London pubs are the world's gold standard. The 10 below are where the regulars actually drink.
Part of our 20 Best Pubs in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best pubs in London
01 · London
Soho
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Iconic 1891 · Half-pints
Iconic Soho pub since 1891 — half-pints only.
Order: A half-pint of bitter
02 · London
Covent Garden
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Iconic 1772 · Historic
Iconic 1772 Covent Garden pub.
Order: A pint of London Pride
03 · London
Soho
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Iconic 1847
Iconic Soho 1847 Fleet Street journalist pub.
Order: A pint of bitter
04 · London
Fleet Street
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Iconic 1538
Iconic 1538 Fleet Street pub — Dickens drank here.
Order: A pint of bitter in the back room
05 · London
Blackfriars
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Iconic 1875 · Art Nouveau
Iconic 1875 Art Nouveau Blackfriars pub.
Order: A pint of cask ale
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06 · London
Borough
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Iconic 1677 · Coaching
Iconic 1677 Borough coaching inn — England's last galleried coaching inn.
Order: A pint in the courtyard
07 · London
Kensington
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Iconic · Flowers
Iconic Kensington pub famous for hanging flower baskets.
Order: A pint of London Pride
08 · London
Rotherhithe
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Iconic 1620 · Riverside
Iconic 1620 Rotherhithe riverside pub.
Order: A pint by the Thames
09 · London
Wapping
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Iconic 1520 · Riverside
Iconic 1520 Wapping riverside pub — London's oldest riverside.
Order: A pint by the river
10 · London
Belgravia
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Iconic · Historic
Iconic Belgravia hidden mews pub.
Order: A pint of bitter
How London drinks in a pub
The 10 above are where London actually drinks in pubs — proper cask ale, regulars who know the staff, the kind of room that earns the word.
