Best Pubs In Central London

The Lamb and Flag is a charming Covent Garden venue with a lot of history to it. Dating back to 1772, this place was frequented by Charles Dickens and once served as a spot for bare-knuckle fighting, but today you only have to fight to get a seat in the popular pub.

Expect traditional interiors and a welcoming atmosphere, in a place that's popular among locals and tourists alike. There's a great range of beers available, which you can pair with mouthwatering meals like slow-braised beef and ale pie or a grilled cheese and caramelised onion toastie.

The Boot and Flogger is a distinctive and elegant pub located in central London, nestled in the historic Southwark area. Known as one of the city's oldest wine bars, this establishment exudes a timeless charm with its classic wooden interiors and leather seating.

It feels like a hidden gem, complete with oak-panelled walls, vintage wine memorabilia, and candle-lit tables that add to its cosy ambience. You can expect to delight in an extensive selection of fine wines and port, as well as British and European-inspired dishes, including charcuterie boards, freshly made pies, and seasonal specials.

This traditional Central London pub sits in the heart of Mayfair, famous for its Grill Room that serves the very best of British fare. You can expect the elegance that normally comes with this classy location, with an old-school approach to decor from the wooden panelled walls to the checked carpet.

Their beef is dry-aged for 28 days, and they take similar care when it comes to their delicious seafood and vegetarian dishes too. Munch your way through a menu of beef carpaccio with black truffle cream, leek and Roquefort risotto or rock oysters, finishing up with their signature chocolate mousse.

The Viaduct Tavern is right in the heart of London, surrounded by landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral. You'll find historical artefacts hung around the joint, and a great selection of gins on the menu to satisfy those who are really into their botanicals. 

There are some great mezze platters to get stuck into to start, but the real star of the show is their classic cheese toasties, packed with three cheeses and chutney.

One of the most historic pubs in the area, The Newman Arms has been a Fitzrovia favourite since 1730, though it closed briefly in 2017 before reopening. It's a cosy, no-frills place to enjoy a few pints, whether you're sat on one of the barstools or at a rustic wooden table.

Their extensive drinks menu promises wines, cocktails and a cracking selection of beer, supplied by owners and brewers Big Penny. Rumour has it there's been a few famous visitors here over the years too, including George Orwell and Dylan Thomas.

The Lamb in Holborn is a historic and charming pub, celebrated for its Victorian character and snug atmosphere. With etched glass windows and original mahogany furnishings making it one of the most beautiful pubs in London, this Grade II-listed boozer feels like a step back in time.

It serves a well-curated selection of real ales, craft beers, and wines, along with a menu of hearty British classics like pies, fish and chips, and Sunday roasts. Thanks to its Bloomsbury location, it's a popular spot for visitors and city workers alike.

One of Central London's best pubs also happens to be the oldest, as Ye Olde Mitre was established in 1546. You'll find this historic spot on Chancery Lane, flaunting a traditional cobbled courtyard and a wooden front to the building. The walls are lined with historic artefacts and memorabilia, creating an authentic old-school atmosphere while you drink.

Choose from seven real ales on tap here, as well as five guest beers that change every week - having earned itself the CAMRA pub of the year award three times in the past. And if you're feeling peckish, there are tasty bar snacks on offer too, alongside tapas with a British twist.

One of the best pubs in London for young adults, The Duke of Sussex is a charming, traditional pub located in the heart of Waterloo, London. Nestled near Waterloo Station, this boozer is known for its welcoming atmosphere, classic British pub décor, and a cosy yet lively setting.

The interior features wooden furnishings and a warm colour scheme, creating a quintessentially English vibe, and its menu is known for whipping up some of the best seasonal produce around into scrumptious plates like pork belly bites and smoky bacon cheeseburgers. 

Step into the Cheshire Cheese, a quintessentially British pub in the City of London. With features from the 1920s, this historic venue oozes charm with its rustic interiors and welcoming atmosphere.

Perfect for after-work drinks or casual get-togethers, you'll find a menu full of hearty classics like burgers and traditional lamb hot pot, complemented by fresh pints and excellent service. Whether you're a local or a visitor, it's a must-visit for an authentic pub experience.

This Fitzrovia gem is a gorgeous place to hunker down with your mates and sip refreshing pints. Enjoy rich, red wallpapered surrounds, draped curtains and warm lights as you revel in cask ales and artisan gins. 

On the menu at The Wheatsheaf? Award-winning burgers served in fluffy brioche buns, crispy battered fish and chips and hearty pies. 

Making most people's list of the top 10 pubs in London, The Devonshire is notoriously difficult to get a booking at - but it's well worth trying. This sought-after spot is situated on Denman Street in Soho, created by three well-known publicans: Oisin Rogers, Charlie Carroll and Ashley Palmer-Watts.

Stretching across two floors, there's plenty to discover here. Downstairs promises a top-notch choice of beers and brilliant bar snacks, but if you head up to the restaurant area you'll find a menu full of British classics, made with UK-produced ingredients and even using in-house butchery.

