Great British Pubs

London

Best Pubs in City of London

City taverns, merchant pubs, and historic drinking rooms in the Square Mile. From long-established locals to busy borough-centre bars, drinking out in City of London reflects the wider Pub culture of London. Whether you want real ale, Pub food, or a quiet corner for a pint, City of London's best hostelries are a fine introduction to the area.

The best Pubs in City of London

  1. Placeholder image for The Lamb Tavern
    Leadenhall MarketVictorianCity workers

    The Lamb Tavern

    Must visit

    10-12 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR

    A Leadenhall Market institution with Victorian charm, cask ale, and city workers filling the bar at lunchtime.

    • Local favourite
    • Traditional Pub
    • Well-kept ales
  2. Placeholder image for The Old Doctor Butler's Head
    RecommendedHistoricReal ale

    The Old Doctor Butler's Head

    2 Masons Avenue, EC2V 5BT

    One of the City's oldest Pubs, tucked down an alley off Moorgate with real ale and a tiny historic bar.

    • Hidden alley
    • Local favourite
    • Traditional Pub
  3. Placeholder image for The Hand & Shears
    Really good

    The Hand & Shears

    1 Middle Street, EC1A 7JA

    A tiny Smithfield Pub dating to 1532, with sawdust floors, real ale, and market traders at the bar.

    • 1532
    • Smithfield
    • Real ale
  4. Placeholder image for The Black Friar
    Art nouveau

    The Black Friar

    174 Queen Victoria Street, EC4V 4EG

    An art nouveau Pub designed by H. Fuller-Clark, with copper reliefs, mosaic work, and one of the finest Pub interiors in London.

    • Heritage interior
    • Blackfriars
    • Local favourite
  5. Placeholder image for The Ship
    City alley

    The Ship

    11 Talbot Court, Off Gracechurch Street, EC3V 0BP

    A City alley Pub with cask ale, a compact bar, and a faithful after-work crowd hidden off Gracechurch Street.

    • Real ale
    • Hidden gem
    • Local favourite
  6. Placeholder image for The Cittie of Yorke

    The Cittie of Yorke

    22 High Holborn, WC1V 6BN

    A Samuel Smith's Pub with a grand long bar, cheap pints, and a historic frontage on High Holborn.

    • Sam Smith's
    • Historic
    • Value
  7. Placeholder image for The Magpie

    The Magpie

    86 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AG

    A Bishopsgate local with cask ale, Pub food, and a steady crowd of city workers and Liverpool Street commuters.

    • Bishopsgate
    • Real ale
    • City workers
  8. Placeholder image for The Dirty Dick

    The Dirty Dick

    202 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR

    A Bishopsgate Pub named after a notorious 18th-century dandy, with a Victorian interior and tourist-friendly location.

    • Bishopsgate
    • Victorian
    • Historic
  9. Placeholder image for The Williamson's Tavern

    The Williamson's Tavern

    1 Groveland Court, Newgate Street, EC4M 9EH

    A hidden City tavern down a cobbled court, with real ale and a quiet atmosphere away from the main streets.

    • Hidden court
    • Real ale
    • Historic
  10. Placeholder image for The Rising Sun

    The Rising Sun

    38 Carter Lane, EC4V 5AE

    A St Paul's Pub with cask ale, Pub food, and a relaxed crowd of city workers and cathedral visitors.

    • St Paul's
    • Real ale
    • Pub food