Gastropub
This Clerkenwell pub has a long history in Clerkenwell and may only be second in line to The Eagle when it comes to pubs that went "gastro". Settle in downstairs for more traditional pub fare, or head to the upstairs restaurant if you're after something a little more fancy.
The Eagle in Clerkenwell is often credited as the first modern gastropub - with restaurant-quality food being served inside a pub. Many years down the line, it's still a reliable spot for a good meal, serving up a seasonal menu in a faintly ramshackle pub. The steak sandwiches are some of the best in town.
This Notting Hill pub is highly rated by locals. The ethos is "Eat heartily and give the house a good name'" which has given London this lovely, modern gastropub, with a strong selection of oysters and shellfish.
Part of The Langham hotel, this is run by Michel Roux Jr but it's much more like a standalone gastropub - and as such is one of the handiest drinking dens in the area. That said, the food is well worth a look too - the pies and masala scotch egg particularly.
The team responsible for The Culpeper in Aldgate have a new project - they've opened this pub and hotel on Brick Lane which has a residents-only rooftop terrace.
The KPH (Kensington Park Hotel) has been pretty legendary in Ladbroke Grove for a while, with a big music following and the place of Tom Jones first London gig. Now it's been revived with Henry Harris and ex-St John chef Ruairidh Summers in charge of the food.
This Peckham pub’s menu reads too good to be true, given how little it’s shouted about, but the food is consistently brilliant. There’s a focus on seafood, delivered daily from Cornwall and cooked perfectly by head chef Jake Chappel-Kelly, but everything from the meat to the vegetarian options are inspired.
Critic reviews - total score 9.5 out of 10
This is a revamped pub from two St John veterans, Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram. It focuses on the best of British food and drinks, with a menu inspired by the history of London.
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Just up the road from the Martin Bros' Chiswell Street Dining Room is another Martin gastropub, and this time the theme is a British pub with a "real wine and food focus" and an open kitchen with rotiserrie and charcoal grilled food on offer. As with the Dining Room, it's also attached to the old Whitbread brewery, opened as a luxury hotel from Montcalm.
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
The team behind the Harwood arms are head chef Sally Abé, Mike Robinson from the Pot Kiln pub in Berkshire and Edwin Vaux from the Vaux brewery. Together their impressive credentials have formed a perfect whole - a gastropub that actually serves what the name suggests, excellent food in a low-key pub setting.
Critic reviews - total score 8 out of 10
This is the third gastropub from the people behind the Lady Ottoline and the Princess of Shoreditch. It's taken over the place of the former Islington Tap and will be making rustic food with freshly sourced meat and fish while making plenty use of its wood-fired oven. In the kitchen is Swedish chef Robbin Holmgren whose had stints at St John and St John Bread & Wine and has also run supperclubs with the Clove Club (who now co-run the Ten Bells).
Critic reviews - total score 6 out of 10
This is the first West End gastropub from Tom and Ed Martin, the brothers behind the Botanist and loads more throughout London. On St Martin's Lane, this has 60 covers spread over two floors, with the ground floor being a traditional pub whilst the first floor is an informal dining area, serving seasonal British produce.
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Michelin starred chef Claude Bosi has joined up with his brother to set up this pub/restaurant in the heart of wealthy Wimbledon. This has a more British state of affairs from a place that steers more towards restaurant than pub.
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
Chiswell Street Dining Rooms is part of the ETM Group, the same people behind The Botanist. It's based within what used to be the old Whitbread Brewery building and offers a modern British menu which is particularly strong on game.
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 6 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 5.5 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 5.5 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 5 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
This new gastropub comes from the owners of previously lauded gastropubs The Thomas Cubitt and The Pantechnicon. This is their first pub with rooms in Pimlico. There's a wood-fired oven for pizzas and roasts and 4 en-suite bedrooms.
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Knightsbridge stalwart Brasseries St Quentin is reinvented and reopened as the Brompton Bar and Grill. Die-hard fans of the old brasserie might be upset after nearly 30 years of restaurant history was thrown out with the revamp, but there's a lot to recommend the fresh new look and menu it seems.
Critic reviews - total score 5.5 out of 10
This porter house and oyster bar has certainly pulled out all the stops when it comes to decor - reviewers have universally praised the gastropub's clubby ambience. Unfortunately the food doesn't live up to its surroundings - but if the Notting Hill set take it to their heart, that probably won't matter much.
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Critic reviews - total score 6.5 out of 10
Located in the gradually up and coming area of King's Cross, The Fellow offers the usual gastropub fare. You'll also find a handy roof terrace if you want to, understandably, escape from King's Cross street level.
Critic reviews - total score 7 out of 10
This longstanding pub in Hammersmith with a large beer garden overlooking the Thames has had a gastro makeover from the Realpubs crowd.
Critic reviews - total score 6 out of 10