Want top-notch nosh while putting back a pint or two? Head to one of these gastropubs — our pick of the best in London.
WORDS: Amelia Bentley
North
The Prince Albert
163 Royal College St, NW1
020-7485 0270
Tube Camden Town + 5 mins
Vibe Laid-back with a touch of sophistication.
Tuck in Guinea fowl and posh burgers go down a treat. Food is half price on Monday nights.
Your Shout Selection of good wines and Polish beer on tap.
Get off your *** because … it's a classy yet unpretentious boozer with top-notch food.
The Angelic
57 Liverpool Rd, N1
020-7278 8433
Tube Angel + 2 mins
Vibe A young, good-looking crowd.
Tuck in Lentil Wellington with cannellini bean and truffle oil purée and greens (£10.50). Try spotted *** (£4.60) for dessert.
Your Shout £16.50 for a jug of Pimms No. 1, the cheapest champers is £4.20 a glass.
Get off your *** because ... it's a veggie-friendly gastropub and you need your five a day.
The Engineer
65 Gloucester Ave, NW1
020-7722 0950
Tube Chalk Farm + 8 mins
Vibe Cool and hushed with funky wallpaper and abstract lighting.
Tuck in Hummus and minted aubergine dip with pitta crisp to start (£6.50), followed by roast lamb fillet with pink fir potatoes, barley and grape salad (£14).
Your Shout Avoid a round at this place unless you're quids in.
Get off your *** because … you might spot a celeb.
South
The Florence
133 Dulwich Rd SE24
020-7326 4987
Tube Brixton + 3 mins
Vibe Busy but the staff are still friendly and efficient.
Tuck in Smoked haddock with Parmesan toast starter is £5.50.
Your Shout Wine from £3.25 a glass, home brew pints are £2.85.
Get off your *** because … you can order pints from the micro-brewery behind the bar.
Freemasons
2 Wandsworth Common, SW18
020-7326 8580
Tube Clapham Junction (Rail) + 7 mins
Vibe With a smart, circular-shaped bar, Freemasons is a welcoming venue with a young, hip crowd.
Tuck in Mixed platters are £7.50, and mains such as honey-roasted pork belly cost £11.50.
Your Shout 15 beers are available, including XXXX and wines from £12 a bottle.
Get off your *** because … the food is fab. There's also chilled music and the staff are like a big bunch of friends.
Queen Adelaide
35 Putney Bridge Rd, SW18
020-8874 1695
Tube East Putney + 10 mins
Vibe The sun (if it's around) pours through the windows of this refurbished pub.
Tuck in Homemade bread and butterscotch pudding and banoffee pie for £3.95
Your Shout Pretty reasonable, it won't put too much of a dent in your wallet.
Get off your *** because … you will almost always find a seat — this place is huge and there's a lovely garden to enjoy, too.
East
The Royal Oak
73 Columbia Rd, E2
020-7729 2220
Tube Old Street + 10 mins
Vibe The dining room decor is like a rich aunt's country manor.
Tuck in The menu changes weekly, but you'll find the likes of sea bass with wild mushrooms, oven potatoes, and truffle oil.
Your Shout Six beers on tap, and a glass of wine will set you back £3.50 a glass.
Get off your *** because … this place oozes decadence.
LMNT
316 Queensbridge Rd, E8
020-7249 6727
Tube Dalston Kingsland + 15 mins
Vibe Sit on a balcony above the bar or in a raised opera box next to Sphinx fireplaces.
Tuck in Lunch mains include grilled rib eye steak with celeriac purée and fondant potato (£6.95).
Your Shout Crazy cocktails. Try a Tutankhamun's Erection (£5.95), a Bleeding Cleopatra (£4.95) or an Egyptian Orgy (£5.25).
Get off your *** because … the grub is great and the toilet art is pornographic.
The Eagle
159 Farringdon Rd, EC1
020-7837 1353
TubeFarringdon + 7 mins
Vibe The bar along the back wall doubles as an open kitchen where you can watch the action taking place.
Tuck in Food changes daily, but expect £7 to £12 just for an entree.
Your Shout Wines from all over the world, plus a few cocktails for around £5.
Get off your *** because … this was London's first gastropub and the staff are lovely.
West
The Devonshire
126 Devonshire Rd, W4
020-7592 7962
Tube Chiswick + 15 mins
Vibe Gordon Ramsay's west London pub has dark wood surrounds, original fireplaces and old black and white photos on the walls.
Tuck in British tucker such as beef and ale pie and mash for £11.50, or a traditional ploughman's from the bar menu for £6.50.
Your Shout Wine from £3.50 a glass, spirits from £2.55.
Get off your *** because ... Gordon Ramsay says so, you fucker!
The Westbourne
101 Westbourne Park Villas, W2
020-7221 1332
Tube Westbourne Park + 4 mins
Vibe It's got charm, it's retro-cool, it's the place to meet mates in west London.
Tuck in Cornwall oysters on offer for a starter, delish Sunday roast for £14.
Your Shout Eight beers on tap and about 25 wines to choose from.
Get off your *** because … the barmen love to flirt.
The Defectors Weld
170 Uxbridge Rd, W12
020-8749 0008
Tube Shepherd's Bush (Hammersmith & City line) + 2 mins
Vibe Low-slung lamps, candles and hidden booths where you and your lover can get some privacy.
Tuck in Pub grub and old- fashioned British food, such as home-made pies and sausages and mash for £7.
Your Shout Bloody Mary and French Martini cocktails for £6.20.
Get off your *** because … on Satuday and Sunday nights you can buy one cocktail and get another for just £1.