Best London Pubs
The best London pubs offer something special – from beer gardens and outdoor seating to stone fireplaces and private rooms – all in a cozy setting.
Best London Pubs Map
From North London to the East End, see a Google Map of the best London pubs to visit.
From North London to the East End, see a Google Map of the best London pubs to visit.
Let’s Go to the Local
With thousands of pubs in London, you can find one almost anywhere.
The best London pubs serve more than good food and drink, often taking classic pub fare to another level.
Here are 5 of the best London pubs where beauty, charm, and history are the order of the day.
1. The Albion
What’s special about The Albion? With its climbing ivy and wisteria, hanging baskets, and window boxes, The Albion has won several London in Bloom awards.
Front patio at The Albion.
Located on a quiet residential street, The Albion is a handsome Georgian pub made cozy and warm with dark wood and log fireplaces.
An evening at The Albion.
A former coaching inn, The Albion is one of those places where you look at the flagstone floors and think: Who has traveled here?
Wisteria over the beer garden.
French doors in the dining room lead to the wisteria-filled beer garden at the rear of the property. The wisteria flowers bloom in late April and May.
Primavera Risotto with Peas at The Albion.
Vanilla Cheesecake at The Albion.
The Albion - Things to Know
$$-$$$ (credit cards only)
Dogs allowed
Reservations accepted
Private dining room for hire
Food: Modern British comfort food.
Drink: Draft and bottled beer, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Large beer garden in back and outdoor seating in front.
Location: North London
Nearest underground station: Angel (Northern Line); Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line)
Nearest attraction: Regent’s Park
The Albion
10 Thornhill Road
Barnsbury, London, N1 1HW
Tel: 20 7607 7450
https://www.the-albion.co.uk/
$$-$$$ (credit cards only)
Dogs allowed
Reservations accepted
Private dining room for hire
Food: Modern British comfort food.
Drink: Draft and bottled beer, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Large beer garden in back and outdoor seating in front.
Location: North London
Nearest underground station: Angel (Northern Line); Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line)
Nearest attraction: Regent’s Park
The Albion
10 Thornhill Road
Barnsbury, London, N1 1HW
Tel: 20 7607 7450
https://www.the-albion.co.uk/
2. The Blackfriar
What’s special about The Blackfriar? The Blackfriar is an Art Nouveau masterpiece with copper and plaster reliefs, a barrel-vaulted ceiling in the Snack Bar, and the figure of a smiling friar atop the wedge-shaped building.
Constructed in 1875 on the site of a former Dominican friary, The Blackfriar pub was redesigned in 1905 by architect Herbert Fuller-Clark.
The real entrance at The Blackfriar.
The Grade II listed building features mosaics, reliefs and sculptures of jovial friars by sculptors, Henry Poole and Frederick Callcott.
The elaborate interior retains authentic Art Nouveau light fixtures, furniture, and wood carving.
The elaborate interior retains authentic Art Nouveau light fixtures, furniture, and wood carving.
Snack Bar at The Blackfriar.
A small side room (the Snack Bar) sits under the neighboring railway line with occasional rumbling to be heard through the barrel-vaulted ceiling.
If you eat lunch after 1pm, you have a better chance of getting a seat in the Snack Bar.
If you eat lunch after 1pm, you have a better chance of getting a seat in the Snack Bar.
Steak and Ale Pie at The Blackfriar.
Smiling friar atop the wedge-shaped building.
The Blackfriar - Things to Know
$$-$$$
Dogs allowed
Reservations accepted
Food: Hearty pub food classics and hand-crafted pies.
Drink: Nicholson’s beer such as Pale Ale, cask ale, craft beer, cider, wines, spirits, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Outdoor seating (a rarity in central London).
Location: East End
Nearest underground station: Blackfriars (Central Line or District Line)
Nearest attraction: St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Blackfriar
174 Queen Victoria Street
London, Greater London, EC4V 4EG
Tel: 20 7236 5474
https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/theblackfriar/
$$-$$$
Dogs allowed
Reservations accepted
Food: Hearty pub food classics and hand-crafted pies.
