Credit: John Carey
The pub is an institution near and dear to every Londoner. Regardless of whether you’re a drinker or not, a great pub is a place for community to come together, for friends to meet up, and for hours of covert (or not so covert) people watching. Some boozers keep it old-school, with a selection of drinks and a handful of snacks. Others, meanwhile, allow you to spend all day thanks to kitchens serving up hearty and warming pub grub. And when a discussion about food is on the table, the Michelin Guide is obviously going to weigh in. And weigh in, they have, with a guide to the best pubs for dining in London.
The list includes a pub that has been recognised with a Bib Gourmand (for “good quality, good value cooking”), and a number of delightfully cosy spots. And, of course, there’s even a Michelin-starred pub. And if a pub has a Michelin star, you know the food is going to be STUNNING.
The best pubs for dining in London
The Michelin Guide singled out 10 pubs as being the best for pub grub in London. Now, these pubs don’t necessarily serve strictly traditional pub food. Instead, they bring top-notch food to cosy pubby spots. Having said that, you also won’t find anything too wild on any of these menus. And with options spread across London from Stoke Newington to Richmond, there’s sure to be a pub near you for some delicious food.
Here are the Michelin Guide’s picks for pub dining in our fine city:
The Harwood Arms (1 Michelin Star) 
Credit: Harwood Arms
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“While the cooking is highly accomplished at London’s only MICHELIN-Star pub, in some ways the most admirable quality about The Harwood Arms is that it never forgets it’s a pub. There are no half measures when it comes to flavour and the menu has a strong traditional basis, with subtle nods to the contemporary coming through in the presentation. The spotlight remains firmly on the principal component of the dish, with game being a particular highlight. Their Sunday selection is a mouth-watering prospect too.”
📍 Walham Grove, SW6 1QP.
🚇 The nearest station is Fulham Grove.
The Hero (Bib Gourmand)
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“Locals flood the ground floor for both drinks and dining, enticed by the ‘proper pub’ atmosphere and menu of well-priced, hearty dishes from the traditional pub recipe book (think chicken and leek pie or ham, egg and chips). Those searching for a little more formality – and an array of prime produce – should head to ‘The Grill’ upstairs, while ‘The Library’ on the top floor swaps pints for bespoke cocktails.”
📍 55 Shirland Road, W9 2JD
🚇 The nearest station is Warwick Avenue.
Bull & Last 
Credit: Bull & Last
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“The Bull & Last has rustic charm, a friendly team and hearty cooking. Dishes are generous on both quantity and flavour, with one of their North Essex Shorthorn steaks with triple-cooked chips particularly hard to resist.”
📍 168 Highgate Road, NW5 1QS.
🚇 The nearest stations are Gospel Oak and Tufnell Park.
Marksman
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“[There] are few places better in which to relax with a drink on a sunny summer’s day. The owners are alumni of the famous St. JOHN, and they share the principle of no-nonsense, wholesome British cooking that doesn’t skimp on flavour.”
📍 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ.
🚇 The nearest station is Hoxton.
Pig and Butcher 
Credit: The Pig and Butcher
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“[This] classic corner spot could just as easily feel at home in the British countryside…. As one would expect from the name, the in-house butchered meats are of the highest provenance; there’s variety to the menu, however, with roasted fish among the dishes on offer.”
📍 80 Liverpool Road, N1 OQD.
🚇 The nearest stations are Angel and Highbury & Islington.
The Baring 
Credit: The Baring – Jwhowardphoto
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“[The] cooking at The Baring is a notch above your usual pub grub. The menu takes on influences from across Europe and dishes maintain a focus on quality over quantity, with fine ingredients used to produce no small amount of flavour. The Sunday roast menu includes options like Iberico pork and Simmental beef rib to share.”
📍 55 Baring Street, N1 3DS.
🚇 The nearest stations are Haggerston and Essex Road.
The Clarence Tavern
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“The Clarence Tavern has established itself as a real fixture in the Stoke Newington neighbourhood. With the feel of a proper London boozer, it’s a place which doesn’t take itself too seriously – while still being committed to serving proper, quality cooking. Dishes are honest, hearty and packed with flavour, while service comes from a sweet, well-organised young team.”
📍 102 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0LA.
🚇 The nearest station is Stoke Newington.
The Devonshire 
Credit: The Devonshire
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“Both as a watering hole specialising in well-poured pints of Guinness and as a no-frills restaurant, [The Devonshire] has proven to be an immensely popular spot from day one…. The cooking, for its part, is simple, honest and predominantly grill-based – expect the likes of lamb cutlets, pork chops and multiple cuts of beef.”
📍 17-19 Denman Street, W1D 7HW.
🚇 The nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
The Holland 
Credit: Joe Howard Photography, via The Holland
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“The Holland, as it is today, is a warm, inviting place with a proper bar area and an unfussy approach. Produce leads the way on the short, appealing menu – and it’s worth booking a table at lunchtime to make the most of their fixed-price selection that offers superb value for money.”
📍 25 Earls Court Road, W8 6EB.
🚇 The nearest stations are High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia)
Victoria
What the Michelin Guide had to say:
“Chef Director Paul Merrett cooked in some of London’s top kitchens before heading here, where he oversees a menu filled with pubby classics like haddock & chips.”
📍 10 West Temple Sheen, SW14 7RT
🚇 The nearest station is North Sheen.
Our favourite pubs for food in London
While we can’t exactly disagree with the Michelin Guide’s list, it doesn’t quite capture the breadth of London’s pub food offerings. After all, some of London’s pub food offerings range from unbeatable pizzas to packed sandwiches and moreish Indian pub grub.
As such, here’s the Secret London team’s pick of the best pubs for dining:
- The Tamil Crown, Islington
- The Compton Arms, Islington
- Camberwell Arms, Camberwell
- Prince of Peckham, Peckham
- De Beauvoir Arms, De Beauvoir
- The Plimsoll, Finsbury Park
- The Parakeet, Kentish Town
The Parakeet. Image: Justin De Souza
- The Angel Oak, Peckham
- Grove House Tavern, Camberwell
- The Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead
- The Bluecoats Pub, Tottenham
- The Adam & Eve, Homerton
- Heathcote And Star, Leytonstone
- The Canton Arms, Stockwell
- The Drapers Arms, Islington
- The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea
- The Mayflower, Rotherhithe
- Black Heart, Camden
- The George, Great Portland St
- The Prince George, Dalston
- The Eagle, Farringdon
- Hackney Church Brewery, Hackney
- Plaquemine Lock, Islington
- Lady Mildmay, Dalston
So, there you have it – the best pubs for dining in London. So, next time you fancy a cosy trip to the pub coupled with some banging grub, why not check out one of these watering holes? You just might find a new favourite!
Read the Michelin Guide’s full article on the best pub dining here.