Using our advanced ranking model and visiting scores of venues, we have hand-picked some of the very best pubs with meticulous care. We have created a selection of outstanding independent public houses across London. All have something particularly special to offer: craft beers, a hidden garden, an incredible menu or unique design. Whether you want to grab a seasonal brew or try genuine local ale, you’ll know that when visiting a CityStack pub, you won’t be disappointed.
Discover our hidden gems across zones 1 and 2
The Skehans
1 Kitto Road, London SE14 5TW
One of the few remaining independent family-run pubs in South London. Over 200 years old, Skehans has plenty of character, with a wood stove, a traditional front bar, and a beautiful hidden garden. Come for the odd pint, the delicious Thai food or live music playing most nights.
22 Chalcot Road, London NW1 8LL
A stone's throw from leafy Primrose Hill, this gastropub offers a tasty Sunday roast or mid-week meal. On tap is home-brewed lager, Princess Hells. The bar offers a series of infused gins that complement the cocktail menu. With 150 years of history, The Princess of Wales is a local favourite.
The Princess of Wales
64 Lant Street, London SE1 1QN
Known locally as ‘The Glad’, this independent family-run pub is named affectionately after four-time former prime minister William Gladstone. A stone's throw away from Borough tube, expect Anglo-Indian dishes including favourites such as curry pies and Indian Sunday roasts.
The Gladstone Arms
The Hawke
233-235 Victoria Park Rd, London E9 7HD
Soak up the local Victoria atmosphere whilst drinking a barrel-aged Negroni or one of The Hawke’s joyous Margaritas. Enjoy food by BellyLondon, a seasonal menu using British ingredients combined with purposeful cooking. And just in case your thirst for the outdoors hasn’t been satisfied at nearby Victoria Park, there is also a beer garden to enjoy (weather pending).
The Fat Walrus
44 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6NP
Opened in 2016, The Fat Walrus has been voted best pub in New Cross by Timeout readers every year since. The kitchen is open 7 days a week to enjoy treats such as a pan-fried seabass fillet or Swaledale onglet steak. Alternatively, grab a booth and enjoy one of the many beers on tap.
The Bow Bells
116 Bow Rd, Bow, London E3 3AA
Painted bright orange, The Bow Bells is hard to miss. Family-owned, you’ll be visiting a proper East End place. Unique to the pub, there is said to be a ghost that has lived here since 1974. Known as the ‘phantom flusher’, expect this cheeky ghost to flush the toilet just when you’re at your most vulnerable.
The Hansom Cab
84-86 Earls Ct Rd, London W8 6EG
A pub formerly owned by Piers Morgan, named after the replacement for the Hackney carriage, and now transformed into a craft beer house. Close to Kensington High Street, off the beaten path from Earls Court Road. Expect stylish décor, a friendly atmosphere, and a comfortable dining room with an open fireplace.
The Horn of Plenty
36 Globe Road, London E1 4DU
A traditional East End indie where you can palate a delightful selection of beers from local breweries such as Crate or Howling Hops.
Expect a snug atmosphere where NHS workers indulge themselves with a pint after a busy day, and Masters and PhD students from Queen Mary University have a break from their lectures.