Drink: Nicholson’s beer such as Pale Ale, cask ale, craft beer, cider, wines, spirits, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Outdoor seating (a rarity in central London).
Location: East End
Nearest underground station: Blackfriars (Central Line or District Line)
Nearest attraction: St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Blackfriar
174 Queen Victoria Street
London, Greater London, EC4V 4EG
Tel: 20 7236 5474
https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/theblackfriar/
3. The Holly Bush
What’s special about The Holly Bush? Situated on a hilltop, The Holly Bush is a true neighborhood pub with cozy rooms on the ground floor and an upstairs dining room that overlooks Holly Mount.
Hanging around The Holly Bush.
Located in the heart of historic Hampstead, The Holly Bush is a gem of a country pub (when Hampstead was the country).
Cozy corner at The Holly Bush.
The Grade II listed building dates back to 1643 and has had its share of famous literary visitors, including Samuel Johnson and Charles Lamb.
Sticky Toffee Pudding at The Holly Bush.
The lower front room has a traditional open fire (and you may see a sleeping dog nearby).
The Holly Bush even gets a mention in Back to the Local, a classic 1949 guidebook (reprinted in 2024) that celebrates “dark wood, dark corners and dark beer.”
The Holly Bush even gets a mention in Back to the Local, a classic 1949 guidebook (reprinted in 2024) that celebrates “dark wood, dark corners and dark beer.”
Potato Tarte Tatin at The Holly Bush.
Upstairs at The Holly Bush.
The Holly Bush - Things to Know
$$-$$$ (credit cards only)
Dogs allowed
Reservations accepted
Private dining room for hire
Food: From classic British pub fare to globally-inspired dishes.
Drink: Fuller’s beer such as London Pride, craft lager, red, white and rosé bottles, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Standing area at the front (there is a small bench).
Location: North London
Nearest underground station: Hampstead (Northern Line)
Nearest attraction: Fenton House & Garden (National Trust)
The Holly Bush
22 Holly Mount
Hampstead, London, NW3 6SG
Tel: 20 7435 2892
https://www.hollybushhampstead.co.uk/
$$-$$$ (credit cards only)
Dogs allowed
Reservations accepted
Private dining room for hire
Food: From classic British pub fare to globally-inspired dishes.
Drink: Fuller’s beer such as London Pride, craft lager, red, white and rosé bottles, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Standing area at the front (there is a small bench).
Location: North London
Nearest underground station: Hampstead (Northern Line)
Nearest attraction: Fenton House & Garden (National Trust)
The Holly Bush
22 Holly Mount
Hampstead, London, NW3 6SG
Tel: 20 7435 2892
https://www.hollybushhampstead.co.uk/
4. Princess Louise
What’s special about Princess Louise? The Princess Louise is a gorgeous Victorian pub with etched and stained glass, tilework, and wood paneling.
The real Princess Louise was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Princess Louise was an advocate for the arts, higher education, and the feminist cause. And unlike her husband, Princess Louise supported Irish Home Rule (Irish self-governance).
The real Princess Louise was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Princess Louise was an advocate for the arts, higher education, and the feminist cause. And unlike her husband, Princess Louise supported Irish Home Rule (Irish self-governance).
The modest exterior of Princess Louise.
As to the Princess Louise pub, don’t be fooled by a modest exterior of red granite. One of the great historic pubs of London, the Princess Louise is famous for its remarkable interior.
Etched glass and tilework at Princess Louise.
We arrived 15 minutes after the pub opened on a bank holiday, so it was just the barman and us for a bit. Take advantage of that time for photos and videos; the barman is used to it.
Front bar at Princess Louise.
The ground floor layout is like it was in Victorian times with a series of drinking spaces separated by mahogany partitions with decorative etched glass panels.
There are two fireplaces in the main bar and two fireplaces in the upstairs restaurant.
There are two fireplaces in the main bar and two fireplaces in the upstairs restaurant.
Classic pub fare at Princess Louise.
This will do nicely.
The Princess Louise pub was built in 1872 and its first refurbishment was in 1891 at the height of the British Empire.
