As well as being England’s beloved capital city, London is undoubtedly one of the nation’s foodie hotspots.
The choice of eateries and bars in London is immense, and it’s notoriously competitive.
This is great news for diners, as all the pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants have to up their game to stay on the scene amid all the many thousands of eating-out options.
But with so much choice, how do you know where to start looking for your business lunch venue or a romantic date selection? And which are the best London boroughs for great pub grub?
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The Pub Restaurants of London
For many London diners, the high-end pub & restaurant is a match made in foodie heaven and it has become a permanent fixture in the city as much as in the more rural areas where the trend for pub/restaurants emerged.
Much like a perfect pairing of the right wine with a speciality dish, great pub restaurants combine the ambience and top-notch service of an upscale restaurant with the lowkey casual vibe of a local pub.
London plays proud host to some of the best pub restaurants around, and these are always a great choice for a vast range of eating out occasions.
So here’s a quick and tastebud-tempting guide to some of the best pub restaurants in London, with a side-serving of insights into some of the capital’s favourite boroughs and districts.
Notting Hill
Before it was a hit movie, Notting Hill was a quietly fashionable district in West London.
With its chocolate-box mews houses – made so famous by Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts – and its Lazy Sunday vibe, Notting Hill is one of the iconic areas that the capital does so well.
For hungry visitors and locals alike, The Princess Royal is one of the pubs of choice.
As you’d expect to find in one of London’s poshest boroughs, this is a casual eatery with an upmarket difference.
With Too Cool For School decor and a commitment to exquisite foodie offerings, The Princess Royal is a veritable queen among London pubs & restaurants.
Mayfair
If you’ve ever enjoyed a game of the original Monopoly, you’ll have a sense of the Mayfair vibe.
Upmarket, high-end and architecturally beautiful, Mayfair is one of London’s most prestigious boroughs.
As the home of some of the capital’s most Insta-worthy boltholes, you may find property prices among the highest not just in London but around the globe.
However, if you’re just visiting, one of the best pub restaurants in Mayfair is The Barley Mow.
With exquisite decor that takes you back in time to the heyday of London pubs, this gastro delight makes for the perfect foodie stop as you tour the sights and delights of fabulous Mayfair.
Marylebone
Marylebone is a much-loved part of London – favoured by locals and tourists alike. As part of the City of Westminster borough, it’s a thriving heart of London life.
Whether you’re there on business, people-watching, shopping or seeing the sights, there’s much to enjoy in the famous Marylebone district.
And when you’re ready for some refreshments or a moment of downtime, The Coach Makers Arms is an oasis of fine food and drink amid the hustle and bustle of these busy London streets.
While the fare is fabulous wherever you sit, The Clubhouse cocktail lounge is a particularly indulgent way to spend your working lunch or night out on the town.
Chelsea
Chelsea is the original home of the Sloane Ranger and the location for the Chelsea Harbour Club (the gym of choice for the late Princess Diana).
This is undoubtedly one of the posh sides of town, though its popularity dates back to the swinging 60s when it was the home to the cool kids and up-and-coming superstars such as Mary Quant and Twiggy.
In the decades since, the top spots of the Chelsea area centred around the iconic Kings Road, and this is where you’ll find one of the borough’s popular pub restaurants – The Builders Arms.
Here you’ll find good, honest pub grub – with a delicious gastro twist that would charm even the most discerning foodie. And of course, to accompany the simple tasty fare, you can also enjoy the kind of impressive selection of fine wines, beers and ales that you’d expect from one of London’s great eateries.
While the concept of a gastropub is a familiar option when dining out these days, the enormous range of pub restaurants in London gives rise to an enticing range of quirky and idiosyncratic venues and foodie havens, and the eclectic nature of London’s many boroughs provide a vibe for every palette.
