Food & Drink

Top 20 Best Pubs in the UK

The UK is home to some of the finest pubs in the world, each offering its own unique blend of history, atmosphere, and exceptional drinks. From centuries-old coaching inns to award-winning gastropubs, these establishments are the heart and soul of British culture. Here are the top 20 best pubs in the UK that deserve a place on your must-visit list.

1. The Devonshire, Soho, London

  • Description: Crowned the number one gastropub in the UK for 2026, The Devonshire combines refined dining with classic pub charm in the heart of Soho.

  • Location: Soho, London

  • Known For: Celebrity haunt status and an exceptional modern British menu that elevates pub dining to new heights.

  • Why Visit: Experience the very best of contemporary gastropub culture in one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods.

2. The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk

  • Description: An award-winning gastropub housed in a charming 16th-century inn, serving a creative Britalian menu that fuses British and Italian flavours.

  • Location: Bromeswell, Suffolk

  • Known For: Its innovative Britalian cuisine and multiple industry awards for food and hospitality.

  • Why Visit: Enjoy world-class cooking in a beautifully rustic countryside setting with genuine warmth and character.

3. The Red Lion and Sun, Highgate, London

  • Description: Ranked as the third best gastropub in the UK, this Highgate gem serves a refined seasonal British menu with locally sourced ingredients.

  • Location: Highgate, London

  • Known For: Its seasonal British menu and consistent placement among the UK's top gastropubs.

  • Why Visit: A perfect blend of village pub charm and sophisticated dining, just a short trip from central London.

4. The Princess Louise, Holborn, London

  • Description: A stunning Victorian gin palace featuring original etched glass, ornate tiling, and beautifully carved wooden partitions.

  • Location: Holborn, London

  • Known For: Its breathtaking Victorian interior with etched mirrors and intricate decorative tiling throughout.

  • Why Visit: Step back in time to experience one of London's best-preserved Victorian pub interiors while enjoying quality Sam Smith's ales.

5. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans

  • Description: One of several pubs claiming the title of England's oldest, this historic and charming establishment dates back centuries and sits beside the River Ver.

  • Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire

  • Known For: Its claim to be the oldest pub in England and its wonderfully atmospheric, low-beamed interior.

  • Why Visit: Drink in a piece of living history in a beautifully quirky pub with a stunning garden setting.

6. The Eagle, Clerkenwell, London

  • Description: Widely recognised as the pioneer of the gastropub movement, The Eagle transformed British pub culture when it opened its kitchen in 1991.

  • Location: Clerkenwell, London

  • Known For: Being the birthplace of the gastropub concept, revolutionising pub food across the UK.

  • Why Visit: Visit the pub that started it all and enjoy hearty Mediterranean-inspired dishes in an unpretentious setting.

7. The Lamb and Flag, Oxford

  • Description: A historic 17th-century pub steeped in literary heritage, once frequented by Thomas Hardy and other notable writers.

  • Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire

  • Known For: Its rich literary connections, particularly as a former haunt of Thomas Hardy.

  • Why Visit: Soak up centuries of literary history while enjoying traditional ales in one of Oxford's most characterful pubs.

8. The Turf Tavern, Oxford

  • Description: A hidden 13th-century pub tucked away down narrow alleyways, famous for its history and notable visitors including Bill Clinton.

  • Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire

  • Known For: Its hidden location, ancient origins, and the famous visit by Bill Clinton during his time at Oxford.

  • Why Visit: Discover this wonderfully secluded gem with its charming courtyards and centuries of fascinating stories.

9. The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool

  • Description: A Grade I listed pub boasting some of the most ornate Victorian interiors of any pub in the country, with stunning plasterwork and stained glass.

  • Location: Liverpool, Merseyside

  • Known For: Its Grade I listed status and spectacularly ornate Victorian interior, including the famous marble gentlemen's toilets.

  • Why Visit: Marvel at one of Britain's most architecturally significant pubs, a true masterpiece of Victorian craftsmanship.

10. The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping, London

  • Description: Dating back to 1520, this is London's oldest riverside pub, offering stunning views across the Thames from its waterside terrace.

  • Location: Wapping, London

  • Known For: Being the oldest riverside pub in London with over 500 years of history and panoramic Thames views.

  • Why Visit: Enjoy a pint with unbeatable river views in a pub that has welcomed sailors, smugglers, and kings alike.

11. The Churchill Arms, Kensington, London

  • Description: One of London's most photographed pubs, famous for its extraordinary floral displays that cover the entire exterior and its authentic Thai kitchen.

