The Resy Guide to London’s Finest Gastropubs

Equal parts stylish and cosy, The Pelican takes pub hallmarks – handsome dark woods, plush leather seats, a crackling fire – and adds a heady dose of minimalist chic. The result is a pub you’ll feel hard pressed to leave, moreso after some exceptional food; chef Owen Kenworthy (Sketch, Brawn) leads a kitchen turning out finessed-but-hearty fare, with an emphasis on nose-to-tail cooking and sustainable producers. The luxe fish pie of lobster and monkfish is irresistible, roasts and grills are perfectly judged, and a strong lineup of bar snacks (spider crab toast or game sausage roll, anyone?) keep guests coming back.

A south London landmark, this Stockwell pub serves one of the best Sunday lunches anywhere. Beloved by locals, the pleasing din of chitter-chatter in the dining room forms a backdrop for hearty roast dinners with all the trimmings, sophisticated desserts, and elegant starters. There’s a heated terrace outside for fine weather, too.

Arguably one of the prettiest pubs in West London, this Chiswick local was lovingly restored in the mid-aughts (receiving five stars from the late critic AA Gill in the process). It’s still a fixture in Chiswick, with a roaring fire, rustic wood panelling and pub décor sidling up next to superb Mediterranean cooking with fine ingredients. Sunday roasts and puddings are strengths, and there’s a pretty garden and terrace for summer drinking.

One of London’s finest gastropubs is beloved for its pretty bar area, and a couple of handsome dining rooms that serve some of the best British fare in the city. Period details and lovingly restored décor are a highlight; an evening’s bonhomie is assisted by simple, classic cooking with elegant touches, like a starter of crispy pork belly with nectarines and Riesling vinegar, or a blushing joint of lamb, braised overnight, with vignarola and roast potatoes.

A short walk away from Waterloo station and the Old Vic, The Anchor and Hope is one of the city’s best gastropubs. On one side, an old-school boozer; on the other, a relaxed dining area with a British and European-influenced menu of dishes, with excellent cocktails and wine to match. Expect anything from three-cheese souffle and seven-hour lamb, to perfect renditions of cheffy favourites like Piedmontese bollito misto.

Opened by five veterans late of some of London’s best restaurants, standards are high at this Lambeth pub; expect seriously good cooking – think cauliflower ‘wings’ with sesame aioli, or crispy lamb scrumpets with black garlic romesco – and plenty of south London ales to boot. The restored Victorian architecture and original bar is something to marvel. Also, don’t miss the Sunday roast with its imaginative sides, which is surely one of the city’s best new renditions.

After an unstoppable run at the Compton Arms, the Four Legs gents upped the stakes and refurbished this historic pub in Finsbury Park. The atmosphere here is about as convivial as it gets, and those familiar with Ed McIlroy and Jamie Allan’s cooking can expect similarly finessed bistronomy-influenced small plates from a menu that changes daily. Dover sole Grenobloise, pigeon bhuna and burnt cheesecake are typical of the duo’s style. A White Russian is recommended, while the Dexter beef cheeseburger remains undefeated.

One of the city’s finest gastropubs, this pub occupies a pretty corner of Hackney Road.  The ground floor bar and terrace remain fine places to enjoy a drink and chat at any time, while an upstairs dining room is perfect for gathering with friends over delicious pies, roasts, and puddings. Brunch and Sunday lunches (one of the city’s best) at the weekends are superb; cooking displays plenty of sophistication, with a slice of brown butter tart an unparalleled way to conclude a meal.

Relatively speaking, this Stoke Newington pub is fairly new, but it’s rapidly become a part of the daily lives of the Church Street crowd. A cosy dining room or a heated terrace for crisp days are perfect for taking in gorgeous platters like slow-roast leg of lamb or a chicken, bacon, and leek pie; portions are hefty, so go easy on the shared starters.

A beautiful pub with great food sells itself—think legendary Sunday roasts and a finessed pub menu that showcases the best British produce, presented with French accents. Alternatively, it’s perfectly reasonable just to slide into a seat at the bar and spend an afternoon drinking and eating ‘nduja scotch eggs — your call.

Occupying a prime spot on one of West London’s prettiest greens, Brooke House’s charm and hospitality has made it irresistible to locals and visitors alike, who return for uplifting modern British fare and excellent roasts. Its owners have a track record of success (having opened the popular Cross Keys pub nearby), and this relaxed, smart space is a winner for the casual and occasion-worthy alike.

There are pub kitchens – then there’s the Prince Arthur. Lovingly restored to its former glory, this London Fields institution also has the distinction of having Hot 4 U, one of the city’s hottest kitchen residencies on the pans, who collectively sharpened their skills at the likes of St. John, Cub, and Silo. A daily changing menu reveals uncomplicatedly delicious treasures with a twist, like stracciatella with five-spice peaches, summer truffle pasta, classic puddings with seasonal fruit, and a Sunday roast that pairs perfectly with a beer from Five Points.

Taking over the pans at this iconic Islington boozer (reputedly the inspiration for Orwell’s ‘Moon Under Water’), chef Reece Moore’s approach echoes the best of modern-day bistro dining, with excellent small plates from a daily-changing menu. Moore’s pedigree (Texture, Bao, Dabbous) means dinner is in safe hands; meanwhile, the evergreen pub vibe, off a pretty North London side street, remains as spirited as ever.

Cosy banquettes and a strong neighbourhood feel are just a couple of draws at this adored Homerton local; so too are the Sunday roasts, courtesy of acclaimed chef residency Hot 4 U (ex-St. John, Cub). Artfully puffed Yorkshires, rich gravy and pink slices of beef and pork land on tables like clockwork each weekend; gather a few of your nearest for a standout lunch.

After a stroll on Hampstead Heath or Waterlow Park, few places offer a place to relax quite like this modern, Irish-leaning Victorian pub on Highgate Hill. The requisite cosiness and atmosphere, you’ll find in spades; meanwhile, a traditional menu of pub dishes kicks things up a notch, with most dishes and roasts cooked over live fire. Expect a deep selection of craft beers, ciders, and porters, while traditional Irish music sessions are usually on twice a week, with a pretty garden terrace out back for fine weather. Don’t miss the black pudding Scotch egg.