The 30 Best Ale selection in London

“We arrived quite late to Punch Tavern and unfortunately missed out on the Sunday Roast. However, the manager Alex was extremely kind in letting us have a choice of the other main courses and a cocktail on the house! The steak and the garlic shrimp were very flavourful indeed. Punch Tavern was recommended to me by a local tour guide as the best place for an authentic Sunday roast in London and, while I cannot comment on the Sunday roast at this time (definitely will be back!), I can say that the pub definitely deserves its esteemed reputation.”

“We had our Civil ceremony reception here and what a great team with Matt and the other amazing staff. The food was spectacular and my family loved to spend our special day with you at The Grange. You made our special day even more special!”

“Very nice pub. Roast dinner was delicious. Well made and a good portion. I have it 4 star as the fish and chips was not the best. Fish was dry and smelt of old oil. Kid’s portions were a good size. Service was very good even though was a very busy Sunday. This place is dog friendly with quite a few people bringing there dogs in with them.”

“Lovely pub with fantastic food and service. The pizzas are great value for money as the portions are really big. The frozen margaritas were also very good. The service was friendly, fast and attentive - our server Gracie was a particular standout. We will be back soon!”

“Nice local worth re trying (had some financial problems and closed for a while). Wine selection looks good but haven't tried. Beer range is reasonable, some crafts.”

“Brilliant staff and very welcoming had a great time here on Saturday 19th November for my brother in law 60th/Retirement. And met Benson and Murphy”

“Stopped by here Sunday with my two dogs. Staff were really friendly and prices were good too. Thanks for the warm welcome. A great place to stop for a drink after a dog walk.”

“A great find - had a lovely roast dinner, nut roast was lovely too. Very generous portions - roast potatoes exceptional!! Very well organised and quick service. Will be returning.”

“I visit London for leisure purposes every few weeks - and the Hand and Shears has pretty much become my local whenever I'm there. It's a cracking little pub with a great atmosphere - the welcome is always warm, the beer is always well-kept and there's a real sense of community about the place, which attracts regulars and visitors alike from both near and far. Carl, the manager, has done an excellent job of building the place up to being one of the best pubs in the area - and it's well worth seeking out.”

“Excellent selection of beers, food is good too & even better is the service with a smile & charisma…. We went there yesterday & treated polite & professionally which made us feel very welcome, definitely recommend if you’re around the area… I had their pizzas before & love the thing bread…”

“First visit to Fox and Hounds, Croxley for Sunday lunch and we were well impressed with quality and value for money..under €10 a head for a full Sunday roast!! Sue, the landlady was attentive and friendly , drinks were also cheap and we will definitely go again.”

“So impressed with a recent visit to Ye Olde Swan! My family arranged a gathering here last weekend to celebrate the life of my grandma who grew up on the Island. We had over 30 people, all eating from the menu - I was expecting chaos, but our experience was exceptional. We arrived on a beautiful sunny day and had been allocated a really lovely outside seating area near the river. Staff were friendly and helpful. All of our food came out on time, hot and correct, not one issue! They even brought the kids food out first which was super helpful. Everyone had a wonderful time, the pub had a great atmosphere, boats could moor up alongside, there was live music later in the day. Highly recommend! Thanks Ye Olde Swan team for helping us honour my grandma and have a really memorable and special time at your pub.”

“The restaurant exceeded expectations. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed. The seafood platter was fresh and flavorful, and the staff was attentive throughout.”

“The steak here is amazing and I had £25 off, so which meant I pay next to nothing for this delicious steak with chips. Full of flavour and not chewy at all and the pub is beautiful by a little stream and great for families. It’s a must try for me”

“Absolutely gorgeous Thai food. The gyozas were so crispy and well-filled and the dipping sauce brought a lovely sour saltiness to the dish. We ordered the Pad Thai and chicken teriyaki. Both dishes were absolutely lovely, warming, and generously portioned. Upon request the chefs were more than happy to add chicken to my dish although not on the menu and I greatly appreciated how welcoming and attentive the servers were throughout.”

“This quaint pub has an enormous and beautiful garden with lots for kids to do... The regulars are fantastic and friendly, and the staff are genuinely lovely. We stopped in for a cheeky pint and ended up staying just for the hilarious conversation. Exactly as a good English pub should be. Highly recommended!”

“Visited the area from the USA for work and The Three Horseshoes made me feel right at home. The locals were so inviting and Lauren (Bar tender) was awesome! Highly recommend hanging out there for a pint or two.”

