The best pubs to visit in west London

No institution is as quintessentially British as the pub. With almost 4000 of them in the capital alone, it’s hard to know which one to set your sights on. Found in quaint cobbled streets to contemporary venues, west London pubs have something to satisfy almost every palette. Whether it’s a cosy nook for a quiet pint or a lively watering hole to flock to with friends.

The Churchill Arms, Kensington

An exuberant facade of blooming flowers paints The Churchill Arms as West London’s most characterful gastropub. Its interior decor is equally eclectic, decked out with layers of British paraphernalia. This was the capital’s first pub to serve Thai food, which it does with excellence, alongside an extensive range of locally-sourced beers.

The Harwood Arms, Fulham

Unexpectedly modest, London’s only Michelin-starred pub offers a dining experience that exceeds all expectations. At Fulham’s The Harwood Arms, their focus on game and foraged food puts quality British produce at the forefront. Striving for sustainability where possible, ingredients are often sourced straight from their rooftop garden. A daily changing menu is available to view on their website, with recent highlights including Berkshire fallow deer and a starter of venison scotch egg.

The Hero, Maida Vale

Though Maida Vale’s The Hero boasts a rich history dating back to 1810, this pub’s latest revival may be the best yet. Serving up nostalgic British food and cask ales, it’s primed to become a local hotspot. Interiors are evocative of a Victorian tavern – think plaster walls, reclaimed pine and vast windows. A casual setting but undeniably refined, an elevated dining experience is set to launch on the first floor, alongside an event space fit for private gatherings and celebrations.

The Wigmore, Marylebone

A stone’s throw from All Souls Church that peers down Regent Street, The Wigmore is an elevated take on a traditional city pub. Reimagined by the adjoining Langham London hotel, this former bank has been artfully renovated by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Pulling on the five-star hospitality pedigree next door, the drinks menu is masterminded by the Artesian Bar while the food is governed over by famed chef Michel Roux Jr. True to form, there’s a pub quiz every Monday.

The Pelican, Notting Hill

Presiding over the intersection of Tavistock Road and All Saints Road, The Pelican provides a contemporary update on a classic Victorian pub in a quiet corner of Notting Hill. An airy renovation of a 19^th-century framework, large windows pour natural light over hardwood floors, exposed plaster and an open fire. Meanwhile, locally-brewed beers pair with a classic British menu featuring duck, skate and beef & Guinness pie. If you prefer light bites, there are adventurous bar snacks including Achill oysters and spider crab toast. The Pelican has even won a Michelin Bib Gourmand – awarded to restaurants for elevated cookery and excellent value for money.

The Princess Royal, Bayswater

Tucked away off Westbourne Grove, The Princess Royal is a local hidden hotspot. With low-level lighting and red velvet booths, the atmosphere is set for intimate meals or celebratory drinks. The pub’s restaurant spills out to a garden terrace, the perfect spot to sample their seasonal menu in the summer months. As part of the esteemed Cubitt House collection, quality dining and a well-curated wine list are assured here.

The Alfred Tennyson, Knightsbridge

Named after the Victorian Poet Laurette, The Alfred Tennyson offers indulgent drinking and dining in an elevated setting. On a regal street in Knightsbridge, this upmarket pub has a pared-back aesthetic and comfortable dining spaces arranged around a long wooden bar. The menu features kale Caesar salad, Cornish crab and seasonal oysters as well as gastronomic takes on populardishes such as battered haddock, beef cheeks and wild mushroom risotto.

The Masons Arms, Mayfair

The Masons Arms is an 18^th-century pub with a distinctive mock Tudor façade. A short walk from Oxford Street tube station, this wood-wrapped tavern features leather-clad bench seating, decorative dried hops hanging from the bar and an upstairs area that overlooks Mayfair’s busy Maddox Street. The menu offers avocado salad, Hampshire-bred pork belly and flat iron steak. The pub’s cosy and welcoming atmosphere also makes it a favoured spot during the festive period.