While sticky tables, stained carpets and wobbly chairs are considered part and parcel of many local boozers, there is a growing appetite for posh gastropubs which combine restaurant-level dining with craft beers and wines.
Gastropubs began in London and became popular throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Before, most pubs served only basic snacks like crisps, peanuts, or simple ‘pub grub’ such as a ploughman’s lunch or scampi in a basket.
The gastropub concept, coined by food journalist Charles Campion, revolutionised British dining by offering restaurant-quality food in a casual pub setting, with a nearly equal emphasis on both eating and drinking.
And now, The Times has released a ranking of the poshest pubs in the capital.
From Sunday roasts that ‘taste of home’ to south Indian cuisine and famously good Guinness, read on to find out which of the city’s high-end alehouses are the poshest of them all.
1. The Hart, Marylebone
Topping the ranking is The Hart, a neighbourhood pub and dining room which celebrates British farmers and has a focus on ‘bringing back the weekday pub lunch’.
The Hart focuses on British farmers and offers a weekday pub lunch
The multi-level pub has a bar on the ground floor and a more formal restaurant area on the first floor (pictured)
The pub, which dates back to the 19th century, is decorated with fireplaces and candlesticks, real tablecloths and lime-washed walls.
There are three floors, accessed via narrow staircases, each with a slightly different vibe and soundtrack.
The menu features elevated comfort food such as lamb chop with beans, leek and Spenwood tart, fish stew and kedgeree, a lightly spiced dish consisting of curried rice mixed with flaked smoked fish, hard-boiled eggs and parsley.
2. The Devonshire, Soho
The Devonshire has gained significant critical acclaim and has been described as one of the most popular dining spots in Soho
The food preparation includes a focus on fire and a special furnace and range, rather than charcoal
The Devonshire in Soho is known for serving the ‘best Guinness in London’.
Pub-goers can also grab simple snacks like a £2 sausage on a stick, toasties, scotch eggs and sausage rolls.
If you’re looking for a more upmarket experience, head upstairs for the Devonshire’s restaurants and private rooms.
The restaurant uses a wood ember grill, the ingredients are sourced from suppliers across the UK and the bread and pastry is all made in the pub’s basement bakery.
On the menu, you’ll find Scottish beef and hand-dived scallops from Devon, potted shrimp with melba toast and tender Iberico pork chops.
3. The Fat Badger, Notting Hill
Rounding off the top three is The Fat Badger, a pub and restaurant with a view over the iconic Portobello Road in Notting Hill.
The Fat Badger is situated at the top of Golborne Road in Notting Hill with a view over the iconic Portobello Road
One scoop or two? The Fat Badger blends a country-chic vibe with modern British cuisine
According to The Times, this spot is one of the hardest pubs to get reservations for in London.
According to The Fat Badger website, the small size of the restaurant allows the chefs to ‘cook personally for each table, guided by the seasons and what’s best that day’.
Most of the pub’s vegetables come from the group’s own market garden in the Cotswolds, and meat comes mainly from Lake District Farms.
The pub also hosts comedy shows every second Monday with a line-up that remains unannounced – part of the fun is not knowing who will take the stage.
4. The Tamil Crown, Angel
An Indian take on the classic Sunday roast. At The Tamil Crown pub, a roast dinner consists of slow-cooked meats or vegetarian options served with a variety of South Indian sides
Next on the list is The Tamil Crown in Angel, which boasts a menu packed with South Indian small plates, curries and grills.
You can even head down on a Sunday for their famous Indian-inspired roast served with speciality trimmings of roast coconut cabbage, potato pea masala and roti.
All dishes are served on thali, traditional Indian metal plates, and there is an extensive drinks menu featuring classic beers, wine and spirits, as well as Indian inspired cocktails such as a Masala Mary, Ginger Paloma or Gunpowder Margarita.
5. The Marlborough X Crisp Pizza, Mayfair
The Marlborough is housed in a terracotta and red-brick building which dates to 1892 and was designed by architect Thomas Verity
The in-house special Tie-Dye pizza, featuring a pesto swirl on top of the tomato base, is pictured
After sitting empty for five years, this 18th-century pub has now been reopened by the same crew behind the Devonshire.
The pub was given a new lease of life in collaboration with the team behind Hammersmith’s Crisp Pizza, one of London’s most in-demand spots.
There are 10 pizza options, ranging from classics like cheese and pepperoni to Crisp exclusives, such as the Vecna pie with hot honey, pepperoni and burrata or the Tie Dye Pizza with spicy tequila sauce, burrata and a swirl of pesto.
6. The Pelican, Notting Hill
Located on Notting Hill’s trendy All Saints Road, the pub is known for being a celebrity hotspot
Room for dessert? The Pelican offers ‘no-nonsense food’ packed with natural flavour, including this classic strawberry trifle
Owned by the same group as The Fat Badger, The Pelican uses only locally sourced, seasonally inspired produce to create their dishes.
