the Tavern’s cracking selection of gins, you’ll find an equally extensive range of cask ales. It’s a busy spot, so make sure to book a table if you’re planning to stop off for lunch.
2. The Modern Marvel - The Finery, Oxford Circus
Shopping for finery on Oxford Street? Roughly halfway along Oxford Street you’ll find the Finery, a contemporary pub that makes the ideal stopping point for lunch if you’ve planned a day of retail therapy. Directly opposite the London College of Fashion, this is a popular haunt for students, Londoners and tourists alike. With a menu that perfectly matches its modern decor, there’s something here for everyone, from delicious vegan and vegetarian share plates to an ever changing selection of craft ales and lagers.
3. The Family Favourite - Salt Quay, Rotherhithe
Taking the family for an epic dinner with a view? That’s exactly what you can expect at Salt Quay in Rotherhithe. This superb old warehouse conversion looks right out on the Thames, with stunning views of the city skyline from its heated patio beer garden and first-floor dining area.
This pub is a real all-rounder, and not just for the grown-ups. It’s a hit with the little ones too, thanks to its fantastic kids’ menu and shuffleboard tables that make the ultimate spot for a little family competition. Even four-legged family members are welcome here, making Salt Quay the ideal impromptu stopping point for an icy-cool drink and hearty meal on a Sunday walk. However, if you like to plan things ahead of time, book a table to make sure you get the best city views.
4. The Dog Lover’s Den - Camden Head, Angel
Did you know that London is home to around 300,000 dogs? Around 9% of households in the capital have a pet pooch, and while we can’t ask them what their number one pub is, the Camden Head in Islington is surely a contender. This Grade II listed pub has been a North London fixture from 1849 and is much-loved for its free stand-up comedy nights. But it’s also a popular haunt for Londoners stopping off for treats in the form of a crisp pint for them and a bowl of water, snacks, and all the attention for their loyal sidekicks.
Beyond its dog-friendly policy, Camden Head offers a food menu that leaves no-one behind, from traditional British classics like beer-battered fish and chips and hearty sausages with mash, to modern favourites like Beyond Meat burgers and spicy halloumi. The pub's selection of premium ales and lagers is just as wide-ranging, meaning there's a perfect drink and dish combo for everyone.
5. The Sunday Roast Spot - The George, Southwark
The Sunday roast is as synonymous with Britain as cups of tea, beefeaters and rainy bank holidays. And perhaps one of the best places to sample everything that makes this meal a weekly highlight is the George in Southwark. Around 350 years old, this pub is the last surviving galleried inn in the capital, and just a short stroll away from the foodie heaven of Borough Market.
Known for its real ales, traditional decor, and of course, its amazing Sunday roast, The George is also a must-see for lovers of literature. The pub rose to fame when Charles Dickens mentioned it in his novel Little Dorrit, and even visited the pub himself when it was a coffee house. Today, it’s much loved by Londoners and visitors for serving up a tantalising choice of three different roasts with all the trimmings. Just be sure to book a table and arrive hungry!
6. The Night Owl’s Nest - Hope & Anchor, Islington
Prefer your pint with a side of live music? If so, Hope & Anchor is more than worth a visit. Just a quick walk away from Highbury and Islington tube station, this pub has seen the start of many legendary bands, from U2 to The Police. These days, a visit to ‘The Hope’ on most nights of the week means you’re likely to discover new music from future legends. When you visit Hope & Anchor’s main bar, you’re in charge of the tunes. Just take your pick on our traditional jukebox, grab a drink, and find a cosy corner to soak up the buzz. And if a good play is more your thing, there’s even a theatre upstairs!
7. The Culinary Innovator - Bull’s Head, Chiswick
Venture a little further out of the city centre to the leafy suburbs of Richmond and you may just stumble upon the Bull’s Head. If you fancy delicious pub food with a twist, this is the place. This 18th century tavern does things a little differently, with an eclectic menu that covers cuisines from across the globe. Here, you can choose between Great British classics like Hand-Battered Cod and Slow-Cooked Steak & Ale Pie, to dishes like Keralan Chickpea Curry and Beef & Pancetta Lasagne. So, if you’re taking the family out for lunch and can’t settle on a cuisine you all fancy, the Bulls Head has you covered.
The pub itself has occupied this beautiful stretch of the Thames since the 1700s, and legend has it that Oliver Cromwell once visited the pub. Grade II listed and recently refurbished, Bulls Head is the ideal place to book a table if you’re feeling peckish after a stroll through Kew Gardens.
8. The Landmark Lounger - Punch & Judy, Covent Garden
Possibly one of the best known pubs in the whole of London, you can’t miss this pub if you’re walking through Covent Garden market. Punch & Judy was built towards the end of the 18th century and was named after the famous puppet show that entertained the children of flower sellers every day. A table on the pub’s first floor balcony gives you a prime viewing spot over the piazza to watch a host of street performers captivating crowds every day of the week.
Of course, as one of London’s most famous pubs in one of the biggest tourist hotspots in the city, it can get busy here. So, it’s always worth booking a table in advance. Once you’re in though, get set for delicious, traditional pub fare and a huge choice of crisp lagers, fruity ales and premium spirits to cap off an unforgettable visit to the West End.
9. The Riverside Retreat - The Anchor, Bankside
Just minutes away from London Bridge, the Anchor is a tavern that’s practically etched in the capital’s history. Rebuilt following the great fire of London in 1676, this pub is the last surviving river tavern from the Shakespearean era. Back then, this was a much favoured haunt for theatregoers visiting The Globe (still just a short walk away), along with local river pirates.
Surrounded by some of London’s most popular sights and attractions, the Anchor is ideal for everything from quick one-pint stop-offs to long, leisurely lunches between sightseeing. Craft ales, classic cocktails, and a variety of tasty gins all make a feature on the menu here, so whatever your tipple of choice, you’re bound to find it. And the view out onto the Thames from the Anchor’s beer garden is perhaps one of the best places in the city to sit, relax, and watch the world go by.
10. The Secret Spot - Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
Walking from Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf? You’d be forgiven for missing the Prospect of Whitby if you’re walking streetside rather than along the bank, but be sure to keep an eye out. After all, this is the oldest riverside tavern in the whole of London, with views that are the envy of just about every other pub nearby. Inside, you’ll find a 500-year old gem of a pub, retaining its original flagstone flooring as well as old barrels and ship masts built into its very structure! In days gone by, the ‘Prospect’ has been visited by famous names from Charles Dickens (clearly a fan of Greene King pubs even before we existed) to Samuel Pepys.
Beyond its iconic setting and backdrop, Prospect of Whitby is loved by locals for its fine selection of cask ales and food menu serving up everything from the classic fish and chips to an especially tasty Sunday roast. Bundles of history, stunning views and a family friendly atmosphere mean this pub really has it all. Just be sure you don’t miss it when you’re strolling through Wapping!
Now, it's your turn to explore for yourself. Just enter your postcode to find your nearest Greene King pub in the city. Cheers to new discoveries and unforgettable moments in London's legendary pubs!