Bars
The 5 Best Pubs in Wapping
Five proper riverside pubs where the Thames does the talking, from a 500-year-old smugglers' tavern to a Sam Smith's terrace on the cobbles.
In short: our top picks are The Prospect of Whitby, Town of Ramsgate and The Captain Kidd. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Wapping keeps its pubs close to the water, which is exactly where they belong. This is the stretch where you can drink on a 500-year-old flagstone floor, then walk two minutes to a Samuel Smith’s terrace and pay less for a better-kept pint. The tourist-heavy spots earn their reputation on history alone, but the backstreet locals are where Wapping actually drinks. Come for the river, stay because nobody is in a hurry to move you on.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Prospect of Whitby | Wapping | ££ |
| Town of Ramsgate | Wapping | ££ |
| The Captain Kidd | Wapping | ££ |
| Turner's Old Star | Wapping | ££ |
| The Dickens Inn | St Katharine Docks | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Prospect of Whitby
Why we pick itThe 400-year-old flagstone floor and pewter-topped bar are the real draw, with a river terrace looking out towards Rotherhithe.
historic riverside tavern
-
Town of Ramsgate
Why we pick itA narrow, wood-panelled room opens onto a small back terrace above Wapping Old Stairs, where prisoners once waited for transportation ships.
traditional riverside pub
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The Captain Kidd
Why we pick itCheap, well-kept Samuel Smith's beer and a big cobbled riverside terrace facing the Thames, inside a converted nineteenth-century warehouse.
riverside pub
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Turner's Old Star
Why we pick itAn unreformed backstreet boozer with well-kept cask ales, a pool table out the back and a proper community crowd most nights.
traditional East End local
-
The Dickens Inn
Why we pick itThree balconied floors of a converted tea warehouse serving stone-baked pizzas, steaks and Sunday roasts beside the St Katharine Docks marina.
gastropub
Before you book
Wapping Overground is the closest station, with Tower Hill and St Katharine Docks a short walk to the west. Weekend riverside tables at the Prospect of Whitby and Town of Ramsgate fill fast around high tide, so arrive early or aim for a weekday afternoon. Most of these welcome dogs, and the Dickens Inn is the one to book ahead for a Sunday roast.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Prospect of Whitby is our editor's choice: The 400-year-old flagstone floor and pewter-topped bar are the real draw, with a river terrace looking out towards Rotherhithe. The Prospect of Whitby, Town of Ramsgate and The Captain Kidd lead the guide, with 5 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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