Last updated: August 2026. An honest, checked-this-year pick of London's best pubs, from ancient taverns to quirky modern bars. Opening hours and menus change, so it is worth a quick check before a special trip.
The short answer: London's best pubs fall into a few camps. For history, head to Ye Olde Mitre, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese or The George Inn. For beautiful interiors, The Blackfriar and The Princess Louise. For river views, Prospect of Whitby and The Mayflower. And for something quirky, Mr Fogg's Tavern or Guy Ritchie's Lore of the Land. Below, all 22 are grouped by what each one does best.
London is a pint-lover's paradise, and choosing where to drink is half the fun. The city has taverns older than most countries, Victorian gin palaces preserved like museums, riverside inns with pirate history, and playful modern bars. This is our honest shortlist, grouped by mood, so you can pick the right pub for the night you want.
London 4 dummies: making the most of the pubs
- Order at the bar. Most traditional pubs have no table service. Order and pay at the bar, and grab a table first if it is busy.
- Sunday is for roasts. The classic Sunday roast sells out at the good pubs, so book ahead or arrive early.
- Cask ale is the local speciality. Ask the bar staff what is on and drinking well; a proper pint of real ale is the point.
- Historic pubs are small. The oldest and most atmospheric are often tiny and get packed after work, so go early or late for elbow room.
- Last orders still exist. Many pubs stop serving around 11pm on weeknights. Check closing times if you are planning a late one.
The 22 best pubs in London
Grouped by what each one does best, from ancient history to river views to sheer character.
Historic and ancient
Ye Olde Mitre
Hidden down a tiny alley off Hatton Garden, this Tudor gem dates back to 1546 and is genuinely hard to find, which is half the charm. Low beams, old oak, and a cherry tree the pub was once built around. Worth the hunt.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire, this warren of dark, low-ceilinged rooms was a haunt of Dr Johnson, Dickens and Mark Twain. The most atmospheric of the old Fleet Street taverns, and many Londoners' pick for the most iconic pub in the city.
The George Inn
London's last surviving galleried coaching inn, owned by the National Trust and dating to the 17th century. Shakespeare's company played nearby and Dickens drank here. A cobbled courtyard for summer pints, right by Borough Market.
The Lamb & Flag
A snug, low-beamed classic once nicknamed the Bucket of Blood for the bare-knuckle fights it hosted. The poet John Dryden was ambushed in the alley outside in 1679. Storybook charm in the heart of Covent Garden.
The Grenadier
Tucked in a cobbled mews and famously haunted, this red-and-blue former officers' mess is all military relics, moody light and well-kept ales. Hard to find, romantic, and full of ghost stories.
Most beautiful interiors
The Blackfriar
An Arts and Crafts masterpiece by Blackfriars station, Grade II* listed, with marble, mosaics and bronze friars everywhere you look. As much a work of art as a pub.
The Princess Louise
A perfectly preserved Victorian palace of etched glass, mahogany and snug wooden booths, run by Samuel Smith's, so the ale is a bargain too. Step in and step back to 1891.
The Churchill Arms
Impossible to miss under its cascade of flowers and hanging baskets, and a surprise inside: Churchill memorabilia on every wall and a proper Thai kitchen out the back. Famous for good reason, near Kensington Palace.
Riverside and views
Prospect of Whitby
Claiming to be London's oldest riverside tavern, from around 1520, with a flagstone floor, a pewter bar and a terrace over the Thames. Pirates and smugglers once drank here; the river views still do the rest.
The Mayflower
A candle-lit, wonky old riverside pub on the spot where the Mayflower set sail for America in 1620. Nautical charm, a jetty over the water, and one of the best sunset spots on the river.
Founder's Arms
A modern glass pub right on the Thames by Tate Modern, with a wide terrace and a full sweep of the city skyline. Not historic, but unbeatable on a summer evening after a South Bank walk.
Quirky and themed
Mr Fogg's Tavern
A gloriously over-the-top Victorian fantasy of curiosities, gin and music-hall theatre, themed around Jules Verne's Phileas Fogg. Silly, immersive and great fun near the theatres.
Lore of the Land
Film director Guy Ritchie's woodland-lodge pub, all dark timber, open fires and seasonal British cooking. Atmospheric, a little starry, and a cosy retreat off the Fitzrovia streets.
Waxy O'Connor's
A vast, multi-level Irish pub that feels like a cathedral crossed with a forest, complete with a tree growing through the middle. Buzzy, maze-like and made for big groups.
Bat & Ball
A playful modern bar with table tennis, live sport and a lively crowd, a fun twist on the traditional pub. Best for social nights out near the West End.
Great pints and central character
The Harp
A compact, award-winning real-ale pub with stained glass, portraits and a devoted following. Central London's classic spot for a properly kept pint, steps from Trafalgar Square.
The Pride of Spitalfields
A tiny, carpeted, no-frills East End boozer full of warmth, regulars and a resident cat. Authentic in a way the polished places cannot fake, just off Brick Lane.
The Cadogan Arms
A handsomely restored Chelsea gastropub with a proper dining room and one of the better Sunday roasts in west London. Smart, but still a pub at heart.
Old Shades
A wood-panelled, stained-glass pub steps from Trafalgar Square and Parliament, handy for a sit-down between the Whitehall sights. Reliable food and a central spot for footsore sightseers.
