The pub trade magazine, The Morning Advertiser, has released its list of The Top 50 Gastropubs in England, Scotland and Wales for 2019. London secured eight spots on the list - not bad going - with the top slot countrywide going once again to the wonderful The Sportsman in Seasalter.
Here's the full list of London pubs that made the grade this year.
5. Harwood Arms
Walham Grove, Fulham, London SW6 1QP
Need to know: Owned by The Ledbury's Brett Graham and TV chef Mike Robinson of The Pot Kiln, this Fulham pub with Sally Abe at the helm is still the only Michelin-starred pub in London. Even the manager here, Laurens-Jan Peters is ex-Ledbury and Spring - that's the calibre we're talking about.
What to order? First seen at the Scotch Egg Challenge back in 2011, the Harwood Arms' venison scotch egg is still one of the best of its kind.
10. The Red Lion & Sun
25 North Rd, Highgate, London N6 4BE
Need to know: Tucked in a side street just minutes of the A1, this Highgate gastropub definitely comes into its own in the summer with a huge garden and we certainly spent a lot of time here this past summer. It's a local story too with even their meat coming from the local Highgate Butchers which may be why their Sunday Roasts look outstanding. The whole pub has just had a refurb so there's even more reason to come back if you haven't been here for a while.
What to order? The fish and chips are great - and you can get them to takeaway too. Although why would you when you can settle in here for one of the best wine lists in London.
12. The Marksman
254 Hackney Rd, London E2 7SJ
Need to know: Chef owners Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram reopened The Marksman in 2015, key to which was the opening of a wonderful, airy upstairs dining room. They've since expanded with their Bun Shop in Market Hall Victoria - but the pub is still a huge draw.
What to order? Menus change all the time, but you don't want to go home without having tried the brown butter and honey tart which is deservedly famous. And right now, the pheasant, leek and truffle pie for two sounds pretty fine too.
Book a table: call 0207 739 7393
15. The Drapers Arms
44 Barnsbury St, London N1 1ER
Need to know: Run by landlord Nick Gibson, the Drapers Arms has a reputation far wider than the usual neighbourhood pub. In the kitchen is Head Chef Luke Frankie who was previously Head Chef at Stevie Parle's Dock Kitchen. The pub runs a number of hugely popular annual events including Drink The List and their festival to all things offal, Glandstonbury.
What to order? From the current menu a starter of cuttlefish, braised chickpeas, tomato and breadcrumbs sounds great as does a main of Roast cauliflower, lentils, cavalo nero and walnut sauce.
23. Guinea Grill
30 Bruton Pl, Mayfair, London W1J 6NL
Need to know: This ancient pub (there's been a pub on this spot since the 15th century) has always been a London classic, but the arrival of uber-landlord Oisin Rogers in 2016 lifted it into a different level altogether. And he's recently been joined in his endeavours by food blogger turned front of house Dominic Rowntree.
What to order? Jay Rayner described the Guinea's mixed grill as "the sort of thing open-top tourist buses should stop in front of." Meat is what you're after here, and that mixed grill has plenty of it in. If you're after something a teeny bit less hearty - how about one of their award-winning steak and kidney pies?
31. The Anchor & Hope
36 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LP
Need to know: When this pub first opened it was A Big Deal, being one of the first modern gastropubs in London. Run by - as Matthew Fort described them "graduates of St John by way of the Eagle" - it was nigh on impossible to get a table here and - horrors - they didn't (and still don't) take bookings.
What to order? From the menu this week, glassblowers' herring with a shot of aquavit sounded mighty fine as did Suet crusted Highland steak pie for two.
Book a table: They only accept bookings for Sunday lunch - call on 020 7928 9898
34. Canton Arms
177 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1XP
Need to know: Run by a team who started at the Anchor & Hope - and also own Stockwell Continental - the chef here is Trish Hilferty, who like owner Charlie Bousfield, trained up via the original London gastropub, The Eagle in Farringdon.
What to order? On the current menu, a starter of Salt cod brandade, black olives and a croute sounds just the ticket but you'll need to gather a group together for the best thing - seven hour Salt Marsh lamb shoulder comes with potato and olive oil gratin and serves five-ish.
49. Hero of Maida
55 Shirland Rd, London W9 2JD
Need to know: Henry Harris appears to be on a one-man mission to transform London's gastropub scene. This Maida Vale pub is just one of many he's taken over in his partnership with the Harcourt Inns group.
What to order? Easy - if it's on the menu, the roast grouse with Armagnac gravy, foie gras toast & bread sauce. Always the grouse.
View the full Top 50 Gastropubs list here
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