Just a short stroll from Buckingham Palace, The Buckingham Arms is Known for its traditional charm and warm ambience. It offers a classic setting with vintage décor that reflects the rich heritage of the area.

It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking to experience a genuine British boozer and tuck into hearty chicken, leek and ham pies, honey glazed gammon, and sausage and mash. 

Found between Tower Hill and Fenchurch Street stations, Cheshire Cheese is a cracking City boozer that's always popular with the after-work crowd. It's also a great choice of pubs in central London to watch football in, thanks to a plethora of TV screens showing all the big games.

There's also a dartboard for some added entertainment, as well as an all-day menu to get stuck into. Dive into plates of loaded jacket potatoes, barbecue mac 'n' cheese burgers or breaded scampi, paired with a top choice of beers, wines or spirits.

The Barley Mow is a historic and inviting pub located in the upscale Mayfair district of London. With a heritage dating back to the 18th century, this spot has retained much of its old-world charm while offering a modern ambience. 

It's known for its Sunday feasting menus where you can tuck into three courses for £58, including Costwaold chicken with sage and truffle butter, followed by pear and frangipane tart drizzled in Jersey cream. 

Located close to Fenchurch Street station, The Windsor is a cosy boozer fronting comfy leather booths, patterned carpets and wooden furnishings. You can enjoy a wide range of drinks here, including Cask Mark Accredited real ales and craft bottled beer.

There's also a wide variety of tasty dishes to get stuck into, from steak and ale pie to katsu chicken curry or a plant-based Bombay burger. Plus, sports fans can catch all the biggest games on Sky and TNT.

Located in Mayfair, The Audley Public House is a classy pub that's been around since 1888. It maintains a lot of its traditional Victorian features, from the high windows to the wooden panelling along the walls and bar. Take a seat on one of their comfy leather stools and enjoy one of the many different pints on offer.

They've got a cracking menu of British favourites to choose from as well. Think fish finger sandwiches dipped in tartare sauce, mushroom and beetroot sausages with mash and sticky toffee pudding for dessert, of course.

This welcoming Marylebone boozer has been around since 1807, and since then has firmly established itself as one of the best pubs in Central London for food. They do a spectacular Sunday roast, as well as other classics like beer-battered cod, flat iron steaks and plant-based cheeseburgers.

It still maintains its traditional interiors, featuring patterned tiled floors, cosy leather booths and simple wooden furnishings, though there are a few modern touches too.

Make your way to Holborn to discover The Princess Louise, a Victorian pub that's been lovingly restored to its original layout. Dating back to 1872, this Grade II-listed building feels like stepping back in time with its etched glass, mirrors and panelling - split into six separate drinking areas.

Settle down by the open fire for a wide variety of affordable beers and gins, or head upstairs to enjoy a hearty British meal. This one can be little bit divisive though, due to its no swearing and mobile phone policy.

This Belgravia pick is just a stone's throw from Hyde Park, and there's a long, fascinating military history to be discovered here. You can see original bayonets, sabres and even a bear skin lining the walls, and there are some who even claim that the pub is haunted by an officer who was flogged to death for cheating at cards here.

Gory history aside, this is an intimate, cosy joint offering top-quality food and drink, and there's even a beer garden for the summer months. Their menu features the likes of monkfish curry, wild mushroom tagliatelle and their famous beef Wellington, as well as sumptuous Sunday roasts.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of London's most historic pubs, nestled on Fleet Street and dating back to the 17th century. This iconic establishment boasts dark, winding staircases, low-beamed ceilings, and cosy nooks that exude a timeless, old-world charm.

Known for its literary connections, with past patrons including Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, the pub offers a selection of traditional ales, beers, and classic British fare. 

One of the most famous pubs in Central London, the Coach & Horses is a staple of Soho's Greek Street. It's been voted as the Evening Standard's number one pub to visit in London in the past, and their piano sing-a-long nights are notorious around the city.

They're all about good times and old-school vibes here, with affordable beer at the front and centre of what they do. Whether you're heading there for a quiet afternoon pint or soaking up the atmosphere on a Friday evening, you'll always be met with a smile. Even better? They're dog-friendly too.

The French House is perfect if you're after something a little more sophisticated, thanks to its lack of music, machines, mobile phones and television. The quirky spot only serves beer by half pint, and there's an extensive wine list to order from as well. The ground floor hosts an intimate bar area that's perfect for a laid-back pint or two, while the upstairs is a restaurant area that serves lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday.

This place has also earned itself a spot in the history books, thanks to writers like Brendan Behan and Dylan Thomas having written some of their most famous works there - the latter once left a manuscript of Under Milk Wood there by accident.

Located close to Covent Garden and Charing Cross, The Harp is a relaxed pub that specialises in real ale and cider. There are eight hand pumps on the bar serving a selection of beers from top breweries, and you can expect a social atmosphere at all times.

The lively bar downstairs is filled with Victorian portraits and colourful decor, but if you head upstairs you'll find a more laid-back space boasting comfy chairs and a more intimate atmosphere.