Listed on the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors, the pub was refurbished again in 2007, winning a design award while retaining the finest high-Victorian pub interior in London.
Listed on the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors, the pub was refurbished again in 2007, winning a design award while retaining the finest high-Victorian pub interior in London.
Princess Louise - Things to Know
$$-$$$
Service dogs only
Reservations accepted for parties over 6 people
Private dining room for hire
Food: Traditional pub classics.
Drink: Samuel Smith beer, cider, four house wines, spirits, mocktails, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Two small tables.
Location: West End
Nearest underground station: Holborn (Central Line or Piccadilly Line)
Nearest attraction: The British Museum
Princess Louise
208 High Holborn, WC1
Tel: 20 7405 8816
https://princesslouiseholborn.co.uk/
$$-$$$
Service dogs only
Reservations accepted for parties over 6 people
Private dining room for hire
Food: Traditional pub classics.
Drink: Samuel Smith beer, cider, four house wines, spirits, mocktails, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Two small tables.
Location: West End
Nearest underground station: Holborn (Central Line or Piccadilly Line)
Nearest attraction: The British Museum
Princess Louise
208 High Holborn, WC1
Tel: 20 7405 8816
https://princesslouiseholborn.co.uk/
5. The Victoria
What’s special about The Victoria? Located in a peaceful residential area of historic London, The Victoria is a luxurious tavern with a magnificent interior and outdoor seating perfect for people watching.
Outdoor seating at The Victoria.
The Grade II listed building dates from 1837 with a downstairs bar that features a fireplace on each end. The bar is crowded and lively (it is a bar, after all).
Downstairs at The Victoria.
A spiral staircase leads to the upstairs dining rooms. The Theatre Bar is large with ornate fittings from the Gaiety Theatre circa 1958. Depending on the crowd, The Theatre Bar can be a bit noisy.
Want a more intimate setting? Ask if a table is available in the cozy Library which is a small wood-paneled room with a fireplace.
Want a more intimate setting? Ask if a table is available in the cozy Library which is a small wood-paneled room with a fireplace.
Library upstairs at The Victoria.
South Coast Pork Chop at The Victoria.
Chocolate Custard with Salted Caramel Ice Cream.
The Victoria - Things to Know
$$-$$$
Dogs allowed in downstairs bar
Reservations accepted
Private dining room for hire
Food: Refined pub classics crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Drink: Fuller’s ale, craft lager, cider, spirits, wines, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Outdoor seating at front with heaters for cooler days.
Location: Paddington
Nearest underground station: Lancaster Gate (Central Line)
Nearest attraction: Kensington Gardens
The Victoria
10A Strathearn Place
Tyburnia, London W2 2NH
Tel: 20 7724 1191
https://www.victoriapaddington.co.uk/
$$-$$$
Dogs allowed in downstairs bar
Reservations accepted
Private dining room for hire
Food: Refined pub classics crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Drink: Fuller’s ale, craft lager, cider, spirits, wines, and soft drinks.
Outdoor space: Outdoor seating at front with heaters for cooler days.
Location: Paddington
Nearest underground station: Lancaster Gate (Central Line)
Nearest attraction: Kensington Gardens
The Victoria
10A Strathearn Place
Tyburnia, London W2 2NH
Tel: 20 7724 1191
https://www.victoriapaddington.co.uk/
Things to Know About London Pubs
Let sleeping dogs lie.
With holidays and private events, contact the pub to confirm the hours when food and drink is served to the public.
Smoking is allowed outside, which means in beer gardens and other outdoor spaces, you might be sitting near someone who smokes.
Getting into and around historic pubs is a challenge for accessibility. Young’s Brewery has a list of their accessible pubs, including the charming Coach & Horses near Kew Gardens and the stunning Prince Alfred on Formosa Street.
Smoking is allowed outside, which means in beer gardens and other outdoor spaces, you might be sitting near someone who smokes.
Getting into and around historic pubs is a challenge for accessibility. Young’s Brewery has a list of their accessible pubs, including the charming Coach & Horses near Kew Gardens and the stunning Prince Alfred on Formosa Street.