A curated edit of London’s most stylish pubs

The Audley Public House, Mayfair

Art appreciators may wish to visit this pub and restaurant from Artfarm, the hospitality arm of the prestigious gallery, Hauser & Wirth. The Audley Public House is on the corner of Mount Street and South Audley Street in Mayfair, offering a local pub experience with a suitably artistic edge. The ceiling showcases a specially commissioned piece by British artist, Phyllida Barlow, which is crafted from collaged hand-painted paper in a range of vibrant shades that contrast beautifully with the dark wood interiors of the bar. Other artwork in the pub includes pieces by Martin Creed, Rodney Graham, and Don McCullin. Paris-based design studio Laplace was the lead architect behind the restoration of the space, enlisting British craftspeople to revive the heritage of the pub.

Executive chef Jamie Shears’ (formerly of 45 Park Lane) menu of pub snacks features classics like Scotch eggs and is complemented by a range of draught beers and ciders, including Sambrook’s Brewery–one of the oldest brewers in London.

Reopened in 2021 following an extensive restoration project, The Cadogan Arms is a Chelsea institution with close to two centuries of history as a public house. Its striking mahogany bar sits against amber-toned stained-glass windows and is surrounded by plush seating and lavish chandeliers.

The current menu is created by executive chef John Sparks and head chef Jon Coomb, with British pub classics focused on provenance, seasonality and traceability. The drinks offering includes carefully selected wines, bespoke beers and classic cocktails.

The Wigmore at The Langham, Marylebone

The Langham’s resident pub, The Wigmore, opened in 2017 in a former banking hall, which is carried on through the décor that fills the space. Arched high ceilings, parquet flooring, and marble surfaces are finished with brass lamps and studded leather bar stools.

The food menu is overseen by the prestigious chef Michel Roux Jr. (Le Gavroche) and is quintessentially British, with dishes made using seasonal ingredients sourced from the finest producers. Bar snacks include buttered crumpets with citrus-cured salmon and crème fraîche, and the famed XXL stovetop three-cheese and mustard toastie. There’s also a wide range of beers and cocktails, including a house gluten-free Session IPA brewed with Deya Brewery.

The Harwood Arms, Fulham

This culinary treasure in West London is currently London’s only Michelin-starred pub. The Harwood Arms opened in 2009; its current directors are Brett Graham and Mike Robinson. Menus highlight British produce, game, wild foods and interesting wines.

Head chef Josh Cutress (The Square, The Ledbury) continues the pub’s focus on seasonal British ingredients and sustainability.

The George, Fitzrovia

The George is an 18th-century, Grade II-listed pub on Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia. Reopened in 2021 after an extensive restoration, it now serves one food and drink menu across two floors. The venue retains its history as a hub for late-18th-century political, cultural and social movements and a home to 20th-century writers and poets. Today, it offers all-day food, cask ales, craft beers, seasonal cocktails and an extensive wine list.

The first floor includes The Gluepot, an intimate private dining room for up to 10 guests with a monthly-changing menu.

The Princess Royal, Notting Hill

In the heart of Notting Hill, The Princess Royal reopened in April 2022 following a major renovation project. It’s home to a stylishly appointed restaurant and bar as well as four individually designed guest rooms. Menus overseen by chef director Ben Tish are inspired by British and modern European cuisine, with a focus on seasonal ingredients.

Interiors, conceptualised by Georgie Pearman, are said to have been inspired by the pub’s Victorian heritage, with reclaimed Victorian doors, stained glass panels, and handpicked furnishings. The garden and courtyard space, which has been planted with olive trees, was designed by the renowned landscape architect Jinny Blom.

The Pig & Butcher, Islington

This welcoming gastropub in North London has become celebrated among locals and visitors alike for its high-quality fare focused on sustainable, seasonal British produce, with meat butchered onsite. The menu changes weekly to reflect the best seasonal produce available from the pub’s British farms and suppliers. All meat is butchered onsite daily in a purpose-built butchery room.