The Black Horse
A stylish hybrid of traditional pub and cocktail bar, with moody lighting and skilled bartenders. Good for after-work drinks or a date in the West End.
The George
The smaller, boutique cousin to the Borough George, doing elevated British classics and cocktails. Central and smart, ideal before a show or after shopping on Regent Street.
The Queen's Head
A tucked-away Soho gem with a modern drinks list and old-school warmth, a quiet corner in a loud neighbourhood. Pre-theatre perfection.
Quick comparison
| Pub | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ye Olde Mitre | Ely Court, Holborn, EC1 | Historic and ancient |
| Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese | Fleet Street, EC4 | Historic and ancient |
| The George Inn | Borough High Street, SE1 | Historic and ancient |
| The Lamb & Flag | Rose Street, Covent Garden, WC2 | Historic and ancient |
| The Grenadier | Wilton Row, Belgravia, SW1 | Historic and ancient |
| The Blackfriar | Queen Victoria Street, EC4 | Most beautiful interiors |
| The Princess Louise | High Holborn, WC1 | Most beautiful interiors |
| The Churchill Arms | Kensington Church Street, W8 | Most beautiful interiors |
| Prospect of Whitby | Wapping Wall, E1 | Riverside and views |
| The Mayflower | Rotherhithe, SE16 | Riverside and views |
| Founder's Arms | Bankside, SE1 | Riverside and views |
| Mr Fogg's Tavern | St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, WC2 | Quirky and themed |
| Lore of the Land | Conway Street, Fitzrovia, W1 | Quirky and themed |
| Waxy O'Connor's | Rupert Street, near Piccadilly, W1 | Quirky and themed |
| Bat & Ball | Covent Garden, WC2 | Quirky and themed |
| The Harp | Chandos Place, Covent Garden, WC2 | Great pints and central character |
| The Pride of Spitalfields | Heneage Street, off Brick Lane, E1 | Great pints and central character |
| The Cadogan Arms | King's Road, Chelsea, SW3 | Great pints and central character |
| Old Shades | Whitehall, SW1 | Great pints and central character |
| The Black Horse | Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, W1 | Great pints and central character |
| The George | Great Portland Street, W1 | Great pints and central character |
| The Queen's Head | Denman Street, Soho, W1 | Great pints and central character |
Best areas for a pub crawl
A few neighbourhoods pack the best pubs close together. Covent Garden is the classic crawl, with the Lamb & Flag, the Harp and Mr Fogg's within a few minutes of each other. Fleet Street and Holborn hold the historic heavyweights, from the Cheshire Cheese to the Princess Louise and Ye Olde Mitre. The South Bank and Bankside pair river views with a walk past Tate Modern and the Globe. And the East End, around Wapping and Brick Lane, mixes riverside history with proper local boozers. If you are basing your trip around the nightlife, our honest guide to staying in Soho covers the liveliest central base, and you can compare places to stay near any of these on our London stay page.
Planning a proper crawl across town, or heading home late after a few? A pre-booked ride with Chauffeurz means no last trains to catch and no waiting in the rain, especially useful for a group ending the night on the other side of the river.
Find a place to stay near the best pubs →Frequently asked questions
What is the most iconic pub in London?
Many consider Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street the most iconic, thanks to its age, its warren of candle-lit rooms, and a guest list over the centuries that runs from Dr Johnson to Dickens and Mark Twain. Ye Olde Mitre and The George Inn are close rivals for the title.
What are the oldest pubs in London?
Among the oldest still serving are Ye Olde Mitre in Holborn, parts of which date to 1546, Prospect of Whitby in Wapping, from around 1520, and The George Inn in Southwark, London's last galleried coaching inn. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire.
Which area of London has the best pubs?
Covent Garden and Soho win for variety and for crawling between spots on foot, while Fleet Street and Holborn hold the historic classics. For riverside character, head to Bankside or the East End around Wapping and Rotherhithe. Each has a very different feel, so pick by the atmosphere you want.
What is the most beautiful pub in London?
The Blackfriar near Blackfriars station is a strong contender, a Grade II* listed Arts and Crafts masterpiece full of marble and mosaics. The Princess Louise in Holborn runs it close, with its preserved Victorian etched glass and mahogany booths.
What is the most common pub name in London?
The Red Lion is the most common pub name across the UK, with hundreds bearing it, and London has plenty of its own. It dates back to heraldry and royal coats of arms, which is why so many pubs share the name.
Clara, Welcome2London's AI travel curator, presents our guides to London for visitors, with a focus on honest, practical detail and the stories behind the places. Her guides are reviewed regularly to stay current.
Sources and verification (August 2026): pub histories, listings and locations cross-checked against each pub's own website, listed-building records and reputable London history sources. Note that the Lamb & Flag's literary association is with the poet John Dryden, ambushed nearby in 1679, rather than with Dickens, a claim often repeated in error. Opening hours and menus change, so confirm before a special visit.
Disclosure: Welcome2London may earn a commission from some partner accommodation and transfer links, at no extra cost to you. Editorial advice on the pubs is given freely and independently.
Clara Whitby is Welcome2London’s AI travel curator, known to readers as The Londonologist. She was created by our editorial team to help first time visitors plan London and the rest of the UK with confidence: where to stay, how to get around, what is worth your money and what you can happily skip. Every guide she presents is researched from official sources and checked by the Welcome2London team before it goes live.
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