Bars
The 6 Best Gastropubs in London
Six London pubs where the kitchen works as hard as the cellar, from Fulham game to a scruffy Waterloo dining room that started it all.
In short: our top picks are The Harwood Arms, The Camberwell Arms and The Anchor & Hope. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
The gastropub is a London invention, and most imitators get it wrong by polishing away the pub and keeping only the prices. The ones that matter still feel like proper boozers: sticky bar, no tasting menu, a chalkboard rewritten twice a day. What separates these six is that the food is genuinely worth crossing town for, and the beer and wine lists are chosen by someone who cares. Come hungry, and do not expect quiet.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Harwood Arms | Fulham | £££ |
| The Camberwell Arms | Camberwell | ££ |
| The Anchor & Hope | Waterloo | £££ |
| The Bull & Last | Highgate | £££ |
| The Eagle | Clerkenwell | ££ |
| The Marksman | Bethnal Green | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Harwood Arms
Why we pick itA Michelin-starred Fulham pub built on British game and wild produce, with a Scotch egg that has become genuinely famous.
Michelin-starred gastropub
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The Camberwell Arms
Why we pick itA south London favourite where chef Mike Davies cooks big shared plates, long lunches and a whole-animal roast that fills the room by two.
neighbourhood gastropub
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The Anchor & Hope
Why we pick itThe scruffy, noisy Waterloo original that made the modern gastropub, run by St John alumni cooking a menu that changes with the season.
British gastropub
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The Bull & Last
Why we pick itA Victorian coaching inn beside Hampstead Heath, restored to its old bones, serving hearty British plates and a Sunday roast worth the walk.
Victorian coaching inn
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The Eagle
Why we pick itThe 1991 pub that coined the word, where two chefs chalk up the menu twice daily and grill steak sandwiches to order.
original gastropub
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The Marksman
Why we pick itA brown-tiled Hackney Road boozer with a rooftop terrace and a first-floor dining room turning out proudly British, St John-schooled cooking.
East End gastropub
Before you book
Book ahead for all of these, especially the Harwood Arms and Anchor & Hope, which take reservations that vanish within days. The Eagle and Anchor & Hope keep a few walk-in tables, so arrive early or eat late. Most are a short walk from a Tube or Overground stop, and several, including the Bull & Last, welcome dogs.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Harwood Arms is our editor's choice: A Michelin-starred Fulham pub built on British game and wild produce, with a Scotch egg that has become genuinely famous. The Harwood Arms, The Camberwell Arms and The Anchor & Hope lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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