35 best pubs in London, according to our local team

This pretty and elegantly scuffed place pushes the boundaries of what can be called a pub. One can indeed sit and just order a drink, but the set tables and attentive waiters leave no doubt that this is a gastropub. And not just any gastropub: Fulhamites flock here for the Michelin-starred food, much of which is game shot in the Home Counties (see the monochrome portraits on the walls of hunting parties and be left in no doubt where your plateful came from). Drinkers can tuck into bar snacks – roe deer and walnut terrine, say. A pack of peanuts will never again suffice.

Address: The Harwood Arms, Walham Grove, London SW6 1QP
Website: harwoodarms.com

Bricklayers Arms, Putney

Best pub in West London for: real ales

Comfortably detached from the west London riverfront, comfortably detached from the bustle of Putney proper and Wandsworth, comfortably detached from the real world, in fact, this Camra-approved pub has a timeless feel. That’s mainly due to the fact it was built in 1826 and looks unchanged since, with low ceilings and a pleasingly lived-in feel. In winter, a British stout by the coal fire is a rare treat; in summer, the beer garden fills up with ale lovers who know this unpretentious place is somewhere to be celebrated.

Address: The Bricklayers Arms, 32 Waterman Street, London SW15 1DD
Website: bricklayers-arms.co.uk

Cadogan Arms @lateef.photography

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

Best pub in West London for: losing a whole Sunday afternoon in a cosy, buzzy setting

The Cadogan – a well-known and much-loved Chelsea institution – reopened its doors after a full renovation in July 2021, with a whole new team, look and menu. With Dominic Jacobs (who looks after the Running Horse in Mayfair) and JKS Restaurants at the helm, and Alex Harper (The Ledbury, The Harwood Arms) and James Knappet (Kitchen Table) in the kitchen, hopes of restoring this spot to its former glory were in safe hands. Updated decor manages to feel traditional with a modern twist – chandeliers hang from the freshly painted intricate ceiling in the main bar, while lamps and bright artwork warm the wood-panelled walls in the dining area. Burnt orange velvets, deep green and tan leather chairs are pulled around brass and marble tables, and huge dried flower displays show off the fireplaces. The focus is local and seasonal, with a menu full of British pub classics that stir a sense of nostalgia. Black pudding scotch egg, prawn cocktail and fish and chips are among our faves, while the strawberry sherry trifle is a must. Cancel the rest of your plans for the day, The Cadogan is the kind of place you’ll find it difficult to leave. Sarah Allard