  • Location: Kensington, London

  • Known For: Its spectacular seasonal floral displays and surprisingly excellent Thai food served in the conservatory.

  • Why Visit: Experience one of London's most Instagram-worthy pubs and discover why its Thai menu has drawn crowds for decades.

12. The Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham

  • Description: Carved into the sandstone rock beneath Nottingham Castle, this remarkable pub claims to be England's oldest inn, dating back to 1189.

  • Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

  • Known For: Its claim as England's oldest inn and unique cave-like rooms carved directly into the castle rock.

  • Why Visit: Drink in genuinely unique surroundings that have served refreshments since the time of the Crusades.

13. The Drovers Inn, Loch Lomond, Scotland

  • Description: A wonderfully atmospheric Highland pub that has been welcoming weary travellers since 1705, complete with kilted staff and roaring fires.

  • Location: Loch Lomond, Scotland

  • Known For: Its atmospheric Highland setting, quirky decor including stuffed animals, and over 300 years of hospitality.

  • Why Visit: Experience authentic Scottish Highland pub culture in a setting that feels genuinely unchanged by time.

14. The Bear Inn, Oxford

  • Description: The oldest pub in Oxford, dating back to 1242, renowned for its remarkable collection of over 4,500 ties displayed on the walls and ceilings.

  • Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire

  • Known For: Being Oxford's oldest pub and its famous collection of ties snipped from visiting patrons over the decades.

  • Why Visit: Visit a pub that has been serving since the 13th century and marvel at one of the quirkiest collections in any British pub.

15. The Barley Mow, Marylebone, London

  • Description: A cosy Victorian pub tucked away in Marylebone, offering a fine selection of real ales and a wonderfully intimate atmosphere.

  • Location: Marylebone, London

  • Known For: Its cosy Victorian charm, excellent real ale selection, and peaceful escape from the bustle of central London.

  • Why Visit: Discover a perfectly preserved slice of Victorian pub life in one of London's most elegant neighbourhoods.

16. The Grapes, Limehouse, London

  • Description: A historic riverside pub in Limehouse, part-owned by Sir Ian McKellen, offering excellent food and beautiful Thames views from its terrace.

  • Location: Limehouse, London

  • Known For: Its celebrity co-owner Sir Ian McKellen, its riverside terrace, and its appearance in Dickens' novels.

  • Why Visit: Enjoy outstanding fish dishes and riverside views at a pub with both literary heritage and Hollywood connections.

17. The Star Inn the City, York

  • Description: An award-winning dining pub situated on the banks of the River Ouse, offering exceptional food with stunning views of York Minster.

  • Location: York, North Yorkshire

  • Known For: Its award-winning food, beautiful riverside setting, and spectacular views of York Minster.

  • Why Visit: Savour some of Yorkshire's finest cooking while gazing at one of England's most iconic cathedrals.

18. The Harp, Covent Garden, London

  • Description: A multiple CAMRA award-winning pub in the heart of Covent Garden, celebrated for its outstanding selection of cask ales.

  • Location: Covent Garden, London

  • Known For: Multiple CAMRA National Pub of the Year awards and an exceptional range of perfectly kept cask ales.

  • Why Visit: Sample some of the finest cask ales in London at one of the most consistently awarded pubs in the country.

19. The Anchor, Southwark, London

  • Description: A historic riverside pub on Bankside with connections to Samuel Pepys, who reportedly watched the Great Fire of London from this spot in 1666.

  • Location: Southwark, London

  • Known For: Its Samuel Pepys connection, riverside location, and proximity to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

  • Why Visit: Walk in the footsteps of history at a pub that has witnessed some of London's most dramatic moments.

20. The Fat Cat, Norwich

  • Description: An award-winning real ale pub offering an extraordinary selection of over 30 ales on tap, making it a paradise for beer enthusiasts.

  • Location: Norwich, Norfolk

  • Known For: Its vast selection of 30+ real ales on tap and multiple CAMRA awards for excellence.

  • Why Visit: Experience one of the finest real ale pubs in the country with an unmatched variety of perfectly kept beers.

Conclusion

The UK's pubs are as diverse as they are welcoming, offering everything from centuries-old history and stunning architecture to award-winning food and world-class ales. Whether you are seeking a cosy fireside pint in a Highland inn or cutting-edge gastropub dining in London, these 20 pubs represent the very best of British pub culture.

Have you visited any of these pubs? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below!

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