Bars
The 6 Best Riverside Pubs in London
Six old taverns where the Thames slaps against the terrace and the pint tastes better for it.
In short: our top picks are The Prospect of Whitby, The Dove and The Mayflower. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London drinks better with a tide running past the window. These are the pubs where the river is the whole point, from Georgian bow windows in Greenwich to a flagstone floor in Wapping that has held firm for four centuries. Skip the glass-fronted chains along the South Bank; the real riverside sits further out, down cobbled lanes and behind narrow doorways. Time it with the tide and a low sun and you have the best seat in the city.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Prospect of Whitby | Wapping | ££ |
| The Dove | Hammersmith | ££ |
| The Mayflower | Rotherhithe | ££ |
| Cutty Sark | Greenwich | ££ |
| The Grapes | Limehouse | ££ |
| The Anchor Bankside | Bankside | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Prospect of Whitby
Why we pick itA 400-year-old flagstone floor and pewter-topped bar survive inside, while the rear terrace faces the river beside a replica hangman's noose.
historic riverside tavern
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The Dove
Why we pick itThe front snug is recorded by Guinness World Records as Britain's smallest bar, and the tiny terrace hangs right over the water.
historic riverside pub
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The Mayflower
Why we pick itA decked jetty juts over the water where the Pilgrims' ship once moored, and you can still buy postage stamps at the bar.
traditional riverside pub
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Cutty Sark
Why we pick itThis Georgian pub spreads over three floors with a bowed first-floor window that frames Canary Wharf and the O2 across a wide river bend.
Georgian riverside pub
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The Grapes
Why we pick itA narrow 1720s house part-owned by Ian McKellen, with a back veranda over the water that Dickens wrote into Our Mutual Friend.
historic riverside pub
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The Anchor Bankside
Why we pick itRebuilt in 1676 and riddled with beamed nooks, its large terrace pours out toward St Paul's across the river near the Globe.
historic riverside tavern
Before you book
Terraces fill fast on warm evenings and most of these places do not take outdoor bookings, so arrive by five to claim a spot on the rail. The Prospect of Whitby, The Grapes and The Mayflower sit a short walk from Wapping, Limehouse and Rotherhithe Overground stations; check tide times if you want the water high rather than a stretch of mud. Most are dog-friendly inside, and The Mayflower and the Cutty Sark are the safer bets for a proper sit-down dinner.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Prospect of Whitby is our editor's choice: A 400-year-old flagstone floor and pewter-topped bar survive inside, while the rear terrace faces the river beside a replica hangman's noose. The Prospect of Whitby, The Dove and The Mayflower 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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