Located on Notting Hill’s trendy All Saints Road, the pub is known for being a celebrity hotspot with stars like Dua Lipa and Princess Eugenie drawn by its acclaimed British food and cosy atmosphere.
7. The Cow, Notting Hill
Housed in a heritage building from the 1800s, the décor at this pub includes a collection of original artworks from England’s classical and contemporary artists William Henry Davis, Paul Slater, Patrick Caulfield and David Hockney.
The Cow is a well-known gastropub which has been welcoming visitors since 1995
Dishes at The Cow are packed with Northern European influences, such as the deluxe seafood platter
On the first floor, which is reserved for private dining, there is Champagne and canapés on arrival.
Guests will be dining through a personalised menu with ingredients seasonally sourced from the English countryside, following coffee and Irish whiskey chocolate truffles to smoothly package your experience.
Dishes at The Cow are packed with Northern European influences, with hearty classics including fish stew, bangers and mash with onion gravy and their famous deluxe seafood platter.
8. The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell
The upstairs private dining room at The Camberwell Arms, a gastropub in South London, is pictured
The pub which ranked in eighth place is located in Camberwell and has a reputation for high-quality food and Sunday dinners
Winner of the Guardian’s 50 best Sunday lunches in 2017, The Camberwell Arms
The Times writes that walking into Camberwell Arms feels ‘like walking into your mum’s kitchen, except the tables and chairs all match’.
‘The atmosphere is comfy and cosy. The staff feel like old friends. And the Sunday roasts taste of home.’
9. The Trafalgar, Chelsea
The Trafalgar, a pub located on King’s Road in Chelsea is the first new public house to open on King’s Road in more than a century
The Trafalgar, which officially opened its doors in October, is the first new pub on King’s Road in more than 100 years.
The pub is housed in a former bank set in a Grade II listed Georgian building and serves the finest craft beers, artisan spirits, cocktails, wines and Champagnes.
The restaurant menu features traditional pub classics, weekend brunch dishes and Sunday roasts.
Downstairs, the Havannah Room provides a private party space where you can also enjoy live music, comedy and cabaret.
10. The Prince Arthur, Belgravia
The Prince Arthur is located at 11 Pimlico Road in the Belgravia neighborhood of London
Caviar-topped eggs, anyone? Listed in the Michelin Guide, you’ll find decadent meals at this beautifully restored Victorian corner pub
The Prince Arthur is a beautifully restored Victorian corner pub with dark woods, a horseshoe bar and modern touches, balancing casual drinks with upscale dining.
The pub is known for its Basque-inspired cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and meats cooked over a wood-fired grill, led by Chef Adam Iglesias.
Listed in the Michelin Guide, you’ll find decadent meals such as caviar-topped eggs and steak.
11. The Princess Royal, Notting Hill
The Princess Royal is located on a peaceful street just off Westbourne Grove, a short walk from Bayswater and Notting Hill Gate tube stations
This gastropub and boutique hotel is known for its vibrant Mediterranean-inspired food, elegant Victorian interior, beautiful conservatory and walled garden.
The Princess Royal has a focus on seasonal British produce and Sicilian flavours, alongside four unique royal-themed bedrooms for overnight stays.
It’s a popular spot for dining and drinks, known for its lively atmosphere and stylish design, blending classic pub charm with luxury hotel amenities.
12. The Knave of Clubs, Shoreditch
The Knave of Clubs is known for its British menu, focusing on smartened-up pub classics, rotisserie chicken and a lively atmosphere
Located on the corner of Bethnal Green Road and Club Row, The Knave of Clubs is a notorious East End pub brought back to life.
Originally opened in 1880, the pub is open daily for Guinness, oysters and rotisserie chicken served fresh.
One recent reviewer wrote: ‘The food was fantastic. Possibly the best rotisserie chicken I’ve eaten.
‘Great value too. Snacks are very decent with a number of innovative twists on the classics. A real buzzy place with a great mix of customers.’
13. The George, Fitzrovia
Yorkshires done right! The George’s all-day dining menu features chops and steaks from the charcoal grill, sandwiches and pub classics
Finally, The George on Great Portland Street in Fitzrovia completes the ranking.
The 18th-century Grade II listed pub describes itself as being the go-to spot for ‘perfect pints, Irish coffees and all-day dining’.
Ranked 91 in the Top 100 Gastropubs in the UK in 2024, the all-day dining menu features chops and steaks from the charcoal grill, sandwiches and pub classics.
On the bar, house signatures include Guinness, Irish Whiskey and Irish Coffees, served alongside cask ales, craft beers, seasonal cocktails and an extensive wine list.