“I had a delightful visit here the other day. The place has an extremely comfortable and warming atmosphere. The food was exceptional and the staff went above and beyond to cater for my dietary requirements. Looking forward to visit again!”

“Amazing experience at this pub for a baby shower. Cannot fault the food, venue and lovely male member of staff assisting us on the day! Genuinely cared about us enjoying ourselves. Will absolutely be returning!!”

“I came here for England New Zealand first rugby match full stop the atmosphere was electric I'm used to Football Club's crashing but this was very different. Everybody got on it was very busy but you got served very quick at the bar”

“We had our Christmas party in the private room a few weeks back and the staff were brilliant. A variety of food was ordered and everyone mentioned how good it was with generous portions on the Platinum Menu. A nice range of beers too! Well done Jose and team!”

“Lovely, old traditional bar. Some seating outside and a grassy area to spill on to. Service was quick and polite. Drinks cost typical Ealing prices.”

“Fantastic fish and chips, as well as the BEST mushy peas I've ever had. Friendly and accommodating wait staff. A must visit!”

“We had the Christmas menu. It was delicious from start to finish. Although it was all incredible, the marmalade ice cream was very special. Staff were all fantastic even on a very busy evening. Polite, friendly and very efficient.Two tiny disappointments were a lack of festive arrangements on the tables and no winter ales on tap but in no way deflected from a lovely evening, at a very fair price. Thanks to all.”

“Sasha our waitress was the best. Loved her energy. Great service. Very busy as it was Christmas but still great service. Food was great all round. Had a mixture of steak pie, burger and fish and chips. An amazing pub to visit. Shout out to the chefs Dana and Mihai. Food came out pipping hot and fresh. Defo worth a visit if you’re in the area.”

“I had been coming to the Dog and Bull for years before the Refurb and always found it charming. I returned in May to a bright and vibrant garden, dubbed 'the wilderness' the new booths were a welcome upgrade and made the space feel substantial! Besides the cosmetic changes, I have grown to love this pub in my home town of Croydon even more than I did before! We've been so lucky to have an amazing summer and it's been great to see this pub so close to my heart packed out with new and returning people each week! I have been raving about The Dog since May and have invited all my uni mates who talk down on Croydon to have a drink with me There, they've all eaten their words and finally seen the charm that Croydon has that is encapsulated in what I think is the best pub in central Croydon! The staff are friendly and make everyone feel like they're in their local and they have live DJ sets, with music I wish more places would play (deep cuts of Garage, R&B, Jungle…list goes on). I wanted to write this review as we always complain when we don't like an establishment but never give praise to environments where we feel comfortable and want to return to so thank you to all the staff at The Dog and I'm sure you'll be seeing me again in the near future.”

“The best pub In SouthWest, they have a pool table, juke box, darts and Karaoke on a Friday and Saturday.”

“Solid boozer. No frills but decent regulars and pints. Good atmosphere on a Thursday”

“Ale, Art & Atmosphere at Sir Richard Steele – Haverstock Hill Located in the heart of Steeles Village, just a short walk from Chalk Farm and Belsize Park, Sir Richard Steele Pub is a North London institution with a bohemian spirit and Victorian bones. Dating back to the 19th century, it’s long been a haunt for artists, musicians, and locals who appreciate a pub with personality. The interiors are eclectic and theatrical — mismatched furniture, vintage posters, and curios tucked into every corner. There’s a piano, a fireplace, and even a secret snug if you know where to look. The vibe is warm, welcoming, and slightly eccentric — in the best way. The pub serves craft beers, classic ales, and modern cocktails, with a rotating selection that caters to both traditionalists and trend-chasers. The beer garden is a hidden gem — leafy, relaxed, and ideal for sunny afternoons or cozy evenings under the lights. Food-wise, the menu offers modern pub fare with vegan and clean-eating options, plus BBQs, tapas, and roasts depending on the season. There’s also a generous happy hour, live music, and something happening most nights — from quiz nights to DJ sets. Under new management since 2019, the pub has returned to its roots, restoring much of its original charm and drawing back its loyal crowd. Guests praise the friendly staff, lively atmosphere, and affordable drinks, making it a standout in a neighbourhood full of options.”

“A lovely pub, unpretentious with a lovely man behind the bar. Well priced drinks and a nice outdoor area. Lots of tvs with sports on. A great local pub!”