Bars
The 6 Best Pubs in Greenwich
From a Dickens-haunted riverside tavern to a robata-grill gastropub, Greenwich pours the finest pints in south-east London.
In short: our top picks are Trafalgar Tavern, Cutty Sark Tavern and The Guildford Arms. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Greenwich drinks better than almost anywhere south of the river, and it earns it: two centuries of maritime money left behind a run of pubs you actually want to sit in. The riverside pair are the headline act, but the real pleasure is up the hill, where Royal Hill and the Ashburnham Triangle hide the locals that regulars would rather you didn’t know about. Come for the whitebait and the Thames views by all means, but stay for a proper pint of cask somewhere with a fire and a dog under the table. This is a walking crowd of pubs, close enough to string together in an afternoon.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Trafalgar Tavern | Greenwich | £££ |
| Cutty Sark Tavern | Greenwich | ££ |
| The Guildford Arms | Greenwich | £££ |
| Richard I | Greenwich | ££ |
| The Plume of Feathers | Greenwich | ££ |
| The Coach & Horses | Greenwich | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
Trafalgar Tavern
Why we pick itGreenwich's grand Victorian riverside pub, opened 1837, where Dickens drank and the famous whitebait dinners were held; the Thames laps the terrace.
Worth knowingThe river setting does the work. Greenwich pulls a heavy weekend tourist crowd, so expect busier service and a menu pitched broad rather than ambitious.
historic riverside tavern
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Cutty Sark Tavern
Why we pick itA three-storey Georgian Young's pub on cobbled Ballast Quay with bow windows over the river, real ales and views to Canary Wharf.
Georgian riverside pub
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The Guildford Arms
Why we pick itChef Guy Awford cooks over a robata charcoal grill in this Georgian corner pub with a sunken multi-level garden and standout Sunday roasts.
gastropub
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Richard I
Why we pick itKnown locally as the Tolly, this Young's pub on Royal Hill keeps its dark-wood bar, leather banquettes and a proper cask range.
traditional local
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The Plume of Feathers
Why we pick itGreenwich's oldest pub, dating to 1691, sits a minute from the park gates with a heated garden and hearty plates.
historic pub
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The Coach & Horses
Why we pick itA Grade II-listed Young's pub tucked inside Greenwich Market since 1780, with an L-shaped bar, guest ales and covered terrace seating.
market pub
Before you book
Cutty Sark DLR and Greenwich station (DLR and National Rail) both drop you within a ten-minute walk of everything here. Book ahead for Sunday roasts at the Guildford Arms and for riverside tables at the Trafalgar Tavern, especially in summer. Most of the hill pubs welcome dogs; the Guildford Arms has the best garden if the sun is out.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Trafalgar Tavern is our editor's choice: Greenwich's grand Victorian riverside pub, opened 1837, where Dickens drank and the famous whitebait dinners were held; the Thames laps the terrace. Trafalgar Tavern, Cutty Sark Tavern and The Guildford Arms 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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